Bensouda, ‘End the scourge of violence against children’
Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda, on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: End the scourge of violence against children
 On this day in 1989, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In the ensuing quarter-century, nearly every state in the world joined that treaty.
In the exercise of its mandate, the Office of the Prosecutor is committed to protecting and respecting the rights of children. To ensure that we reinforce this commitment, my Office is in the process of preparing a comprehensive Policy Paper on Children; that process has already commenced, and thus far included consultations with child rights experts from, among other stakeholders, the United Nations system, civil society and academia. Crimes against children must be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
The first trial of the International Criminal Court (ICC) focused on crimes against children, resulting in the landmark conviction of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, a former rebel leader in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for the conscription, enlistment and use of children under the age of 15 to participate actively in hostilities. Both the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol âon the involvement of children in armed conflictâ have played critical roles in the fight to end the recruitment and use of children as soldiers.
When I assumed Office as Prosecutor in 2012, I emphasised that in addition to focusing on âchildren who are forced to carry arms,â we must also address the issue of âchildren who are affected by arms.â The Lubanga trial had highlighted such issues, including the impact of crimes against children on whole communities, the specific issue of girl soldiers, and the devastating effect such crimes can have on the right of children to education. This broader focus has been extended in a pending case: earlier this year, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the ICC confirmed charges against the accused, Bosco Ntaganda â not only of conscription, enlistment, and use of children, but also of sexual slavery and sexual violence against children who formed part of his own militia â and committed him to trial.
A crime against a child is an offence against all of humanity; it is, to be sure, an affront to our most basic tenets of human decency. As we mark the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, my office pledges its firm commitment to advance the rights of children within the framework of the Rome Statute. We look forward to continuing to work in concert with the international community to end the scourge of violence against children in and affected by armed conflict.
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Mohammed Al Thani led a charitable expedition to Kilimanjaro
By Baron Henri Estramant
The Sharjah-based, Qatari sheikh, Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani led a charitable expedition of twelve young Qataris and expatriates to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The noble goal? To raise funds for rebuilding schools, and financing the education of young Palestinians.
His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Mohammed Al Thani is a well-known philanthropist in Qatar and the UAE. The sheikh is normally based in the Emirate of Sharjah (UAE) whence his mother hails, yet he belongs to the Ruling House of Thani (Qatar) through his father, Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani. He is known as the Director General for Sharjah Statistics Centre, but most prominently as a businessman and top athlete. On 22 May 2013 he became the first Qatari to climb Mount Everest in Nepal, the world’s largest mountain. In doing so Sheikh Moe Al Thani (as he is colloquially known) raised one million dollars for education projects in Nepal. Sheikh Moe is father to a the little Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani.
The climbing expedition team included also the very first Qatari women to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, and others, that is Mohamed Fakhro, Mohamed Al Naama, Aisha bint Ahmed Al Naama, Yacoub Al Yacoub, Bashaer Al Mulla, Dana Al Anzy, Sheikha Noor Al Thani, Nasser bin Marzooq, Bader Al Madani, Masoud Kalafchi, Raed Zidan, Sheikha Asma Al Thani, Shaima Sherif and Sheikh Sultan Al Thani. The mentor and motor behind the expedition was Sheikh Moe Al Thani serving as a brand ambassador for Reach Out To Asia, a non-profit organisation based in Doha that raises funds for developmental projects in Asia.
The challenge was successfully completed on 8 October 2014. The main financial backers were El Jaish Sports Club as the principal sponsor, in addition to Qatar Financial Centre, and Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum as platinum sponsors. Gold sponsors featured wre QNB, Zidan Real Estate, Qatar Academy, Al Jazeera Academy and the Qatar International School.
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 H.E. Mr Gabriel Edgardo Aguilera Peralta, Ambassador of Guatemala
H.E. Mr Gabriel Edgardo Aguilera Peralta is a Guatemalan lawyer, notary and diplomat. He carried out several high level positions in the political as well as academic field. From now His Excellency will serve as Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Ambassador Aguilera completed his studies in Guatemala, held a Masterâs degree in Germany and accomplished several post-graduate degrees in Guatemala, Spain and The United States of America. In fact, His Excellency is fluent in English and German, in addition to his native Spanish.
Before embarking on the diplomatic career, Ambassador Aguilera was a professor and university researcher performing high-level academic duties, inter alia, he was a former UNDP and UNESCO consultant and Director of the Central American Institute for Political Studies, from 1975 to 1978. Finally, he has contributed with several publications, books and articles in Latin America, the United States and Japan.
Ambassador Aguilera joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala and served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in two different periods: from 1996 to 1999 and four years later, from 2003 to 2004. He was named Ambassador of Guatemala in Germany (non-resident to Poland, 2008-2010), Peru (non-resident to Bolivia, 2010-2014), and the Netherlands. Among other government functions, H.E. Aguilera was appointed as Presidential Secretary of Peace and Presidential Delegate for the elaboration of the White Book for the National Defence.
During his honourable career, H.E. Aguilera received multiples awards and recognitions.
Holiday Bazaar 2014 – The American Women’s Club
The American Women’s Club of The Hague will host their traditional Holiday Bazaar; a great experience of an outstanding variety of high quality products; the perfect place for Christmas shopping. All your holidays shopping in one convenient venue.   Join us at the beautiful Carlton Ambassador The Hague, for a unique holiday shopping experience!
Golden Cross of the Order of Honour to Dutch professor
The award of the Golden Cross of the Order of Honour to Dutch professor of the University of Amsterdam for his contribution to Modern Greek Literature
The Emeritus Professor of Modern Greek Studies of the University of Amsterdam, Arnold van Gemert, will be honored by the Greek State with the Golden Cross of the Order of Honour in a special ceremony at the Ambassador’s residence in Greece in The Hague on November 27 at 19:30, for his great contribution to the dissemination of Modern Greek culture in the Netherlands. The President of the Hellenic Republic awards the highest distinction of the Greek state to the professor for the promotion of study of early Modern Greek Literature in Greece and in the Netherlands. Mr. van Gemert served as associate professor and professor of Modern Greek Literature at the University of Amsterdam for several years. His research at the State Archives of Venice contributed to a radical revision of the chronology of early Modern Greek Literature. On Behalf of the President of the Hellenic Republic, the award will be given by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Greece to the Netherlands, H.E. Mrs Teresa – Paraskevi Angelatou.New Ambassador of Belgium hosted a reception
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
Following the presentation of his credentials to H.M. King Willem Alexander on 1 October 2014, H.E. Mr. Chris Leo Clark Hoornaert, Ambassador for Belgium, hosted a reception at his residence to meet his compatriots residing in the Netherlands. The inclement downpour on the evening of Thursday 13 November 2014 did not deter guests from attending to congratulate Ambassador Hoornaert on his new assignment. ICC holds seminar on cooperation with States
ICC holds seminar on cooperation with focal points of States where investigations have been opened or are taking place
Pictured here: Participants of the second Seminar on Cooperation with Focal Points of States where investigations are being conducted, on 17 November 2014 in The Hague (The Netherlands). ŠICC-CPIÂ
On 17-21 November 2014, a number of officials and focal points from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, the Central African Republic, Kenya, Libya, CĂ´te DâIvoire, and Mali will meet with Court officials to discuss cooperation with the ICC. Representatives from five other States with experience cooperating with the Court will also attend, as will ICC Staff tasked with liaising with national authorities
Emphasising the important role of national focal points, ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song said: âTo make cooperation really work, we must develop mutual understanding and remain in constant dialogue. Events such as this seminar provide an excellent opportunity to do just thatâ.
Deputy Prosecutor James Stewart said: âThis week-long seminar is part of a proactive approach to enhance cooperation and find solutions for specific challengesâ. âThe ICC is part of a network of national judicial systems comprising more than 120 States, and it is our joint actions, at the national and international levels, that bring life and purpose to this great enterpriseâ, he added.
Registrar Herman von Hebel underlined the importance of cooperation, stating: âStrong cooperation between the Court and Situation Countries is a fundamental component of the Rome Statute system, and is essential in ensuring expeditious trials, and ending impunityâ. âI hope that our discussions here will foster stronger links between the Court and Situation Countries, leading to a better justice system for the victims of Rome Statute Crimesâ, he further added.
States play an essential role in implementing the ICCâs Decisions, Orders and Requests, and States Parties often nominate a national focal point to coordinate and channel communications between national authorities and the ICC. This week, these focal points will share lessons learned and explore matters relevant to their experience working with the ICC through their national systems.
Enhancing dialogue between the ICC and States Parties on cooperation is of key importance to the Rome Statute system, This Seminar aims to address a wide range of issues related to cooperation including Witness and victimsâ protection, outreach in situation countries, the participation of States in proceedings and various international agreements between State Parties and the ICC.
The Seminar was partially funded through the generous contributions of the Governments of The French Republic, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On 13 and 14 July 2011, the first Seminar was held at the seat of the Court on the same topic. Now, this Seminar forms part of a larger the continuing effort to further advance the ICCâs processes, in particular in countries where ICC investigations are ongoing, with a view to realising the commitment of States Parties to end impunity and provide justice for the victims and affected communities of Rome Statute crimes.
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Laurent Gbagboâs trial to open before ICC
Laurent Gbagboâs trial to open before ICC Trial Chamber I on 7 July 2015
 On 17 November 2014, Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) set the commencement date for the trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Laurent Gbagbo for 7 July 2015. The Chamber also directed the ICC Prosecution to provide, no later than 6 February 2015, full disclosure of all material, evidence and expert reports to the Defence as well as its list of witnesses and list of evidence to be relied on at trial.
Trial Chamber I is composed of Presiding Judge Geoffrey Henderson (Trinidad and Tobago), Judge Cuno Tarfusser (Italy) and Judge Olga Herrera-Carbuccia (Dominican Republic).
On 12 June 2014, Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed, by majority, four charges of crimes against humanity (murder, rape, other inhumane acts or â in the alternative â attempted murder, and persecution) against Laurent Gbagbo and committed him for trial before a Trial Chamber. On 11 September 2014, Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected the Defence’s request for authorization to appeal the confirmation of charges decision in the case.
Bien chère Emma……
By Nicole Pierre
On Friday 14th November 2014, an exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War was officially launched. Despite the nippy weather, members of the diplomatic corps, as well as those from the francophone community, were present at the Peace Palace in The Hague to participate in the inauguration.
Presentations were made by Jeroen Vevliet, director of the Peace Palace Library, Richard Schreurs, the president of Alliance française de La Haye and Laurent Pic the new ambassador of France to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The exhibition was declared opened after the ambassadorâs speech in which he stressed the significance of the war as an important event in history but also as a landmark of European identity and unity today.
The exhibition gives us an up-close and personal view of the day to day lives of soldiers at the beginning of the war, through the private and intimate correspondence of a French soldier named Raymond Molle which he had sent to his wife Emma. Unfortunately he fell in combat in April, 1915. With Officer Molle, the so-called âunknown soldiersâ, who got lost in the transmittance of our historical past but who are the true pillars of that history, suddenly get a face again.
The exhibition is opened for viewing partly in the visitorâs center and partly in the main lobby of the Peace Palace and is available until December 7th, 2014.
http://www.aflahaye.nl/en/component/content/article/2-uncategorised/47-bien-chere-emma-en
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