On 11 May, the Ukrainian authorities reported that 17 paintings, stolen from the Museum of Castelvecchio (Verona) in November 2015, were recovered in Odessa. The paintings, with an estimated value of EUR 17 million, included major works by Rubens, Tintoretto, Mantegna and Pisanello.The Italian authorities, which formed a joint Carabinieri and Police team (Carabinieri Command Centre for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, the Central Operations Service of the State Police, and the Mobile Squad of the State Police of Verona), coordinated by the Prosecution Office of Verona, led by Mr Gennaro Ottaviano, immediately commenced an investigation lasting five months, leading to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators and the discovery of the stolen paintings in Ukraine.This action would not have been possible without the cooperation of several key foreign authorities, including Moldova, which assisted the Italian investigators during their missions abroad, and Ukraine, especially the General Prosecution Office of Kiev and the prosecution office and judiciary police of Odessa.Eurojust played a crucial role, especially towards the end of the investigation. Following a request for support received in late March, the Italian National Member immediately commenced a case at College level, due to the involvement of a non-EU country, and requested the support of the judicial contact point for Eurojust in Ukraine to speed up the execution of requests for mutual legal assistance.A coordination meeting was organised at short notice on 28 April at Eurojust, with the participation of representatives of all the involved Italian authorities, the General Prosecution Office of Kiev and, via videoconference, the other Ukrainian authorities involved in the facilitation of judicial and police cooperation. This meeting provided a valuable opportunity to exchange information on ongoing investigations and enhance mutual trust. The support of qualified interpreters and work provided by the Case Analysis Unit were instrumental in improving communication among the parties. The meeting resulted in the setting up of a joint Ukrainian/Italian team, which worked together in the following days in Ukraine and was instrumental in recovering the stolen paintings.
UNESCO-IHE Graduation Ceremony which took place at the end of April. 123 students from 38 countries were congratulated by the Rector a.i. Dr Fritz Holzwarth, Dr. Flavia Schlegel Assistant Director-General for the Natural Sciences Sector of UNESCO and by Mr. Brian Arbogast Director of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with which the Institute has been working for several years.
Baroness Scotland and HM Queen Elizabeth II – Picture by Press Association.
The Rt Hon Baroness Scotland of Asthal was received by the Head of the Commonwealth, HM Queen Elizabeth II, at Buckingham Palace on May 4th , after having taken office on 1 April 2016 as Commonwealth Secretary-General. The former was nominated by her native Caribbean Commonwealth of Dominica yet she is also a British subject.
Patricia Scotland is the sixth Commonwealth Secretary-General but the first woman to take up this post. Queen Elizabeth II is Head of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 53 independent countries mostly former dominions, colonies and territories of the erstwhile British Empire. As Head, Her Majesty personally reinforces the links by which the Commonwealth joins people together from around the world.
For more information:
The Commonwealth: http://thecommonwealth.org
On the picture Chiefs of mission of Norway, Liechtenstein, The Netherlands (EU Presidency) and Iceland to the EU – Picture by Anders Aalbu, Delegation of Norway to the EU.The governments of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein as represented by their chiefs of missions to the EU, itself represented by Dutch Permanent Representative to the EU, H. E. Pieter de Gooijer, signed the agreements on these countries new pecuniary contributions to the least prosperous countries in the EEA, on May 3 in Brussels.The funds from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are to prioritise efforts in the areas of innovation, research and education. Energy security, climate change and greater reciprocal bilateral cooperation amongst the giving and the beneficiary countries in the areas of justice and home affairs shall likewise be key focus areas.The beneficiary countries for the new funding period are: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.The European Economic Area (EEA) unites the EU Member States and the three EEA-EFTA states (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) into an Internal Market governed by the same basic rules. For more information:EU-EEA relations: http://eeas.europa.eu/eea/Mission of the Kingdom of Norway to the EU (HE Ambassador Oda Helen Sletnes): http://www.eu-norway.orgMission of Iceland to the EU, Embassy to the Benelux countries, Switzerland and San Marino (HE Ambassador Bergdís Ellertsdóttir): http://www.iceland.is/iceland-abroad/be/mission-to-the-euMission of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the EU, Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium (HE Ambassador Kurt Jäger): http://www.regierung.li/ministries/ministry-for-foreign-affairs-education-and-culture/diplomatic-representations/brussels-b/staff-contacts/
Pohela Boishakh1423 or Bengali New Year 1423 was fêted in Bangladesh and India 14/15 April 2016 (Gregorian calendar). It is based on a solar Bengali calendar and is the largest celebration for the Bengali people.
In India, the holiday is observed in West Bengal and Tripura but likewise by minor Bengali communities in other Indian states, such as Assam, Jharkhand and Orrisa.
Choul Chnam Thmey 2560 (“Enter New Year”/Buddhist Era), the Khmer New Year coincides with the traditional solar new year in several parts of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand (in these two countries it is known as Songkran) which is now linked to the Gregorian calendar and celebrated on 13 April annually for three days.
In Myanmar the holiday is known as Thingyan, and just as in neighbouring Buddhist countries it follows the tradition of Theravada.
The Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic will host two concerts of the Folk Ethnographic Theater Ordo Sakhna. The event consists in a concert « Silk Road Nomad Music » follow by an Exhibition of Decorative applied art and Fashion show of the traditional costumes.
The folk ethnographic theatre «Ordo Sakhna» was created in 1999 and combined a group of professional musicians graduates of the conservatory and laureates of international and regional contests.
The aim of the theatre is to retain, develop, and popularise Kyrgyz folk heritage around the world. The originality of the Theater lies in the fact that the members perception of folklore is not pure enthusiasm, but a deep study of the spiritual culture of the Kyrgyz people. Meeting with the bearers of folk traditions, the artists of the Theater have managed to recreate the ancient dances BakshyBiy and ShyrdakBiy, which were forgotten until recently.
Ordo Sakhna has gathered an exclusive collection of old traditional melodies and dastans (small epos), which came to us through centuries of generations. Through careful searching and experiments, the musicians adapted the ancient heritage to modern society.
The artists have considered every aspect of the songs and dances: detailed recreations of traditional costumes, mannerisms of motion and symbolism of gestures. With the aid of these factors, they have succeeded in recreating a realistic and honest ethnographical picture of Kyrgyz culture.
Thursday 2 June 2016 from 18:00 to 20:00
At the Music Academy The Hague, Berlage-Huis Raamweg 36 The Hague
Friday 3 June 2016 from 17.00 to 21.30
At Muziekschool Losser, Diepenbrocklaan 41, 7582 XC Losser
Free admission
RSVP before 1 june 2016 to e-mail: azizova.aijan@gmail.com, mob.: +32 498 40 77 55
The Tribunal’s judges today paid a working visit to the International Criminal Court (ICC) upon the invitation of the ICC’s President, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi. The purpose of the visit was two-fold: to strengthen knowledge-sharing and to foster exchange and collaboration on processes in international criminal justice.
During the visit, the judges of the ICTY and the ICC participated in an in-depth roundtable discussion to exchange best practices, with a particular focus on handling of evidence and recommendations for acceleration of trial proceedings. They were also given a guided tour of the ICC’s new premises, including the courtrooms.
ICTY President Agius, on behalf of his colleagues, welcomed the ICC President’s initiative, which he described as a best practice. Judge Agius expressed hope that today’s visit would encourage more regular exchanges among judges to discuss matters of common interest.
As the ICTY and the ICC continue to set the standard for international criminal justice, this knowledge-sharing visit marks an important step toward developing and streamlining best practices of judicial institutions worldwide.
On May 9, the exhibition “Peace and Security in Europe” was officially opened in The Hague’s City Hall. Situated in The Hague, “the City of Peace and Justice”, the setting of the exhibition could not have been more suitable for celebrating Europe Day.
The reception was opened with a warm welcome speech by the Honourable Jozias van Aartsen Mayor of The Hague who reminded the audience of the formidable historic and current challenges to Europe’s peace and security.
For additional Marina van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157667578684180Eduard Slootweg, Head of the European Parliament Information Office.
The first guest to take the floor was Eduard Slootweg, Head of the European Parliament Information Office, who explained the background of the Europe Day, namely its function in recalling the Schuman Plan of 1950 which laid the foundation for a lasting peace within Europe and today’s the European Union.
How does Europe provide and protect its peace and security today? This question was answered by representatives of the most important institutions themselves – Europol, Eurojust and the European Commission. Gerald Hesztera, Head of Corporate Communications at Europol, described the central role of Europol as a hub for all police forces in Europe with headquarters in The Hague.
Intervieuws by Jan Hennop: Mr Peter Bekx, director of the European Commision Representation in The Netherlands. Ms Michèle Coninsx, President of Eurojust, Mr. Gerald Hesztera, Head of Corporate Communications at Europol.
Europol is an indispensable actor in its support and coordination of law enforcement operations across Europe. Ms. Michèle Coninsx, President of Eurojust, referred to the organization’s significance in fighting international and cross-border crime. Eurojust takes a central role in supporting EU member state in cross-border investigations and prosecutions, while at the same time closely cooperating with third states.
Lastly, Peter Bekx, director of the European Commission Representation in The Netherlands, explained the key function of the European Union itself in defending peace and security. The official part of the reception was concluded by Jan Hennop, former President of the Foreign Press Association, who invited all guests to toast to both, the Europe Day and the exhibition.
Ali Ferzat’s cartoon.
The exhibition itself is composed of two parts – on the one hand presenting the work of Eurojust, Europol and the European Commission and their integral role in the maintenance and protection of European security and peace.
On the other hand displaying a selection of the powerful cartoons by Ali Ferzat, a Syrian caricaturist who won the Sakharov Freedom Prize of thought in 2011 which is awarded to individuals with an exceptional contribution fighting for human rights. In the same year,
Ferzat was severely attacked by unknowns who deliberately broke his fingers. Despite the attacks and various threats, Mr Ferzat continues to be one of the regime’s most outspoken critics through his word and his art. Given that he is currently living in exile in Kuwait, he could unfortunately not attend the reception.
Prosecutor Serge Brammertz on mission to Sarajevo
Mr. Serge Brammertz, Prosecutor of the ICTY and MICT, will be in Sarajevo from 11 to 15 May 2016, as part of preparations for his regular biyearly reports to the UN Security Council (UNSC).
The Prosecutor will meet with members of the BiH Presidency, BiH Minister of Justice Josip Grubeša, Head of War Crimes Department in the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH Gordana Tadić and President of the BiH Court Meddžida Kreso.
The Prosecutor will also meet with representatives of victims’ organizations and members of the diplomatic community. Finally, Prosecutor Brammertz will participate in a conference on “Obstacles in Prosecuting War Crimes”, organized by the Association of “Mother’s Action of the Srebrenica and Žepa Enclaves” and the Association of “Victims and Witnesses of Genocide”.
The Conference will be held in Sarajevo on 14 May. Prosecutor Brammertz will present his next reports to the UNSC in June.
In sight of all: Queen Elizabeth and the Dance of Diplomacy, Bella Mirabella The Long History of Women and Diplomacy, Glenda Sluga Gender Inequality and Diplomacy, Maca Jogan Female U.S Ambassadors: The Early Years, Philip Nash Her Excellency, An Oral History of American Women Ambassadors, Ann Miller Morin
The aim of the theatre is to retain, develop, and popularise Kyrgyz folk heritage around the world. The originality of the Theater lies in the fact that the members perception of folklore is not pure enthusiasm, but a deep study of the spiritual culture of the Kyrgyz people. Meeting with the bearers of folk traditions, the artists of the Theater have managed to recreate the ancient dances BakshyBiy and ShyrdakBiy, which were forgotten until recently.
Ordo Sakhna has gathered an exclusive collection of old traditional melodies and dastans (small epos), which came to us through centuries of generations. Through careful searching and experiments, the musicians adapted the ancient heritage to modern society.
The artists have considered every aspect of the songs and dances: detailed recreations of traditional costumes, mannerisms of motion and symbolism of gestures. With the aid of these factors, they have succeeded in recreating a realistic and honest ethnographical picture of Kyrgyz culture.
Thursday 2 June 2016 from 18:00 to 20:00
At the Music Academy The Hague, Berlage-Huis Raamweg 36 The Hague
Friday 3 June 2016 from 17.00 to 21.30
At Muziekschool Losser, Diepenbrocklaan 41, 7582 XC Losser
Free admission
RSVP before 1 june 2016 to e-mail: azizova.aijan@gmail.com, mob.: +32 498 40 77 55 
