H.E. Peet Jahilo, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia in the Kingdom of the Netherlands welcoming their guests together with his wife Marika and twin daughters Matilde and Eliisabet.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
Estonia Independence Day (Iseseisvuspäev) defacto is Estonia’s National Day, celebrated on the 24th February. This day commemorates Estonia’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Russia Republic in 1918. The festivity took place at the Hotel Hilton in The Hague.
H.E. Mr. Peep Jahilo, the Estonian Ambassador hosted a reception to mark the 98th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. He invited fellow Ambassadors, dignitaries and well-wishers to celebrate Independence Day 2016. Among the attendees were the Ambassadors of Denmark, Turkey, Sweden, Morocco, Finland, Ireland, Russia, Cameroon, Austria, Canada, Spain, Australia, Latvia. Other attendees included Dutch dignitaries, important members the business community, international organisations and International courts.
In Tallinn, Independence Day is celebrated with a grand parade and social gatherings all over the country. Interestingly, since August 20th 1991, Estonia also has a Restoration Independence Day. This is because the authority of the USSR in Estonia had been declared illegal, in doing so they reconstituted the pre-1940 state.
The Estonian economy is thriving and the road ahead is bright. According to Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas, “Estonia is a new Nordiccountry; rigid in foundation but flexible in solutions.”
Estonia has become one of the most integrated countries in the North Europe, being the member of international- and European institutions such as NATO, OECD, Euro zone, OPCW, ICC, FAO, Schengen Convention, UNESCO, UNHCR, Kyoto Protocol, ilo, OIF (observer)
Estonia encourages forward thinking solutions in business, especially in the IT-sector. Estonians therefore make extensive use of the e-services phenomena: e-signature, e-tax office, e-prescriptions, e-voting, just mention a few. The country established an e-residence program last year, which makes Estonian e-services also available to foreigners.
Estonian cake.Information:
Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in The Hague http://www.estemb.nl/Photography by the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in The Hague.
confirm those charges in relation to which it has determined that there is sufficient evidence. In that event, the case will go to trial before a Trial-Chamber;
decline to confirm those charges in relation to which it has determined that there is insufficient evidence and adjourn the proceedings against Mr Al Mahdi;
adjourn the hearing and request the Prosecutor to provide further evidence or conduct further investigations or to amend any charge for which the evidence submitted appears to establish that a crime other than the crime charged was committed.
The Defence and the Prosecution cannot directly appeal this decision however they can request authorisation from the Pre-Trial Chamber to appeal it.
The confirmation of charges hearing is not a trial. It is a Pre-Trial hearing held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged. If charges are confirmed, the Pre-Trial Chamber commits the case for trial before a Trial Chamber, which conducts the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.
For more information on this case, please click here.
The Paris attacks of Friday 13 November 2015 that killed 130 people and injured hundreds more, and the attacks in Beirut the day before, shook the whole world for their audacity, high number of victims and the calculated manner in which they were carried out.
French President Francois Hollande declared the attacks an ‘act of war’ that had to be addressed as such, noting they were the deadliest attacks in France since World War II. But declaring war on terrorists begs a number of troubling questions.
If Islamic State or ‘Daesh’ terrorists launched a ‘war’ on France, does that imply that both parties are bound by the Geneva Conventions and that terrorists enjoy the rights of lawful combatants? Or are terrorists simply criminals which armed forces can target and execute lawfully in Syria and Iraq? What about Boko Haram? Or rampaging militia in the Central African Republic, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo? Or extreme violence in Mexico, Afghanistan, Sudan, South Sudan, Pakistan or Somalia?
Dr.Lyal S. Sunga asks whether international law can meet the challenges of today’s lawless conflicts and considers the options from the perspectives of human rights, humanitarian law and criminal justice. Dr. Sunga, Head of the Rule of Law program at The Hague Institute for Global Justice, and Visiting Professor at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in Sweden, has conducted monitoring, investigation, reporting, technical cooperation, training and teaching in some 55 countries over the last 25 years in human rights, humanitarian law and international criminal law.
“Can International Law Meet the Challenges of Today’s Lawless Conflicts?” Lecture by HILAC and T.M.C. Asser Instituut on March 17th. Registration is not needed. Seats are available on a first-come first-served basis.
Speaker: Dr. Lyal S. Sunga, Head, Rule of Law Program, The Hague Institute for Global Justice and Visiting Professor, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
March 17 March, at 19:00h
Fee: Free
Venue: T.M.C. Asser Instituut – R.J. Schimmelpennincklaan 20-22 , The Hague
Organiser: T.M.C. Asser Instituut, Amsterdam Center for International Law and Het Nederlandse Rode Kruis in cooperation with the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism – The Hague
Michèle Coninsx, President of Eurojust, visited on February 18th the Belgian House of Representatives in Brussels to speak at a conference on counter-terrorism together with various Belgian government officials and academics. The purpose of the event, which was organised by the Itinera Institute in cooperation with the European Corporate Security Association, was to explore some of the difficult questions surrounding counter-terrorism strategies, and notably what role security and intelligence services should play in protecting a democratic constitutional state from the threat of terrorism.Ms Coninsx highlighted the positive role Eurojust plays in combating terrorism in the European Union, underlined the importance of timely exchanges of information at all stages of criminal proceedings and outlined some of the challenges to prosecution and judicial cooperation among Member States in terrorism cases. After their respective readings, the speakers participated in a panel discussion on the topics of intelligence, terrorism and de-radicalisation.
ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, issues Draft Policy Paper on Case Selection and Prioritisation, for comments.
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, today issued the Draft Policy Paper on Case Selection and Prioritisation for external consultation.
This Draft Policy complements the Policy Paper on Preliminary Examinations released in November 2013, by clarifying how the Office of the Prosecutor selects and prioritises cases after a decision has been made to open an investigation into a situation.
In highlighting the importance of the policy, Prosecutor Bensouda stated: “one of the main goals of my tenure as Prosecutor is to strengthen trust and respect for the Office and its crucial mandate by ensuring further transparency and predictability in our operations. This goal is clearly reflected in our strategic plans, and demonstrated in how we fulfil our responsibilities under the Rome Statute. This latest policy paper is another concrete commitment to this goal.”
The Draft Policy Paper has been devised on the basis of the Rome Statute and other legal instruments of the International Criminal Court. It also draws upon the Court’s operational experience and jurisprudence gathered through the course of more than a decade of existence, as well as from national and international practice in this field.
The policy:
establishes that the Office’s case selection and prioritisation shall be guided by the principles of independence, impartiality and objectivity;
provides clarity with regard to the legal requirements applied in the selection and prioritisation of cases, as set out in the Rome Statute; and
outlines clear criteria for case selection and prioritisation.
The Office of the Prosecutor welcomes any comments on the Draft Policy to be sent to the following email address: otp_spi@icc-cpi.int by Friday, the 18th of March 2016.
Following consideration of the comments received and any appropriate amendments to the draft, a final version of the policy will be adopted and launched thereafter.
On the picture from left to right: Mr. Jurjen S. Pen, Mr. Paul W.L. Russell, Mr. Augustine Alegeh SAN, and Mr. Pieter van Regteren Altena.
On 24 February 2016 a delegation of 40 members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) visited Russell Advocaten in Amsterdam for a seminar featuring prominent speakers, such as the President of the Amsterdam District Court and the Dean of the Amsterdam Bar Association. Russell Advocaten hosted this incoming trade mission upon request of the Embassy of Nigeria in The Hague.
During the interactive Nigerian-Dutch Lawyers seminar, Paul Russell (senior partner at Russell Advocaten and former member of the Dutch Senate) gave a brief overview on the Dutch legal system and the international legal profession.
Seminar participants listening to Mr. Henk Naves, President of the Amsterdam District Court.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Augustine Alegeh San, introduced the participants to the Nigerian judicial system. The Dean of the Amsterdam Bar Association, Mr. Pieter van Regteren Altena, and the President of the Amsterdam District Court, Mr. Henk C. Naves, as well as Mr. Jurjen S. Pen, criminal defence lawyer, addressed the audience on the Dutch legal system. The lectures were followed by a broad discussion and an exchange of experience on international legal practice.
This visit was part of the NBA delegation’s five-day-trip to the Netherlands to study the Dutch legal system. During the trip, the delegation visited the International Criminal Court, the Peace Palace in The Hague and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Seminar participants and the partners of Russell Advocaten.Russell Advocaten is member of The International Society of Primerus Law Firms, with appr. 200 law firms and 3,000 lawyers in 40 countries.
Republic of San Marino.
An EU deal with San Marino, which will make it harder for EU citizens to hide cash from the tax man in bank accounts there, was endorsed by Parliament in a vote on Thursday. Under the deal, the EU and San Marino will automatically exchange information on the bank accounts of each other’s residents, starting in 2017.
The EU and San Marino signed an agreement in December 2016 to clamp down on tax fraud and tax evasion. The information to be exchanged includes not only income, such as interest and dividends, but also account balances and proceeds from the sale of financial assets.
The agreement ensures that San Marino will apply stricter measures, equivalent to those in place within the EU since March 2014. The agreement also complies with the 2014 global standard on the automatic exchange of financial account information promoted by the OECD.
Tax administrations in EU member states and in San Marino will be able to:
– Identify correctly and unequivocally the taxpayers concerned,
– Administer and enforce their tax laws in cross-border situations,
– Assess the likelihood of tax evasion being perpetrated, and
– Avoid unnecessary further investigations.
The agreement will enter into force on 1 January 2017. Similar agreements were i.a. concluded with Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The resolution was passed by 607 votes to 22, with 18 abstentions.
REF. : 20160223IPR15509
Full text: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160223IPR15509/Ending-EU-citizens’-bank-secrecy-in-San-MarinoFor more information:
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of San Marino, H.E. Ambassador Antonella Benedettini, EU and Benelux countries: www.esteri.sm/http://www.esteri.sm/on-line/home/corpo-diplomatico-e-consolare-sammarinese/rappresentanze-diplomatiche-di-san-marino/scheda1000033.html
Migrants crossing the border from Serbia into Hungary. Hope for a New Life by Warren Richardson.
59th World Press Photo judges have deliberated long and hard. The refugee crisis in Europe, the war in Syria, the Paris attacks, the devastating earthquake in Nepal and the clashes in the US set off by police shootings dominated the entries as well as the winning images.
The top prize goes to Australian photographer Warren Richardson with his “haunting” picture of a father passing a child under barbed wire.
All winning photographs and entries are due to be exhibited at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam in accordance to tradition for the contest.
H. E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal Ambassador of Bagladesh.By Roy Lie A Tjam.“We must do, all we can, to save our mother tongues, cultures and our unity in diversity”. Hundreds of children, men and women, from as many as ten countries, joined in a solemn pledge at Zuiderpark in The Hague, while celebrating International Mother Language Day 2016 and Immortal Ekushe organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh in the Netherlands.
It all started in1952, when members of the Language Movement raised against the occupying Pakistani authorities that wanted to impose the Urdu language on a Bangla speaking nation. A high price has been paid to retain the mother language. It was Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina government that convinced the UN to declare 21 February as International Mother Language Day.
Video by Diplomat Video Productions:
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in The Hague, Sheikh Mohammed Belal invited kindred spirit to join in the 2016 celebration of the 2016 International Mother Language Day. In the morning, the national flag was hoisted at half-mast at the Chancery premises by Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal. The Messages of the President, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs issued on this occasion were read out to the audience.
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and Nepal Embassies joined Embassy of Bangladesh to celebrate the International Mother Language Day.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal urged to celebrate humanity in the spirit of International Mother Language Day. The Ambassador highlighted the evolution and richness of Bangla language. His Excellency also spoke on the significance of the International Mother Language encouraged spreading of linguistic diversity and cultural traditions to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.
The afternoon part of the programme took place at the Zuiderpark Pavilion on the grounds of the Zuiderpark Den Haag. Members of the participating Embassies and communities, including many children, put on a splendid cultural show.
Speeches and remarks by Ambassadors and deputy Ambassadors were an integral part of the programme. Deputy Mayor of The Hague Mr. Rabin Baldewsingh, Ambassador of India Mr. J. S. Mukul, Ambassador of Sri Lanka Mr. A. M. Sadiq, Ambassador of Thailand Mr. Ittiporn Boonpracong, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission of Indonesia Mr. Ibnu Wahyutomo, and President of Holland Awami League Mr. Mayeed Farque took part in the discussion session.
By all means the International Mother Language day 2016 celebration was a tremendous success.
As the spouse of Ambassador Sheikh Bela, Dr. Dilruba Nasrin remarked, history has been written at the Zuiderpak Pavilion on 21 February 2016 .Mother Language Day has been taken to an elevated level.
The programme ended with a reception attended by over 300 guests from all over the Netherlands and other parts of Europe.
The European Commission published today in Brussels its Country Reports, an annual analysis of the economic and social challenges in the EU Member States.
The reports are a tool under the streamlined European Semester of economic policy coordination to monitor policy reforms and to point early on to challenges that Member States should address. Following the publication in November of the Annual Growth Survey 2016 and the euro area recommendation, which set out the priorities at European level, today’s reports shift the attention of the European Semester to the national dimension.
The reports will serve as the basis for discussion with Member States of their national policy choices ahead of their National Programmes in April, and will lead to the formulation in late spring of the Commission’s Country-Specific Recommendations.
Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, responsible for the Euro and Social Dialogue, said: “Against the background of growing external risks and increased volatility in financial markets, it is urgent to strengthen the fundamentals of our economies. The Commission’s analysis shows that reforms are being carried out on a number of policy areas, but the effort is uneven. A number of Member States still need to be more decisive in tackling persistent vulnerabilities, such as high public and private debt.”
Commissioner Marianne Thyssen, responsible for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, said: “Although we have now reached the highest employment rate since the beginning of the crisis in 2008, still too many Europeans are unemployed. Through the European Semester, we remain committed to help Member States’ efforts to get people back into jobs.”
Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, responsible for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, said: “The reports the Commission has presented today provide the most accurate and detailed picture of EU economies. These in-depth analyses will be the basis for the necessary dialogue between the EU institutions and national authorities this spring, in view of the next set of Country-Specific Recommendations. Boosting jobs and growth remains our first objective. As the EU recovery remains fragile, the Commission urges Member States to continue reforming their economies and fixing persistent macroeconomic imbalances.”
For 18 Member States identified in the Alert Mechanism Report 2016 published in November alongside the Annual Growth Survey, the Country Reports include the In-Depth Review under the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure.
Greece and Cyprus, which are currently under stability support programmes, are not covered by Country Reports at this stage.
Additional Information:
The start of the 2016 European Semester: The November European Semester package explained
The EU’s economic governance explained
Alert Mechanism Report 2016
Winter 2016 Economic Forecast
![IMG_9475-1[1]](https://i0.wp.com/diplomatmagazine.eu/wp-content/uploads/IMG_9475-11.jpg?fit=640%2C365&ssl=1)
Estonia has become one of the most integrated countries in the North Europe, being the member of international- and European institutions such as NATO, OECD, Euro zone, OPCW, ICC, FAO, Schengen Convention, UNESCO, UNHCR, Kyoto Protocol, ilo, OIF (observer)
Estonia encourages forward thinking solutions in business, especially in the IT-sector. Estonians therefore make extensive use of the e-services phenomena: e-signature, e-tax office, e-prescriptions, e-voting, just mention a few. The country established an e-residence program last year, which makes Estonian e-services also available to foreigners.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal urged to celebrate humanity in the spirit of 
As the spouse of Ambassador Sheikh Bela, Dr. Dilruba Nasrin remarked, history has been written at the Zuiderpak Pavilion on 21 February 2016 .Mother Language Day has been taken to an elevated level.
The programme ended with a reception attended by over 300 guests from all over the Netherlands and other parts of Europe.
