Al Mahdi case: Confirmation of charges hearing to open on 1 March 2016Judge Cuno Tarfusser, exercising the functions of Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the case against Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, granted the Defence’s request to postpone the confirmation of charges hearing in this case and decided that it will start on Tuesday, 1 March and, if necessary, will continue on Wednesday, 2 March 2016.
The confirmation of charges hearing was initially scheduled for 18 January 2016. The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.
Background:
It is alleged that Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, born in Agoune, 100 kilometers west of Timbuktu, Mali, from the Ansar Tuareg tribe, was an active personality in the context of the occupation of Timbuktu. He allegedly was a member of Ansar Eddine, working closely with the leaders of the two armed groups and in the context of the structures and institutions established by them.
It is alleged that, until September 2012, he was at the head of the “Hesbah” (“Manners’ Brigade”), operational from May 2012. He was also associated with the work of the Islamic Court of Timbuktu and has participated in executing its decisions. Specifically, it is alleged that he was involved in the destruction of the buildings mentioned in the charges.
The Chamber found that the evidence presented by the Prosecutor establish reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Al Mahdi is criminally responsible for having committed, individually and jointly with others, facilitated or otherwise contributed to the commission of war crimes alleged by the Prosecutor regarding intentionally directing attacks against the following buildings: 1) the mausoleum Sidi Mahmoud Ben Omar Mohamed Aquit, 2) the mausoleum Sheikh Mohamed Mahmoud Al Arawani, 3) the mausoleum Sheikh Sidi Mokhtar Ben Sidi Muhammad Ben Sheikh Alkabir, 4) the mausoleum Alpha Moya, 5) the mausoleum Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Ben Amar Arragadi, 6) the mausoleum Sheikh Muhammad El Micky, 7) the mausoleum Cheick Abdoul Kassim Attouaty, 8) the mausoleum Ahamed Fulane, 9) the mausoleum Bahaber Babadié, and 10) Sidi Yahia mosque.
On 26 September 2015, Mr Al Mahdi was surrendered to the ICC by the authorities of Niger and transferred to the Court’s Detention Centre in the Netherlands. On 30 September 2015, he appeared before the single Judge of Pre-Trial Chamber I, Judge Cuno Tarfusser, in the presence of the Prosecutor and the Defence. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi was represented by his Duty Counsel, Mohamed Aouini.
The situation in Mali was referred to the Court by the Government of Mali on 13 July 2012. After conducting a preliminary examination of the situation, the Office of the Prosecutor opened an investigation on 16 January 2013, into alleged crimes committed on the territory of Mali since January 2012.
For further information on the case, click here.
The biggest happening for women from Central Europe in The Netherlands
Celebration of International Women’s Day
Once again, The Hague will be the venue for the ‘V4 Business Women Congress’ in celebration of International Women’s Day. Some 300 ‘women at the top’ from Central Europe will meet to support each other in their careers and entrepreneurship.
The Business Women Congress was established to show that women from Central Europe are proficient in Dutch and also successful in their careers. At the congress the guests will be inspired by prominent speakers from the business world and they will furthermore be challenged in workshops. The Keynote Speaker is Michael Pilarczyk, a renowned author, teacher and speaker in the fields of self-development, spiritual growth and success in business.
The Congress takes place on every year in March in The Hague and has been opened by the Ambassador of Slovakia, Czech, Poland or Hungary. This year Ambassador of Czech Republic, Her Excellency Ms. Jana Reinišová and Ambassador of Poland, His Excellency Dr Jan Borkowskiwill open the event. In addition, the initiative is supported by the Trade and Investment Promotion Section of the Polish Embassy and the Municipality of The Hague.
The congress is an initiative by Kasia Nowak who has over the last few years observed that women from Central Europe are much more ambitious than people realise. Every year in March she organizes together with her daughter Marysia Bialek the congress to show the power of those women.
“ This event is for every ambitious woman, no matter where she come from and what she does. We want to motivate all the women to make their dreams come true. “ – explain Marysia.
The theme of 2016 is Ambition, Balance and Career.
Tickets available: http://businesswomencongress.eu/14.00 Registration15.00 Planary Part I
Opening with Movie about Ambition-Balance-Career
Opening words by the organizations
Ambassador of Czech Republic, Her Excellency Ms. Jana Reinišová.
1st Keynote speaker
16.00 1st Workshop Session17.00 Break17.30 2nd Workshop Session18.30 Break19.00 Plenary Part II
2nd Keynote speaker: Michael Pilarczyk
Lottery of Gassan 121 Diamond Cut
Ambassador of Poland, His Excellency Dr Jan BorkowskiWords of thanks invitation for networking
20.15 Networking with buffet and entertainment (VIP’s only)22.00 The end.
Belgian Food Artisans wants to spread the message around the world about Belgium’s rich culinary culture.
Belgium has much to offer in the area of gastronomy, including a rich tradition of varied and delicious food, an exuberant dining culture and a welcoming attitude. BE DELICIOUS was the brainchild of the food entrepreneurs Herwig Dejonghe and Christof Malysse. They met each other through a mutual enthusiasm for shrimp croquette, a quintessential Belgian dish with that delicacy from the North Sea, the grey shrimp, as its main ingredient.
BE DELICIOUS brought together a group of Food Artisans who excel in a selection of tasty and refined dishes that are typically Belgian. They are enthusiastic entrepreneurs with a passion for craftsmanship and traditional methods of preparation with a modern twist. They choose only the best starting materials. Locally caught fish and local farm produce, which have a tradition in the region, provide high-quality ingredients.
These Belgian Food Artisans want to share their passion and pride for their regional cuisine with the rest of the world.
An exclusive presentation of BE DELICIOUS was held the morning of 19 January 2016 at the renowned restaurant Belga Queen in the historic centre of Brussels.
The guest of honour and speaker was The Honourable Minister Kris Peters, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium, Minister of Economy and Employment, Minister of Foreign Trade.
For more information:
http://bedelicious.bewww.belgaqueen.be
HM The Queen of the Belgians and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon – Picture by Belgian Royal Court.
The Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Ban Ki-moon, has announced Her Majesty The Queen of the Belgians membership of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocacy Group.
This group of a dozen personalities will support the UN in mobilizing the international community to take action to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The SDGs were adopted by UN member States in September 2015 in order to end poverty, strengthen equity and justice and fight climate change.
Queen Mathilde of the Belgians has long been active in support of development and the humanitarian sector, as an advocate for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), children’s rights, the right to health and the right to education, in particular. The UN invitation is a recognition of Belgium´s role and efforts in the area of sustainable development.
By Baron Henri Estramant.
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands issued a Royal Order on 16 December 2015 granting the “Honorary Cross of the House Order of Oranje” (Erekruis van de Huisorde van Oranje) to drs. Coen baron Schimmelpenninck van der Oije.
The Honorary Cross (badge on a ribbon to be worn on the left chest) was bestowed upon Baron Coen for his services as “Chamberlain to H.M. The King” which he left behind on 31 December 2015. The order was presented to him officially on 12 January at Noordeinde Palace.
Baron Coen Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (Amsterdam, 17 July 1943) is a son of the late Baron Cornelis Schimmelpenninck van der Oije and Countess Johanna van Limburg Stirum. From 1985 he was director of the Municipal Archives of the City of Rotterdam and since 1994 likewise for the Historic Museum Rotterdam. Also in 1994 he was appointed chamberlain to then Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Schimmelpenninck van der Oije moreover served as director of the Maritime Museum Rotterdam from 2006.
Between 1991 and 2015 Baron Coen was the chairman of the High Council of the Dutch Nobility (Hoge Raad van Adel) an institution still attached to the Netherlands State, and advising in matters concerning the nobility as well as heraldry. His successor since 11 May 2015 is former top diplomat, Jonkheer Johan Pieter de Savornin Lohman (b. ‘s-Gravenhage, 27 February 1948).
For more information:
Dutch orders of chivalry: www.onderscheidingen.nl/nl/medailles/orden/ho.html
High Council of the Dutch Nobility (Hoge Raad van Adel): http://www.hogeraadvanadel.nl/home
Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands hosted a reception on Tuesday, 12 January 2016, for representatives of Dutch NGOs, cultural organisations and civil society at large.
The day after the Royal Couple likewise welcomed the diplomatic corps accredited to The Netherlands on Wednesday, 13 January 2016. Both receptions took place at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. These receptions were attended by HRH Princess Beatrix and HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands accompanied by Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at the New Year’s Reception for the corps diplomatique in Amsterdam.
The traditional reception for Dutch guests focused this year in honouring the work of those working in home care and the transition to it.
This theme was linked to the visit last year of King Willem-Alexander to the Academic Health Centre Thermion in Nijmegen.
For more information on Academic Health Centre Thermion: www.agcthermion.nl
Pictures by the Dutch Royal Household http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl
The nomination of a unity government for Libya is a step in the right direction, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said today. ‘It’s all to the good, especially after such a long period of rival blocs contending for power.’
The minister sees the unity government as important not only for Libyans themselves, but also for the EU. ‘Libyans can only suffer from having a divided country where parties are confronting each other head-on,’ he said. ‘And a united Libya is vital for the Netherlands and the rest of the EU, too, because it makes joint action possible in the struggle against terrorism,’ he remarked.
Mr Koenders pointed out that Libya has increasingly become a haven for ISIS, commenting that ‘only a Libyan government with the entire country under its control can prevent ISIS from using it as a base’. A united Libya is also a key precondition for better management of migration flows towards Europe.
At the same time, the minister still sees potential snags ahead for the new government: ‘we still need to see whether the parliament will give its assent’, for example. He called on the Libyan parliament to confirm the new government’s installation as rapidly as possible.
The international community, under UN leadership, will endeavour in the coming months to support Libya as much as possible. The EU has, announced an assistance package of €100 million.
Mr Koenders hopes that the unity government will pay more attention in future to the status of women. ‘UN envoy Martin Kobler had called for 30% of the portfolios to be given to women, but in fact only one woman has been appointed as a minister,’ he said. ‘That’s a disappointment and a missed opportunity, particularly because women are playing such a crucial role in the transition process.’ The Netherlands is supporting Libyan women in establishing an advisory body that will function as a ministry.
Refugee crisis in Europe: IOM observes more voluntary returns
IOM detects an increasing number of requests for voluntary return. These requests arise from many different locations in the Netherlands, including crisis- and emergency reception locations.
IOM receives both requests for voluntary return from migrants that just arrived in the Netherlands as well as from migrants that have been staying in the Netherlands for years now. Under the current large inflow of asylum seekers there are relatively many migrants that do not await the result of their asylum request, rather they choose to voluntarily return to their home country fairly quickly after their arrival.
If a travel document is available, departure can take place within a few weeks. The exact duration depends on amongst other things on the country of destination, the(medical) situation of the migrant and his or her possible reintegration plans.
Departure can take place within a few days in urgent cases. The IOM can help to obtain travel documents if these are not available at first.
For information: http://www.iom.int/Picture by the IOM.
Officially, the Netherlands took over the Presidency of the European Council on January 7th as part of a six-months-rotating system amongst the EU member states. From January to June, 2016 Dutch diplomats will chair regular meetings in Brussels and in Amsterdam. Conversely, ministries, cities, companies and NGOs will organise a range of events here in the Netherlands.
During each period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU’s work.
Member states holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three, called ‘trios’. The current trio is made up of the presidencies of the Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta.
This system was introduced by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an eighteen months period. On the basis of this programme, each of the three countries prepares its own agenda.
The presidency is responsible for driving forward the Council’s work based on EU legislation, assuring the continuity of the EU goals, with orderly legislative mechanisms and cooperation among member states. In order to achieve this task, the presidency must act as an honest and impartial broker.
Please see some images from Kim Vermaat of the memorable meeting following the link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157663377564656
The Netherlands’ first presidency took place in 1992 then after in 1997 were the country played a leading part in treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam, starting negotiations in 2004 to integrate Turkey as member state. The role of the rotating presidencies has changed remarkably, as both the European Council and the Foreign Affairs Council have now a permanent President.
The presidency has now two main duties:
Planning and chairing meetings in the Council and its preparatory bodies
The presidency chairs meetings of the different Council configurations (with the exception of the Foreign Affairs Council) and the Council’s preparatory bodies, which include permanent committees such as the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper), and working parties and committees dealing with very specific subjects.
The presidency ensures that debates are conducted accurately and that all Council’s rules of procedure and working methods are correctly applied.
It also organizes multiples formal and informal meetings in Brussels and in the country of the rotating presidency, now in Amsterdam. The Netherlands will have to deal with an ambitious reform programme for Europe and a great number of new European legislation proposals of sensitive topics.
Representing the Council in relations with the other EU institutions
The presidency represents the Council in relations with the other EU institutions, particularly with the Commission and the European Parliament. Its role is to try and reach agreement on legislative files through trilogues, informal negotiation meetings and Conciliation Committee meetings.
The presidency works in close coordination with:
The President of the European Council
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The presidency can represent the Foreign Affairs Council before the European Parliament or preside over the Foreign Affairs Council when it discusses common commercial policy issues.
The Dutch agenda focus on the essential: clear tasks division between the member states and the EU institutions, reduction of the administrative impact, support innovation and the creation of new jobs, as well as promoting a better interaction between the EU and the European population.
Information on the Netherlands EU presidency: http://english.eu2016.nl/
On the picture His Excellency Ambassador Fermin Quiñones and his spouse Aimara together with the Cuban Embassy staff.By Ellen Brager.
Greet.
It is Thursday evening at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel and the guests start to arrive under the watchful eye of Arwin Paulides, manager of the hotel that since long has become the home base of Diplomat Magazine.
In the line at the coat check, mostly Spanish, English and Dutch are spoken. His Excellency Ambassador Fermin Quiñones and his spouse Aimara welcome diplomats, government officials, business people and friends with Cuban warmth. A freshly prepared mojito, Cuba’s famous cocktail, dissipates the last of the winter cold from outside.
For Kim Vermaat photo album on Cuba Diplomats Meet and Greet, please click here https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157663637698606HE Alavaro Moerzinger, Ambassador of Uruguay and spouse Ana Trabal, HE Moazzam Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan and spouse HE Leena Salim Moazzam, HE Fermin Gabriel Quiñones and spouse Aimara Quiñones, Patricia van Oordt spouse of HE Fernando Arias, Ambassador of Spain and Rafael Lesca Torralba General Consul of Cuba.
The first Diplomats Meet & Greet of 2016, sponsored by Diplomatic Card and Jaguar, marked not only the New Year, but also the 57th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.
In his welcome speech, Ambassador Quiñones praised the triumph of the revolution as a turning point in the history of the country and the region. At the same time he asked to remember the many Cubans who sacrificed their lives to achieve and uphold this victory.
HE Fermin Quiñones, Amaira Quiñones, HE Ahmet Üzümcü, Director General of the OPCW and Rafael Lesca Torralba General Consul of Cuba.
Despite the persistence of an economic and commercial blockade which has been in force for the past 55 years, Cuba has achieved some remarkable successes. Last year the economy grew by 4% and prestigious companies around the world are showing increased interest in the Cuban market. The relations with the European Union continue to improve and especially the bilateral relations with the Netherlands have strengthened and grown, opening new opportunities for economic projects and cooperation in many other areas.
With free access to education from elementary to university level and health care for all, Cuba has become an example for the region. Moreover, tourism grew over 17% with the arrival of more than 3.5 million visitors to the country in 2015.
Ambassador Quiñones, Amaira Quiñones, the Hon. Mr. Jan Hoekema Mayor of Wassenaar and Rafael Lesca Torralba General Consul of Cuba.
When looking at the glossy brochures on the tables, that last statement isn’t hard to imagine. Cuba is indeed a favorite tourist attraction as it has something to offer for everybody.
Beach lovers enjoy the tropical climate and the pristine beaches of white sand and turquoise water, a paradise for deep sea diving and other water sports. Art lovers are attracted by Cuba’s impressive cultural patrimony, especially in music and dance.
Cities like Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Trinidad can entertain visitors for days with their rich history, colonial architecture, festivals and museums, while their vibrant night life is an attraction in itself.
HE Sabine Nölke, Ambassador of Canada, Ambassador Fermin Quiñones, Amaira Quiñones, HE Xu Chen Ambassador of China, Rafael Lesca Torralba General Consul of Cuba and Ingrid Estévez Arxer, Second Secretary at the Cuban Embassy.
After the Ambassador’s speech the guests mingled, making their way to the richly filled table with hors d’oeuvres. Repeated happy New Year wishes filled the air along with the Cuban music played softly in the background.
Who doesn’t recognize those typical sounds, made famous worldwide by the Buena Vista Social Club? The lively chatter continues well into the evening, a sure sign of a successful event.
HE Haifa Aissami Madah, Ambassador of Venezuela, Ambassador Quiñones, HE Sergio Ugalde Godinez Ambassador of Costa Rica and Amaira Quiñones.“We continue to change everything that needs to be changed. But we will never give up on our principles, our independence and our sovereignty.”, concluded Ambassador Quiñones.
These are reassuring words for those who worry about preserving Cuba’s identity now that the borders are more permeable and influences from abroad have become stronger.
Cuba is truly a unique country. Let’s hope it stays that way for centuries to come!
Picture by Catherine Dailey.For information:http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/holanda
14.00 Registration 15.00 Planary Part I
An exclusive presentation of BE DELICIOUS was held the morning of 19 January 2016 at the renowned restaurant Belga Queen in the historic centre of Brussels.
The guest of honour and speaker was The Honourable Minister Kris Peters, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium, Minister of Economy and Employment, Minister of Foreign Trade.
For more information:
http://bedelicious.be
www.belgaqueen.be 
Please see some images from Kim Vermaat of the memorable meeting following the link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157663377564656
The Netherlands’ first presidency took place in 1992 then after in 1997 were the country played a leading part in treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam, starting negotiations in 2004 to integrate Turkey as member state. The role of the rotating presidencies has changed remarkably, as both the European Council and the Foreign Affairs Council have now a permanent President.
The presidency has now two main duties:
