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
Dutch Minister-President Mark Rutte and HRH Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands – Picture by Rijksvoorlichtingdienst – RVD.Thursday, 13 October 2016, Mauritshuis, The Hague: Chairman of StartupDelta, HRH Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands(Constantijn van Oranje) held a tête-à-tête with the Dutch Minister-President and Minister of General Affairs, Mark Rutte to discuss governmental support to buttress up the scheme aiming at making The Netherlands a major international hub for startups and technology in Europe, matching Silicon Valley in California, USA. As a whole StartupDelta is an initiative born out the chief innovation centres within the Kingdom of the Netherlands with the backing of the ministries of Economic Affairs and Education Culture and Science as well as the startup community at large. In fact, the governmental budget for 2017 includes funds to be made available for the development of established startups. Likewise it foresees the simplification of red tape at national and EU levels in order to make The Netherlands and the EU common market as a whole, an auspicious area for quality innovations, new technologies and investments. Former European Commissioner for Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, is one of the leaders and co-founders of the project currently revolutionising the startup eco-system in The Netherlands. For further information:StartupDelta: https://www.startupdelta.org
President of the Assembly regrets withdrawal of any State Party from the Rome Statute and reaffirms the Court’s fight against impunity
On 21 October 2016, the Government of the Republic of South Africa deposited its instrument of withdrawal from the Rome Statute (“Statute”), the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”), with the Secretary General of the United Nations. The decision comes in the wake of the withdrawal process recently initiated by Burundi.
In this regard, the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Mr. Sidiki Kaba, indicated: “Although withdrawing from a treaty is a sovereign act, I regret these decisions and invite South Africa and Burundi to reconsider their positions.” “I urge them to work together with other States in the fight against impunity, which often causes massive violations of human rights,” he added.
The President of the Assembly is concerned that this disturbing signal would open the way to other African States withdrawing from the Rome Statute, thus weakening the only permanent international criminal court in charge of prosecuting the most serious crimes that shock the conscience of humanity, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression.
For Mr. Kaba, the international community must remain united to face the enormous challenge of preventing the commission of such crimes, prosecuting the alleged perpetrators, whoever they are and wherever they are, to ensure peace, stability and security of our States.
Mr. Sidiki Kaba reiterates that the International Criminal Court needs the strong support of the international community and the cooperation of States to ensure its effectiveness and strengthen its credibility. In concluding, he calls upon all States parties to remain active members and other States to ratify the Rome Statute in order to ensure the right to universal justice to all victims of mass crimes.
The beautiful ones are not yet born.By John Dunkelgrün.At the Victor Laurentius Gallery in the main square of the New Babylon Shopping Center, you’ll find a small but remarkable exposition: “Broadening Horizons: Perspectives on Departure” by the artistic couple Anna Kurtycz and RUDEK.The exposition was opened by Ms. Mette Gonggrijp, Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs., who emphasised the importance of art as a medium of communication.Anna Kurtycz (Mexico 1970) is a master woodcutter who has ventured successfully into engraving, photography, video installations and street art. She likes scenes from daily life, especially how people interact in crowds. RUDEK (The Netherlands 1975) is an artist who likes to focus on the individuals in a crowd. The tension between the individual and the masses is where their common work touches.RUDEK is a diplomat in the Dutch Foreign Service and the couple has spent seven years in Africa, in Ghana and Benin. In both places Anna set up her studio, not just to work herself, but to interact with local population (children and adults) with whom she organised art classes and art activities. She also participated with her studio several times in Ghana’s main street Art Festival. In all the cases the interaction with local population was a great source of inspiration, not just for her, but for everyone around her. The work they made in Africa was directed by social issues, women, the tension between races, corruption and migration. It is this last issue that was the start of the current exposition, looking at migration not from the outside in seeing victims, but from the inside out. They look at individuals, strong people who gathered the courage and had the strength to leave a place without future in search for a new world, where they could live and bring up a family in peace and security.You will find portraits of strong women, the imaginary wall these migrants have to scale and a busy port. Anna discovered that, during the migration of ancient Aztecs from Aztlán (Northwest of Mexico) to Tenochtitlan (Todays Mexico City), they were confronted to a similar situation that migrants face today while going to USA. She used the same iconography of Aztec codex to describe today’s problem. Plus que ça change …Don’t miss this exposition UNTIL NOVEMBER 4th. Open weekdays from 10.00 ~ 19.00, Saturday 10.00 to 18.00, Sunday 10.00 to 17.00.
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
The exposition was opened by Ms. Mette Gonggrijp, Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs., who emphasised the importance of art as a medium of communication.
Anna Kurtycz (Mexico 1970) is a master woodcutter who has ventured successfully into engraving, photography, video installations and street art. She likes scenes from daily life, especially how people interact in crowds. RUDEK (The Netherlands 1975) is an artist who likes to focus on the individuals in a crowd. The tension between the individual and the masses is where their common work touches.
RUDEK is a diplomat in the Dutch Foreign Service and the couple has spent seven years in Africa, in Ghana and Benin. In both places Anna set up her studio, not just to work herself, but to interact with local population (children and adults) with whom she organised art classes and art activities. She also participated with her studio several times in Ghana’s main street Art Festival. In all the cases the interaction with local population was a great source of inspiration, not just for her, but for everyone around her.
The work they made in Africa was directed by social issues, women, the tension between races, corruption and migration. It is this last issue that was the start of the current exposition, looking at migration not from the outside in seeing victims, but from the inside out. They look at individuals, strong people who gathered the courage and had the strength to leave a place without future in search for a new world, where they could live and bring up a family in peace and security.
You will find portraits of strong women, the imaginary wall these migrants have to scale and a busy port. Anna discovered that, during the migration of ancient Aztecs from Aztlán (Northwest of Mexico) to Tenochtitlan (Todays Mexico City), they were confronted to a similar situation that migrants face today while going to USA. She used the same iconography of Aztec codex to describe today’s problem. Plus que ça change …
Don’t miss this exposition UNTIL NOVEMBER 4th. Open weekdays from 10.00 ~ 19.00, Saturday 10.00 to 18.00, Sunday 10.00 to 17.00.