First Vice-President Frans Timmermans presents new European security agenda.   Edited by Joseph Dailey. The European Commission has presented its new European Agenda on Security, intended to be implemented during the period from 2015 until 2020. First Vice-President Frans Timmermans commented: “Terrorism, organised crime, and cybercrime are complex and evolving security challenges that cross European borders. So it is time we Europeans work better and more closely together to make sure our citizens are safe. Through this shared EU agenda, we want to get national authorities to cooperate more effectively, in a spirit of mutual trust. Terrorists attack the democratic values we cherish. We will stand firm on fundamental rights and work to address the root causes of radicalisation, fostering a genuine culture of tolerance in our societies.” The Agenda’s focus on improved exchange of information and increased cooperation will help address its three main goals: terrorism prevention and countering radicalization, combating organized crime, and combating cybercrime. The agenda includes many components, namely the following key actions: countering radicalization; updating the Framework Decision on Terrorism; cutting the financing of criminals; enhancing dialogues with the IT industry; strengthening the legal framework on firearms; reinforcing our tools to fight cybercrime; and enhancing the capacities of Europol. More info: The full press release and memo (both in UK) can be found at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-4865_nl.htm View the press conference with Vice-President Timmermans here: http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/ebs/schedule.cfm The full announcement: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/documents/basic-documents/docs/eu_agenda_on_security_en.pd

EU Spring Forecast: Dutch economic recovery gains ground Edited by Joseph Dailey.   On the basis of approximately 180 indicators such as GDP, inflation, employment and public finances, the European Commission has forecasted economic growth in the European Union, the euro area and its major trading partners. The forecasts are the basis for economic monitoring procedures during the European Semester. The aforementioned forecasts are based on a series of external assumptions regarding exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. The figures given are as predicted at the time of the forecast. This forecast also takes into account additional relevant data and factors, including assumptions about government policies which became available on April 21, 2015. Netherlands: Economy grows strongly The Dutch economy grew strongly in the fourth quarter of 2014, driven by domestic demand and the recovery of investment. Based on early indicators, we can expect domestic demand to increase further in 2015 and the export sector to benefit from the depreciation of the euro. It is also expected that inflation will reach its lowest point this year before once again rising over the predicted level of 1% next year. Estimates put the overall deficit at 1.7% in 2015 and 1.2% in 2016. You can find the complete forecast for the Netherlands at: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/eu/forecasts/2015_spring/nl_en.pdf General forecast The economy in the European Union will benefit this year from a favorable economic tailwind. According to economic forecasts, in 2015 the European Commission will have a slight upturn in the EU through these temporary factors. In regards to monetary policy, quantitative easing from the ECB has had a clear effect on the financial markets, leading the expansion to lower interest rates and result in expected improvement in credit conditions. With the EU more or less balancing  a neutral fiscal stance – there is no question of tightening or easing – fiscal policy can be expected to promote growth. Over time, structural reform and investments in Europe should also pay off. As a result, it is currently assumed that the real GDP will grow by 1.8% in the EU and 1.5% in the eurozone in 2015. This is respectively 0.1% and 0.2% more than anticipated three months ago. For 2016 the Commission expects a growth of 2.1% for the EU and 1.9% for the eurozone. Domestic demand will contribute the most to this GDP growth.

Ninth report of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to the UN Security Council pursuant to UNSCR 1970 (2011)   The deteriorating security situation in Libya continues to be a matter of great concern not only for my Office, but for this Council and the broader international community.  Innocent civilians continue to bear the brunt of the deteriorating security situation. The frequency and brutality of assassinations, terrorist attacks, threats to media workers, human rights defenders and women in particular are especially troubling. Libya continues to be split, with two governments vying for legitimacy. The international community must be more proactive in exploring solutions in order to tangibly help Libya restore stability and strengthen accountability for Rome Statute crimes. Toward this end, my Office has encouraged the formation of an international contact group on justice issues through which material, legal and other support could be provided to Libya. My Office is modestly contributing to these efforts by fostering cooperative efforts between investigative authorities in Libya and other countries.  One proposal I submit before the Council is for a willing State, with substantial experience in transitional justice, to consider partnering with Libya to explore more concretely how such a contact group might be brought to life in the near future. It is crucial for such efforts to include local actors, so that their voices and views on achieving justice are amplified and heard. My Office appreciates the efforts that the UN Support Mission in Libya as well as the Permanent Mission of Libya to the UN have made towards this end, and looks forward to continuing these efforts with these and other partners as we forge ahead in finding solutions for the crisis in Libya. As I have suggested in my previous statements, the Libyan authorities should facilitate a visit by representatives from the local councils of Misrata and Tawergha to New York to meet and engage with Council members. My Office agrees with those who believe that facilitating a solution for the Tawergha issue will have symbolic importance and resonance in Libya. While it has not yet been possible to organize this visit, I believe that with the help of the UN Support Mission in Libya, the Libyan Mission to the UN, the Libyan focal point to the ICC, and other initiatives engaging with Libyan local leaders and civil society to promote justice, we can achieve results before our next briefing in November 2015. Madame President, Your Excellencies: I have taken note of this Council’s resolutions 2174 of 27 August 2014, as well as 2213 of 27 March of this year. Both reference the referral of the Libya situation to the ICC in UN Security Council resolution 1970, and stress the importance of the Libyan government’s full cooperation with the ICC and with my Office. Like the Council, we deplore the increasing violence in Libya, and we are deeply concerned at the impact of this violence on Libya’s civilian population and institutions. Accountability for those responsible for violations or abuses of human rights or violations of international humanitarian law is essential. I have also taken note of this Council’s call for accountability for the use of violence against civilians and civilian institutions by groups purportedly claiming allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (“ISIL”) or Da’esh. My Office considers that ICC jurisdiction over Libya prima facie extends to such alleged crimes. I recall however the principle that States, in the first instance, bear the primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute their nationals who have joined forces with ISIL/Da’esh and are alleged to be committing Rome Statute crimes. Similarly, my Office continues to be concerned about alleged indiscriminate attacks in heavily populated areas by both Libya Dawn and Operation Dignity forces, resulting in civilian casualties, in particular in Benghazi, Tripoli, Warshefana, and in the Nafusa Mountains. I reiterate my call to all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from targeting civilians or civilian objects, or committing any other crime that may fall within the ICC’s jurisdiction, and to be vigilant and actively take all necessary measures to prevent the commission of such crimes. My Office is actively considering the investigation and prosecution of further cases, and will not hesitate to take such action as may be needed to contribute to ending impunity in Libya or to contribute to such action by other relevant prosecutorial authorities. Madame President, Your Excellencies: Although the Libyan Prosecutor-General’s office in particular has engaged in fruitful cooperation with my Office, I must reiterate that there are specific areas in which the government of Libya is in non-compliance with the Court’s orders. In particular, I recall that on 10 December 2014, the Pre-Trial Chamber found that Libya has failed to comply with the Chamber’s requests to surrender Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi to the Court, to return to his Defence the originals of the documents seized in Zintan by the Libyan authorities from the former Defence counsel of Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, and to destroy any copies thereof. The Pre-Trial Chamber decided to refer the matter of Libya’s non-compliance to the Council in accordance with regulation 109(4) of the Regulations of the Court. The Office notes that the Council referred to this decision in United Nations Security Council 2213 of 2015. The Office continues to press Libyan authorities to comply and to consult with the Court in order to resolve any problems that may impede or prevent execution of the requests. This Council is also encouraged to do the same. The Rome Statute provides for such consultation, and in light of the continuing cooperation my Office receives from the Prosecutor-General’s office, the importance of constructive consultations to address problems which may impede or prevent the execution of these requests is even greater. My Office will do whatever it can to encourage and facilitate these consultations, with the goal of ensuring Libya’s full cooperation with the Court. In relation to the case of Abdullah Al-Senussi, the Office stated in its last report to the Council that no decision had been taken at the time to submit a request for review under article 19(10) of the Rome Statute. As indicated, the Office had requested information on the national proceedings against Mr Al-Senussi from Libya and had taken steps to access data and analysis from independent trial monitoring sources. The Office has since received information from the United Nations Support Mission in Libya on the domestic proceedings, as well as from the Libyan Prosecutor-General’s office and from independent civil society members. Based on this information and on an internal analysis of available video recordings of selected trial sessions received from United Nations Support Mission in Libya, the Office has concluded that it is not in possession of new facts that would fully satisfy it that the basis on which the case against Mr Al- Senussi had previously been found inadmissible before the ICC has been negated. This position is taken on the basis of information that is currently available to the Office and is subject to change should we receive further reliable information that would warrant a reassessment of this finding. The Office will continue to monitor the situation in Libya and the domestic proceedings against Mr Al-Senussi. Madame President, Your Excellencies: In conclusion, I will simply restate that there is more that we can and must all do to ensure peace and justice in Libya. I will do my part in the effort to end impunity, and I look forward to working with our partners in Libya and amongst Libyan civil society and grassroots leadership, at the UN, amongst the Rome Statute States Parties, and with the Libyan Mission to the UN, to bring these plans to fruition.  

ICC judges hold roundtable meeting with United Nations Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict. The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms Zainab Bangura, visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the invitation of the President of the Court, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, to participate in a roundtable meeting with the judges of the Court yesterday May 13. During the meeting, which built on earlier contacts between President Fernández and Ms Bangura, the judges of the Court and the Special Representative discussed areas of common interest in the two institutions’ mandates aimed at ending impunity for mass crimes of sexual and gender-based violence. “Ensuring accountability for sexual and gender-based violence and providing justice to the victims of such crimes is an integral aspect of the ICC’s mandate,” said President Fernández. “I am truly delighted for this opportunity to discuss the many synergies between the important work conducted by Ms Bangura and her office on the one hand and the ICC on the other hand. Ending conflict-related sexual violence is a vitally important objective for the global community, and the ICC is deeply committed to working together with the United Nations and other relevant actors toward that end.” “The International Criminal Court is a vital tool in the fight against impunity for crimes of sexual violence,” said Special Representative Bangura. “It is essential for my mandate to engage with the Court to discuss the pressing challenges that we face together, including evidentiary issues, victims and witness protection, and reparations. I am incredibly grateful for the President of the Court’s invitation and for the judges’ strong engagement in the roundtable discussion.” During her visit to the ICC, Ms Bangura also met with officials of the Court’s Office of the Prosecutor and Registry, as well as the Trust Fund for Victims associated with the ICC. She also briefed a meeting of the Hague Working Group of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on her mandate and activities. In her remarks to the various stakeholders of the ICC, Ms Bangura underlined the Court’s key role in ensuring accountability for sexual and gender-based crimes and breaking the culture of denial about sexual violence in conflict.