ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández Statement on the occasion of 17 July, International Criminal Justice Day18 years ago, the world took a huge step forward in committing to bring to justice those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. On 17 July 1998, nations worldwide adopted an international treaty, the Rome Statute, for the creation of the International Criminal Court. In the years since, the ICC has grown into a robust judicial institution. Convictions have been handed down for the use of child soldiers, murder, sexual violence. The Court has ensured the participation of thirteen thousand victims in its cases. The Office of the Prosecutor has opened investigations in 10 situations and is analysing many other conflicts on different continents. More than one-hundred and eighty thousand victims have benefited from the assistance programmes of the ICC’s Trust Fund for Victims. But atrocious crimes still occur. Much more work is needed. Therefore, this 17 July, on the anniversary of the Rome Statute and International Criminal Justice Day, we call again for solidarity in working to make justice effective and ensure that these crimes do not go unpunished. We need global support from states yet to ratify the Rome Statute, from states that have ratified, as well as from all those who stand against injustice. The ICC does not have a police force of its own and relies entirely on the cooperation of states and organisations to investigate and prosecute perpetrators and to ensure access of victims to justice.. The ICC needs specific and concrete forms of cooperation, including in particular cooperation to arrests suspects, gather and preserve evidence, protect witnesses, and enforce our sentences. Domestic courts of each country also need support so that they can investigate and prosecute international crimes themselves. The ICC is not a replacement for national courts; it should only step in if they cannot fulfil their duty to do it.To seriously address atrocity crimes, there must be a unified, comprehensive response from the international community. We have to demonstrate that there are consequences for those who commit genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is our duty to do our utmost to provide justice to victims of such acts. None of this can happen unless national, regional and international actors alike are aligned in their commitment to the rule of law, human rights and justice. To deter future crimes, we must establish a consistent pattern of accountability.For those who have suffered harm, and for future generations, we stand firm in our commitment to make sure that justice is done. We ask everyone to join us in this cause. Only together can we make the hopes of 17 July a reality.
This Summer we bring a cinematic heatwave to Amsterdam with the hottest, most passionate and refreshing selection of Spanish films. Premiering Julieta, the latest work from internationally acclaimed Pedro Almodóvar, Paco León & Iciar Bollaín.www.sinfincinema.com/summer-2016-film-premieres/
Online box office : https://www.pathe.nl/film/22238/julieta
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is concluding a two-week online campaign which garnered large support worldwide, marking 17 July, the Day of International Criminal Justice. Hundreds of participants shared photographs with the scales of justice on the ICC’s temporary 17July Facebook page, adding ”a little justice to their world view”.States representatives, international organisations, civil society, women’s groups, legal professionals and scholars, children, youth and elders all over the world sent strong messages about the many ways in which #JusticeMatters to us all. The campaign’s resulting mosaic of over 220 photograph submissions from more than 90 countries, represents all regions of the world and is a symbol of the global support for all those who stand for justice. The participating photos collected over 5600 likes and more than 950 shares in total, with the 3 most liked and shared ones becoming the winners of the photo contest. The Day of International Criminal Justice marks the anniversary of the adoption on 17 July 1998 of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, which seeks to deter people from genocide, crimes against humanity and war crime. 17 July unites all those who wish to support justice, promote victims’ rights, and help prevent crimes that threaten the peace and security of the world.
The successful exhibition The Buddha – a life story and a source of inspiration is moving to the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam. In five months the exhibition in Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden has attracted more than 70.000 visitors. From 23 September this extensive exhibition about one of the most inspiring figures in world history can be seen in the Tropenmuseum.Buddhism is hugely popular. The Netherlands alone has around 500 Buddhist centres. Everyone knows someone who has a Buddha statue at home. Why do we all fall for the portrait of the Buddha? And what do we actually know about this icon? How is Buddhism experienced worldwide nowadays? With the help of reports, impressive photos and interviews, this exhibition answers these questions.Buddhism worldwide The Buddha exhibition is a journey to important Buddhist sites worldwide. The trip takes us through Thailand, India, Indonesia, China, Myanmar, Japan and Tibet. From centuries-old Chinese monasteries and Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal to the Indonesian Borobudur. The journey also goes through our own country. Documentaries give an impression of Buddhism in the Netherlands, the so-called Tulip Buddhism.Unique international top items. About 100 Buddha statues can be seen in the exhibition. One of these is a Buddha statue from Nepal that the Nepalese ambassador gave to the museum in May this year. There have never been so many Buddha statues exhibited in the Tropenmuseum at the same time before. A rare Vessantara scroll, more than 35 metres long with scenes from a previous life of the Buddha, can also be seen. With other top items from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Museum für Asiatische Kunst in Berlin and the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore, for example, these objects tell the story of the Buddha’s life.The Buddha exhibition has been partly financed by the BankGiro Lottery, the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, the Turing Foundation, the VSB Fonds and the Mondriaan Fonds.
President Juncker appoints Michel Barnier as Chief Negotiator in charge of the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 of the TEU
Yesterday, the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, appointed Michel Barnier, former Vice-President of the European Commission and former French Minister, as Chief Negotiator in charge of leading the Commission Taskforce for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 of the TEU.
Michel Barnier will report directly to the President and will have at his disposal the best Commission experts. He will be advised by a group of Directors-General dealing with the issues relevant to the negotiations.
President Juncker said: “I am very glad that my friend Michel Barnier accepted this important and challenging task. I wanted an experienced politician for this difficult job. Michel is a skilled negotiator with rich experience in major policy areas relevant to the negotiations, namely as Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Agriculture, and as Member of the Commission, in charge of Regional Policy, Institutional Reforms and of Internal Market and Services. He has an extensive network of contacts in the capitals of all EU Member States and in the European Parliament, which I consider a valuable asset for this function. Michel will have access to all Commission resources necessary to perform his tasks. He will report directly to me, and I will invite him to brief regularly the College to keep my team abreast of the negotiations. I am sure that he will live up to this new challenge and help us to develop a new partnership with the United Kingdom after it will have left the European Union.”
Michel Barnier, as Chief Negotiator, will be ranked at the Director-General level and will take up his duties as of 1 October 2016.
Photography by bbc.co.uk
Project PERMER (Project Renewable Energy in Rural Markets) started on 5th of July 2016, the submission of tenders for the supply and installation of approximately 6500 solar photovoltaic equipment and internal installations in rural households of Catamarca, Chaco, Entre Rios, La Pampa, Salta and Neuquén. The tender consists of 13 lots and benefits about 26 thousand users.
The deadline for the submission of tenders is 10 August 2016 at 11.00 am, on the same day as the opening of the tender procedure at 11.30 PM.
It is to be noted that the first stage of the PERMER project ended in 2012 and allowed the electrification of approximately 1,800 schools, 350 public services and 27,000 residences. This second phase aims to continue the electrification and achieve universal access to energy.
The PERMER project is a project of rural electrification with the use of renewable sources, mainly photovoltaic generation will be carried through by the Ministry of Energy and Mining of the Argentine Republic led by the Coordination Unit.
The project is designed to resolve the needs of electricity supply to rural people who are located in remote areas or with difficult access where they do not possess conventional energy sources (network) and for the provision of hot water, cooking and heating in public establishments with the same characteristics. The PERMER project is aimed at households and dispersed rural public services establishment. The program involves the obtainment and installation of generating systems in homes and or establishment of public services and includes the installation of internal facilities and a one-time provision of luminaires.
Enclosed you will find more information about the PERMER Project in Spanish.
More information is available on the following website: http://portalweb.cammesa.com/Pages/RenovAr.aspx
The Largest Gathering of African Fashion Designers, Models, Exhibitors, Buyers, Retailers, Media, Fashion Influencers and Business Tycoons!
The third edition of Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam (AFWA) will be taking place from the 24th -27th of August 2016 at B. Amsterdam.
Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam 1st & 2nd edition was supported by the Royal Tropical Institute and the World Fashion Centre (WFC) Amsterdam, a company that has been a central point in the African international fashion industry for over 40 years.
Ms Diana Tambe, Founder and Executive Director, said: ‘The WFC is the only fashion location of this appeal in the Netherlands where fashion brands, retailers and wholesalers meet do business and exchange the latest trends.’
Venue Address: Johan Huizingalaan 763A, 1066 VH Amsterdam.
Information: www.afwamsterdam.com
The Trial Chamber today terminated the proceedings against Goran Hadžić, former President of the self-proclaimed Republic of Serbian Krajina in Croatia, who died on 12 July 2016.
Hadžić was on trial for crimes against humanity and war crimes. The indictment against him alleged that he participated in a Joint Criminal Enterprise (JCE) whose purpose was the permanent forcible removal of a majority of the Croat and other non-Serb population from a large part of the Republic of Croatia in order to make it part of a new Serb-dominated state.
Hadžić was granted provisional release on 13 April 2015 due to ill health. He was on provisional release, residing in Novi Sad, Serbia, when he passed away on 12 July.
Background on the proceedings
Hadžić was first indicted in May 2004. He was arrested on 20 July 2011 and transferred to the ICTY on 22 July 2011.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the trial commenced on 16 October 2012.
The Prosecution’s case was concluded on 28 November 2013. The Defence case commenced on 3 July 2014 and has been adjourned since 20 October 2014 due to the ill health of the Accused.
Her Majesty Queen NoorBy Roy Lie A Tjam
On Thursday evening, 7th July 2016, Her Majesty Queen Noor, Dutch Foreign Minister H.E. Bert Koenders, Mayor of The Hague, Honourable Jozias Van Aartsen, H.E. Ambassador Thomas Miller, Chairman ICMP, Kathryn Bomberger, Director-General ICMP along with Norah Fuatham from Uganda and Ram Kumar Bhandari from Nepal, spoke at the formal opening of International Committee of Missing Persons’ (ICMP) new headquarters at Koninginnegracht 12 in The Hague. Coincidentally, it was also the celebration of 20 years of the ICMP.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157670548614570H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bert Koenders.
The ICMP was founded on the 29th June 1996 by the initiative of the US President at the time Bill Clinton, in order to spearhead the effort to account for the 40,000 people who were missing as a result of the conflict in the country formerly known as Yugoslavia.
Twenty years later, more than 70 percent of those people have been accounted for (including 7,000 of the 8,000 victims of the Srebrenica genocide).
H.E. Ambassador Thomas Miller, Mayor Jozias Van Aartsen and former Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Wim Kok.
ICMP endeavors to secure the co-operation of governments and other authorities in locating and identifying the people missing as a result of armed conflicts, human rights abuses, disasters and other causes and to assist them in doing so.
The ICMP also supports the work of other organizations in their efforts and encourages public involvement in its activities as well as contributing to the development of appropriate expressions of commemoration and tribute to the missing people.
H.E. Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, President of the International Criminal Court.
A diverse audience consisting of Ambassadors, diplomats, past- and sitting Dutch politicians and masses of other people attended the function at the new ICMP Head Quarters in The Hague. Guests and speakers at the function included; Bert Koenders, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jozias van Aartsen; Mayor of The Hague, HM Queen Noor, Wim Kok; former Dutch Prime Minister and representatives of families of the missing people around the world.
Mrs. Norah Fuatham from Uganda
Minister Bert Koenders in his address applauded the ICMP for its achievements and encouraged them to proceed with the excellent job they are currently doing.
Mayor Jozias van Aartsen noted how, thanks to you (the ICMP), tens of thousands of victims of ethnic cleansing have received a proper burial. Rest assured that you can always rely on our support for you (the ICMP), and the important work carried out by you and your staff.
Kathryn Bomberger, with a group of family members of missing persons from several countries.
H.M Her Majesty Queen Noor reflected: I have been an ICMP Commissioner since 2001, I believe this organization’s role is indispensable in mitigating human suffering and in supporting the broad effort to maintain global stability. I hope that you will join me in supporting ICMP as it begins a new phase of its existence with the opening of its headquarters in The Hague
Norah Fuatham from Uganda and Ram Kumar Bhandari from Nepal, representatives of the family members of the missing people from their respective countries briefly addressed the audience, giving their thanks to the organization for all the help they have given them during this hard time.
Ambassador Thomas Miller, chairman ICMP: We are honored and grateful for the support of over 30 countries during the 20-year span of ICMP’s work. I would like to take this opportunity to announce the good news that Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, the former Foreign Minister of Thailand and the former Secretary-General of ASEAN, has just accepted our invitation to become an ICMP Commissioner. In conclusion, let me thank all of the organizations represented here this evening, including those that I haven’t had an opportunity to thank personally.
A classical music performance by Stichting Music Works concluded the evening.
