The trial of Uhuru Kenyatta before the ICC

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The trial of Uhuru Kenyatta before the ICC Trial Chamber V(b) to start on 5 February 2014. Situation: The Republic of Kenya Case: The Prosecutor v. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta Today, 31 October 2013, Trial Chamber V(b) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided to postpone the trial’s commencement in the case against Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta to 5 February 2014. The Chamber noted that both the Defence and the Prosecutor are in agreement on postponing the trial date until February 2014. On 24 October 2013, Mr Kenyatta’s Defence had requested the Chamber to vacate the initial date of 12 November 2013. The Prosecution accepted that certain factual matters raised by the Defence merited further investigation and submitted that additional time would allow it to present its evidence, namely witnesses’ testimony, in a logical and coherent sequence. Noting the interest of justice, the fairness and expeditiousness of the proceedings and, in particular, victims and witnesses, the Chamber expressed its deep regret that repeated adjournments of the trial have been necessary because one or both parties have required more time to prepare. The Chamber urged both parties to accelerate their preparation in order to ensure that no further postponements are required. Background Mr Kenyatta is charged, as an indirect co-perpetrator, with five counts of crimes against humanity consisting of murder, deportation or forcible transfer, rape, persecution and other inhumane acts allegedly committed during the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007-2008. Charges were confirmed on 23 January 2012, and the case was ultimately committed to trial before Trial Chamber V(b). In the context of the Kenyan situation, two other cases are currently before the ICC: The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang, and The Prosecutor v. Walter Osapiri Barasa. The International Criminal Court is an independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, namely the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.   Decision adjourning the commencement of trial  

Caravaggio in The Hague

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By John DunkelgrĂŒn.  One of the true gems of The Hague, the undeservedly little known museum “Galerij Prins Willem V”, proudly presents Caravaggio’s early masterpiece “Boy bitten by a lizard”. The Galerij on the Buitenhof next to the museum “Gevangenpoort” (with which it shares an entrance) is the oldest public art museum in The Netherlands. Started with works from the private collection of Prince Willem V it opened its doors in 1774. It is quite small, just one long narrow gallery, but richly furnished in 18th century courtly style and 
 what a collection! Over 150 works by mainly Dutch and Flemish 17th century painters cover the high walls from floor to ceiling in the true style of the age. Luckily binoculars are provided. You’ll find works by Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Paulus Potter, Rubens and many others. To bring the Galerij out from the shadows, Emilie Gordenker (of Mauritshuis fame) and her crew hit upon the idea of presenting one top work a year that is normally not to be seen in The Netherlands. It has to be a work fitting in with the collection of the Galerij itself, in period and quality. As the curator Ariana van Suchtelen explained, it is fitting that the first  work so borrowed was a work by Caravaggio, the pioneer par excellence of the claire-obscure style in the  Rome of around 1600. In “A boy bitten by a lizard” light and shadow thrust and parry like a champion fencing match as can clearly be seen in the attached detail. The painting was made while Caravaggio was still an apprentice in order to show off his skill in painting emotions (the boy startled and hurt by the sudden bite). Caravaggio’s paintings were much discussed and criticized at the time and 
 so widely followed that he became the only artist in history after whom a painting style was named, caravagism. Luckily the Galerij canshow two exmples of this style from its own collection, a Rubens and a Van Honthorst. The Caravaggio is on display from Friday October 11th to Sunday December 8th 2013. Opening times Tuesday through Sunday from 12.00 ~ 17.00

Make sure you don’t miss it.

The painting is in The Hague courtesy of the National Gallery in London

 

MIJN DERDE LAND / MY THIRD COUNTRY

By John DunkelgrĂŒn.

The Netherlands has many surprising hidden gems, from “Hofjes” to small ancient cities, seemingly unchanged over hundreds of years. One of these gems is Huize Frankendael, the last remaining manor house within Amsterdam. It was built in the middle of the 17th century in the new polder of Watergraafsmeer deeper below sea level than any other point in Amsterdam. At the time more than 50 such estates were built outside the ring of canals to escape the stink and pestilence of the city center in summer. Frankendael, which was privately owned and inhabited until 2006, is the only such house still standing. Today it is beautifully restored with gold colored brocade wall covering and is used as an exhibition space. It also houses Merkelbach, a remarkable restaurant that serves slow cooked seasonal foods from the best purveyors and some great wines. At this moment there is an exposition curated by the Frankendael curator Nathanja van Dijk together with Carolyn Drake. The theme is “My third land” after a poem by the Dutch (former) Poet Laureate Gerrit Komrij, “Counterweight” (Contragewicht). The poem deals eloquently with the problem of having moved to another country and not feeling totally at home in either place. This is something that must resonate with the expat community anywhere. Komrij solves it by creating an imaginary “third” country in his head. The exhibition shows works of such imaginary countries, ranging from a child’s private world in a tent made from a sheet over a couple of chairs by Ryan Gander (executed in marble!) to a marvelous series of maps of non-existent islands that date from classical Greek times to the 19th century. There are the haunting pictures of the islands of Charles Avery as well as his mesmerizing imaginary tree. Of course there are far more works to see, but the house itself and its 17th century garden are in themselves well worth a visit, as is restaurant Merkelbach. The exhibition runs until December 2nd and is open from Thursday through Sunday from 12.00 to 18.00. There is a film evening and several night openings. It is located on the Middelweg 72 in the Watergraafsmeer area of Amsterdam. For more information see www.huizefrankendael.nl

Explore the Zaanse Schans

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By Gualtiero Buonamassa. Zaanse Schans is a fully inhabited, open-air conservation area and museum located just a few miles north of Amsterdam. Here you can get a vivid  impression of the Dutch way of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. The area consist of authentic houses, a historic shipyard, a pewter factory, a cheese and dairy farm, a age-old grocery store, clog-making demonstrations, and above all, lots of windmills. It can’t get more Dutch than at Zaanse Schans. Most Dutch icons, such as clogs, mills and cheese, are represented here. This presentation of Dutch life attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.WB20132210 017 zaanse scans

First Industrial Site in the World

Some 250 years ago, well over 600 windmills were cramped into this relatively small area. Together they formed the first industrial site in the world. They performed a wide range of industrial duties, such as producing shelves, paint, mustard, oil and paper. Today the mills offer wonderful views, best seen from a boat tour on the Zaan river. You can also visit three of these age-old mills and have a look inside.   SPECIFICATIONS for Visitors Free entrance except for Musea and windmils. AutoParking is close to entrance but not  free. You may do the payment with credit card Travelling with train : Take the stoptrain from Amsterdam CS direction Alkmaar untill station Koog-Zaandijk and few minutes walking to Zaanse Schans. Travelling with Bus : From Amsterdam CS. Bus 91 Travelling with auto : A8 exit Purmerend A7 en follow indication Zaanse Schans www.zaanseschans.nl Adres Schansend 7 1509 AW Zaandam 075-6810000    

Kropholler’s 1913 “Kerkdorp”

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By Catherine  A. Dailey. When traversing the Nieuwe Parklaan, scarcely a soul is able to arrive in Scheveningen,  without noticing the imposing  brick complex located next to the Circus Theater in the very heart of Scheveningen Bad- a prominent landmark known to some as the “Kropholler Kerpdorp” and to others as the Kropholler Complex.  For the faithful, who have regularly visited the Roman Catholic community on the Berkenbosch Blokstraat over the course of the last century, it has simply come to be known as the Lourdes Chapel or Lourdes grotto (Lourdesgrot). As the international community observes centennial celebrations for the International Court of Justice this year, it is perhaps fitting to reflect upon the humble beginnings and grand design for another Scheveningen project under construction in the parish territory bordering the site where work was already well underway on the CarnegiePeacePalace in 1910.   Few today are aware of anything relating to the history of this important registered landmark (rijksmomunument),  and even fewer have reason to think about Alexander Jacobus Kropholler (1881-1973) , or “Co” to his contemporaries, the young architect responsible for the project’s ambitious design. The ever creative architect and writer, with an impressive oevre assembled over the span of a most enviable long life, has rightfully taken his place in Dutch architectural history as the most important “traditionalist” of his time.  He first distinguished himself when he joined forces with Jan Frederik Staal (1879-1940).  The two young men opened an architectural firm in 1902 at the ages of 19 and 20 respectively ; following Staal’s return from an extended study trip in the United States.  Their collaboration, while productive, was to last just eight years, during which time Staal became increasingly fascinated with high rise office and hotel buildings in the urban landscapes of America’s great cities; enchanted with theosophical theories and practices and drifted, politically, towards socialism. In  sharp contrast to the clearly esoteric direction that his partner chose to embark upon; Kropholler remained  firmly grounded by the traditions of “DelftSchool” and was, specifically, inspired by the works of Hendrik Petrus Berlage (1856-1934).  His faithful adherence to traditionalism led him to discover Eugene  Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879), French Gothic Revival architect, architectural theorist and restorer of French medieval buildings and, with the last, Kropholler’s  interest in Romanesque influences, monastic traditions and Catholic philosophers had been permanently awakened.  Known to “retreat” to cloisters for regular stays in order to “work through” his ideas; these experiences are likely to have contributed to his 1908 decision to be baptized in the Catholic Church and just two years later, in 1910, Kropholler severed his ties with Staal and refrained from ever speaking with or seeing him again. Continuing to accept projects on his own, Kropholler submitted “Scheveningse kerkbouw” as he called it, an ambitious urban development project (Stedenbouwkundig plan) to the city of The Hague for review and approval in 1911–the following year.  It is worth noting, that as early as 1910, a Roman Catholic stichting (foundation)  was created by the Bisschop of Haarlem. The diocese of Rotterdam would not be created for more than a half century later, thus it was the Bishop of Haarlem who was to grant the decree to develop the building parcel, bordered by the Berkenbosch Blokstraat, Neptunustraat, De Messtraat and Circustraat.  To oversee the project, the bishop appointed the highly regarded poet priest, A.M.J.I. Binnewiertz (1870-1915) as his construction priest (bouwpastoor) for the new R.C. Our Lady of Lourdes community, a territorial parish. Kropholler’s project consisted of 13 houses, a chapel, parsonage, tower base, school, and church.  It remains unclear as to why he designed  a total of thirteen homes, but a copy of one of the preliminary renderings prepared for Binniwiertz may be found on the a simple “1913” inscription drawn on the parsonage’s façade which was later to be changed to the Latin verse “Funda Nos in Pace” found in  ”Ave Maris Stella”, an ancient plainsong Vespers hymn to Mary, meaning “establish us in peace”, which can be traced to the sixth century. When one takes into consideration the fact that by 1911, when Kropholler’s plan was submitted; two major international peace conferences, in 1899 and 1907,  had already been hosted by the city and many more associated “justice and peace” related programs had been held at the nearby Kurhaus Hotel;  it becomes clear that the parish was erected to care for the souls who were expected to be moving into or visiting the area in keeping with the city’s projected plans for expansion. Yet another clue substantiating this theory can be found in the pelican relief by Joseph Mendes de Costa, found on the chapel’s façade on the Berkenbosch Blokstraat.  The pelican image, in rondo form, evokes the Eucharist,  one of the earliest Christian symbols. An early example is to be seen in the Roman “Basilica of Saint Sabina at the Aventine” (432 A.D.). Finally,  a quite literally, concrete, indication of the community’s  determination to reflect upon the always universal and ever timely themes of “justice and peace” during the unsettling and bellicose years in which the parish was founded , which directly preceded the build up and outbreak of hostilities in the Great War, are to be quietly found in one of the glazed hand formed tiles which form the one of the sanctuary’s sidewalls (left of the altar).  The words “Regina Pacis, Ora pro nobis”, a Latin invocation to the Blessed virgin Mary, meaning “Queen of Peace, pray for us”,  already informally in use, was not officially added to the Litany of Loreto by Pope Benedict XV, dubbed “the peace pope”, until 1917. The aforementioned themes are but a few found in Kropholler’s “Lady Chapel” on the Berkenbosch Blokstraat. The remaining examples await your discovery. The sanctuary is open daily for silent prayer and meditation.  All are welcome.    

Diplomats Meet & Greet

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Sponsored by the Embassy of Guatemala. Thursday Nov. 7th at Carlton Ambassador from 6pm. In collaboration with Diplomat Magazine. Diplomats Meet and Greet 7th November

Dr. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Kingdom of the Netherlands

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Dr. Vjosa Dobruna was designated as the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Kingdom of the Netherlands in June, 2013. She presented her credentials to His Majesty the King of the Netherlands on October 16, 2013.

Dr. Dobruna joined Kosovo diplomatic service in 2012, when she was nominated as ambassador at-large for Latin America.

Prior to the diplomatic assignment, Dr. Dobruna served as the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Public Radio and Television of Kosovo (RTK), the National Head of the Department for Democratic Governance, Civil Society, and Independent Media-UN Joint Interim Administrative Structure of Kosovo; mandated to monitor and recommend regulations on human and minority rights, equal opportunity, good governance, and independent media.

She also practiced pediatrics and worked as human right advocate and campaigner.

She contributes to several organizations, including Woman Waging Peace /Inclusive Security Network, Safe House for Battered Women, and in the past served as board member to the Open Society Foundation, OSCE Mission in Kosovo as media advisory board member, American University in Kosovo as board of trustees, Courts of Women Against Violence as a judge, Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms, Network of East-West Women, Women for Peace in Mediterranean, Mother Teresa Association.

Through her career she has founded several health and human rights organizations, such as Center for the Protection of Women and Children in Prishtina, Safe House for Women in Gjakova, and Women’s Center in Tetovo.

She received several awards, such as: National Honor Society in US, Jonathan Mann Award for Global    Health and Human Rights, Washington DC, Alexander Langer Award for Minority Rights, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy, Edward Barsky Award for Courageous Physician, Chicago, ILL, U.S.A, International Woman of The Year, finalist for 1999, Valle d’Aosta, Italy, Medalio dell’oro, Bologna, Italy.

Dr. Dobruna has graduated from University of Pristina in Kosovo, Postgraduate Studies from University of Zagreb in Croatia and fellowship from Harvard University, KSG Carr Center on Human Rights.

Ambassador Dobruna is fluent in Albanian, English, Croatian, Serbian, and has working knowledge of Italian.

Clingendael Institute, Public Lecture

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Democracies, Non – Democracies and Democratization in Asia

Monday 28 October 2013 / 15.00 – 16.30 hrs. / the Clingendael Institute / The Hague ______________________________

The Clingendael Institute and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in The Hague are very pleased to invite you to this public lecture, which will be delivered by: Dr. Nur Hassan Wirajuda (Dr.  Wirajuda was the Foreign Minister of Indonesia from 2001 to 2009. Currently he is member of the Council of Presidential Advisors of the Republic of Indonesia and the editor-in chief of Strategic Review — The Indonesian Journal of Leadership, Policy and World Affairs. He is also patron to the Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD)–the implementing agency of the Bali Democracy Forum, and member of the Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security chaired by Kofi Annan). Registration If you would like to attend this event, please register with: Claudia ten Have (secretariat) / e-mail: chave@clingendael.nl

Course for Diplomats

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Last call for subscription.

One month course for Diplomats.

The Hague Political Academy.

The HaguePoliticalAcademy starts next Monday with a high level course on domestic Dutch politics for foreign diplomats.  Schedule:  five consecutive Mondays from 5pm until 7pm. From October 21st until November 18st. Subscription is still possible ! Information: www.thehaguepoliticalacademy.nl

The sessions will provide participants with a better understanding of Dutch society and the way in which politics works in public and behind the scenes. After an introduction to the historical background, attention will be paid to the governmental and opposition parties and their policies. Also the impact of the media on policymaking will be explained.

Special focal points will be the Dutch foreign policy and the role played by the Netherlands in the European Union. Finally, the policies of the present VVD/PvdA cabinet will be explained and discussed. At the end of the course  the participants will visit the Dutch Parliament.

The lectures will enable participants to report with more authority on Dutch politics and to participate at a high level in discussions on Dutch domestic issues. As course supervisor Dr Bob van den Bos will draw on his extensive personal political experience as a Member of the national and European Parliament. Moreover, several distinguished guest speakers  are invited to share their views with the participants.

During and after the sessions there will be ample opportunity to maintain informal contacts with other participants. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance at the last session.

Venue: Prinsevinkenpark 24 , 2585 HL The Hague

Course manager is Mr Boy Frank, boy.b.frank@gmail.com    Phone 06-23450937

PROGRAMME:

Programme Course Oktober 21 – November Oktober  21 Introduction. Current developments, historical overview. No guest speaker. Oktober 28  . Political system and culture.  VVD- PvdA coalition policies. Guest speaker: Benk Korthals, Party President of VVD, Liberal  Coalition Partner, former minister of Justice and of Defence. November 4 Dutch European and  foreign policy. Historical introduction and current policies. Guest speaker: Professor Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, former deputy prime minister, minister of economic affairs, minister of agriculture and State Secretary for European Affairs. November 11 Political system and culture II. Opposition to present cabinet policies. Guest speaker: Thom de Graaf, member of Parliament/ First Chamber, former deputy prime minister and minister of constitutional affairs. Ronald vd Raak ? November 18 Role of the media and lobby groups Introduction Guest speakers Mark Kranenburg, senior editor NRC-Handelsblad diplomatic affairs, former correspondent in Brussels and Jan van Groesen, President of the Board Netherlands Media Ombudsman Foundation, former deputy editor-in chief of Dutch National Press agency ANP ,former president of International Press Center Nieuwspoort. November 25 Visit to Parliament. Meetings with several political parties.

President Shimon Peres visits The Netherlands

                            By Bonnie Klap. For pictures of the event, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98057281@N02/sets/72157636081979926/ President Shimon Peres of Israel  started his three-day visit to The Netherlands at the famous Anne Frank Huis in Amsterdam, followed by a visit to the Holland Schouwburg and concluding the official part of  his first day with a visit  to the 350 year-old  Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, where close to 700 guests eagerly awaited his arrival. The  President and Nobel Peace Prize recipient  took part in a special program honoring  the 65th Anniversary of the State Israel, in which he was interviewed by moderator Esther Voet, Director of CIDI ( Centre of Information and Documentation Israel). President Peres started by reminiscing about the early days of Israel, when, as he remembered, “We had no water, no land, we had  just two lakes, one dead, the other dying, we had no natural resources and  we faced animosity. In the 65 years we were attacked seven times, outgunned and outnumbered. Again and again, we were put to test, but in spite of it all, we are a people in search of peace. We are also a small people in number, but great in spirit,” according to President Peres, who  is convinced that now, a  peace agreement  can truly be achieved. He believes the solution to peace is a  ‘two-state solution’: Israel and Palestine living together as neighbors in peace. “Our greatest problem is skeptism and doubt, but I am convinced peace can be achieved and I believe that Abu Mazen is also convinced,” President Peres told the audience. President Peres will also be received by King Willem-Alexander and will meet with Prime Minister Rutte, among many other activities. By all standards, a very busy schedule, especially for a 90 year old man. President Peres has, however, no plans to slow down, although his term ends next year and he will by then be 91 years old. “For me, to work is the best vacation, or should I say: vocation?  We all die the same way, but how you live your life makes a difference, whether you are an optimist or a pessimist. From my experience I would say:  Believe in what you think is right and never give up. My advice is: Be an optimist. Life will be more meaningful and happier,” according to President Peres.