ICC refers to the UNSC Sudan’s non-cooperation
Picture by Sudan Tribune.
ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II refers to the UNSC Sudan’s non-cooperation and failure to arrest Abdel Raheem Hussein
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The Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) found yesterday that the State of Sudan has failed to arrest Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein against whom the ICC has issued an arrest warrant on 1 March 2012 and to surrender him to the Court.
The Chamber also found that Sudan failed to consult with the Court and to liaise with its relevant organs to execute the pending arrest warrant. The Chamber decided to refer the finding of Sudan’s non-cooperation to the United Nations Security Council, which might decide to take the measures they deem appropriate.
The Chamber noted that Sudan has consistently refused to surrender any of his nationals to the ICC’s jurisdiction and that Mr. Hussein continues to hold public office in Sudan. The Chamber considered that Sudan’s non-cooperation constitutes a failure to comply with resolution 1593 of the United Nations Security Council which created for Sudan, UN member since 1956, an obligation to cooperate fully with the ICC. The Chamber also stressed that the ICC relies mainly on the States’ cooperation to fulfil its mandate, and that, when the Security Council refers the situation in Darfur to the Court as constituting a threat to the international peace and security, it might be expected that the Council might also consider deciding on a follow-up.Â
Background
On 1 March 2012, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I issued a warrant of arrest against Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein for charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in the context of the situation in Darfur (Sudan). Mr. Hussein was, until becoming governor of Khartoum early June 2015, Minister of National Defence of the Sudanese Government and former Minister of the Interior and former Sudanese President’s Special Representative in Darfur.
The Pre-Trial Chamber I considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that . Hussein is criminally responsible for crimes against humanity (persecution, murder, forcible transfer, rape, inhumane acts, imprisonment or severe deprivation of liberty and torture) and war crimes (murder, attacks against civilian population, destruction of property, rape, pillaging and outrage upon personal dignity). These crimes were allegedly committed against the primarily Fur populations of the towns of Kodoom, Bindisi, Mukjar, Arawala and surrounding areas by the Sudanese armed forces and the Militia/Janjaweed in the context of a counter-insurgency campaign against the Sudanese Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and other groups opposing the Government.
The plan of the counter-insurgency campaign was allegedly formulated at the highest levels of the Government of the Republic of the Sudan and had allegedly as a core component an unlawful attack on that part of the civilian population perceived by the Government as being close to the rebel groups.
The situation in Darfur was referred to the ICC by United Nations Security Council resolution 1593 on 31 March 2005, under article 13(b) of the Rome Statute.
For more information on this case, click here
Decision on the Prosecutor’s request for a finding of non-compliance against the Republic of the SudanÂ
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Présidente de la CPI demande le soutien international
« La prévention des crimes internationaux nécessite le soutien de la communauté internationale » : la Présidente de la CPI commémore la Journée de la justice pénale international.
La Présidente de la Cour pénale internationale (CPI), la juge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, a souligné aujourd’hui l’importance d’un soutien mondial en faveur de la justice et de la responsabilité pour les crimes graves lors d’un séminaire commémorant la Journée de la justice pénale internationale organisé par l’Ambassade de la République de la Pologne et l’Ambassade de l’État plurinational de Bolivie à La Haye (Pays-Bas).
La Journée de la justice pénale internationale marque l’anniversaire de l’adoption du Statut de Rome, le traité fondateur de la CPI, le 17 juillet 1998.
Appelant le monde entier à se joindre aux célébrations de la Journée de la justice pénale internationale, la Présidente de la CPI Fernández de Gurmendi a également souligné que « la prévention et la sanction des crimes internationaux exigent non seulement le soutien et la coopération des gouvernements, mais aussi de la communauté internationale ». « La CPI est là pour traiter de crimes atroces commis contre des êtres humains. Et il est de notre devoir d’assurer une justice significative avec un impact réel afin d’aider à restaurer et maintenir une paix stable. »
Le séminaire, ouvert par l’Ambassadeur de Pologne S.E. Jan Borkowski, a également comporté des discussions concernant les examens préliminaires et les enquêtes du Bureau du Procureur de la CPI, animées par l’Ambassadeur de Bolivie S.E. Eduardo Rodriguez Veltzé.
Le 17 juillet a été désigné comme la Journée de la justice pénale internationale par les États parties au Statut de Rome et unit tous ceux qui souhaitent soutenir la justice, promouvoir les droits des victimes, et aider à empêcher les crimes qui menacent la paix, la sécurité et le bien-être du monde. A ce jour, 123 États sont parties au Statut de Rome, qui vise à protéger les personnes contre le génocide, les crimes contre l’humanité, les crimes de guerre et le crime d’agression.
XXIII EU-Japan Summit
By Martin Kammandel.
Japan and the EU held their annual summit on 29 May 2015 in Tokyo to discuss a potential free trade agreement as well as security cooperation.
Nipponese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, announced the schedule and programme at the G7 meeting in Germany.
The summit was the first for European Council President Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. They were joined by Federica Mogherini and EU trade chief Cecilia Malmström in Tokyo.
Japan is aiming at achieving a broad agreement on trade liberation with the EU by the end of 2015, albeit numerous hurdles in areas such as EU tariffs on Japanese car imports remain. During the negotiations the Japanese have called upon their European partners to eliminate such tariffs.
From Brussels the summit was coordinated by HE Ambassador Keiichi Katakami, Head of Mission of the Representation of Japan to the EU, and his his deputy, HE Ambassador Jiro Okuyama.Â
 For more information:
Mission of Japan to the EU:Â http://www.eu.emb-japan.go.jp/
Pictures to the European Council
Japan is aiming at achieving a broad agreement on trade liberation with the EU by the end of 2015, albeit numerous hurdles in areas such as EU tariffs on Japanese car imports remain. During the negotiations the Japanese have called upon their European partners to eliminate such tariffs.
From Brussels the summit was coordinated by HE Ambassador Keiichi Katakami, Head of Mission of the Representation of Japan to the EU, and his his deputy, HE Ambassador Jiro Okuyama.Â
 For more information:
Mission of Japan to the EU:Â http://www.eu.emb-japan.go.jp/
Pictures to the European Council
XXV jubilee of Liechtenstein in the UN
By Luca Bücken.Â
His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein was in New York on 5 June 2015 to mark the 25th anniversary of his principality’s accession as a fully-fledged UN member.
Hereditary Prince Alois paid then a courtesy call to the 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as well as to a plethora of permanent representatives to the UN.
There are currently 193 members states at the United Nations. During his allocution the prince warned against “the trend to make international regulations in other more exclusive groups. Integrating small states in the decision process creates moreover more creativity and innovation”. For Prince Alois UN membership has “strengthened the sovereignty of the country and offered an extraordinary platform for the international profile of the country”.
Liechstenstein’s Permanent Representative to the UN is Ambassador Christian Wenaweser.
Just a few weeks before his trip to New York, Prince Alois’ wife, HRH Hereditary Princess Sophie had taken over the Liechtenstein chapter of the Red Cross from her mother-in-law, Fürstin Marie. On 12 May 2015, the charitable organisation fêted seventy years of existence in the principality; the celebration included a speech from Liechtenstein’s Premier Adrian Hasler and the ceremony wherein Fürstin Marie passed on the honorary presidency to the Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, Duchess in Bavaria.
For more information:
Permanent Representation of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the UN:Â www.regierung.li/ministerien/ministerium-fuer-aeusseres-bildung-und-kultur/diplomatische-vertretungen/englisch/new-york-usa/current-issues/
Red Cross in Liechtenstein:Â www.roteskreuz.li
70 years of Canadian-Luxembourgian friendship
By Martin Kammandel & Luca Bücken.
For the first time in four years the Embassy of Canada accredited from Brussels to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg organised a formal reception to celebrate seventy years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the aftermath of World War II. In fact some members of the Grand Ducal House took refuge in Canada after the German invasion of the Grand Duchy on 10 May 1940. For instance, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, father of the incumbent Grand Duke Henri, studied Law and Political Science at the Université Laval in Québec City during this period.
The diplomatic reception was held at the majestic Cercle Cité located in the historic centre of Luxembourg City. Guest of honour was the Luxembourgish Minister of Finance, M Pierre Gramegna who also delivered a speech highlighting the special friendship between the two countries. Canadian ambassador to Luxembourg, M Denis Robert, likewise held an allocution featuring the historic ties between the two countries. Thereafter Canadian baritone (based in Luxembourg) David Pike sang “Ons Heemecht” (Luxembourg’s national anthem) followed by the French and English versions of “O Canada”. The rest of the evening was entertained with the background music of Canadian jazz singer and pianist, Ann Vriend, who arrived to the Grand Duchy all the way from her home in Calgary, Alberta.
Several ambassadors accredited to Luxembourg attended the celebration including German Ambassador Christine Gläser and her Nipponese colleague, Ambassador Atsuko Nishimura.
Albeit the Canadian embassy to Luxembourg is based in Brussels, the country does have a rather active honorary consul resident in the Grand Duchy, Marie-Claire Goller.
In North America the Luxembourgian embassy based in Washington D.C. is also accredited to Canada. Nevertheless the Grand Duchy is equally represented by honorary consuls in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montréal.
For more informationÂ
Embassy of Canada to Luxembourg (non-resident) and Belgium:Â www.canadainternational.gc.ca/belgium-belgique/index.aspx?lang=eng
Canadian-Luxembourgian diplomatic relations:Â www.canadainternational.gc.ca/belgium-belgique/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/canada_luxembourg_relations.aspx?lang=eng&menu_id=29
Ambassador Denis Robert:Â www.canadainternational.gc.ca/belgium-belgique/offices-bureaux/ambassador_biography-biographie_ambassadeur.aspx?lang=eng
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Pictures © Ambassade du Canada – Embassy of Canada
The diplomatic reception was held at the majestic Cercle Cité located in the historic centre of Luxembourg City. Guest of honour was the Luxembourgish Minister of Finance, M Pierre Gramegna who also delivered a speech highlighting the special friendship between the two countries. Canadian ambassador to Luxembourg, M Denis Robert, likewise held an allocution featuring the historic ties between the two countries. Thereafter Canadian baritone (based in Luxembourg) David Pike sang “Ons Heemecht” (Luxembourg’s national anthem) followed by the French and English versions of “O Canada”. The rest of the evening was entertained with the background music of Canadian jazz singer and pianist, Ann Vriend, who arrived to the Grand Duchy all the way from her home in Calgary, Alberta.
Several ambassadors accredited to Luxembourg attended the celebration including German Ambassador Christine Gläser and her Nipponese colleague, Ambassador Atsuko Nishimura.
Albeit the Canadian embassy to Luxembourg is based in Brussels, the country does have a rather active honorary consul resident in the Grand Duchy, Marie-Claire Goller.
In North America the Luxembourgian embassy based in Washington D.C. is also accredited to Canada. Nevertheless the Grand Duchy is equally represented by honorary consuls in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montréal.
For more informationÂ
Embassy of Canada to Luxembourg (non-resident) and Belgium:Â www.canadainternational.gc.ca/belgium-belgique/index.aspx?lang=eng
Canadian-Luxembourgian diplomatic relations:Â www.canadainternational.gc.ca/belgium-belgique/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/canada_luxembourg_relations.aspx?lang=eng&menu_id=29
Ambassador Denis Robert:Â www.canadainternational.gc.ca/belgium-belgique/offices-bureaux/ambassador_biography-biographie_ambassadeur.aspx?lang=eng
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Pictures © Ambassade du Canada – Embassy of Canada
Nigeria transition of power
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria enters office in unprecedented peaceful transition of power.
By Luca Bücken.
On 29 May 2015, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated as Nigeria’s president in the capital of Abuja after winning the election on 28 March. The ceremony was attended by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and other foreign dignitaries, including South African President Jacob Zuma.
In the elections, which were praised for being generally fair, President Buhari had defeated sitting president Goodluck Jonathan. The elections marked the first time an opposition candidate defeated an incumbent in Nigerian elections. Furthermore, another historic precedent was set when Goodluck Jonathan allowed for a remarkably peaceful transition of power. Goodluck Jonathan’s contribution to this historic achievement was also acknowledged President Buhari in his inauguration speech: “I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are”.
The leadership position is not a new one for President Buhari, who had assumed power in 1983 in course of a military coup, but was toppled two years later and imprisoned for 40 months. President Buhari assumes power now for the second time, his country is facing critical challenges, including the increasing security threat from the Boko Haram terrorist group, which has vowed to create an Islamic state in Nigeria. Against the background of a series of defeats of Nigerian armed forces against Boko Haram in the past months, analysts see in President Buhari’s military background and his past agenda of “War Against Indiscipline” a main reason for his election.
Picture © Chatham House https://www.flickr.com/photos/chathamhouse/16628699446/
Bicentenary of Waterloo: 1815-2015
By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg & Baron Henri Estramant.
Probably the largest reconstruction of the I French Empire period ever arranged took place at Waterloo in Belgium between 18 and 21 June 2015 with the reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo, which two hundreds years ago sealed the fate of Napoléon I and his French Empire over Europe.
Belgian authorities served as hosts to the high-level protocolary functions which marked another kind of European reconciliation in a spirit of unity and peace. In the words of Belgium’s Prime Minister Charles Michel “more than a battle, I would like to celebrate reconciliation” in an allocution he delivered partially in French, Dutch and English.
“Waterloo represents a process wherein enemy forces fiercely combated one another, and created a tragic shock. And it is this rather violent shock, which later allows for a firmer unity and a more solid harmony. This is the reality of the European project”, continued Prime Minister Charles Michel.
The heads of state of the neighbouring countries as well as other high dignitaries partook at the commemoration. Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands, Their Royal Highnesses The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, Prince Edward of the United Kingdom (a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II) who also serves as Lieutenant-Colonel of the “Royal Scots Grey” regiment, which historically partook in the battle back on 18 June 1815.
France was represented by its ambassador to Belgium, M Bernard Valero, Germany, heir of victorious Prussia, by Ambassador Dr. Eckart Cuntz and the UK by Ambassador Alison Rose. Netherlands Ambassador Henne Schuwer accompanied the Dutch royal couple.Â
During his intervention the Dutch First Vice-President of the European Commission, Commissioner for Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, Rule of Law and Charter of Fundamental Rights, Frans Timmermans, stated “our destiny is bringing together the peoples of Europe”.
Wreaths were laid at a monument commemorating the war, and honouring the approximately 15,000 men who lost their lives at Waterloo. Thereafter a rather symbolic handshake was pictured for immortality amongst The Honorable Marquess of Douro, Arthur Wellesley (heir of His Grace the IX Duke of Wellington, Prince of Waterloo, Duke de Ciudad Rodrigo and HRH Princess Antonia of Prussia, coincidentally a great-granddaughter of the last German Kaiser), His Serene Highness Fürst Nikolaus Blücher von Wahlstatt (descendant of Field Marshall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher) and His Imperial Highness The Prince Napoléon, Jean-Christophe (Head of France’s former Imperial House but not a direct descendant of Napoléon I but of his brother, Jérôme, King of Westphalia).
The protocolary festivities were closed with fifteen canon salutes, and a dinner hosted by Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Belgians.
For more information
Waterloo 2015:Â www.waterloo2015.org/en
Royal Scots Grey:Â http://royalscotsgrey.com/0/
The heads of state of the neighbouring countries as well as other high dignitaries partook at the commemoration. Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands, Their Royal Highnesses The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, Prince Edward of the United Kingdom (a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II) who also serves as Lieutenant-Colonel of the “Royal Scots Grey” regiment, which historically partook in the battle back on 18 June 1815.
France was represented by its ambassador to Belgium, M Bernard Valero, Germany, heir of victorious Prussia, by Ambassador Dr. Eckart Cuntz and the UK by Ambassador Alison Rose. Netherlands Ambassador Henne Schuwer accompanied the Dutch royal couple.Â
During his intervention the Dutch First Vice-President of the European Commission, Commissioner for Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, Rule of Law and Charter of Fundamental Rights, Frans Timmermans, stated “our destiny is bringing together the peoples of Europe”.
Wreaths were laid at a monument commemorating the war, and honouring the approximately 15,000 men who lost their lives at Waterloo. Thereafter a rather symbolic handshake was pictured for immortality amongst The Honorable Marquess of Douro, Arthur Wellesley (heir of His Grace the IX Duke of Wellington, Prince of Waterloo, Duke de Ciudad Rodrigo and HRH Princess Antonia of Prussia, coincidentally a great-granddaughter of the last German Kaiser), His Serene Highness Fürst Nikolaus Blücher von Wahlstatt (descendant of Field Marshall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher) and His Imperial Highness The Prince Napoléon, Jean-Christophe (Head of France’s former Imperial House but not a direct descendant of Napoléon I but of his brother, Jérôme, King of Westphalia).
The protocolary festivities were closed with fifteen canon salutes, and a dinner hosted by Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Belgians.
For more information
Waterloo 2015:Â www.waterloo2015.org/en
Royal Scots Grey:Â http://royalscotsgrey.com/0/
Jack Dorsey, interim CEO for Twitter
By Christoph Haebler.Â
US American businessman and Twitter co-founder, Jack Dorsey, was appointed Twitter CEO ad interim after Chief Executive Dick Costolo abruptly announced his resignation effective on 1 July 2015.
Dorsey’s appointment was buttressed up by HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Founder and CEO of the Kingdom Holding Company, and a heavy investor in Twitter. Alwaleed bin Talal asseverated that he would back Dorsey should he wish to become CEO permanently.
However Jack Dorsey is already CEO for Square Inc., a platform to accept debit and credit card payments on mobile devices. A company he founded in 2010. Mr Dorsey has already issued a statement highlighting his commitment to Square Inc., thereby implying that he would only accept Twitter’s permanent position as CEO if he could simultaneously remain CEO of Square. For that to happen he would need the support of the boards in both companies. It is an unlikely scenario but there is some precedent for it in the business world: for instance Elon Musk runs both Tesla and SpaceX.
Square Inc. was valued at $3.2 billion by Business Insider back in 2012 whereas Twitter was valued at $8.4 billion back in 2011 when Prince Alwaleed bin Talal heavily invested therein. Both companies are based in San Francisco, California.
Forbes estimates the personal wealth of Jack Dorsey to amount to $3.2 billion in 2015.
For more information
Twitter:Â https://twitter.com/
https://twitter.com/jack
Square Inc.:Â https://squareup.com/global/en/register
Mozart in The Hague
Mozart in The Hague, 10-15 September 2015
Festival celebrates 250 years of Mozart in The Hague and pays homage to the famous composer
One of the most famous visitors to The Hague once donned, was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Mozart family visited The Hague. Celebrated 10-15 September 2015 with the festival “Mozart in The Hague” in which Mozart’s music is omnipresent – original, modified, omspeeld, translated, ‘applied’ and in concert.
The festival is a reflection of the diversity that characterized the works of Mozart. Of course there is a prominent role for music. We were able to connect some wonderful performers at the festival, including Johan Zomer, Ton Koopman and Tini Mathot, Menno van Delft, The Hague Philharmonic conducted by Jan Willem de Vriend, Residential Bach Choir and Hague Matrozenkoor, violinist Liza Ferschtman and pianist Daria van den Bercken . While getting the Amadeus contest young talents a chance to show what they can.
Residents and visitors to the city will be surprised with outdoor music. The carillon is played Hague and wind ensembles will perform in the inner arrangements of Mozart’s opera music. There are talks and walks, there is an exhibition in the Historical Museum.
The Mozart Foundation in The Hague was founded in July 2014 and has quickly prepared a varied and contrasting program. It is the desire to achieve co-operation and cohesion in the city been leading. There has been sought and found in the activities of the National Heritage Day and Prinsje Festival, but also existing concert series has been asked to transfer to the festival period “around Mozart. The festival provides a platform for professionals and amateurs. Artistic director of the festival is harpsichordist, conductor and composer Jörn Boysen (* 1976).
The full program and ticket information on the festival is available on www.mozartindenhaag.nl
You can also follow the festival via Twitter ( https://twitter.com/mozartindenhaag ) and Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/mozartindenhaag ).
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