ICC Prosecutor report on Libya

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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 meeting with UN representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict

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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.     

Bangladesh adds to the Netherlands cultural diversity.

On the picture Dr. Dilruba Nasrin spouse of the Ambassador of Bangladesh,  Jan Hoekema Mayor of Wassenaar with Sheikh Mohammed Belal Ambassador of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh community in the Netherlands got the opportunity to observe Bengali New Year, what they call Pohela Boishakh, this year on 18 April 2015 with a kind of festivity never seen before. Not only a crowd of about 500 people of Bangladesh origin turned out to join the celebration, a good number locals including Mr. Jan Hoekema, Mayor of Wassenaar and members of diplomatic community, media, academics, civil society etc also joined the event.  Apart from the Netherlands, Bangladeshis from Belgium, Poland, Germany, among others, also participated in this mega festival.
Bengal New Year 3
H.E. Mr. A. H. Mahmood Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a conversation with Mayor of Wassenaar and Ambassador Belal.
Bengali New Year, as they call it Pahela Baishakh or Naba Barsha, in Bengali, is the first day of Bengali calendar. It falls on 14th of April every year as per the Gregorian calendar. The day is celebrated in Bangladesh and in the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Orissa and also in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos etc. The day is an occasion to bid adieu to the past year and welcome the New Year with joy and happiness. A new beginning of hope irrespective of the barriers of caste, religion and regional differences. The residence of Bangladesh Ambassador, what is known as Bangladesh House, in Wassenaar was beautifully decorated with motifs, balloons, festoons, posters, banners to beam an aura of Bengali culture befitting the day. A cultural troupe from Bangladesh performed with song, dance, recitation of poems and mini drama. Local artists, with experience in the Bangla culture, also performed in the event. All Bangladeshis, on a sunny spring day, adorned specialized colorful Bengli dresses while ladies with colorful sarees and mehendi tattoos made a mini Bangladesh where children roamed with their faces painted in Bangladeshi flags and other traditional New Year motifs. The high point of the day was performance by Bangladesh folk maestro Ms. Momtaz Begum, who is also a member of Bangladesh parliament. Performance of  Momtaz was greeted with thunderous applause and jubilation. The crowd erupted into dance when she performed to sing folk music of Bangladesh. Bengal new Year 1 Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, MP, who was visiting The Hague as leader of Bangladesh delegation to the Global Conference on Cyber-security (GCCS 2105), was present as Chief Guest in the festival. In his statement Mr. Ali urged all nationals of Bangladesh to live in their country of residence imbued with the spirit of liberation. He also advised them to contribute to their nation building as, according to him, this is the high time to invest and doing business with Bangladesh. Bangladesh Foreign Minister also acknowledged continued support and assistance from the Netherlands since independence of Bangladesh in 1971. In this biggest gathering of the Bangladesh community in the Netherlands, the officials of Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives from different government and non-government organizations, universities, local elites and media were also present. Besides, the Ambassadors of China, Japan, India, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan attended the programme. Ambassador Belal, while welcoming all with new year greetings, informed the audience that unlike some other festivals, the Bengali New Year is more about simple celebrations of the rural roots. The day has deep rooted sentiments for well being of the hard working people like farmers and traders. This day is also considered auspicious for starting new ventures and businesses. So, this symbolizes the entrepreneurship spirit that is deeply engrained in our culture. Something like business DNA among the Dutch. Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal and his wife Dr. Dilruba Nasrin greeted all guests and served them with traditional Bangladeshi cuisine. Earlier all foreign guests were greeted with colorful bangles and forehead motif by colorfully dressed Bangladeshi girls. Local vendors put up stalls to serve Bangladeshi cakes and other cuisine to the visiting participants. Bengl New Year 4

Sourcing Europa present appleandtomato.com the artisan web-shop

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  Sourcing Europa source the finest food from across Europe, following strict regulations and specifications of cultivation and production whilst displaying a wealth of experience and expertise. We only work directly with selected farmers, artisans and the manufactures, respecting the environment, ethic and by supporting local economies. Our aim is to source and deliver healthy, affordable and quality food with high nutritional value. appleandtomato.com We have created a shop that offers customer tasty artisan products and an experience of all the pleasures that cooking and eating true cuisine can bring to your table. Our mission is to energize our retail partners and inspire the public with our range of products. We are providing consumers with amazing foods and products from sources they can trust. Above all else, we are honest in our ways, collaborative in our approach, and continually challenging ourselves to bring products to the market that support our mission, create momentum with our brands, and meet the needs of today’s consumer. _X2G6955DEF Our producers Who cares equally as much about the quality of our products as we do? Our suppliers: We seek suppliers whose products use the freshest possible, local ingredients, free of additives, artificial colours and preservatives and support predominantly farmhouse producers, motivated by genuine quality, that specialise in their field. Where possible these ingredients are free of any additives or preservatives, created by specialist artisans that care as much about making their products as we do serving them to you. We believe that these products taste so much better. Extra service We offer the possibility for small and medium enterprises to order products from our various producers consolidated in a single bulk order. This enables lower cost of shipping and delivery of goods to final destination. For more information: e. salvatore@sourcingeuropa.com – t. 02077844247 – 127 Keizersgracht, 1015 CJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.    

Euro-father passes away

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By Baron Henri Estramant.   9 May 2015: Baron Alexandre Lámfalussy, first president of the European Monetary Institute (EMI), a short-lived institution created in 1994 with the sole purpose of setting up the ECB and then willing itself out of existence. Lámfalussy’s role in forging a path towards a monetary union began in 1976 when he embarked on a career at the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel, Switzerland-based clearinghouse for the world’s central banks. He was promoted to BIS general manager in 1985 and, three years later, joined a committee of central bankers who sketched a road map for the European currency. They included a future president of the ECB, Wim Duisenberg, and Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who later became Italian prime minister and president. Born on 26 April 1929 as Lámfalussy Sándor in Kapuvár, then Kingdom of Hungary, Lámfalussy fled his homeland in 1949 as the Iron Curtain was sealing off eastern Europe. With three friends, he snuck across the snowy border to Austria, en route to a Belgian university scholarship. Baron Lámfalussy married Anne-Marie Cochard in 1957. The couple had three children. Belgians’ King Albert II awarded him the noble title of baron in 1996.   For more information European Central Bank: www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2015/html/pr150511.en.html    

Italian President Sergio Mattarella visits EU institutions

 
By Office of the President of Italy 
 
Translated from the Italian by Anna Maria Mistretta.
President Sergio Mattarella was very positive about his talks with the heads of the European Union last March. He said that there is great attention for Italy and its role. President Mattarella met with Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, with whom he spoke about several issues as well as the role that the European Parliament can have in increasing European Union citizens’ acceptance. They also talked about refugees and migrants arriving in Italy, and of the fact that this issue should be discussed more at the European Union. President Mattarella has discussed this important issue with Federica Mogherini, and with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. For a photo-album please open here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157652285978009   ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????   The talks with Mogherini focused on the actions required for issues such as immigration, but also Libya, foreign politics, and the defence policy of the European Union. With President Tusk they discussed Libya and Ukraine in order to stress all problems that the Union has to address, whether they are located North or South of the Union; they all are equally important and shared by all member states. President Mattarella says that President Tusk was very interested in the talks about Libya and is also convinced that the European Union should regarding the refugees that actually arrive on European shores, but likewise towards the issues of a lack of infrastructure and the risk that this could help the forming of favourable conditions to Islamic terrorism, which is a danger both for Italy and for Europe. Although they are two different issues, they both have their origin in Libya.   ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????   President Mattarella has agreed with all those he met the importance that the international community supports the talks of the mediator Léon, in order to achieve a cease-fire in Libya, a united national parliament and the be able to help the country find stability and a new start so much needed for this country.   Pictures/Office of the President of the Italian Republic (www.quirinale.it)    

Prime Minister Rõivas meets with EU leaders

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  5 May 2015 – Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas was in Brussels to meet with the President of the European Commission.   At the meetings with Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, and Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, the current issues of the European Union were the topics for discussion, including the Eastern Partnership summit, which will be held in Riga in May, the security situation, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the harmonisation of energy markets and ensuring security of supply, and the digital single market.   Rõivas in Brussels: Supporting Eastern partners is the most important European security challenge Brussels, 5 May 2015 – Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas discussed at today’s meeting in Brussels with Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission and Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council the issues of security, energy and Digital Single Market, as well as the challenges faced by Eurozone. “As Russia has not met all the conditions stipulated in the Minsk Agreement, there is no other choice than to continue with the sanctions,” Prime Minister emphasised during the meeting with the European leaders in Brussels. Prime Minister added that with regard to the Eastern Partnership Summit that is currently held in Riga, it its essential to use the remaining weeks in order to take concrete steps towards visa freedom for Georgia and Ukraine. At the meeting with the President of the European Commission, the main focus was on the integration of the energy market into European market in order to warrant energy security. “Given the current security situation, Baltic region’s energy independence from Russian market is of strategic importance for the whole of Europe,” said Prime Minister Rõivas. “Support given by the European Commission to large-scale energy projects, for example, Balticconnector, as well as the electric power and gas connections between Poland and the Baltic States, is important for us,” said Rõivas. At the meeting with President Juncker, Prime Minister also raised the question of air pollution limits suggested by the Commission. “In Estonia, the situation of air quality is among the best in the world. We have put the emphasis on a wider use of domestic renewable energy, including using solid biomass for the energy and heat production. European Union has set a goal of reducing the share of fossil fuels and environmental and climate policies of the Union must support each other.” At the meeting with Donald Tusk, the President of the of the European Council, the topics of political and security situation of the Baltic Sea were also discussed. Prime Minister recognised the preparation of the Digital Single Market Strategy under the leadership of Andrus Ansip; the Strategy will be disclosed tomorrow and will also be discussed at the European Council Summit in June. In addition, Prime Minister Rõivas presented the priorities of this new government.   Sources: Ave TEMPERE, https://valitsus.ee/en/news/prime-minister-roivas-meets-eu-leaders https://valitsus.ee/en/news/roivas-brussels-supporting-eastern-partners-most-important-european-security-challenge ——- Picture: European Union    

AMADE Mondiale in plenary session

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  Monaco, 9 and 10 April 2015: AMADE Mondiale’s annual plenary session was held in order to assess the ongoing programmes, and draw up new perspectives of cooperation.  AMADE Mondiale adopted in 2013, year of its 50th anniversary, a new strategy reaffirming the organisation’s vision: that is, a world wherein children can live with dignity, security and the respect of their fundamental rights regardless of their social origins, religion or cultural background. That of a world wherein every child can freely express his/her potential.  The general assembly brought together members of AMADE Mondiale’s Administrative Council as well as the representatives of national branches. Since 2013 AMADE Mondiale has donated a total of 1.124.603 € in favour of fifteen programmes for the protection of children against violence, exploitation and abuses, access to education, access to healthcare or in favour of children refugees or victims of natural catastrophes.  The commitment covers four continents (i.e., Europe, Africa, Asia and South America) and is made possible thanks to the global AMADE network and the privileged partnerships with international organisations.  AMADE Mondiale’s Administrative Council under the presidency of HRH The Princess of Hanover, Caroline of Monaco, equally decided to increase its intervention in the domain of rare diseases. Hitherto the focus has been given to research against pediatric cancers, the care of inherited metabolic diseases in Chile but now shall also cover the fight against sickle cell anemia in Niger.  A couple of days after the plenary session Monaco’s Princely Palace announced the birth in London on 12 April 2015 of India Casiraghi, daughter of The Princess of Hanover’s eldest son Andrea Casiraghi and her consort Tatiana Santo Domingo. India is their second child after Sasha born in 2013.  Source: www.monacochannel.mc/Chaines/Palais-Princier-de-Monaco/News-Photos/L-AMADE-reunie-en-conference-pleniere For more information  AMADE plenary session: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs1g7V_gkEM AMADE Mondiale: www.amade-mondiale.org/en/    

Thai sovereign out of hospital

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By Martin Kammandel.   On Sunday, 10 May 2015 Their Majesties The King and Queen of Thailand together with HRH The Princess Royal, Sirindhorn, left Siriraj Hospital in the afternoon heading towards Klai Kangwon Palace at Hua Hin town by the seaside.  Tearful but cheering crowds shouted “Long live the king!” as The King, wearing a red shirt, and Queen Sirikit passed by in a convoy en route to Hua Hin.  ????????????? The move came only four days after the world’s longest reigning monarch presided over a ceremony marking Coronation Day at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. According to the Bureau of the Royal Household’s announcement The Royal Couple left for Hua Hin for a “change of atmosphere”. Rama IX was crowned on 5 May 1950.  For more information  Bureau of the Royal Household: www.brh.thaigov.net/brh-2011/index.php Grand Palace in Bangkok: www.palaces.thai.net/     ——— Pictures: Pattarachai Prechapanich & Thiti Wannamontha     

Strasbourg visit for King and Queen of the Belgians

21 April 2015, Strasbourg: Philippus, King of the Belgians, held an allocution before the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly focusing on fundamental European values, deploring individualism and indifference which can lead to “unworthy situations” for human beings. 
The monarch’s speech was held in French wherein he highlighted:  “Les droits et libertés trouvent leurs racines dans l’idée d’une société décente. J’entends par là : une société qui bannit les abus de pouvoir, les indignités et l’humiliation”. “Malgré des avancées indéniables, il reste encore, dans nos sociétés, trop de situations où des hommes et des femmes ne sont pas traités avec dignité”.  ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? “certaines attitudes indignes que nos sociétés développent face aux pressions migratoires”. “Nous détournons notre regard de la pauvreté, de la précarité et de la solitude, pourtant bien présents autour de nous, et qui sont autant d’insultes aux droits humains”.  “La responsabilité collective aujourd’hui est de créer un ordre social et international tel que les droits fondamentaux civils et politiques, économiques, sociaux et culturels puissent trouver plein effet”.  After his speech the King and Queen offered to the building of the Council of Europe an original piano score of Belgian composer Marcel Poot, which he played for a Competition Queen Elisabeth.         For more information  King Philippus’ speech: www.rtl.be/rtltvi/video/533789.aspx Council of Europe: www.coe.int/en/ Competition Queen Elisabeth: www.concours-reine-elisabeth.be/cgi?lg=en&pag=1677&tab=108&rec=0&frm=0