Pictured H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal and his wife Dr. Dilruba Nasrin.
By Roy Lie Tjam.
On the 45th National Independence Day of Bangladesh H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal hosted a reception, where many guests were invited. The reception took place at Bangladesh House in Wassenaar on the 29th March 2016.
A large number of diplomats, dignitaries, (international) judges, public servants and Bangladeshi diaspora responded to the cordial invitation by Ambassador Belal and attended the wonderful reception.
The guests enjoyed typical Bangladeshi hospitality including music, a video screening and an authentic Bangladeshi buffet, topped off with a speech by Ambassador Belal. According to Chinese, Greek and British scholars, Bengal was supposedly once the wealthiest region in the world. Today, Bangladesh is making strides to regain some of that glorious position it once held.
H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal and his wife together with the Bangladesh Embassy staff.
Here follows an extract of Ambassador Belal’s welcome address:
“It is my profound pleasure to welcome you all to the celebration of the 45th Anniversary of our Independence and National Day.
I would like to begin by paying tribute to our greatest leader, Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose dynamic and visionary leadership led Bangladesh to her independence in 1971. I also recall the supreme sacrifices made by the bravest sons and daughters of our soil to win the independence for us.
Bangladesh has come a long way since independence in realizing the Father of the Nation’s dream, a hunger-free, poverty-free and deprivation-free Bangladesh, a “Sonar Bangla”-Golden Bengal. We are now striving to make Bangladesh a knowledge-driven middle-income country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041. Our average GDP growth rate over the past decade has been six per cent plus. We have made significant progress in social sector and achieved almost all the MDGs. We Bangladeshis are peace loving moderate people. We have been consistently maintaining a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy in our efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
The Netherlands was one of the first European countries to recognize Bangladesh on 11 February 1972. Since then, our relationship has witnessed a steady progress marked by genuine friendship between our two peoples and our two governments. The relationship between Bangladesh and the Netherlands has evolved to a development partnership. And this is reflected in the regular exchange of bilateral visits at high political and official levels, growth in trade and investment, and increased cooperation in agriculture, health, food security, water sector development, and human resources development.
Ambassador Belal and wife with members of the Bangladesh community in the Netherlands.
Hon. Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to the Netherlands on 3-5 November 2015 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands His Excellency Mr. Mark Rutte. This was the first-ever official visit by a Head of Government of Bangladesh to the Netherlands.
Her Majesty Queen Máxima visited Bangladesh on 16-18 November 2015 in her role as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development at the invitation of the Government of Bangladesh. Earlier in June 2015, Her Excellency Ms. Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation and Her Excellency Ms. Melanie Schultz van Haegen-Maas Geesteranus, Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment undertook a joint-visit to Bangladesh. These visits have provided with an important opportunity to broaden and deepen the existing excellent bilateral relations between our two friendly countries.
The recent signing of several instruments between our two countries in the areas of sustainable delta management under the flagship initiative “Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100”, land reclamation and accretion in Bangladesh and the sharing of knowledge and innovation for sustainable development was a significant achievement in the discourse of our evolving development partnership. Bangladesh also works very closely with the Netherlands in the United Nations and other international forums.
I now take the opportunity to congratulate the Bangladeshi Diaspora living in the Netherlands for their contribution in building and promoting economic and commercial relations between our two friendly countries. I also applaud them for upholding the image of Bangladesh in the Netherlands. I am confident that they would continue their efforts to the strengthening of the excellent ties of friendship and amity between our countries.
I wish to convey our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Government and the people of the Netherlands for their warm hospitality, friendship and understanding and for the excellent cooperation extended to the Embassy and the Bangladesh community in the Netherlands. I am confident that the close friendship and excellent bilateral relations that exist between our two countries will continue to deepen and get stronger in the days ahead.
Finally, on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and all the Bangladeshis living in the Netherlands and on my own behalf, I would like to convey our sincere greetings and very best wishes for the long life and good health of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, Her Majesty Queen Máxima and for His Excellency Prime Minister Mark Rutte. I also like to express our best wishes for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people of the Netherlands.
Long live Bangladesh-the Netherlands friendship!”
Spring in the Hof van Wouw on Wednesday April 13th, from 1400-1600 in the garden of the Hesperides.
In the middle of the busy city of The Hague, the 17th century ‘hof’ is a haven of peace. The almshouses are arranged around a courtyard garden with citrus and pear trees. Rarely open to the public you can come to enjoy the blossoming fruit treas.
In our new greenhouse the citrus fruit trees are starting to blossom. It smells delicious! Our volunteers will explain the new produce that is coming up in the vegetable garden.
During this afternoon you can have coffee, tea or other refreshments on our covered terrace. All the proceeds will go to the maintenance of our garden.
Hof van Wouw
——–
Spring in the Hof van Wouw on Wednesday April 13th.
From 1400-1600 in the garden of the Hesperides, Hof van Wouw
Entry fee: 1 EURO.
Entrance: Hof van Wouw: Lange Beestenmarkt 49-85, Den Haag.
For information: www.hofvanwouw.
By Shirley Cottaar.
A white army of fir trees show up outside the airplane window. ‘Tervetuola’, welcome to Kuusamo-Ruka, Winter Wonderland, where my adventure starts! The small airport of Kuusamo gives easily access to Northern Finland to spend quality time together with friends and family.
Almost as important is the guarantee of snow and extreme temperatures way below zero degrees. Except for the snow, which Kuusamo has plenty, this area is famous for excellent husky and snowmobile safaris, ice fishing and ski facilities in a fabulous landscape. Not to mention the Finnish tradition of great hospitality, wellness and food ready to be experienced at one of the great lodges in the middle of the nature, the Isokenkäisten Klubi.Isokenkäisten Klubi
The fresh faces of the hostesses Katja and Sirpa immediately make me feel at home in their beautiful wooden lodge with several types of accomodations.
Founded by their father Aimo, the sisters not only host foreign guests in their lodge but also locals who come for a good meal and to relax.
“My father got the idea to start a lodge because friends of him, important Finish politicians, came here for relaxation and to swim in the lake Heikinjärvi. The name ‘Isokenkäisten’ means ‘big foot’ in the Finnish language refering to these important guests in the past. But after that our bussiness expanded receiving guests from all over the world. It is a pleasure to arrange all the outdoor activities for our guests in Lapland,” explains Katja with a smile.
Sirpa enters the room preparing the dinner tables and pours me a cup of special home made tea. “These herbs are picked by us during summer time.” Sirpa is in charge of the kitchen where all the meals are prepared. “Everything is fresh and traditional Finnish.” Sirpa shows me a hand of lingonberries and cloudberries that will be used in today’s dessert. “Wait untill you taste our declicious arctic reindeer meat and our Kitkan Viisas fishes from the lake!”Landscape activities
When the Husky sleds depart in the morning for a 15 kilometer ride I find myself in the snowy landscape enjoying the silence and wilderness. I am protected by a special suit against the cold that is handed out at the beginning of the holiday in the lodge. For the Husky’s it can not be cold enough, the colder it is the better the dogs are able to pull te sleds.
After returning to the lodge in the evening Katja and Sirpa are calling all the guests with big enthusiasm. Stunning Northern lights show up outside te lodge around the lake. “In this area there is a big chance to spot the Northern lights because we are isolated. There are no lights from other buildings,” as Katja points her finger to the sky. The mysterious combination of colors seem to move, finding it’s way through the trees. “The Northern lights is a rare phenomenon, and you are lucky to see it tonight. We are always excited too when we see it.”Safari to Kuntivaara
Highlight of my visit to Lapland is the snowmobile safari to the hill of Kuntivaara (460 m), near the Russian border. Driving high speed over frozen lakes and through the hills I finally reach the famous hill of Kuntivaara.
Excited of the marvelous view I get away of the paths ending with my middle in the snow gazing at the Russian lakes on the other side of te hill.
Luckely the day ends with a traditional Smoke Sauna at the lodge, heated by father Aimo. Sauna, a typical Finnish tradition that after a long day in the cold I cannot wait to experience myself.
For information:http://www.ikk.fi/en/Embassy of the Republic of Finland: http://www.finlande.nl/nl
Pictured H. E. Philippe Lalliot, Ambassador of the French Republic.
His Majesty The King of the Netherlands on Wednesday March 30 at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague received the following Ambassadors in a ceremony for handing over their credentials : the Republic of France, Mr. Philippe Lalliot, the Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Nourredine Ayadi, and the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Asein Kuseinovich Isaev.
H. E. Nourredine Ayadi. Ambassador of AlgeriaH. E. Asein Kuseinovich Isaev, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic.Photography by Frank van Beek.
Statement of the Office of the Prosecutor on the Judgement of Vojislav Šešelj
We fully understand that many victims and communities will be disappointed by the Trial Chamber’s judgment. We will carefully review the Trial Chamber’s reasoning that led to this outcome, including the dissenting opinion and the Trial Chamber’s findings that depart from the consistent jurisprudence of the Tribunal.
We will then determine whether there are grounds to appeal the judgment. It should be recalled that an indictment and arrest warrants are currently pending against three of Šešelj’s associates, including two members of his defence team, for allegedly having threatened, intimidated, offered bribes to, or otherwise interfered with two Prosecution witnesses.
In addition, Šešelj has been convicted three times of contempt of court for revealing the identities of protected Prosecution witnesses and sentenced to a total of 4 years and 9 months imprisonment for those crimes.
Trial Judgement in the case of Vojislav Šešelj delivered
The Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) today acquitted Vojislav Šešelj, President of the Serbian Radical Party and a former member of the Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.
Vojislav Šešelj faced nine counts of which three were for crimes against humanity (persecution, deportation and inhumane act of forcible transfer) and six were for war crimes (murder, torture and cruel treatment, wanton destruction, destruction or wilful damage done to institutions dedicated to religion or education, plunder of public or private property). He was accused of having directly committed, incited, aided and abetted those crimes committed by Serbian forces during the period from August 1991 until September 1993, and to have been part of their commission through his participation in a joint criminal enterprise (JCE).
The Majority, Judge Flavia Lattanzi dissenting, found that the Prosecution failed to prove the existence of a criminal purpose, a legal requirement to the JCE. The Majority concluded that the objective of the creation of Greater Serbia was more of a political venture than a criminal project. The Majority acknowledged that crimes had been committed by Serbian forces in the process, but that they were not inherently linked to the fulfilment of the purpose of Greater Serbia. The Majority, Judge Lattanzi dissenting, also found that the recruitment of volunteers through which Vojislav Šešelj was deemed to have participated in the JCE or aided and abetted the crimes, was a legal activity regulated by the Yugoslav constitution and other relevant laws at the time.
In any event, the Majority, concluded that the volunteers, once recruited and sent to the front, were not under the authority of Vojislav Šešelj, but rather under military command, as per the principle of Unicity of Command embodied in the pertinent regulations. The Prosecution also alleged that Vojislav Šešelj directly committed a certain number of crimes, notably by public and direct denigration, in speeches inciting hatred of the non-Serbian population. For some of those speeches, the Majority, could not rule out the reasonable possibility that they were made in a context of conflict and were meant to boost the morale of the troops of his camp, rather than calling upon them to spare no one.
Another Majority, Judge Jean-Claude Antonetti dissenting, found that two other speeches constituted clear appeals for the expulsion and forcible transfer of Croats. This holding was not sufficient, however, to enter a conviction since the Majority, Judge Lattanzi dissenting, did not find that there were widespread or systematic attacks against a civilian population during the relevant period, ruling out thereby the existence of crimes against humanity. The Majority also held that the Prosecutor did not offer compelling evidence to establish or assess the impact of Šešelj’s speeches or the link to crimes committed at a later stage or in remote areas. V
ojislav Šešelj was cleared of all charges of the Indictment, with a majority decision on eight counts and a unanimous decision on one count. Parties have the right to appeal the judgement.
In the course of this trial, which commenced on 7 November 2007, the Chamber admitted close to 1,400 exhibits. It heard 99 witnesses, of whom 90 testified for the Prosecution and nine were called directly by the Chamber. The judgement consists of just over 100 pages and includes two annexes, a concurring opinion from Judge Antonetti, a statement from Judge Mandiaye Niang and a partially dissenting opinion from Judge Lattanzi.
Since its establishment, the Tribunal has indicted 161 persons for serious violations of humanitarian law committed on the territory of the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 2001. Proceedings against 149 have been concluded. Proceedings are currently ongoing for 11 accused.
On the picture Florence Hartmann.The Hague, 29 March – The Mechanism’s President today issued a decision on the “Urgent Request to the President of the MICT to Grant Florence Hartmann Early Release”, which was dated 25 March 2016 and transmitted to the Mechanism’s President on 29 March 2016.
Ms. Hartmann was granted early release, with the decision effective as soon as practically possible. In determining that Ms. Hartmann should be granted early release, the President considered that her exemplary conduct in the United Nations Detention Unit and her completion of more than two thirds of her sentence militated in favour of her release.
President Judge Theodor Meron also consulted the majority of the Judges of the sentencing Chamber who are Judges of the Mechanism, pursuant to the Mechanism’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
U.S. President Barack Obama’s two-day visit to Argentina marks a policy change and a détente between the two countries after decades of strained relations. Obama endorsed Argentina’s new center-right business-friendly President, Mauricio Macri, as an example for other countries in Latin America to follow.
In his first 100 days in office, Macri has sought to put distance between his administration and South America’s leftist bloc, old allies of former President Cristina Fernandez. He has looked for a warming of relations with Western capitals as he seeks new investments in one of Latin America’s largest economies.
Heroes of Plaza de Mayo monument, Buenos Aires, Argentina.“I can tell you, President Macri is a man in hurry. I’m impressed because he has moved rapidly on so many of the reforms that he promised, to create more sustainable and inclusive economic growth, to reconnect Argentina with the global economy and the world community,” remarked Obama at a press conference in Buenos Aires.
“Argentina is re-assuming its traditional leadership role in the region and around the world,” the U.S. President added. During an intensive two-day visit to Buenos Aires, President Obama had multiple meetings, visited emblematic places like the memorial park to the heroes of Plaza de Mayo, sampled Argentinean wine and danced tango with a ballerina while First Lady Michelle Obama did the same.
Obama’s visits to Argentina coincided with the announcement that several U.S firms will invest a total of $2.3 billion in the country over the next two years, including around $100 million each from Ford Motor Co, General Motors Co, Dow Chemical Co and AES Corp.
President Bark Obama and his wife Michelle dancing tango in Buenos Aires.
Once again the Pakistan residence in The Hague catered one of the busiest receptions of the Year.
The National Day of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, known as Pakistan Day, Pakistan Resolution Day or Republic Day, was celebrated with charm, joy and opulence by H. E. Moazzan Ahmad Khan together with his wife H. E. Leena Salim Moazzam and hundreds of guest among them diplomats, Dutch politicians, Government officials from different ministries, members of the Dutch business community, academics, friends of Pakistan and members of the Pakistani society in The Netherlands.
The historic Pakistani residence, which was built more than 150 years ago, has been the official residence of Pakistani Ambassadors to the Netherlands since early 1950’s. While in Pakistan the Resolution Day is celebrated at large throughout cities and towns, in the magnificent Pakistani residence the atmosphere was effervescent.
After the reception the guests were invited into the splendid dining room to enjoy an exquisite buffet of Pakistani dishes.
H.E. Mr. Abdullah Ahmed Al Naqbi Ambassador of Saudi Arabia and H. E. Gabriel Aguilera Peralta Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala.For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157665853810670
Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, following admission of guilt by the accused in Mali war crime case: “An important step for the victims, and another first for the ICC”Today the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) confirmed the charge of war crime brought by my Office against Mr Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, and committed him to trial for attacking historic monuments and buildings dedicated to religion in Timbuktu, Mali between approximately 30 June and 11 July 2012. Following this decision, I can now publicly note a further significant development. On 1 March 2016, Mr Al Mahdi explicitly expressed before ICC Judges and in the presence of his lawyers, his wish to plead guilty. He did so during the course of the confirmation of charges proceedings, at a point where the exchanges were in closed session. This part of the court record has now been made public. This case is in many ways historically important in that it focuses exclusively on the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against ‘cultural property’. The deliberate and wanton destruction of historic mausoleums and buildings dedicated to religion, as witnessed in this case, caused severe harm to the religious practices, historical heritage, and cultural identity of the people of Timbuktu, Malians and the region more generally. The loss was not locally confined. The magnitude of the loss of such irreplaceable physical embodiment of history and culture was felt by the whole of humanity, and at the expense of future generations. This case underscores the seriousness of such crimes, and the necessity to hold perpetrators accountable. My Office is determined to continue to do its part to counter the scourge of such reprehensible crimes.This is the first time that a suspect has expressed his intention to plead guilty to criminal conduct for which he is being prosecuted by my Office; a serious crime for which we had gathered overwhelming evidence. Such an admission of guilt, provided for in article 65 of the Rome Statute, will be a milestone in the history of the ICC.This case is also unprecedented in terms of its expeditiousness and efficiency. The arrest warrant against Mr Al Mahdi was issued in September 2015. The arrest took place in the ensuing days, facilitated by the impressive cooperation of the States involved. The initial appearance hearing was held on 30 September 2015. The charge and the legal and factual submissions in support of the charge were filed on 17 and 18 December 2015. The confirmation of charges hearing was held on 1 March 2016. The case will shortly be referred to a Court’s Trial Chamber. It will be for the designated judges of that Chamber to decide how the case should proceed in light of Mr Al Mahdi’s stated intention to admit guilt. This now potentially clears the way for proceedings which will benefit victims, witnesses, and the suspect himself — who, in this way, should be able to obtain a final judgement in this case in a relatively short time. The impact of my Office’s overwhelming evidence, combined with Mr Al Mahdi’s intention to acknowledge guilt together represent a positive development towards the establishment of the truth in this case and the 2012 events which left their painful mark on Timbuktu, and this World Heritage site. More broadly, it represents a further step towards the realisation of tangible justice for atrocity crimes in Mali. In addition to the ends of justice, it is my sincere hope that this judicial development will contribute to peace, stability and reconciliation in Mali.
Isokenkäisten Klubi
The fresh faces of the hostesses Katja and Sirpa immediately make me feel at home in their beautiful wooden lodge with several types of accomodations.
Founded by their father Aimo, the sisters not only host foreign guests in their lodge but also locals who come for a good meal and to relax.
“My father got the idea to start a lodge because friends of him, important Finish politicians, came here for relaxation and to swim in the lake Heikinjärvi. The name ‘Isokenkäisten’ means ‘big foot’ in the Finnish language refering to these important guests in the past. But after that our bussiness expanded receiving guests from all over the world. It is a pleasure to arrange all the outdoor activities for our guests in Lapland,” explains Katja with a smile.
Sirpa enters the room preparing the dinner tables and pours me a cup of special home made tea. “These herbs are picked by us during summer time.” Sirpa is in charge of the kitchen where all the meals are prepared. “Everything is fresh and traditional Finnish.” Sirpa shows me a hand of lingonberries and cloudberries that will be used in today’s dessert. “Wait untill you taste our declicious arctic reindeer meat and our Kitkan Viisas fishes from the lake!”
Landscape activities
When the Husky sleds depart in the morning for a 15 kilometer ride I find myself in the snowy landscape enjoying the silence and wilderness. I am protected by a special suit against the cold that is handed out at the beginning of the holiday in the lodge. For the Husky’s it can not be cold enough, the colder it is the better the dogs are able to pull te sleds.
After returning to the lodge in the evening Katja and Sirpa are calling all the guests with big enthusiasm. Stunning Northern lights show up outside te lodge around the lake. “In this area there is a big chance to spot the Northern lights because we are isolated. There are no lights from other buildings,” as Katja points her finger to the sky. The mysterious combination of colors seem to move, finding it’s way through the trees. “The Northern lights is a rare phenomenon, and you are lucky to see it tonight. We are always excited too when we see it.”
Safari to Kuntivaara
Highlight of my visit to Lapland is the snowmobile safari to the hill of Kuntivaara (460 m), near the Russian border. Driving high speed over frozen lakes and through the hills I finally reach the famous hill of Kuntivaara.
Excited of the marvelous view I get away of the paths ending with my middle in the snow gazing at the Russian lakes on the other side of te hill.
Luckely the day ends with a traditional Smoke Sauna at the lodge, heated by father Aimo. Sauna, a typical Finnish tradition that after a long day in the cold I cannot wait to experience myself.
For information:
http://www.ikk.fi/en/
Embassy of the Republic of Finland: http://www.finlande.nl/nl
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