Summit on International Law and Human Rights

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By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg and Diana Totinska.   On 4 and 5 February 2015, the Summit on International Law and Human Rights took place at the Peace Palace. It was organised by Mark Donfried, Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) and co-organised by Judge Julia Sebutinde, member of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). A great number of intensive speeches were held. The speakers included the President of the ICJ, Peter Tomka, H.E. Darius Semaška, Lithuania’s Ambassador, Mrs. Gwénaëlle Grovonius, Belgian MP and H.E. Ms Ireny Comaroschi, Ambassador of Romania. Most speakers agreed that international law should act as a shield to protect human rights and the importance of diplomacy and cooperation. However, many more subjects were touched upon, as for instance the Swedish Ambassador, H.E. Jan Gustafson Håkan Emsgård, who spoke about women’s rights. The article summarises many speeches: H.E. Maria Teresa Infante Caffi, Ambassador of Chile, gave an excellent speech. She examined that all institutions on international level should acknowledge the different approaches in order to find commons groups in international law to diminish religious, ethnic, social and political differences. As written in the human rights statues, she called for equality, freedom, and its support for human rights. Moreover, she stated that international law is a complement to domestic law, which should be kept up- to-date and at the same pace. The Ambassador of Israel, H.E.  Haim Divon chose the topic of the role of International Human Rights Law in human development. He states that all soldiers of the Israel Defence Force are familiar with the law of Human Development. Furthermore, it was stated that Israel does its best to not violate human rights, but to protect the civilians. The State of Israel has already found many solutions, which may aid also other countries, who are in a similar situation, including illegal migration, terrorism and crimes against humanity. Afterwards, the Ambassador of Malta, H.E. Mr Joseph Cole held his speech about Human Rights and the Initiation of a New Era. He indicated that as the human mind grows the capacity for International law and Human Rights must grow as well and cannot stay behind. Further, he spoke of the development after WWI, WWII and the Cold War – how human rights have rapidly developed during the post war times. However, he addressed also that laws are different in many countries and therefore lead to controversy on international stage. Moreover, he said that Human Rights are top criteria of the United Nations and in addition to that, human rights affect the very base of a countries economy. Hence, he urged that all countries should accept the ICC’s law base as the base of domestic courts to enable further human rights protection. H.E. Mr Igor Popov, Ambassador of Macedonia said, “The growth of the community has not come alone, but with difficulty and new challenges.” He quoted Pope Francis – “also unfair economic structures can violate human rights”. He concluded with a poem by Dylan Thomas: ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’. From which the lines “Rage, rage against the dying of the light” and “Do not go gently into that good night” should be seen as a motivation and style for life to bring justice, equality and peace about human kind. Next, a Member of the European Parliament from Spain, Ms Beatriz Becerra presented the idea of creating a pact for democracy and human rights, which her party has created. She urges that third world issues must be supported by the developed states. The last speaker of the first day was Professor Dr. Simone Pront-van Bommel, University of Amsterdam, who spoke about access to energy supply, its price and whether it should be a human right or not in for example the European Union. Moreover, she discussed that energy must also be efficiently produced. If Europe is to fight energy poverty from which 15 million people suffer in Europe, it must further continue to improve in many sectors. The next morning, the General Director of the Peace Palace, Steven van Hoogstraten started the day with the topic of Human Rights, a standard for civilised behaviour or a set of legal norms. He argued that often human rights are more a call to society and not a law, except as in for example the EU. Nonetheless, is should be endorsed as such. However, in some countries the human rights are seen more as a law for the collective and not as such for the individual. Judge Sanji Monageng, Vice-President of the ICC gave a speech about the role of the ICC in international law and the promotion of human rights. She reasoned that it is not impossible to prosecute political leaders. This can promote human rights as the domestic courts can do so. Many states such as The Netherlands and South Africa have accepted laws on human rights from the ICC as one of the first. Joyce Aluoch, Judge at the ICC held a speech about laws for children, their adoption and same sex relationships. She spoke about the different laws in the constitution of Botswana, how it issued these topics and its discrimination to human kind. Followed by Xavier-Jean Ketta, Principal Counsel at the ICC, who spoke about the Rome Statue as a descendant of the universal declaration of Human Rights. He stated that the Rome statue respected human rights, before the other laws. In addition, he explained that the ICC has reached its goal to provide visits to prosecuted. Afterwards, Appeals Council Dr. Dominica Svard held her speech about International Courts as a Tool for promotion and protection of human rights. She highlighted that the standards of human rights is already higher than ever imagined by the UN drafters. The ICJ has drawn information upon the statues of NGOs as for example Amnesty International.DSC_0200-1024x576[1] Diana Totinska interviewed Mr. Donfried during the event: Diana Totinska: Why did you decide to organise the summit/ Why on this topic? How did you get inspired? Mark Donfried: “In order to define cultural diplomacy in the wider spectrum, human rights and international law need to be addressed. Furthermore, to build trust and understanding in cultural diplomacy, you need to deal with human rights too. The International Court of Justice in the Peace Palace, of course, is the ideal place to discuss these issues.” Diana Totinska: Are you satisfied with the result? Mark Donfried: Yes, indeed, many positive feedbacks were heard from the participants as well as from the speakers. Diana Totinska: Are there going to be more event related to this summit? Mark Donfried: Yes, there are going to be several events (3/4) in relation to the topic. There is going to be an event in Kosovo, in Iceland, etc. For detailed information, please visit our website: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/index.php?en

IOM Fears Over 300 African Migrants Drown En Route to Europe

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Direct from IOM. IOM denounced in Geneva,  the actions of Libya-based people smugglers responsible for the deaths of hundreds of African migrants sent to sea during a storm in unseaworthy inflatable dinghies.  Only nine people survived this latest tragedy in which at least 300 people are now missing and believed to have drowned. “What’s happening now is worse than a tragedy – it is a crime – one as bad as any I have seen in fifty years of service,” said IOM Director General William Lacy Swing. “These smuggling networks act with virtual impunity and hundreds are dying. The world must act.” The latest death toll could well eclipse the October 2013 Lampedusa drownings, when 366 migrants died trying to reach Europe. Details of the latest flotilla of death emerged after an Italian commercial vessel rescued nine survivors from the sea on Monday. The survivors told IOM staff that the four boats left from a beach near Tripoli on Saturday. They were picked up in international waters between the Italian island of Lampedusa and the Libyan coast. (This was near where 105 survivors were rescued by the Italian Coast Guard on Monday, in a rescue in which 29 Sub-Saharan Africans died from hypothermia.) This week’s fatalities indicate that the toll of lives lost to human smuggling in the Mediterranean may be even deadlier in 2015 than it was in 2014. IOM’s Missing Migrants Project (http://mmp.iom.int) reports that 3,279 migrants died trying to reach Europe by sea, and 5,017 worldwide last year. By comparison, IOM reported just 27 deaths at this point in 2014. January and February are traditionally slow months on migrant routes, which grow more active as spring approaches. Despite severe winter conditions, 3,528 migrants have already crossed the Mediterranean during the month of January, according to figures newly released by Italy’s Ministry of the Interior. The main country of origin, the Ministry of Interior reported, was Syria, with 764 arrivals, followed by Gambia (451), Mali (436), Senegal (428), Somalia (405) and Eritrea (171).    

UK troops to remain in Brunei

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On the picture Their Majesties The Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan and The Raja Isteri of Negara Brunei Darussalam.   By Baron Henri Estramant.    The Bruneian and British prime ministers have agreed to renew a defence agreement which includes troops based in the State of Brunei Darussalam (“Arrangement for the United Kingdom Force in Brunei Darussalam”). This agreement is renewed every five years at bilateral discretion. This time around the renewal was inked at Chequers Court, Hautrey Room, on 16 February 2015 in London.  About 2,000 British military personnel are currently stationed in Brunei since 1984, although the military presence goes back to the Gurkhas Rifles contingent sent over to Brunei in 1962. The military staff includes a resident infantry Battalion (currently the First Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles), Training Team Brunei (which provides training to members of Her Britannic Majesty’s Armed Forces) as well as a small number of British loan service personnel serving with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.   Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and PM Cameron

On the picture His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei in conversation with The Rt Hon David Cameron, British  Prime Minister.

His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Hj Hassanal Bolkiah, ascended to his throne on 4 October 1967. The Sovereign holds the governmental positions of Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Defence.    On 5 April 2015, a royal wedding celebration is expected in the tiny Southeast Asian nation for the upcoming nuptials of HRH Prince Abdul Malik and his fiancée Dayangku Raabi’atul Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah. Prince Abdul Malik is a son of His Majesty The Sultan with Her Majesty The Raja Isteri (Sultana), Hj Saleha Brunei is accredited to The Netherlands through a mission based in Brussels responsible for the Benelux countries, Hungary, the OPCW as well as the EU. Incumbent ambassador, HE Dato Hj Serbini binti Hj Ali, was one of the motors behind the State Visit to Brunei Darussalam of the then Queen Beatrix back in January 2013.  Brunei Darussalam is a well-off tiny state, member of ASEAN and rich in reserves of crude oil and natural gas.     

The Hague International City

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Edith Bergansius, Isabel Ferrer and His Excellency Fernando Arias Gonzalez.   By Elena Ferré.   More than thirty guests  joined a presentation on Tuesday 3 February to listen to Isabel Ferrer, news correspondent for El Pais newspaper in Netherlands. The meeting “The Hague International City” was organized by the Hispanic Association of The Hague in the presence of His Excellency Fernando Arias Gonzalez, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain. Ms. Edith Bergansius, president of the Hispanic Association of The Hague, welcomed the guests and mentioned [by her own experience] how the Hague has changed through the last 25 years. She directly after left the podium to Isabel Ferrer. Isabel Ferrer presented her view of how the Hague is not only the official political and diplomatic capital of the Netherlands, but has attracted people from other locations with its charm and popular beach. However, beyond its charm, for the past 25 years the city has managed to call others attention and now is the international capital of peace and justice.Isaber-Ferrer The Hague is base for 160 international organizations from the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Court of Justice for the Former Yugoslavia, the Permanent Court of Arbitration to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical weapons. The fact is that the city is no longer charming, but the landscape has been transformed and people come to study law or work in organizations. Ms. Isabel Ferrer addressed the fact that not many other cities have such a large representation, therefore, the city municipality has been good at calling for attention of international organizations. Ms. Isabel Ferrer focused on the role the city has played in the international legal framework and on the international organization landscape beside its uniqueness. The meeting concluded with a small networking session.        

International Kais Golf Celebration in Muscat

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By Baron Henri Estramant.   Under the high patronage of His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Culture, the “Kais Golf Celebration” took place on Saturday, 31 January 2015 as a way to ceremoniously open the new clubhouse, unveil the Ghala Golf Club’s new corporate brand and marketing identity.  IMG_9110 For Ghala Golf Club Chairman, His Highness Sayyid Taimur bin As’ad Al Said, the valley club should further internationalise and become a hub for golf tourists visiting Oman. In fact, a plethora of expatriates of British, US American, Indian, Dutch and French extraction were at hand to partake in the celebrations for one of the sultanate’s prime golf courses along with Muscat Hills. Both courses were in fact very much the vision of the late Sayyid Kais bin Tariq Al Said (1952-2011), chairman of the Ghala Golf Club from 1989 to 2011. Sayyid Kais is fondly remembered as a golfing pioneer in Oman, who helped shift the focus of golfing from leisure to a professional competitive sport.  During the award ceremony for winners of the first tournament, Sayyid Kais was further remembered through a special golf memento presented to one of his sons, His Highness Sayyid Azzan bin Kais Al Said, who attended the event in representation of his family.    Ghala Club House Night   Ghala Valley Golf Club caters to Omani and foreigners alike, particularly offering top golf facilities to business people staying in Oman for limited periods. The fully fledged facilities overlook the pulchritudinous 18-hole grass golf course. Ghala Golf Club consists of a brand new club house, pro shop, driving range, a fine dining restaurant, an outside terrace with entertainment lawn, showers and changing facilities, rental club facilities, golf cart and caddy hire as well as chipping and putting facilities.   For more information:  http://ghalagolf.com/golf/our-course/ http://ghalagolf.com/2015/02/03/kais-golf-celebration-2015/ https://www.muscathillsgolf.com/    

New Ambassador of Angola presents his credentials to the King

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The new Ambassador of Angola H.E. Alberto de Carmo Bento Riberio in an official ceremony presented his credentials to His Majesty Willem Alexander,  King of the Netherlands. During the official talks that followed the formal ceremony, the Ambassador of the Republic of Angola exchanged with the Dutch monarch and expressed his compliance to continue working on strengthening bilateral relations. For additional pictures open: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157650410165828/ Alberto-de-Carmo-Bento-Riberio-staff[1] H. E. Alberto do Carmo Bento Ribeiro, was since 2011 Ambassador to the US,  the fourth Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the United States of America since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1993. After the country’s independence in 1975, he served in various government posts, first as State Secretary and Minister of Industry and Energy covering the areas of manufacturing, geology, mining and oil until 1984. He was a member of the Angolan National Assembly from 1980 to 1986 and a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering at Agostinho Neto University in Luanda, Angola. Alberto-de-Carmo-Bento-Riberio-and-Maria-Odette-Bento-Ribeiro[1] Former Angolan Ambassador at the Federal Republic of Germany attended University in Lisbon, Portugal and Aachen, Federal Republic of Germany. Alberto do Carmo Bento Ribeiro, served from 1990 to 2011 as Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to Namibia, Zimbabwe and Germany. Ambassador  Alberto do Carmo Bento Ribeiro is married to Mrs. Maria Odete Bento Ribeiro. Presenting credentials

Rwanda tourism showcases at Vakantiebeurs 2015

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With Rwandan tourist properties registering increased global recognition, the Rwanda Development Board has moved to attract Dutch holiday makers and travellers by showcasing at the premier and high profile Vakantiebeurs; the largest tourism exhibition in the Benelux that took place in Utrecht at the Jaarbeurs Exhibition Centre. Rwanda’s breath-taking tourist attraction sites were the highlight of the event. This included Nyungwe Forest Lodge that was recently recognized a top ten safari destination for 2015 by CNN Travel. images[2] Focus was on the Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park and the Nyungwe Forest Eco-Lodge that attract visitors to its luxurious location at the Gisakura tea estates. Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga said that participating in the Dutch tourism show was part of efforts to draw repeat and new travellers to the Land of a Thousand Hills. “We are positioning Rwanda as a destination that is offers more than the famous Gorillas,” he added noting that in the six years that Rwanda had been participating in the annual show, the number of Dutch tourists to Rwanda increased six fold. Rwanda, he added, is very accessible to Dutch tourists with the national airline is KLM serving Kigali five times a week. Rwanda was among the 160 countries that participated at the Vakantiebeurs which also attracted over 1600 exhibitors. Access Rwanda Safaris and Amahoro Tours from Rwanda represented the country during the five-day event.   .

International Cocoa Farmer’s Organization

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ICCFO it’s a new cocoa  farmer’s organization which has been formed to promote farmers interest worldwide. The first ICCFO meeting will take place in The Hague Netherland from the 23rd to 27th of February. 27 farmers will come from cocoa  producing countries to take part in this history making event from Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, D.R.C., Togo, Cameroon, Venezuela, Nigeria, Mexico and Indonesia. For additional information please contact: Interim Secretariat International Cocoa  Farmers Organization (ICCFO) t/a: Pauwenburg 100 8226 TA Lelystad Netherland E: info@iccfo.org      W: iccfo.org  
                

International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers

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Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, on the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers:  No child should be made to suffer such horrors   Thousands of children around the world continue to be used as soldiers and affected by the horrors of war.  Instead of a childhood filled with tranquillity and joy, learning and play, children are far too often the primary victims of armed conflict, where they are trained and forced to kill, rape, pillage, and undertake hard physical labour.  Their traumatisation should weigh heavily on our collective conscience, and cannot be left unabated. The daily reality for these children, boys and girls, is both appalling and traumatic. Thrust into battle zones, they must struggle to survive or perish, often through violent deaths; where they are forced to witness or commit unspeakable acts of violence against others, military or civilian, men, women or children, at times, even against their own families. They may be exposed and fall victim to horrific sexual violence. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) mandates the ICC Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute the crimes of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity – crimes which shock the conscience of humanity.  The conscription, enlistment and use of child soldiers figure amongst the most reprehensible crimes under the Rome Statute. There is no such thing in the Rome Statute as lawful conscription of children under the age of 15 into the armed forces or groups, or their enlistment irrespective of whether the child joins voluntarily or through compulsion. Those who recruit children or use them to take active part in hostilities are committing serious crimes and must be held accountable. The law must be a cornerstone of protection for all children in war zones. On this International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, the world owes it to our children to renew its collective resolve to prevent and end impunity for these crimes.  This is not only a moral imperative and a legal duty under the Rome Statute, but necessary to ensure the success of future generations.  A crime against a child is an offence against all of humanity.

State Funeral for former German President Weizsäcker

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By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg.   On 31 January 2015 former German Federal President, Baron Richard von Weizsäcker passed away in Berlin. Richard von Weizsäcker was Germany’s first Federal Head of State after reunification, and served between 1990 and 1994. However, he had been in office as President of West Germany since 1984. State-Funeral-of-German-President-von-Weizsaecker A State Funeral was arranged for him at the Berliner Dom on 11 February 2015. The Netherlands was represented highly by HRH Princess Beatrix. The German political establishment included Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, former president Roman Herzog, former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, the President of the Constitutional Court, Andreas Vosskuhle, and many others. The late president is best remember for his eloquence, immense popularity and outspokenness in controversial issues. Weiszäcker remains the only German president to our days to have been re-elected uncontested back in 1989. Von Weizsäcker leaves behind his widow, Marianne (née von Kretschmann), and three adult children. The Diplomat Magazine presents its deepest condolences to von Weizsäcker’s family as well as to the German Federal State.