Justice plays a “crucial role” in maintaining international peace and security:  ICC Prosecutor briefs the UN Security Council. On Thursday, 23 October 2014, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC or the Court), Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, briefed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York,  in an open debate on the constructive role the Council can play in support of the exercise of the Office of the Prosecutor’s independent mandate. “We believe that the rights of women and children, indeed the rights of all civilians in times of conflict; the protection of peacekeeping missions and the rule of law are topics of common importance for both of our respective institutions.  The same holds true for the crucial role justice plays in relation to the maintenance of international peace and security,” said the Prosecutor. Focussed on the working methods of the UNSC, the open debate took place almost exactly two years after a similar session was organized by Guatemala, and provided a unique opportunity to exchange on how the Council can support the work of the Court and propose concrete solutions to the specific challenges that will make a difference to the victims of mass atrocities. At the meeting, Prosecutor Bensouda emphasized the continued need for cooperation and follow-up to UNSC referrals and the need for mechanisms to ensure timely and coordinated support. She underscored the importance of States Parties within and outside the Council working together and in one voice, as well as the need to think proactively about how the Council, the Assembly of States Parties and the ICC can work in concert within their respective mandates, to advance the crucially important goals of ending impunity for mass crimes and promoting the international rule of law. Calling for the appointment of a single focal point for interaction between the UNSC and the ICC, the Prosecutor outlined a number of areas where enhanced coordination could provide greater follow-up to relevant Council resolutions. Lack of adequate and effective follow-up on referrals to the ICC is a matter of continuing concern, shared with the Council, said the Prosecutor. Citing the Darfur situation, the failure to implement aspects of resolutions referring situations to the ICC, she said, can reflect a much deeper problem.  Prosecutor Bensouda noted that of the fifty-five resolutions on the Sudan, very few had been implemented, suggesting the need to review them collectively as well as individually. The Prosecutor also invited the Council to use clearer language in its referrals, in particular concerning the obligation of all States to cooperate with the ICC and to uphold its judicial rulings. Prosecutor Bensouda called for serious discussion on effective arrest strategies, expressing her sincere hope that the UNSC “can definitively call on all UN Member States to provide the necessary assistance.”  She proposed that a focal point for interaction between the UNSC and the ICC could be of practical assistance on this issue and in a number of other helpful ways, including the question of the outstanding response of the Council to the ICC’s findings of non-cooperation. ”It is not only a question of focusing on non-cooperation of specific States,” said the Prosecutor, ”but of looking more positively and proactively at how to encourage cooperation as specific challenges arise.’’ Finally, the Prosecutor urged the UNSC to take into consideration that the lack of State or UN financing for Council referrals “has a real impact on the ability of my Office to conduct full and effective investigations in the Darfur and Libya situations” in light of the need to revitalize both of these investigations. In the spirit that sustainable peace and security cannot be achieved without justice, Prosecutor Bensouda stressed that “[t]he Council assumes a crucial role in the emerging system of international criminal justice and must embrace this role with all the opportunities for constructive engagement that it provides.” She concluded by welcoming “further interaction on specific challenges, and to seeking the intersections and synergies between the ICC’s and the Council’s separate and independent mandates” in so far as they enhance humanity’s yearning to seek impartial justice for “mass crimes that shock our collective conscience and ‘threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world’.” The Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC conducts independent and impartial investigations and prosecution of the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Office of the Prosecutor is currently conducting eight investigations: in Uganda; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Darfur, Sudan; Central African Republic; Kenya; Libya; Côte d’Ivoire and Mali. The Office is also conducting preliminary examinations relating to the situations in Afghanistan, Colombia, Georgia, Guinea, Honduras, Iraq, Nigeria, Ukraine and the situation referred by the Union of the Comoros.    

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mrs. Fatou Bensouda and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, HRH Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad Al-Hussein  in Geneva, Switzerland. The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, recently met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein in Geneva, Switzerland. At the meeting, Prosecutor Bensouda congratulated High Commissioner Zeid on his recent appointment as the sixth United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and together they discussed ways to further strengthen collaboration between their respective Offices.  “Fostering respect for human rights and accountability for mass crimes are critical and complementary goals,” said Prosecutor Bensouda. “As with his predecessor, Mrs. Navi Pillay, High Commissioner Zeid is an esteemed champion of human rights and the rule of law.  I look forward to working closely with him and to explore additional avenues for synergies that can be pursued with full respect for our respective independent mandates,” she added. “The ICC plays an essential role in contributing to accountability for serious human right violations and other international crimes,” Commissioner Zeid said. “We see its involvement in certain situations as a vital element not only for the purposes of accountability but also as a disincentive to others to commit such crimes and violations.” The Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC conducts independent and impartial investigations and prosecution of the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.  The Office of the Prosecutor is currently conducting eight investigations in Uganda; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Darfur, Sudan; Central African Republic; Kenya; Libya; Cote d’Ivoire and Mali. The Office is also conducting preliminary examinations relating to the situations in Afghanistan, Colombia, Georgia Guinea, Honduras, Iraq, Nigeria, Ukraine and the situation referred by the Union of the Comoros. As the principal United Nations office mandated to promote and protect human rights for all, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) leads global human rights efforts, speaks out objectively in the face of human rights violations worldwide. OHCHR provide a forum for identifying, highlighting and developing responses to today’s human rights challenges, and acts as the principal focal point of human rights research, education, public information, and advocacy activities in the United Nations system. Since Governments have the primary responsibility to protect human rights, the OHCHR provides assistance to Government, such as expertise and technical trainings in the areas of administration of justice, legislative reform, and electoral process, to help implement international human rights standards on the ground.  It also supports National Human Rights institutions and engages with civil society actors.    

Aimé Kilolo Musamba, Narcisse Arido and Fidèle Babala Wandu released from ICC custody Central African Republic Case: The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, Aimé Kilolo Musamba, Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, Fidèle Babala Wandu and Narcisse Arido Aimé Kilolo Musamba, Narcisse Arido and Fidèle Babala Wandu were released from the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) following a decision by Pre-Trial Chamber II granting them interim release. The suspects shall appear before the Court when requested by the Judges. Aimé Kilolo Musamba was released in Belgium, Fidèle Babala Wandu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Narcisse Arido in France. The release of Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, the fourth suspect who was granted interim release in this case, will be implemented as soon as the ICC Registry finalises all the necessary arrangements.

Dominican Republic fashion designer Oscar de la Renta passed away on Oct. 20th, 2014.  Members of the diplomatic corps are cordially invited to sign the Book of Condolences at the Dominican Embassy in The Hague at Raamweg 21-22, 2596 HL, Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th of October from 9:30am till 3pm. Note Verbale from the Dominican Embassy, click here:  Condolencias.Oscar.d.l.Renta

By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg. Juan Carlos Reyes  an artist from Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic had his first exhibition of his masterpieces in Europe at Kasteel de Wittenburg in Wassenaar. Present were Ambassadors of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Burundi,  Angola, Switzerland, Kosovo, Chile and Dominican Republic as well. It was a successful evening and start for his tour around Europe. The Diplomat Magazine wish all the best of success.