Following the success of their judicial retreat in Nuremberg in June 2015, the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have held a second retreat to consider ways of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Court’s judicial work.
The retreat was held on Friday 28 October and Saturday 29 October 2016 in Limburg, in the Netherlands.
The retreat programme considered issues related to the preparation and management of trial proceedings, including issues related to evidence, witness testimony and legal representation of victims. It also considered whether further best practices in relation to the preparation of trials could be included in the Chambers Practice Manual.
“Improving efficiency and effectiveness is a top priority for the Court. We have already seen very concrete results from the collective efforts of the judges to expedite and improve judicial proceedings. More than ever, it is important that the Court remains focused on continuing the considerable progress already achieved in this regard”, said ICC President, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi.
On the picture HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan of Jordan and the members of the World Science Forum Steering Committee in Brussels – Picture by Princess Sumaya University for Technology.
Brussels: HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan of Jordan chaired a meeting on October 4th, in Brussels to discuss preparations for the upcoming VIII World Science Forum (WSF), which will be held at the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 2017.
Members of the World Science Forum (WSF) Steering Committee discussed the topic of “Science for Peace” and its relevance to the Middle East and global science, according to a statement from the Princess Sumaya University for Technology.
The WSF, labelled as “the Davos of global science”, is held every two years and will be held for the first time in the Middle East in November 2017 after Jordan won the nomination to host the forum.
“The event will provide Jordan and its science community with an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Jordanian talent and to focus global attention on challenges facing Jordan and the world, which urgently require scientific solutions,” the statement further elaborated.
Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan addressed the Conference of the International Network for Government Science Advice in Brussels, on the theme of science and policymaking.
Moreover the princess held tête-à-tête discussions with UNESCO Assistant Director General for Natural Sciences Flavia Schlegel, who is a committee member of WSF 2017.
For further information:
Princess Sumaya University for Technology: http://www.psut.edu.jo
World Science Forum: http://www.sciforum.hu
On the picture Co-president Kyriakos Pachoulides of Award winner AHDR, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koeders, Co-president Alev Tugberk of Award winner AHDR.
The Hague – The Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR), a Cyprus-based non-governmental organisation, has been awarded the Max van der Stoel Award 2016 for its work on history teaching as a tool for reconciliation in Cyprus. The association was presented the award by Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders during a ceremony in the Academy Hall of the Peace Palace in The Hague on October 24th.
For additional pictures please open the following link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157675822243235Jury member Barbara Oomen, jury member Alexander Verhovsky, Co-President Alev Tugberk of winner ADHR, Co-President Kyriakos Pachoulides of winner AHDR, Chairperson of the Jury and former High Commissioner on National Minorities, Astrid Thors and jury member Rainer Hofmann.
The Max van der Stoel Award is given every two years to an individual or organization in recognition of extraordinary and outstanding achievements in improving the position of communities in the OSCE area. It consists of a donation of 50,000 euros by the Government of the Netherlands to the winner. The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities chairs the jury that chooses the winner. As Director and Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Henrik Villadsen said: “The Max van der Stoel Award enables us to give credit where credit is due by promoting the hard work of courageous and dedicated individuals and organizations which spearhead and practise dialogue among communities and help to build a common future”.Certificate Co-Presidents Kyriakos Pachoulides and Alev Tugberk with the 2016 Max van der Stoel Award.
Speaking out in support of AHDR as the 2016 winner of the award, Chairperson of the jury and former High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors stated: “From the outset, AHDR has demonstrated its sustained commitment to building a multicultural and multi-faith society, promoting mutual respect and diversity, and including all of the communities of Cyprus.”
Explaining the added value of the winner, she said: “AHDR provides access to learning opportunities for individuals from different ethnic, religious, cultural and social backgrounds including teacher training sessions, cultural excursions, seminars and conferences. It developed a range of supplementary teaching materials in order to help inter alia to address the legacies of a violent past.”
Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Kingdom of The Netherlands, H.E. Mr Elpidoforos Economou congratulated AHDR and stated: “The Ministry of Education and Culture remains committed to an educational system that promotes peaceful co-existence, tolerance and understanding amongst the people of Cyprus and cooperates with the Association.”
Before presenting the Award to AHDR, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders emphasised the importance of the work of the organisation: “The success of the AHDR demonstrates the power that communities themselves have to shape their relations. It serves as a shining example to other countries where relations between communities are strained.”
ADHR Co-presidents Kyriakos Pachoulides, a Greek Cypriot, and Alev Tuğberk, a Turkish Cypriot, jointly accepted the Award and spoke alternately, saying that “this award is shared with all those in Cyprus, whose work promoted, over the last decades, inter-communal co-operation, mutual respect and understanding as the foundations for a sustainable, peaceful re-united Cyprus.”
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Photography by OSCE/Arnaud Roelofsz
The Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (“Mechanism”) marks the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, in Arusha on October 27, by releasing a short informational video entitled “Preserving History as it Happens: An Introduction to the Audiovisual Archives of the International Criminal Tribunals”. The video, produced by the Mechanism’s Archives and Records Section (“MARS”), highlights the unique audiovisual records that are preserved in the Mechanism’s archives, showcases the variety and the extent of this material, and informs the public as to how to access material managed by the Mechanism.
https://youtu.be/xyBRQ9Qny_Q
World Day for Audiovisual Heritage was approved as an initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Oragnization’s (“UNESCO”), the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (“CCAAA”), and other organisations in 2005. The Day is intended to help raise awareness about the importance of the preservation of audiovisual heritage, highlight the accessibility of audiovisual archives, and celebrate the work of institutions that have helped to protect, preserve, and provide access to audiovisual material.In accordance with its mandate, the Mechanism has been tasked with the preservation and management of the archives of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (“ICTR”), the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (“ICTY”), and the Mechanism according to the highest international archival standards and promotes their long-term accessibility, whilst ensuring the protection of confidential and sensitive information.
The Tribunal yesterday launched ‘Fifteen Years of Outreach at the ICTY’, a publication highlighting how the Tribunal’s Outreach Programme — the first-ever to be established by an international criminal tribunal — developed over the course of the ICTY’s history. The publication features the strategies and projects developed by the Tribunal’s Outreach Programme and summarises outreach-related activities undertaken by the Office of the President and the Office of the Prosecutor. ICTY President, Judge Carmel Agius, explained in his welcoming remarks that the Outreach Programme has served as a direct communication link between the Tribunal and the people of the region. “As a result, the Programme’s work has enabled countless people in the region to witness justice being done in The Hague and support justice being done at home,” said President Agius. He added that the Outreach Programme remains crucial for the Tribunal in its final phase “to continue to disseminate its findings, to explain the significance of its achievements to the people of the former Yugoslavia, and to ensure that its legacy will endure.”On behalf of the Outreach Programme’s main donor – the European Union – Mr David Hudson, Senior Expert, said in his introduction that the ICTY’s Outreach programme operates at many levels – from TV screens to classrooms: “The European Commission is proud to be able to continue to support this vital work of the court.”Opening remarks were followed by a panel discussion on the lessons learnt from 15 years of the Outreach Programme. During the discussion, Dr Marko Milanović (Associate Professor, University of Nottingham School of Law) pointed out that, in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, the denial of ICTY’s factual determinations on specific crimes continues. Mr Mario Mažić (Director of Programmes, Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Croatia) added that the young people in the region have very strong attitudes towards the Tribunal based on very little knowledge and that challenging their prejudices was the main result of the Youth Outreach project. Ms Lada Šoljan (Legal Officer, ICTY Office of the Prosecutor) explained how the Office of the Prosecutor engaged with a variety of local actors, such as victims, the media and local authorities, on outreach and capacity building projects. Concluding, Ms Rada Pejić-Sremac (Head, ICTY Outreach Programme) said that the ICTY Outreach developed over the years from a tool for provision of information on ICTY into an instrument of dialogue with the local communities about the need to end impunity. Fifteen Years of Outreach at the ICTY is part of a series of events entitled ‘ICTY Legacy Dialogues’ being held throughout 2016 and 2017. The ICTY Legacy Dialogues are aimed at promoting discussion of and reflection on the legacy of the ICTY as it approaches its closure, in order to inspire and enable others to build on the Tribunal’s achievements.The Outreach Programme is generously supported by the European Union.
Boudewijn Martens, General Manager Crown Plaza, OPCW Director-General H.E. Mr Ahmet Üzümcü, Diplomat Magazine Editor Roy Lie and Diplomatic Card General Manager, Manolis Arvanitis.By Joe Ray.The end of the summer and the welcome return of the diplomatic community to town was celebrated on Monday, October 3.The 3rd Diplomats’ After-Summer Drink was organised by Diplomat Magazine in collaboration with Crown Plaza Hotel – Promenade,Diplomatic Card, the Embassy of Argentina and the Embassy of Italy.A live Jazz band from Pavlov, led by Daniel Nicolas, serenaded the many diplomatic guests in attendance, which included the Ambassador of Italy H.E. Mr. Andrea Perugini and his wife. Attendees also enjoyed a special collection of wines, generously provided by the Argentinean and Italian Embassies.For additional Kim Vermaart’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157672231866974H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda, H.E. Nourredine Ayadi, Ambassador of Algeria and Veronique Miclea, spouse of the Ambassador of Peru.Message from the Embassy of Argentina: “In the year of the Bicentennial of Argentina’s Independence, the Embassy of the Argentine Republic is pleased to share its world-famous high quality wine, which has become one of the flagship products of the country. Over the course of five centuries, Argentina has developed an extraordinary wine industry. The altitude, the wide range of temperatures, the local know-how, the new technologies and a deeply-rooted popular wine culture lend Argentinean wines their unique identity and quality.”Message from the Embassy of Italy:“The Embassy of Italy is proud tonight to share with you some of its most renowned top-quality wines. As many already know, Italy is home to some of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Italian wines are known worldwide for their broad variety. Since time immemorial, Italy has developed an extraordinary wine production which has become an important industrial sector. We have currently more than one million vineyards under cultivation. In Italy wine means lifestyle, passion, history and innovation (as well as the best food to enjoy it with), while sitting down, surrounded by stunning landscapes.”The Ambassador of Georgia, H.E. Mr. Konstantine Surguladze.
On the picture Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa.Royal Bridges, a fine arts movement founded by Bahrain’s most prominent artist, Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Honorary President of Bahrain Arts Society and Managing Director Henri Estramant (moreover Diplomatic Adviser for Diplomat Magazine) is due to host its first global functions at the end of November 2016.
More precisely, the opening of an international exhibition entitled “Convergence” is to be held for VIPs on 29 November 2016 at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai International Financial Center, followed the next day by a charity gala wherein the participating artists and patrons are auctioning one selected artwork for an international charity.
Henri Estramant.
Convergence brings together for the first time in history of art, an exceptional mélange of royal, princely and noble artists from around the world celebrating and displaying contemporary art in Dubai, UAE. Itself featuring a plethora of paintings, sculptures, jewellery designs as well as musical performances listed as UNESCO intangible world heritage.
Fostering a culture of giving and philanthropy, the movement will host a gala dinner whose auction proceeds shall be donated to the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP).
The auction thereto is to be managed by Christie’s, which isfêting 250 years of existence as an auction house.
In addition to our artists, several patrons of the arts are donating objets d’art as Sovereign Guests/Friends of Royal Bridges to benefit the UNWFP.
These special guests are members of sovereign houses worldwide and include HM Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuckof Bhutan and her daughter HRH Princess Eeuphelma Choden Wangchuckof Bhutan (Bhutanese Court Textiles), HRH Princess Tatiana of Greece and Denmark (traditional Greek artisanship), HRH Princess Norodom Veasna Diva of Cambodia (Court artefacts), and HRH Princess Tessy of Luxembourg and Nassau (haute couture dress donated by designer Marcin Lobacz).
For additional information:Royal Bridges: http://royalbridges.org/home/
with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ladies Association, Malaysia (PERWAKILAN) & ASEAN Ladies Circle (ALC), The Hague
On Saturday 15th October 2016 Mrs Linda Zin, spouse of Malaysian Ambassador together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ladies Association, Malaysia (PERWAKILAN) & ASEAN Ladies Circle (ALC), The Hague took the initiative to organize a morning of Zumba dance and a talk by Dr. Dirulba Nasrin, spouse of Bangladesh Ambassador, an Epidemiologist and a full time faculty member at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.For additional pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157674613573110Dr Dilruba Nasrin.Dr. Dirulba gave an enlightening and inspirational talk to the participants and reminded them on the importance of paying extra attention of the risk factors and what they can do to minimise the risks of breast cancer.All the 20 participants were later took to sweat out in a 90-min Zumba session, led by an energetic instructor Mrs Maria del Mar Bravo from Venezuela. The event was concluded by a hearty lunch and a demonstration of cold-pressed fruit juice making by Mrs Linda Zin.This event was voluntarily organised with no intention of raising any fund. The associations felt that it is important to spread the message of awareness of breast cancer and also to inspire their members to live a healthy lifestyle.This is in the true spirit of PINK October campaign that suggests, “hope is living with courage and confidence, not fear”.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) learnt with sadness about the passing of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (Philippines) on 29 September 2016.
Senator Defensor-Santiago was elected for a nine-year term as an ICC judge by the Assembly of States Parties in December 2011, but did not assume her functions at the Court. On 4 June 2014, she submitted her resignation for personal reasons.
The Court presents its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Senator Defensor-Santiago in this time of sorrow.
On the picture Júlia dos Santos Baptista and the Ambassador of Brazil.The Hague – artist Júlia dos Santos Baptista builds cultural bridge with duo exhibitionAt the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Kortenaerkade 12 in The Hague and under the A9 viaduct exit Amstelveen until the end of November will be an exhibition of well-known Dutch-Brazilian artist Júlia dos Santos Baptista.The A9 Open Air Keizer Karel Gallery exhibits a selection of Júlia’s Exhibition Where Art Meets Science at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University which has been designed in collaboration with Dr. Lee Pegler.The opening lecture was attended by the ambassador of Brazil in the Netherlands His Excellency Mr. Piragibe dos Santos Tarragô, Dean Rector of the ISS Professor Doctor Inge Hutter, teachers and students, including many Brazilians of master’s and doctoral degrees among other lovers of the arts and sciences.The internationally inspired work of Júlia dos Santos Baptista is recognized in The Netherlands as well as abroad for its appeal to people with various cultural backgrounds. For that reason Dr. Lee Pegler of the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University of Rotterdam, which is based in The Hague, approached Júlia to collaborate and jointly design and organize an interlinked exhibition on some paintings from her Medusa Collection with a lecture on Lee’s international socio-economic research work.The exhibition depicts the relationship between in particular Brazil and The Netherlands from the perspective of the arts and the social sciences. ‘A great honor’, said Júlia dos Santos Baptista, because the institute is doing pioneering research on value chains and their socio-economic importance, international trade relations and multi-cultural communities are a reflection of them. But there is also a cultural impact, and the Medusa Collection is seen as a good and inspiring example. She continues: ‘Amstelveen is internationally oriented, and many of its inhabitants build intercultural bridges on a daily basis. My idea was to present my work, as a local artist, at two exhibitions at the same time in two Dutch, yet internationally oriented, cities: The Hague and Amstelveen, and to thus spread it’s message of insipration at unveristy level as well as street level alike. I therefore woul like to invite art and science lovers to visit both exhibitions, in house in The Hague and outside on the street in Amstelveen, both of which will remain on display until the end of November.’For more information about the work of Júlia dos Santos Baptista or for registering for new art courses please contact:julia@juliadossantosbaptista.com
Message from the Embassy of Italy:
“The Embassy of Italy is proud tonight to share with you some of its most renowned top-quality wines. As many already know, Italy is home to some of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Italian wines are known worldwide for their broad variety. Since time immemorial, Italy has developed an extraordinary wine production which has become an important industrial sector. We have currently more than one million vineyards under cultivation. In Italy wine means lifestyle, passion, history and innovation (as well as the best food to enjoy it with), while sitting down, surrounded by stunning landscapes.”
The event was concluded by a hearty lunch and a demonstration of cold-pressed fruit juice making by Mrs Linda Zin.
This event was voluntarily organised with no intention of raising any fund. The associations felt that it is important to spread the message of awareness of breast cancer and also to inspire their members to live a healthy lifestyle.This is in the true spirit of PINK October campaign that suggests, “hope is living with courage and confidence, not fear”.
The internationally inspired work of Júlia dos Santos Baptista is recognized in The Netherlands as well as abroad for its appeal to people with various cultural backgrounds. For that reason Dr. Lee Pegler of the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University of Rotterdam, which is based in The Hague, approached Júlia to collaborate and jointly design and organize an interlinked exhibition on some paintings from her Medusa Collection with a lecture on Lee’s international socio-economic research work.
The exhibition depicts the relationship between in particular Brazil and The Netherlands from the perspective of the arts and the social sciences. ‘A great honor’, said Júlia dos Santos Baptista, because the institute is doing pioneering research on value chains and their socio-economic importance, international trade relations and multi-cultural communities are a reflection of them. But there is also a cultural impact, and the Medusa Collection is seen as a good and inspiring example.
She continues: ‘Amstelveen is internationally oriented, and many of its inhabitants build intercultural bridges on a daily basis. My idea was to present my work, as a local artist, at two exhibitions at the same time in two Dutch, yet internationally oriented, cities: The Hague and Amstelveen, and to thus spread it’s message of insipration at unveristy level as well as street level alike.
I therefore woul like to invite art and science lovers to visit both exhibitions, in house in The Hague and outside on the street in Amstelveen, both of which will remain on display until the end of November.’
For more information about the work of Júlia dos Santos Baptista or for registering for new art courses please contact:
julia@juliadossantosbaptista.com