Commonwealth Games: ‘Best ever’ games comes to an end in Glasgow
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
After 11 days, on August 3 2014, the XX Commonwealth Games came to an end in Glasgow, Scotland with a dazzling closing spectacle.
The Commonwealth Games were officially opened by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II on 23 July 2014. Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 of the 53 member states in the Commonwealth of Nations. She is also Head of the Commonwealth and Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
England, one of the home nations, topped the table but the Caribbean nations, notably Jamaica, did well. Despite some rain and chilly wind, the Jamaican team won ten gold medals at the games, part of an impressive tally of 22 medals won.
Trinidad & Tobago’s Chef de mission of the 2014 team, Dr Ian Hypolite, expects the Glasgow experience to hold his country in good stead for the road to Rio 2016: ‘My expectation is that we would have benefitted immensely. It was a natural stepping stone for many teams. Prior to the Rio Olympics, Caribbean Nations have the 2014 CAC (Central American and Caribbean) Games in Vera Cruz, Mexico, the Pan Am Games 2015 in Toronto, the Beijing 2015 IAAF World Championships for track and field – clear stepping stones to Rio. Experience will do us well as we progress along the way’Hypolite stated.
Trinidad & Tobago ended the Games with three silver medals and five bronze. Olympic men’s javelin champion Keshorn Walcott, 400 meters hurdles world champion Jehue Gordon and shotputter Cleopatra Borel were the silver medalists.
‘The Games have made us all very proud and truly brought our family together’, said HRH Prince Imran, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), during the closing ceremony.
Freshers’ Week 2014 in the Netherlands
By Arvind Rattan.
Prior to the start of the academic year, first years have had the opportunity to take part in the Freshers’ Week organised in various student cities in the Netherlands. In this week, with dates varying in each city, the newly enrolled students are introduced to their universities and hogescholen (universities of applied sciences), to their new cities, to student societies and student associations, to a diversity of student practices, and most importantly to their peers. Traditionally, the Freshers’ week is accompanied with the consumption of alcohol, and is regarded as holidays by the first years and other students since it takes place in August.
The Freshers’ Week 2014 was very extraordinary compared to previous years of the Freshers’ Week. There are numerous reasons which have made this Freshers’ Week so different. The biggest elephant in the room was clearly the weather. The Freshers’ Week consists of many outdoor activities. Some of these activities have been completely ruined by rain. Despite the very stormy and rainy weather brought to the Netherlands by remnants of the infamous hurricane Bertha, many first years have thoroughly enjoyed their Freshers’ Week. In Eindhoven, however, the rain became too much for the first years, or to put it more accurately, for their accommodation. The Freshers’ Week of the Fontys University of Applied Sciences, which was attended by approximately 2,600 first years had to be cancelled, after their campsite was completely flooded.
Another big factor which has contributed to the distinct Freshers’ Week 2014 was the big change in alcohol policy. In January 2014, a new law came into effect, which effectively prevents the consumption of alcohol by minors, i.e. those below the age of 18. Not only are the bars, older friends and others subject to fines if they get caught giving alcohol to first years younger than 18 years, those first years will be fined too – a 90 euro fine. As stated previously, the Freshers’ Week in the Netherlands is traditionally accompanied with the consumption of alcohol. The organising committees of the Freshers’ Week have anticipated this change. The committees had taken colourful precautions to distinguish the first years by age. The first years had to wear coloured wristbands which precisely indicated their age. Not only was the application and enforcement of this policy successful, this policy imposed on the first years by the organising committees had the fortunate side effect that uninvited guests to first years’ activities were spotted easily among the invited.
Finally, in the aftermath of the Dutch national disaster MH17, the first years of Tilburg University have paid their respects to their former dean of Liberal Arts and senator, professor Willem Witteveen.
Tribute to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, remembering Gabo
One humble man able to describe the beauty, the pain, the colors and the emotions of a land of fantasy became one of the most famous writers in the word and first Colombia’s Nobel Price. The Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist creator of One Hundred Years of Solitude, Love in the Time of Cholera, The Autumn of the Patriarch, No one writes to the Colonel, Of Love and Other Demons, The Fragrance of Guava and so many more was celebrated in a special tribute organized by the Embassy of Colombia at the Hague’s Public Library on September 25. Colombian Ambassador Eduardo Pizarro Leongómez invited as guest speakers Frenk van der Linden, Jaime Garcia Marquez and Gerald Martin. The Studio B of The Hague Library was received many guests admiring the memoires of “Gabo”.
Monsieur Pierre Menat, au revoir
Au nom de l’equipe de Diplomat Magazine, au revoir Monsieur l’Ambassadeur !!
We are glad to have supported the efforts of Ambassadeur Menat, who is returning back to France this week. His ‘discours’ yesterday was a friendly and emotive one during the reception he offered to his very close friends and collaborators. Diplomat Magazine has greatly contributed with the events organized by France and those presented in coordination with its cultural institutes, such as L’Alliance Francaise of the Hague. Bon voyage Monsieur Menat!!!
Russia in Amsterdam
On September 1st, H.E, Roman Kolodkin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, offered a very special cultural event at the Hermitage Amsterdam, showcasing an array of artifacts and images from the renowned Silk Road. It refers to ancient caravan routes from Lanzhou to Kashgar via Turfan and Urumqi, the most famous one, still provides connection between a number of cultural and commercial centres of Central Asia. The reception finalized with The Meshrep Ensemble, a group of classical and folk music invited for the occasion. The Russian Federation is one of the most prominent promoters of the history and culture of the ancient Silk Road.
On the above picture: H.E. Roman Kolodkin together with Igor Popov, Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia and Mr. Bruno Kapetanovic, from the Institute for Forward Thinking in Amsterdam.
Blé Goudé case: hearing postponed
Blé Goudé case: Confirmation of charges hearing postponed to 29 September 2014
On 1 September 2014, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided to postpone the commencement of the confirmation of charges hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Charles Blé Goudé to 29 September 2014, at the Defence’s request in order for the Defence to complete its preparation for the hearing previously scheduled for the 22 September 2014.
On 27 March 2014, Charles Blé Goudé made his first appearance before the ICC and Single Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi had initially set the date of the beginning of the confirmation of charges hearing for 18 August 2014.
On 22 March 2014, Charles Blé Goudé was surrendered to the ICC by the national authorities of Côte d´Ivoire on the basis of a warrant of arrest issued by ICC judges on 21 December 2011 and unsealed on 30 September 2013.
Charles Blé Goudé, national of Côte d’Ivoire, 42 years of age, allegedly bears individual criminal responsibility, as indirect co-perpetrator, for four counts of crimes against humanity, namely murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, persecution, and other inhuman acts, allegedly committed in the territory of Côte d’Ivoire between 16 December 2010 and 12 April 2011.
Indonesian Festival: Pesta Rakyat
In commemorating the 69th Anniversary of the Independence of Indonesia, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands will organize “The 2014 Indonesian Festival: Pesta Rakyat” at Indonesian School in the Netherlands, Rijksstraaatweg 679, 2245 CB Wassenaar, on Saturday (6 September 2014) from 11.00 to 18.00 hrs. This festival is an open event for public.
As many as 5,000 people from many backgrounds, – including Indonesian societies, Dutch societies, and other foreign nationals-, are estimated to attend and to enjoy the Festival. Several performances and activities will be conducted during the Festival including Indonesian traditional performances, contemporary music, bazaar of Indonesian products and culinary.
ICC mission to South Africa
President Song, Prosecutor Bensouda and ASP-President Intelmann: Humanity is bound together in a common quest to end impunity
President Sang-Hyun Song and Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the President of the Assembly of States Parties, Tiina Intelmann, today concluded a three-day mission to South Africa.
During their mission, President Song and Prosecutor Bensouda held bilateral meetings with key government and justice officials and engaged with civil society, academics, students, diplomats and the media in the context of Dialogues on Peace and Justice, a programme organised by the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands, that brought a delegation of Hague-based international legal institutions to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town for engagement with local stakeholders. Together with President Intelmann, they also participated in the conference: “Africa and the International Criminal Court: Lessons Learned and Synergies Ahead” organised by Africa Legal Aid (AFLA) in Johannesburg.
In their meetings with South African officials, both President Song and Prosecutor Bensouda commended the leading role South Africa – one of the first countries to sign and ratify the Rome Statute – has played in the evolution of the ICC, through its continued support and cooperation.
In his remarks, President Song underlined that South Africa, with its unique experience, has a tremendous amount to contribute to the global pursuit of peace and justice through the rule of law. “This country is known worldwide for the historic leap it made from apartheid to democracy, with the help of a process of truth-seeking and reconciliation,” he said. “While we work side by side with States, we must also look to each other for guidance. I think it is fitting to discuss how we can form synergies in the evolving international criminal justice system. We can look to States like South Africa for lessons in overcoming painful histories through accountability, but also how this can be achieved through truth-seeking and reconciliation.”
During the AFLA conference, Prosecutor Bensouda stressed the link between accountability for mass crimes and the rule of law to stability, security and prosperity. She further emphasized the crucial importance of the support of the African Union (AU) for the work of the ICC. Together in a complementary fashion the ICC and the AU can cooperate and support one another to promote and implement their critical work with full respect for their respective mandates. As such, she welcomed opportunities for further dialogue and cooperation.
“Attacks against civilians; sexual and gender-based violence in times of war and recruitment and use of children as soldiers are just some of the examples where the ICC and the AU can work together” said the Prosecutor. “In addition to sharing our policies on some of these issues, we can contribute to enhancing the AU’s efforts to stem the tide of these scourges by sharing our expertise and experiences in the investigation and prosecution of these grave crimes.”
ASP President Intelmann, recalling the Assembly meeting last year, highlighted that States Parties, in the framework of the Assembly, have been open to addressing concerns of all States Parties. She further called for continued political support of States and other stakeholders for the Court: “We need to keep investing our energies in the fight against impunity and ensure the independence of the Court.”
ICC Officials called for greater support for the Court. They reiterated the importance of our collective duty to never neglect the calls of victims whose rights and dignity have been trampled on by mass crimes. Today, thousands of African victims continue to suffer the brunt of mass atrocities. The ICC encourages and supports all genuine efforts at the national level aimed at bringing to justice, those alleged to be responsible for commission of mass crimes. In the absence of this primary responsibility, however, it would be an abdication of duty if the ICC were to fail to exercise its jurisdiction, especially when it is called upon to do so by African states themselves, in the face of such brutality.
Ending impunity for mass crimes is a common responsibility of humanity as a whole and justice for victims of such grave crimes should never be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency.
Hotel Des Indes is celebrating 200 years
Hotel Des Indes is celebrating 200 years Prinsjesdag from 5/16 September
Friday, September 5
Opening Pop-up Museum Des Indes – The Hague Committee 200 years Kingdom and Hotel Des Indes have jointly launched a unique Pop-up Museum in collaboration with the National Archives on the first floor from 10:00 to 18:00.The exhibition is devoted to the history of the hotel, the historic royal guests and its links with Prinsjesdag on the Lange Voorhout. Highlights from the pop-up museum include the Queen’s Speech and the program of the opening of Parliament in 1849, the first year reign of King William III, letters from Mata Hari… The museum is free to access and open every day from 10:00 to 18:00.
200 years Prinsjesdag High Tea. Prinsjesdag Celebrate 200 years in a royal setting and enjoy our famous 4-course High Tea, supported by “Thieme Real Thee ‘. Includes handy walking ticket along the Route of the Golden Carriage.
Tuesday September 16
Budget Day 2014 Experience Budget Day 2014 at Hotel Des Indes and admire the Golden Coach from the VIP grandstand tickets. After the royal procession came over for the second time, you will be received at the Hotel Des Indes with Des Indes aperitif. Then you can enjoy an extensive four-course High Tea with musical accompaniment from harpist Carla Bos.
For the full list of the activities around 200 years Prinsjesdag: www.hoteldesindes.nl/events
Benin National Day in Waterloo
At his residence in Waterloo, Belgium, His Excellency M Charles Borromée Todjinou, celebrated the 54th anniversary of the West African country’s independence. His reception was well-attended by fellow West African ambassadors as well as members of the Belgian aristocracy.
The Embassy of Benin in Brussels is responsible for all three Benelux countries as well as the European Union and the international organisations based in Brussels and The Hague.
The foundation of Benin goes back to 1625 when it was known as the Kingdom of Dahomey. Dahomey became a self-governing entity in 1958. On 1 August 1960, it gained complete independence from French rule. The country was renamed Benin in 1975 as the name was neutral and inclusive of the various ethnic groups of the country. The country boasts a youthful population, out of over ten million citizens six million people under the age of 24.
Benin has an Honorary Consulate based in The Hague: www.consulaatvanbenin.nl