By Aldo Rodriguez.   Situated in the heart of The Hague’s Embassy District, the Carlton Ambassador has long enjoyed visits from a variety of dignitaries, such as guests of the Royal Palace, members of the diplomatic community, heads of state, and Hollywood royalty, like Catherine Zeta-Jones. The property sits on the picturesque, chestnut-treelined Sophialaan, in the city centre and is where the royal horse-drawn carriages have departed from with many Ambassadors on their way to meet H.E. King Willem Alexander upon offering their credentials. It has also served as host to the celebration of numerous National Days and other official events in partnership with its neighboring Embassies. In close cooperation with Diplomat Magazine it also hosts the successful monthly Diplomats Meet&Greet events, which offer an informal venue for members of the diplomatic corps to engage with one another and other attendees. The Diplomatic Card will be the proud sponsor of these events in the coming year. The elegant boutique hotel is managed by Arwin Paulides, in entrepreneur-style, as the Carlton Hotel Collection does not have a head office, so they operate autonomously with the individual guest in mind, which sets them apart from chain hotels. Mr. Paulides has been with the Collection for about 15 years, six of which have been as General Manager of this property, and he previously also served as General Manager of the Banks Mansion Amsterdam. In true successful entrepreneur spirit he rose through the ranks and now enjoys managing a highly diverse team of 60 staff members, who offer multi-lingual support to their guests, when needed. His background in food & beverage is evident in the culinary excellence of the hotel’s restaurants and its superb service. Picture by M. van Nieuwkerk The Carlton Ambassador aspires to be a “local hero” and is known for its classic charm and character, perfectly balanced with modern day convenience and personalized service. The property’s recently renovated Signature Rooms are now being complemented by an additional eight gorgeously spacious Ambassador Residences & Suites, for which a meticulous expansion is now underway.  With the development of these residential suites the boutique hotel will be 88-rooms strong by the end of the year. They are perfect for diplomats in need of interim housing &/or the business traveler expecting a longer stay in the City of Peace and Justice. The contemporary Ambassador Residences & Suites, in an adjoining monumental building, are a graceful addition to the mansion-like boutique hotel, as they offer a private entrance, private parking, private meeting/dinning space, and are decorated in rich Dutch-style and color – preserving the historic charm of the rooms, while accentuating them with modern technology features and luxurious bathrooms. The World Luxury Hotel Award’s (WLHA), known to be the pinnacle of achievement for Luxury Hotels worldwide, once again bestowed one of its prestigious awards to the Carlton Ambassador in Johannesburg last year. While the WLHA nominates the hotels in 14 different categories, the winners are determined by guests’ votes – a true testament to their achievement in service excellence. In 2013 the Carlton Ambassador set the benchmark by winning the WLHA’s Continent Awards for Europe’s Best Luxury Hotel category. Mr. Paulides and his team genuinely thank all the readers and guests for their votes and support.    

The Central Election Commission as a fundamental and reliable tool in ensuring the democratic election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.   During the years of independence Uzbekistan has established a stable and dynamic political system, a bicameral parliament working on a professional basis, necessary organizational, legal and logistic conditions for a free and active participation of citizens and political parties in the most important matters of socio-economic development and social construction.   Radical reforms have been implemented in improving the electoral legislation, relevant measures to strengthen the independent activity of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan as a key body in implementing the principles of openness and transparency of the elections have been undertaken. These factors play fundamental role and guarantee that the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan scheduled for 29 March 2015 are to be hold in full compliance with national legislation and international law.   In accordance with the legislation, elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan conducted by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Uzbekistan.   The Law “On the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, adopted by the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan in August 2014, significantly expanded and strengthened the status of the CEC as an independent democratic institution.   In particular, this statute provides for the following matters:   Firstly, let us to look at the essence and content of the basic principles of the Central Election Commission’s activity: independence, legality, collegiality, openness, fairness. In particular, the principle of independence implies the implementation of activities of the CEC, regardless of any state bodies, NGOs and officials, interference in its activity is prohibited and shall entail liability under the law.   For example, Article 146 of the Criminal Code sets out the responsibilities of members of election commissions for violating the secrecy of the ballot, forgery of election documents, making fictitious entries in the papers or petitions, miscount votes during organization or holding elections by the officials, representatives of the political parties or self-government bodies, election commissions.   Article 147 of the Criminal Code establishes liability for obstructing the means of violence, threats, deception or bribery of the free exercise of citizens’ right to elect or be elected President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.   Administrative responsibility of the sanctions in the form of fines established Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on administrative responsibility for the following violations:

• interference into the activity of the CEC of Uzbekistan and election commissions;
• failure to implement the decisions of the CEC of Uzbekistan, as well as election commissions;
• violation of the rights of the candidate, the Trustee, the observer or the authorized representative of a political party;
• violation of the terms and order of election campaign;
• dissemination of false information about candidates, political parties;
• deliberate destruction or damage of information, propaganda materials posted on buildings, structures or other places, in the preparation and conduct of elections;
• violation of the order of financing of elections;
• violation of the order of publication of the results of public opinion polls, forecasts of election results and other studies related to the elections.

  Secondly, law-making norms of the CEC have been identified, which, according to Article 9 of the Law “On the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan” has the right, within its powers to issue regulations, signed by the Chairman and published in the press.   Decisions made by the CEC within its powers are binding on district and precinct election commissions for public authorities, political parties and other non-profit organizations, enterprises, institutions and organizations.   Para 3 of the Article 51 of the Administrative Responsibility Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan imposes sanctions in the form of fines for non-fulfillment of decisions of the CEC, as well as the decisions of election commissions.   Thirdly, it is foreseen to exclude the norm of the law allowing to Oliy Majlis to terminate the activity of the Central Election Commission. While maintaining the current procedure for termination by the Oliy Majlis the activity of the members of the CEC. This innovation is aimed at further strengthening the guarantees of the independence of the Central Election Commission.   In order to ensure transparency of the activities of election commissions, the transparency of their work at their meetings may be attended by representatives of political parties, the media, observers from other countries, international organizations and movements.   At the same time, with regard to international observers, they have the right to attend meetings in which candidates for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan are nominated, the meetings of district and precinct election commissions; be present at the polling station and observe the preparatory work for the placement and sealing of ballot boxes for voting on the issuance of the citizens of ballots; present during the vote counting and tabulation of the precinct election commissions; request and obtain certified copies of the relevant election commission documents on the results of the elections; report their observations to a higher commission, if there is reason to believe that at the polling station had been violations of the Law.   However, in order to avoid interference in the election process, observers shall be prohibited: be in cabin or room for secret ballot during filling in voting paper by voter; influence voters, spread out any propaganda materials or literature; ask voters whom they voted, or render any help to voters during filling in voting paper; interfere in the activity of polling station committee during sealing up of ballot boxes and their unsealing, counting of votes.   Fourthly, it is proposed to establish the following requirements for the candidates to be elected members of the CEC: citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan; residence the country for at least five years; age of 25 years; as a rule to have a higher education, work experience in the organization and experience of conducting the elections, the referendum; to be respected by the public.   Fifthly, rule that prohibits members of the Central Election Commission to engage in other paid activities, except for research and teaching is being set.   One of the internationally recognized standards of contemporary democratic elections is holding them their own and independently within competence of the electoral authorities. In order to ensure these conditions, according to Article 19 of the Law «On the Election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan»:   Chairman, deputy chairman, secretary and members of the Central Election Commission may not be member of political party.   Candidates for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and their proxies may not be members of election commissions.   One and the same person may be only a member of one electoral commission.   In general, all these legislative provisions, taken measures to improve the electoral legislation, the independence and impartiality of the CEC indicate that Uzbekistan has a modern electoral system that meets the requirements of a democratic, effective formed in line with international norms and principles of electoral legal framework of elections, provides a guarantee of free will of citizens, the right of everyone to freely elect and be elected to representative bodies of state power, as well as to monitor this process both within the country and from abroad.        

 On the picture, Alain St. Ange, Minister of Tourism and Culture.   By Baron Henri Estramant. The Republic of the Seychelles is to host the world at the fifth edition of the “Carnival of Carnivals” to be held in the capital of Victoria between 24-26 April 2015.  Carnival festivities from around the globe, and cultural troupes are due to partake in the parade organised by the Seychellois Minister of Tourism and Culture, Mr Alain St.Ange.  Minister St.Ange recently participated at the UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture hosted by the Kingdom of Cambodia on 4 February 2015. The Seychellois minister used the opportunity to invite several colleagues as well as His Majesty the former Czar of the Bulgars, Simeon II (former 48th Prime Minister of Bulgaria under the name Simeon II Borisov Sakskoburggotski) to visit the Seychelles, and bring delegations to the “Carnival of Carnivals”.  Seychelles has been independent from the United Kingdom since 29 June 1976. The country has one embassy in Brussels accredited to all three Benelux countries as well as to the international organisations based in The Hague and Brussels.  In addition to its mission in Brussels there are two honorary consuls responsible for the Netherlands; Mr Bartholomeus Maussen in Amsterdam and Mr Viktor André Schoenmakers in Rotterdam.  For more information:  www.seychelles.travel/