By Baron Henri Estramant.
The Czech Republic’s leaders have chosen “Czechia” as the one-word alternative appellation of their country to facilitate for companies, politicians and sportsmen to use on products, name tags, and sporting jerseys.
The choice, agreed on Thursday evening, 14 April 2016, by the president, prime minister, heads of parliament and foreign and defence ministers, has won the cabinet’s approval before the foreign ministry can lodge the name with the United Nations so that it becomes the country’s official short version.
The Czech Republic emerged, along with Slovakia, from the peaceful breakup of the old Czechoslovakia in 1993. However hitherto there has been no standardised one-word English name for the Czech Republic, unlike, for instance, France, the shortened version of the French Republic.
That has led to a lot of head-scratching. The largest part of the country is known as Bohemia (“Čechy” in Czech), but there are also other regions, Moravia, and Silesia, so one name is needed that does not exclude those historical lands.
In other languages, including Dutch (Tsjechië), French (Tchéquie), German (Tschechien), the Czech Republic is already designated by a single name, but in Czech itself the name “Česko” has made slow progress since 1993 and “Čechy” (or Bohemia) is still commonly used to signify the entire country.
For more information:
Mission of Czechia to the EU, H. E. Ambassador Martin Povejšil: www.mzv.cz/representation_brussels/en/
Embassy of Czechia to Belgium, H. E. Ambassador Jaroslav Kurfürst: www.mzv.cz/brussels
Embassy of Czechia to The Netherlands, H. E. Ambassador Jana Reinišová: www.mzv.cz/hague
Embassy of Czechia to Luxembourg, H. E. Ambassador Petr Kubernát: www.mzv.cz/luxembourg
Final results of a referendum on the Dominion of New Zealand’s flag show 56.6% voted for no change while 43.1% opted for the new design. Just over 2,1m ballots were cast.
Prime Minister John Key had advocated the new flag after launching the process in 2014, nevertheless, called upon New Zealanders to embrace the people’s decision.
The existing design features the British Union Jack, a legacy of New Zealand’s days as a British Crown colony and the reason many longed to change it.
The proposed new design combined four red stars representing the Southern Cross constellation (also seen in the current flag) with a silver fern on a blue background with black infill in the corner; both motifs commonly associated with New Zealand and its famous rugby team. The Silver Fern was chosen in the first referendum last December from a shortlist of five candidates.
Total cost of referendum process came up to NZ$26m ($17m, £12m)
For more information:
Mission of New Zealand to the EU and NATO, Embassy to Sweden, H. E. Ambassador David Taylor: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/belgium/new-zealand-embassy/david-taylor/
Embassy of New Zealand to The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Finland, Mission to the OPCW, H. E. Ambassador Janet Lowe: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/netherlands/new-zealand-embassy/
Embassy of New Zealand to Belgium, Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Romania, H. E. Ambassador Paula Wilson: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/belgium/#Embassies
By Steven van Hoogstraten.
This week was an important week for the Hague, as the City of Peace and Justice. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon visited the city for the double purpose of the celebration of 70 years International Court of Justice (ICJ) , and of the inauguration of the new premises of the International Criminal Court (ICC) . SG Ban Ki Moon made a speech at both occasions. It is interesting to read a summary of what he communicated to his audience, and what the respective presidents of the two international courts said on these occasions.
At the brandnew headquarters of the ICC , built on the sand of the dunes close to Scheveningen, the Secretary General’s remarks at the official opening on 19 April were focused on the individual accountability for the greatest crimes of concern to mankind. He said “the inauguration of the permanent premises of the ICC is a milestone of global efforts to promote and uphold human rights and the rule of law. It is in all our interest to help the Court achieve its objectives. Its success will be the legacy we leave for future generations”.For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157665194736714H. E. Ronny Abraham president of the ICJ, King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands and H. E. Philippe Couvreur, Registrar of the ICJ.
The Secretary General observed that both the United Nations and the ICC (an independent treaty organization) are fighting to end impunity on a global scale and to deliver enduring justice.
He urged that more members of the UN would ratify and accede to the Rome Statute. What he said was echoed by the International Criminal Court’s president Judge Silvia Fernandez, who stated that “international criminal justice is intended to ensure that mass atrocities are addressed and further crimes are prevented. Indeed the credible likelihood of accountability is key to their deterrence. This mandate is relevant everywhere, even in places where international crimes may be unimaginable today… The Court has a global mandate but has not yet attained universal participation. Many of the world’s worst conflict zones are beyond its reach.More countries need to join the Rome Statute, so that the ICC is able to address all crimes in an equal manner”.
One might easily repeat those last words, as the adherence to the Court ( now at a respectable 124 States Parties) is still only partial and major world forces have decided to sit on the fence for the moment.
Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs. H. E. Bert Koenders.
The following day of 20 April saw his participation in the 70th birthday of the International Court of Justice in the Peace Palace. The ICJ had been responsible for inviting the Secretary General of the UN to the Hague in the first place. In the Peace Palace the SG of the UN concentrated mainly on the conflicts between states.
“Over the years , the International Court of Justice as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has made a central contribution to the rule of law. It has stepped in effectively where diplomatic or political measures have failed. It has helped countries settle their disputes by peaceful means . And it has compiled a solid record of effective and impartial judgements, thereby building global trust in the Courts work and faith in the power of law”.
Mr Ban Ki moon further remarked that the Members of the United Nations are turning to the Court on some their most complex matters. “The judges have repeatedly demonstrated their expertise in technically difficult and politically sensitive fields including maritime and territorial disputes.” H. E. Philippe Couvreur welcome H.E. Ahmet Üzümcü Director-General OPCW.
The president of the ICJ, Mr Ronny Abraham then stated that the need for a world court working for international peace and justice is as strong today as when the Charter was first signed in 1945 . In 70 years the face of the world has changed substantially. These changes have had an impact on the type of cases brought before it. Thus the Court has of late had occasion to hear a number of disputes concerning relatively new areas such as international environmental law. Such cases may involve the analysis of complex factual data.
The Court has also heard a growing number of cases involving alleged violations of human rights and humanitarian law, through which it has been able to develop its jurisprudence, at the same time taking care to consider that of the courts, tribunals and bodies which specialize in these areas, thus ensuring the coherence of international law. “At 70, the International Court of Justice has reached a serene maturity. Conscious of the importance of the mission with which it has been entrusted by Member States , it is ready to face the new challenges that might arise in the coming decade.”Philippe Couvreur, Registrat at the International court of Justice and H. E. Abdulaziz Abdullah Abohaimed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Both events were attended by HM King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands , who performed the official first act on the premises of the ICC by opening a large book with the text of the Rome Statute. This set in motion a film about the key features of the ICC.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Bert Koenders also addressed the audience at both occasions with some substantive remarks.
Mayor of the Hague Jozias van Aartsen spoke at the opening of the ICC, calling the new ICC building the Peace Palace of the 21st Century. He referred to the well established iconic role of the actual Peace Palace for international peace and justice.
The Supreme Court, The Hague. Architect KAAN Architecten. Photography by Fernando Guerra.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
To celebrate the Week of Justice from 18 to 23 April, The Hague hosted a variety of events in the field of justice and international law.
The International Court of Justice celebrated its 70-year-anniversary, while His Majesty King Willem-Alexander performed the official opening of the new International Criminal Court and the new premises of the Netherlands Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of the Netherlands has recently relocated to new premises at Korte Voorhout in The Hague, and H. M. King Willem-Alexander inaugurated the impressive building on 20 April 2016. The new six story edifice will replace the former premises on Kazernestraat and Lange Voorhout.
Master of Ceremonies at the event was the Solicitor-General, Mr. Mark Wissink. The inauguration ceremony featured the Minister of Justice Mr. Ard van der Steur, Attorney-General Mr. Jan-Watse Fokkens, and the President of the Court Mr. Maartin Feters. A choir sang Saprema Curia Hooge Raad under the direction of Ms. Marcella Obermeister Shasha.
As an inaugural act, H. M. King Willem-Alexander handed over a hammer to Mr. Maartin Feters, President of the Supreme Court. He also introduced the work of artist Helen Verhoeven, who was commissioned for a painting to decorate the court’s reception area.
The Supreme Court of the Netherlands was established in 1838, and is the highest Dutch court in criminal, tax and civil law matters. Its jurisdiction covers the Netherlands and Caribbean part of the Kingdom, i.e. Aruba, Curacao and St Martin. The Court is a Court of Cassation, which means that it has the competence to quash or affirm rulings of lower courts, but no competence to re-examine or question the facts.
The prosecutor’s office, which draws up advisory opinions, will also move to Korte Voorhout. The new building consists of two courtrooms, offices and a library.
Embassy of Malta in The Hague. Friends in Art, opening of an exhibition of drawings, graphic art and painting by Monica Spiteri and Hanneke Wessels inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Joseph Cole Ambassador of the Republic of Malta.By Viviana Knorr.
On Tuesday 26 April, H.E. Mr. Joseph Cole Malta’s Ambassador to the Netherlands was very pleased to inaugurate Friends in Art at Malta Embassy in The Hague. The Maltese Embassy will be hosting Friends in Art, an art exhibition of about 20 drawings, graphic art, and paintings by Maltese artist Monica Spiteri, and 35 mixed media artworks by Dutch artist Hanneke Wessels. The exhibition will be open to the public between the 28th of April and the 6th of May.
For additional pictures by Marian van Noort, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157667496974791Monica Spiteri and Hanneke Wessels.“Art ties people together and refuses to let them go”, were H.E. Mr. Joseph Cole’s words to highlight the friendship bond of the two artists. Friends in Art is a special joint exhibition framing and celebrating the artists’ mutual and long-standing friendship which goes back to Valleta 1999, where Spireti was having her first personal exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts. Wessels also had the opportunity to host an exhibition of her works at the same museum a few years later, that since, sparked the creative friendship.
Born in 1952, Monica Spiteri studied modelling, woodcarving, watercolour, batik techniques and ceramics under renown art instructors. Besides various participations in collective exhibitions, Monica Spiteri is also recipient to numerous awards for her realistic dreamy Maltese city landscapes, among them: the Silver Palette and the Grollo D’Ora.“In my graphic art, paintings and drawings, the central theme is the human figure”, says artist Hanneke Wessels born in 1947, whose portraits of women’s emotions aren’t obvious to the bare eye yet palpable and poignant. Wessels’s source of inspiration is Malta, its history and ancient mysticism hidden in the remains of the country’s temples and museums.
Entrance to Valleta painting by Spiteri, and Woman With Big Eyes by Wessels, were their two works of art among the rest to be chosen each one by the artists, as those representing in this exhibition their friendship’s bond.
H. E. Karim Ben Becher, Ambassador of Tunisia; Ambassador of Malta H. E. Joseph Cole, H. E. Breik A.B. Swessi Ambassador of Lybia, Hanneke Wessels. Bernardine Cole, Monica Spiteri , H. E. Taher Ahmed Farahat, Ambassador of Egypt.
The Hague, 26 April 2016 – Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, A. M. J. Sadiq, hosted a meeting of ambassadors from Asia in The Hague to highlight the work of the International Commission on Missing Persons(ICMP) and to discuss the issue of missing and disappeared persons in the region.
ICMP first worked in Asia when their staffs were deployed in Thailand to help identify victims of the December 2004 tsunami. Since then it has cooperated with the authorities in the Philippines and Vietnam. In October 2015 it launched a series of consultations in Sri Lanka with a view to contributing to a comprehensive, countrywide effort to account for the large numbers of missing persons from the 25-year conflict.
“ The issue of missing persons is a global phenomenon, and Asian countries are unfortunately also affected by it, through a variety of causes”, Ambassador Sadiq said, adding that since ICMP now has its headquarters in The Hague it was possible to invite ambassadors to meet with ICMP Director-General Kathryn Bomberger to learn more about ICMP’s mandate and activities.
“ICMP is an independent and impartial international organization, and its works is complementary to that of the work of other international organizations in the field, especially with regards to post-conflict management and the enhancement of the rule of law”, Mr Sadiq said.
“Asian government are facing profound challenges related to missing and disappeared persons”, Ms Bomberger said during the meeting. “Mass migration, natural disasters, conflict and social unrest raise specific missing person’s issues. The important thing to remember is that effective strategies have been developed and governments and other stakeholders can address the issue successfully by working with one another and with international organizations. Initiatives that have worked in one country may work in other countries.”
Ms Bomberger said ICMP “can make a continuing contribution to creative and effective efforts to address missing person’s issues whether in the context of migration, post-conflict recovery or disaster recovery.” She stressed the primacy of a rule-of-law approach in which authorities fulfil their legal obligations to account for the missing.
She also urged Asian countries to sign the Agreement on the Status and Functions of the International Commission of Missing Persons. The Agreement does not entail any financial obligations on the part of Signatories but allows countries to participate more fully in a global dialogue on the issue of the missing. It also facilitates ICMP engagement in signatory countries.
So far, the ICMP Agreement has been signed by the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, El Salvador, Chile and Serbia.
In addition to Sri Lanka, which hosted the event, attended by ambassadors of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam.
ICMP endeavours to secure the co-operation of governments and other authorities in locating and identifying persons who go missing as results of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, migration and other circumstances. It also supports the work of other organizations in their efforts, encourages public involvements in its activities and contributes to the development of appropriate expressions of commemoration and tribute to the missing.
For more information on the activities of ICMP in Asia, please visit: http://www.icmp.int/where-we-work/asia/ICMP was created in 1996, following the G-7 Summit in Lyon, France. ICMP endeavors to secure the co-operation of governments and other authorities in locating and identifying persons missing as a result of armed conflicts, other hostilities or violations of human rights and to assist governments or authorities in doing so. Since its establishment in 1996 ICMP has been funded through voluntary grants, donations and contributions from the following participating Governments: Canada, Czech Republic, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, The Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, The United Kingdom, The United States of America and The European Union
On Wednesday 1st June , the Opening Ceremony for the VI Ibero-American Week of International Justice will take place at the Peace Palace.
H.E. Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the International Criminal Court, H.E. Mr. Álvaro Moerzinger, Vicepresident of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court, H.E. Mr. Philippe Courvreur, Secretary of the International Court of Justice, H.E. Mr. Johan Van der Werff, Ambassador of the Netherlands to International Organisations, and Prof. Héctor Olasolo Alonso, Chairman of the Ibero-American Institute of The Hague for Peace, Human Rights and International Justice (IIH) will be the speakers of such an occassion.
Since 2011, the Ibero-American Week of International Justice is organised each year during the first ten days of June by the IIH. It has the the institutional support of the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the Hague Municipality, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the University of The Hague for Applied Sciences, the Grotious Center for International Studies, the TMC Asser Institute, the Hague Academic Coalition, the Embassies of several Ibero-American States, the General Ibero-American Secretariat, the Public Policy and Human Rights Institute of MERCOSUR, the Coalition for the ICC, the Chinese Initiative on International Law and a number of Ibero-American Universities and organisations.
According to Prof. Hector Olasolo, IIH Chairman, “the aim of the Ibero-American Week is to create a space in which academics, international and national state officials, members of civil society, students, and the general public at large, coming from the countries in the Ibero-American region and the Netherlands, may exchange their views and initiatives on International Justice. Likewise, it aims to promote a deeper knowledge and a better understanding of Hague-based International Court, Tribunals and Organisations”.
The Ibero-American Week is comprised of a number of events in Spanish, with some lectures in Portuguese, including a Moot Court on the International Criminal Court, an Essay Contest on International Justice, a Seminar on Ibero-American Thinking on International Justice, a Research Group on the Ibero-American Epistemological Perspective on Justice, a guided tour to the historical buildings of the City of The Hague, and several visits to Hague-based International Courts, Tribunals and Organisations. Translation into English is provided for some of the activities.
On the occassion of its VI Edition, the Argentinean Embassy will present on 7th June at 17h00 at the Hague University of Applied Sciences (Johanna Westerdijkplein 75), the joint proposal by Argentina, Belgium, Slovenia and The Netherlands of a Multilateral Treaty on Mutual legal Assistance and Extradition for Atrocity Crimes.
Moreover, a Hague Talk on Ibero-American victims of international crimes will be held on 8 June at 19h30 at the Humanity House (prinsegracht 8), as part of The Hague Talks for Peace and Justice organised by the Municipality of the City of The Hague. Furthermore, on 9 June at 17h00 the I Sino-Iberoamerican Panel on International Justice, jointly organised by the IIH and the Chinese Initiative on International Law (CIIL), will be held at the Hague University of Applied Sciences (Johanna Westerdijkplein 75).
Pronk (Pronking Springbuck) by Ira van der Merwe, 2016, Charcoal on Paper, 90 x 140 cm.The South African Embassy in cooperation with Art Gallery Patries van Dorst will organize and host a special exhibition to promote South African artists in the Netherlands from 1 May 2016 to 20 May 2016.You are invited at the opening on Sunday May 1, 14:00 – 18:00 hours.The participating artists include an impressive list of established as well as young and emerging South African artists, which is sure to provide a unique experience to not only the discerning art connoisseur, but to all who appreciate South African artistic talent. It also provide a platform for artists to interact with key Dutch art industry specialists.
Adriaan de Villiers * Esther Mahlangu * Fortune Dlamini * Francois du Plessis * Gavin Rain * Heidi Sincuba * Ira van der Merwe * Jon Eiselin * Lehlogonolo Mashaba * Marlene Dumas * Mbongeni Buthelezi * Mia Chaplin * Mongezi Ncaphayi * Ruan Hoffmann * Samson Mnisi * Sara-J * Thema Khumalo
Exhibition at Galerie Patries van Dorst in the “Koetshuis” on the Kasteel de Wittenburg Estate in Wassenaar, the Netherlands
A Self Transformation Art Project The Awareness co creative Art Project by Frédéric Hoffmann & Susanna Ferran VilaBrussels, Chancery of the Embassy of the Principality of Andorra: The exhibition « Life is flow III» is presented by the Embassy of Andorra till 30 June 2016.To visit the exhibition we invite you to contact the Secretariat of the Embassy (Tel +32-2 513 28 06) and make an appointment from Monday to Thursday from 9h to 17h and on Friday from 9h to 15h. The opening of the exhibition was originally scheduled on the 23 March but the latter was cancelled following the odious attacks of 22 March at Brussels City. Life is Flow is an artistic project that started 3 years ago, with the wish to relay the initiatory journey of Andorran photographer Susanna Ferran and Parisian artist Frédéric Hoffmann. Since then, they created a new chapter every year, developing works that mix photography with poetry, building an interactive dialogue transmitting their perception of individual transformation, which they live through philosophy, spirituality, meditation, art and yoga. For this third chapter, they have decided to share their evolution and collaborate with the multidisciplinary art collective The Mountain Alchemists, which they co created with Sara Valls, Lluís Casahuga, Jessone Morillon and Eric Rossell.For more information:Mission/Embassy of the Principality of Andorra to the EU, the OPCW, the Benelux countries, Germany (HE Ambassador Maria Ubach Font): http://www.exteriors.ad/fr/ambassades-d-andorre/belgiqueAbout the artists Susanna Ferran and Frédéric Hoffmann: http://andorralandart.com/en/artiste/susanna-ferran-frederic-hoffmann/Life is flow: www.susannaferran.com/life-is-flow
Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, on opening a Preliminary Examination into the situation in BurundiSince April 2015, I have closely followed the situation in Burundi and repeatedly called upon all involved to refrain from violence, warning that those alleged to be committing crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”) could be held individually accountable. In the course of the on-going crisis, more than 430 persons were reportedly killed, at least 3,400 people have been arrested and over 230,000 Burundians forced to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. My Office has reviewed a number of communications and reports detailing acts of killing, imprisonment, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, as well as cases of enforced disappearances. All these acts appear to fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC. I have decided therefore to open a preliminary examination into the situation in Burundi since April 2015. A preliminary examination is not an investigation but a process of examining the information available in order to reach a fully informed determination on whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation pursuant to the criteria established by the Rome Statute. Specifically, under article 53(1) of the Rome Statute, the Prosecutor must consider issues of jurisdiction, admissibility and the interests of justice in making this determination. The Office gives due consideration to all submissions and views conveyed to the Office during the course of a preliminary examination, strictly guided by the requirements of the Rome Statute and in the independent and impartial exercise of its mandate. There are no timelines provided in the Rome Statute for a decision on a preliminary examination. Depending on the facts and circumstances of each situation, the Office will decide whether to continue to collect information to establish a sufficient factual and legal basis to render a determination; initiate an investigation, subject to judicial review as appropriate; or decline to initiate an investigation if there is no reasonable basis to proceed. In conformity with the complementarity principle, my Office will also be engaging with the Burundian authorities with a view to discussing and assessing relevant investigations and prosecutions at the national level.Burundi is a State Party to the Rome Statute, and as such, the ICC has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed on the territory or by nationals of Burundi since 1 December 2004, the date when the Statute entered into force in Burundi.
“Asian government are facing profound challenges related to missing and disappeared persons”, Ms Bomberger said during the meeting. “Mass migration, natural disasters, conflict and social unrest raise specific missing person’s issues. The important thing to remember is that effective strategies have been developed and governments and other stakeholders can address the issue successfully by working with one another and with international organizations. Initiatives that have worked in one country may work in other countries.”
Ms Bomberger said ICMP “can make a continuing contribution to creative and effective efforts to address missing person’s issues whether in the context of migration, post-conflict recovery or disaster recovery.” She stressed the primacy of a rule-of-law approach in which authorities fulfil their legal obligations to account for the missing.
She also urged Asian countries to sign the Agreement on the Status and Functions of the International Commission of Missing Persons. The Agreement does not entail any financial obligations on the part of Signatories but allows countries to participate more fully in a global dialogue on the issue of the missing. It also facilitates ICMP engagement in signatory countries.
So far, the ICMP Agreement has been signed by the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, El Salvador, Chile and Serbia.
In addition to Sri Lanka, which hosted the event, attended by ambassadors of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam.
ICMP endeavours to secure the co-operation of governments and other authorities in locating and identifying persons who go missing as results of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, migration and other circumstances. It also supports the work of other organizations in their efforts, encourages public involvements in its activities and contributes to the development of appropriate expressions of commemoration and tribute to the missing.
For more information on the activities of ICMP in Asia, please visit: http://www.icmp.int/where-we-work/asia/
ICMP was created in 1996, following the G-7 Summit in Lyon, France. ICMP endeavors to secure the co-operation of governments and other authorities in locating and identifying persons missing as a result of armed conflicts, other hostilities or violations of human rights and to assist governments or authorities in doing so.
Since its establishment in 1996 ICMP has been funded through voluntary grants, donations and contributions from the following participating Governments: Canada, Czech Republic, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, The Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, The United Kingdom, The United States of America and The European Union 
