Ongwen case: Pre-Trial Chamber II recommends holding the confirmation of charges hearing in Uganda; ICC Presidency’s decision to be made in due course.On 10 September 2015, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) recommended to the ICC Presidency that the hearing on the confirmation of charges against Dominic Ongwen, be held in the Republic of Uganda. The ICC Presidency will now consult with the Ugandan authorities and make a decision on this matter, in consultation with the Pre-Trial Chamber, in due course. The confirmation of charges hearing in respect of Dominic Ongwen is scheduled to commence on 21 January 2015 and is expected to last three to no more than five working days. The confirmation of charges hearing is not a trial. It is a Pre-Trial hearing held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to commit the case for trial before a Trial Chamber.The Chamber considers that it would be desirable and in the interest of justice to hold the confirmation of charges hearing in Uganda, preferably in Gulu as this location is the closest to the location of the alleged crimes, or alternatively in Kampala. Also, the Chamber is of the view that the hearing on the confirmation of charges is well suited to achieve the ultimate purpose of holding proceedings away from the seat of the Court, as it is a short, self-contained, discrete procedural step. In addition, the Chamber considers that the estimated costs of organising the confirmation of charges hearing in Uganda do not appear disproportionate.Prior to making this recommendation, the Chamber received an assessment of the ICC Registry as to the possibility of holding the confirmation of charges hearing in Uganda, as well as submissions of the Office of the Prosecutor and the Defence both in favour of attempting to bring the Court’s process closer to the communities affected by the alleged crimes. Pursuant to Rule 100 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, where the Court considers that it would be in the interests of justice, it may decide to sit in a State other than the host State, for such period or periods as may be required, to hear the case in whole or in part.Background: Dominic Ongwen was the alleged Brigade Commander of the Sinia Brigade of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). On 8 July 2005, ICC Judges issued an arrest warrant against Mr Ongwen for 3 counts of crimes against humanity (murder; enslavement; inhumane acts of inflicting serious bodily injury and suffering) and 4 counts of war crimes (murder; cruel treatment of civilians; intentionally directing an attack against a civilian population; pillaging) allegedly committed on or about 20 May 2004 at the Lukodi IDP Camp in the Gulu District. On 16 January 2015, Dominic Ongwen was surrendered to the ICC’s custody and transferred to the ICC Detention Centre on 21 January 2015. His initial appearance before the Court took place on 26 January 2015. For further information on the case, click here
Situation in Kenya: ICC Judges unseal an arrest warrant against Paul Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech BettOn 10 September 2015, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) unsealed an arrest warrant against Paul Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech Bett, initially issued on 10 March 2015 for offences against the administration of justice consisting in corruptly influencing witnesses. The Pre-Trial Chamber II found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Philip Kipkoech Bett, also known as “Kipseng’erya”, hailing from and residing in Kenya, and Paul Gicheru, a lawyer based in Kenya, are criminally responsible for offences against the administration of justice consisting in corruptly influencing Prosecution witnesses. Based on the Prosecutor’s evidence, the Chamber found that it was necessary to arrest the two suspects to ensure their appearance before the Court, to ensure that they do not obstruct or endanger the investigation or court proceedings and to prevent the further exercise of corrupt influence on the witnesses of the Court. In its decision of 10 March 2015, the Chamber found that the ICC should exercise its jurisdiction on this case, considering that based on the available information before the Chamber, an effective national prosecution was unlikely to take place in the particular circumstances of the present case, and with view to the size and extent of organisation of the alleged criminal effort to corruptly influence witnesses of the Court as well as the related concerns for witness protection. Pre-Trial Chamber II decided today to make the arrest warrant public on the basis of the information provided by the Prosecutor, that Paul Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech Bett were arrested on 30 July 2015 by the Kenyan police in Nairobi, Kenya, in execution of the ICC’s request for arrest and surrender, and were presented before a Judge of the High Court of Kenya in accordance with Kenyan law. Since the arrest has taken place and since Paul Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech Bett were made aware of the ICC’s warrant of arrest, the confidentiality of the document was no longer justified.
On the picture H.E. Guillermo Piña Contreras, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, with his wife Françoise.By Joe Ray.Thousands braved the elements on Saturday 5th September to attend the third annual Embassy Festival at the Laange Voorhout in The Hague. The famous tree-lined boulevard buzzed with activity, as a steady stream of visitors enjoyed the immense array of cultural delights on display.
For a photo-album on the Embassy Festival, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157656066669333Group of girls from Panama.
The festival, organised by LIFE I LIVE BV in close collaboration with The Municipality of The Hague’s Department of International Affairs, Diplomat Magazine and the city’s numerous embassies, offered attendees a rare opportunity to encounter in a single place the multitude of distinctive national cultures which together comprise The Hague’s international community.
Some thirty embassies were present at this year’s event, each proudly showcasing their respective nations’ traditional food, drink, music and dress. Their efforts and enthusiasm did not go unrewarded; ambassadors, students, locals and tourists were all out in force, keen to make the most of this uniquely international experience.Ms. Abir Ali, Chargée d’Affairs of Lebanon and Nicos Argyrides from the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus.
Hungarian wine, Jordanian herbs, and Thai beer were but a few of the diverse offerings to be savoured by the event’s many visitors. They ambled from stall to stall, sampling Egyptian tea or Slovakian sausage, engrossed in the latest issue of Diplomat Magazine, serenaded by charming Bolivian folk music, or captivated by elegant Russian ballet.
Despite sporadic downpours, a vibrant and convivial atmosphere was the hallmark of the day. Organisers, participating embassies, and sponsors should be congratulated on the success of what has become an unmissable fixture in The Hague’s cultural calendar.The pre-event cocktail reception was attended by, amongst others, H.E. the Ambassador of Panama Willys Delvalle, and his wife Tatiana, and H.E. the Ambassador of Guatemala Gabriel Aguilera Peralta, with his wife Aura.
On the picture Boudewijn Martens, Crowne Plaza Den Haag – Promenade’s General Manager. Boudewijn Martens is now the General Manager at Crowne Plaza Den Haag – Promenade since Monday September 7, he succeeded Vincent Pahlplatz, who pursues his career in The Hague thus outside of the Apollo Hotels & Resorts group.
Boudewijn Martens (33) started his career at Apollo Hotels & Resorts in 2010 as Director of Operations at wellness center Thermae 2OOO. In 2014 he became Hotel Manager at Ramada Apollo Amsterdam Centre, where he proved to be an outstanding manager and asset to the hotel.
With his team he received two prestigious awards, including Best Hotel The Netherlands (part of the International Hotel Awards) and Hotel of the Year 2014 presented by Wyndham Hotel Group.
This new career opportunity will bring him to The Hague. Boudewijn Martens said to Diplomat Magazine: “My ambition is to build on the rich history of Dutch hospitality. Keywords are exceptional service, unique hospitality and commercial success. I am really looking forward to it!”Alexander Kluit, Business Area Manager of Apollo Hotels & Resorts is also delighted: “Over the past few years, our company has strongly invested in Crowne Plaza Den Haag – Promenade. The extensive professional experience of Boudewijn, his refreshing view and eye for detail will bring new energy to the team and ultimately improve guest experience and quality for the guest.”
Congratulations on your new role and welcome to The Hague!
Crowne Plaza Den Haag – Promenade
The five star Crowne Plaza Den Haag – Promenade is ideally situated on the outskirts of Scheveningen in a verdant, tranquil oasis. The hotel offers 174 rooms, 8 tasteful, fully-equipped conference and boardrooms, and 900m² of wellness facilities underneath the hotel. Hotel guests can enjoy free access to the swimming pool and fitness facilities of the Promenade HealthClub & Spa.
The Commission is announcing today a comprehensive support package worth €500 million, recognising the difficulties being experienced by producers.Speaking today at the extraordinary Council of agriculture Ministers, Vice-President Katainen said: “This package will allow for €500 million of EU funds to be used for the benefit of farmers immediately. This is a robust and decisive response. This response demonstrates that the Commission takes its responsibility towards farmers very seriously and is prepared to back it up with the appropriate funds. This is particularly important, given other competing budgetary demands.”The focus of this response is threefold: (1) addressing the cash-flow difficulties farmers are facing, (2) stabilising markets and (3) addressing the functioning of the supply chain.The Commission will propose that the most significant part of the comprehensive package will be provided to all Member States in envelopes to support the dairy sector. In determining the distribution of this aid, we will ensure that it is fairly distributed, targeted and effective, having particular regard to those Member States and those farmers which have been most affected by the market developments. The Commission’s intention is to provide maximum discretion to Member States to reflect their specific situations.Today’s announcement should be seen in the context of considerable support already provided to the agricultural sector in response to the impact of the Russian ban and the level of support that the EU provides annually to farmers and rural communities, amounting to more than €50 billion.The commitment to a market orientated approach is and remains the basis of the Commission’s approach.
7th September 2015 -The newest developments in the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean are cause for concern.
Recent numbers confirm the overall increase in the number of refugees that flee to Europe’s southern borders, namely Italy, Malta, Greece and Spain. Only this year, as estimated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), approximately 378,000 refugees arrived on the Mediterranean coast, whereof 2,760 did not survive their journey. The countries most affected by the refugee crisis are Greece and Italy.
In both countries the number of refugees increased between 2014 and 2015, challenging both countries’ capacities and capabilities to manage the current situation.
The IOM supports Italian and Greek officials on site, providing legal assistance to those arriving by sea, monitoring their reception conditions, supporting vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied minors, elderly migrants, migrants with medical needs and families with children which are then referred to authorities to receive the necessary care.
In Italy, the number of refugees remains steadily high. Most refugees land on Sicily, Lampedusa, Calabria or Apulia. Above all, they take the central Mediterranean route and come from Western and Eastern African countries, Bangladesh and Syria. In Greece, the surge in refugees is the most severe among the Mediterranean countries, whereby the number of refugees in this exceeds the ones from last year by 800%. Most refugees landing on Greek soil are from Syria and Afghanistan. They take the Eastern Mediterranean route and arrive at the islands of Lesvos, Kos, Samos, Kalymnos, Megisti, Symi and Chios.
From September 1, 2015 Dr. Saradindu Bhaduri holds the Prince Claus Chair for a period of two years. His thematic focus is on the area of “Frugal Innovation for Development and Equity”, a research field that Dr. Bhaduri has an excellent academic track record.
“Frugal innovation”, is a new research field in the innovation studies and is a form of design and entrepreneurship with relatively advanced products, services and systems within the reach of relatively poor consumers living in an environment with limited resources.
The challenge is herein not only to deliver products that are stripped of all the additional features in order to lower the price, but to deliver quality and affordable innovations that suit the local conditions and culture. To be to connect to the local area “Frugal innovation”, developed polycentric innovation networks in which entrepreneurs, designers, investors, producers and distributors from different parts of the world meet.
Dr. Bhaduri is a promising Indian scientist who study in “frugal innovation” by and for the poorest consumers. Here he focuses on innovation in the informal sector which his research touches on the core value of the Prince Claus Chair ‘development and equity. Dr. Bhaduri has an extensive network and bring together academics from different countries during his term, thereby facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience between “Frugal innovation” hotspot India and other emerging economies.
Dr. Bhaduri works at the Centre for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. During his two-year term, Dr. Bhaduri will spent three months twice at the ISS in The Hague, will do fieldwork in India and Africa and will contribute to education about ‘frugal innovation’. He will work closely with researchers from the Centre for Frugal Innovation in Africa, one of the multidisciplinary research of the University of Leiden, Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Dr. Bhaduri will visit The Hague for the first time in the autumn of 2015 for his research in the framework of the Prince Claus Chair and his inaugural speech, is scheduled for the spring of 2016.
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Prince Claus Chair
The objective of the Prince Claus Chair is to continue the work of Prince Claus (1926-2002) in the field of development and equity. Utrecht University and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam set every year alternately a young academic from a region in development as chair holder. The chair was created in 2003 with the aim of “promoting research and education in the field of development cooperation”.
www.princeclauschair.nlInternational Institute of Social Studies (ISS)
The ISS is an international research and educational institute in the field of development studies. The ISS is based in The Hague and is part of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Annually, there are about 300 to 400 students, mostly from developing countries, on the ISS. ISS also has a large PhD program.
www.iss.nl
Frugal Centre for Innovations in Africa (CFIA)
The CFIA is one of the joint multidisciplinary research at Leiden University,Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam. The research center is focused on identifying areas where ‘frugal innovations’ best come into their own in improving the lives of consumers and producers at the bottom of the global socio-economic pyramid.
www.cfia.nl
On the picture H. E. Mr. J.S. Mukuland wife.
On Wednesday, September 2, 2015, the Ambassador of the Republic of India H. E. J. S. Mukul presented the credentials to His Majesty Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands.
Ambassador Mukul was invited to inspect the Guard of Honour at the Palace before presenting the credentials to His Majesty. During the ceremony, he was accompanied by Counsellor and Director of The Gandhi Centre, Mr. V.K. Choubey, First Secretary (Legal Office) Dr. Kajal Bhat, Second Secretary (HOC) Mr. M.K. Pujari and Second Secretary (Political Sector) Mr. D. Meher.
After presenting the credentials, the Ambassador and his spouse had a meeting with the King for about 20 minutes. Issues of mutual interest to India and the Netherlands were discussed. Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Renee Jones-Bos was present in the meeting.
For a photo-album on Ambassador Mukul’s presentation of credentials, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157658236800406Mrs. and HE Mr. J. S. Mukul Ambassador of India, HE Chen Xu and Wenci Li Ambassador of China
On the evening of September 2, Ambassador and Mrs. Mukul organized a Vin d’honneur at India Residence in Wassenaar. The reception was attended by over 100 guest comprising of Mayors, Grand Master of the Royal Household, senior dignitaries from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives from international organizations based in The Hague, members of the press corps and prominent members of the Dutch and Indian diaspora communities.
Mrs. and HE Mr. J. S. Mukul Ambassador of India together with Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman, His Excellency Muhammed bin Harub bin Abdullah Al Said.Information:Embassy of India in The Hague http://www.indianembassy.nl/
