Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi met with Bundestag’s President Bas

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Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi met with Bundestag’s President Bas

Wednesday, 24 May 2023, Berlin, Germany: The Sultanate of Oman’s Ambassador in Germany, Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi was welcomed for a tête-à-tête by the President of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag), Bärbel Bas, a top politician from the Social Democratic Party. President Bas is in office since 26 October 2021, and joined the Bundestag back in 2009.

Parliamentary diplomacy is an important component of an embassy’s mission in a given foreign country. Germany maintains a bilateral parliamentary system, with a Bundestag elected directly by the electorate as well as one upper chamber representing the German federal states, or Bundesländer.

Whereas Oman is also home to a bicameral legislature, namely a lower house, or Consultative Council (مجلس الشورى) with 84 seats as well as a 83-heads strong State Council (مجلس الدولة), the upper house; fully appointed by His Majesty The Sultan of Oman. Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud Al Maawali serves incumbently as the Chairman of the Consultative Council. 

For further information 
Consultative Council of Oman: https://www.shura.om

CA-EU meets in Ashgabat in support for Afghanistan

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CA-EU meets in Ashgabat in support for Afghanistan

Friday, 26 May 2023, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: The fourth meeting of the EU and Central Asia Special Representatives and Special Envoys for Afghanistan was held in the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan.

The forum was attended by special representatives and special envoys of the EU, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for Afghanistan and the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan R.Otunbayeva, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, the Consuls General of Turkmenistan in Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif. The directors of the World Bank branches in Afghanistan and Kazakhstan have also participated via videoconference.

During the meeting, a detailed exchange of views took place on priority issues of regional security and development, as well as problems related to the socio-economic situation in Afghanistan.

It was noted that meetings of special representatives in this format have become regular and serve as a positive platform for developing approaches to ensuring peace and security in Afghanistan.

The current meeting provided an opportunity for an in-depth exchange of information on events and the economic situation in Afghanistan, as well as an opportunity to discuss further cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The parties expressed their firm commitment to turning Afghanistan into a stable, peaceful and prosperous country and recognized the efforts of the international community to continue to provide assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

During the meeting, the prospects for economic stabilization and recovery of Afghanistan were discussed, the importance of creating favorable conditions for economic activity, the financial and banking sector and the restoration of the socio-economic infrastructure in Afghanistan was noted.

The participants of the meeting stressed the need to continue dialogue and cooperation within the framework of the “Central Asia – European Union” format and expressed a common opinion that in order to stabilize the political, economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, a broad consolidation of the international community is necessary – the states of the world, primarily the Central Asian region, as well as authoritative international structures.

Interest was also expressed in close cooperation to implement of joint projects related to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the integration of the country into the system of global relations.

As a result of the meeting, a Joint Statement was adopted.

For further information 

Turkmen Foreign Ministry: https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news/3453

Melanie Huml welcomed by Jan Jambon in Brussels

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Melanie Huml welcomed by Jan Jambon in Brussels

Thursday, 25 May 2023, Brussels, Flanders, Kingdom of Belgium: Premier Jan Jambon received Bavaria’s State Minister for European and International Affairs, Melanie Huml, at his official residence. Inter alia, they discussed the future cooperation between Flanders and Bavaria and the Leaders Meeting, which Premier Jambon is organising in April 2024 to promote exchange between the thirteen strong innovative regions, which includes Bavaria.

Jan Jambon stressed that he sees the upcoming EU presidency of Belgium (January-June 2024) as a platform to portray Flanders is a state-of-the-art region with an active EU policy. To this end, he is organising the Leaders Meeting, “Fit for the Future: Global Challenges and Regional Solutions” on 18 April 2024. At this meeting, thirteen strong innovative regions – including Bavaria, Catalonia, and North Rhine-Westphalia – will highlight their best practices and innovative ideas to increase resilience to future shocks. Thus, they will send a signal to the European Union that the main levers for tackling global challenges are in the hands of the regions, while reaching out to each other for further cooperation with a view to better EU policies.

Both dignitaries likewise discussed closer future cooperation between Flanders and Bavaria in robotics and automation, hydrogen economy, inland navigation, and MedTech.

Premier Jan Jambon previously reinforced his ‘Strategy for the North’ with a working visit to Bavaria in 2021, when he opened a Flemish Science & Technology Office in Munich.

For further information 


Flanders Chancellery & Foreign Office: https://www.fdfa.be/en/minister-president-jan-jambon-receives-bavarian-minister-melanie-huml

UKRAINE: 110 damaged religious sites inspected and documented by UNESCO

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UKRAINE: 110 damaged religious sites inspected and documented by UNESCO

By Willy Fautré, director of Human Rights Without Frontiers

As of 17 May 2023, UNESCO has verified damage to 256 sites since 24 February 2022 – 110 religious sites, 22 museums, 92 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 19 monuments, 12 libraries, 1 Archive. 

Report of the Ukrainian Institute for Religious Freedom (January 2023)

As a result of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, at least 494 religious buildings, theological institutions, and sacred places were wholly destroyed, damaged, or looted by the Russian military, according to the Ukrainian Institute for Religious Freedom (IRF). 

IRF presented this last updated data on the impact of the war on Ukrainian religious communities on January 31 and February 1 during the Summit on International Religious Freedom (IRF Summit 2023) held in Washington, D.C.

Most churches, mosques, and synagogues were destroyed in Donetsk region (at least 120) and Luhansk region (more than 70). The scale of destruction is also enormous in Kyiv region (70), where desperate battles were fought in defense of the capital, and in Kharkiv region – more than 50 destroyed religious buildings. Russian air raids, including those using Iranian drones, have affected almost all regions of Ukraine and continue to this day.

Churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate) suffered the most from Russian aggression – at least 143 were destroyed. 

The scale of destruction of evangelical church prayer houses is immense – at least 170 in total, of which most affected were Evangelical Christian churches – 75, Evangelical Baptist Christian prayer houses – 49, and Seventh-day Adventist churches – 24.

The updated IRF data also contains information on the destruction of the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses – a total of 94 religious buildings, of which seven were utterly destroyed, 17 were severely damaged, and 70 were insignificantly damaged. 

UNESCO’s policy

UNESCO is conducting a preliminary damage assessment for cultural properties* by cross-checking the reported incidents with multiple credible sources. These published data which are regularly updated do not commit the Organization. UNESCO is also developing, with its partner organizations, a mechanism for independent coordinated assessment of data in Ukraine, including satellite image analysis, in line with provisions of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

*The term “cultural property” refers to immovable cultural property as defined under Article 1 of the 1954 Hague Convention, irrespective of its origin, ownership or status of registration in the national inventory, and facilities and monuments dedicated to culture, including memorials.

The Organization is in contact with Ukrainian authorities to mark cultural sites and monuments with the distinctive “Blue Shield” emblem of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict to avoid deliberate or accidental damages.

Properties inscribed on World Heritage list, such as the site of “Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”, are considered a priority. 

Comment of Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

The first challenge is to mark cultural heritage sites and monuments and recall their special status as protected areas under international law.

To date, no UNESCO World Heritage site appears to have been damaged.

UNESCO also assisted the Ukrainian authorities in marking cultural sites with the distinctive blue shield emblem. This symbol indicates that the property is protected under the 1954 Hague Convention. Therefore, any infringement is considered a violation of international law and can be prosecuted. It should also be noted that none of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites have been affected to date.

Laying the foundations for future reconstruction

By recording and documenting the damage and destruction of cultural sites, UNESCO not only warns of the seriousness of the situation, but also prepares for future reconstruction. Although it is still too early to start work, the UN organization has already created a fund dedicated to actions in support of Ukraine and has launched an appeal for contributions to its Member States for a rapid response.

List of damaged religious and cultural sites per region as of 17 May 2023 (See the details of the list below HERE)

  • Donetsk Region: 71 damaged sites
  • Kharkiv Region: 55 damaged sites
  • Kyiv Region: 38 damaged sites
  • Luhansk Region: 32 damaged sites
  • Chernihiv Region: 17 damaged sites
  • Sumy Region: 12 damaged sites
  • Zaporizhia Region: 11 damaged sites
  • Mykolaiv Region: 7 damaged sites
  • Kherson Region: 4 damaged sites
  • Zhytomyr Region: 3 damaged sites
  • Vinnytsia Ragion: 2 damaged sites
  • Dnipropetrovk Region: 1 damaged site
  • Odesa Region: 1 damaged site

Previous assessments and some UNESCO declarations 

On 23 June 2022, according to the checks carried out by UNESCO’s experts, 152 cultural sites had been partially or totally destroyed as a result of the fighting, including 70 religious buildings, 30 historical buildings, 18 cultural centres, 15 monuments, 12 museums and seven libraries.

Comment of Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

“These repeated attacks on Ukrainian cultural sites must stop. Cultural heritage, in all its forms, should not be targeted under any circumstances. I reiterate my call for the respect of international humanitarian law, in particular the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.”

On 8 March 2022, UNESCO published a statement saying it was in permanent contact with all relevant institutions, as well as with Ukrainian cultural professionals, to assess the situation and to reinforce the protection of cultural properties. 

UNESCO provided technical advice to cultural professionals in the field to protect buildings. Inventory works and shelters were identified to secure objects that could be moved, and fire-fighting measures were reinforced.

Comment of Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

We must safeguard the cultural heritage in Ukraine, as a testimony of the past but also as a catalyst for peace and cohesion for the future, which the international community has a duty to protect and preserve.

Lorenzo Ravano received by Bundestag Speaker

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Lorenzo Ravano received by Bundestag Speaker

Wednesday, 24 May 2023, Berlin, Germany: Monaco’s Princely Ambassador in Germany, Lorenzo Ravano was welcomed for a tête-à-tête by the Speaker of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag), Bärbel Bas, a top politician from the Social Democratic Party. Speaker Bas is in office since 26 October 2021.

Parliamentary diplomacy is an important component of an embassy’s mission in a given foreign country. Germany maintains a bilateral parliamentary system, with a Bundestag elected directly by the electorate as well as one upper chamber representing the German federal states, or Länder.

Whereas Monaco is home to but a unilateral National Council (Conseil nationale) with 24 seats, currently presided over by Speaker Brigitte Boccone-Pagès. 

For further information 
Monaco’s National Council: https://www.conseil-national.mc

Hong Kyun Kim paid visit to NRW Legislature

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Hong Kyun Kim paid visit to NRW Legislature

Friday, 5 May 2023, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia: The Speaker of NRW State Legislature, André Kuper, received the Korean Ambassador Hong Kyun Kim for his inaugural visit to Düsseldorf, the state capital. Kim was accompanied by Consul General Seungjae Huh and Dr. Jo Myunghee, Member of the Korean National Assembly. This year, the Republic of Korea and the Federal Republic of Germany are celebrating the 140th anniversary of their friendship.

The Republic of Korea is one of North Rhine-Westphalia’s most important partners in Asia. North Rhine-Westphalia is the only state to have maintained a representative office in Seoul since 1988. Around 60 South Korean companies are based in the Rhine and Ruhr regions. In addition, around 10,000 people from South Korea live in North Rhine-Westphalia. Numerous North Rhine-Westphalian companies have locations in South Korea. And in 1963, the Federal Republic and Korea concluded a recruitment agreement for guest workers for, among other things, the coal industry in North Rhine-Westphalia.

André Kuper said as per statement linked below in its native German version: “I welcome Ambassador Hong Kyun Kim not only as a representative of an important trading partner, but also as a supporter in the fight for democracy, freedom and human rights. We always keep an eye on the security situation on the Korean peninsula. Moreover, we share with the Republic of Korea the experience of a divided country. Many Korean families live in North Rhine-Westphalia. As the state parliament, we wish that many young people from our countries meet in exchange programmes and deepen relations with each other”.

Hong Kyun Kim has been ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Berlin since 24 October 2022. The 62-year-old has already worked in the diplomatic service since 1984 in various positions. He was also special envoy for peace and security issues on the Korean peninsula.

In the exchange with the Speaker of the State Legislature, André Kuper, the focus was not only on the relations between the two countries, but also on the topics of sustainability, climate protection and peace.

After signing the guestbook, the delegation from South Korea exchanged views with members of the Committee for Europe and International Affairs. One topic of discussion was the 60th anniversary of the Recruitment Agreement.pa and International Affairs. 

For further information 

State Legislature of North Rhine-Westphalia: https://www.landtag.nrw.de/home/aktuelles/meldungen-und-berichte/meldungen-berichte-und-informati/meldungen-und-berichte/2023/05/0505botschafterkorea.ht

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Germany: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/de-de/index.do

Inaugural visit of Mexican ambassador in Magdeburg

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Inaugural visit of Mexican ambassador in Magdeburg

Monday, 3 April 2023, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt: Premier Dr. Reiner Haseloff received the Ambassador of the United Mexican States, H.E. Francisco Jose Quiroga Fernandez, for his official inaugural visit to the State Chancellery in Magdeburg.

During their talks, they exchanged views on current economic developments and discussed the expansion of bilateral relations between Mexico and Saxony-Anhalt, particularly with regard to opportunities for cooperation in the recruitment of skilled workers and in culture.

In November 2021, the state of Saxony-Anhalt had returned to Mexico, among other things, cultural artefacts that had been discovered on a property in Klötze in the Altmark region. The 13 artefacts in total (figurines, vase, plates as well as partial pieces), two of which were handed over to the Mexican authorities, date from around 250 to 850 AD and were probably sold by looted excavators. At the end of March 2023, the pieces from Saxony-Anhalt were presented with other returns from Germany at the Mexican Embassy in Germany. The artefacts from Saxony-Anhalt will be shown together with pieces returned from Germany, France and Italy in a special exhibition in the museum of the Templo Mayor in Mexico City.

In the cultural field, the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation and the Saxony-Anhalt Art Foundation have also been able to realise projects with Mexican institutions and partners in recent years. These included the purchase of a sculpture by the Mexican artist Alica Paz for the Magdeburg Museum of Art – Convent of Our Lady, which was supported by the Art Foundation.

Economic cooperation between the two countries has also shown a slight increase recently. Exports from Saxony-Anhalt to Mexico amounted to a value of around EUR 203.1 million in 2022. Compared to the previous year 2021, this was an increase of around 1.65%. In the ranking of Saxony-Anhalt’s export countries, Mexico thus ranked 21st in 2022.

For further information 


Government of Saxony-Anhalt: https://europa.sachsen-anhalt.de/internationales/aktuelles-international/antrittsbesuch-des-botschafters-der-vereinigten-mexikanischen-staaten

Exclusive Saree Pageant: Bangladesh House Entertains Ambassadors’ Spouse Association

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Exclusive Saree Pageant: Bangladesh House Entertains Ambassadors’ Spouse Association

By Roy Lie Atjam

Mrs. Sazia Ahmed, the wife of the Ambassador of Bangladesh, on 22 May 2023 opened the doors of Bangladesh House to host a festive gathering for her fellow members of the Ambassadors’ Spouse Association (ASA). The entrance hall of the residence was draped in different styles of sarees. The highlight of the event was a saree pageant as well as a presentation of elements of the rich Bangladeshi culture to the ASA members and by extension to the Diplomatic Community in the Netherlands.

Members of the Ambassadors’ Spouse Association (ASA) during Bangladesh saree exhibition at Bangladesh House.

The gathering also featured an exhibition of different sarees which were taken from Sazia Ahmed’s collection, so that guests had the opportunity to touch the sarees on display.

Models proudly showed off different styles of sarees, including an example of a bridal saree as well as New Year’s outfits.

Mrs. Sazia, herself a saree wearer, eloquently explained the weaving process, the different fabric textures, combinations, the different ways of wearing a saree, the different occasions where they can be worn, as well as details of traditional Jamdani, Maslin, Tangail Tant, Mirpur Katan, Mirpur Benarashi, Rajshahi Silk, and Katha Stitch.

Mrs. Sazia mentioned that UNESCO recognized Bangladeshi Jamdani weaving as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Sazia Ahmed, during her speech.

Guests enjoyed the convivial atmosphere and Bengali hospitality, as well as the delicious cuisine which was served on the lawns of Bangladesh House.

All in all, it had been an informative, well-attended event and no doubt pleasurable Bangladeshi day that was enjoyed by everyone.

Bangladesh saree exhibition – lunch at Bangladesh residence’s garden.

Nigeria Business And Investment Forum 2023 “The Land Is Green”

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Nigeria Business And Investment Forum 2023 “The Land Is Green”

Exploring Business and Investment Opportunities In Nigeria

By Roy Lie Atjam

On the initiative of H.E. Dr Eniola Ajayi, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Netherlands, a second Business and Investment Forum was held in The Hague. The prestigious Grand Hotel Amrath Kurhaus served as a backdrop, on the bright spring afternoon of 20 April 2023.

As observed by the Ambassador, the event was short but loaded with opportunities and information.

Business people, diplomats, a banker and many others attended the Business and Investment Forum. The Forum also hosted the launching of the publication Nigeria at a Glance, featuring a unique and diverse Nigeria.

Simultaneous with her welcome address, H.E. Ambassador Eniola Ajayi gave a breakdown of the day’s program.

Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, H.E. Mr. Otunba Niyi Adebayo

“It is an honour and a great privilege for me to welcome this august gathering to the second Business and Investment forum in The Hague. The first one held during a period of COVID restrictions in November 2021 here in the Netherlands, hence there was limited participation to only those who were resident here at the time.

Today I am happy to welcome both the Dutch delegation and the delegation from Nigeria to this networking event which would hopefully be mutually beneficial to both countries.

Peter Potman Dutch MFA

It is particularly heartwarming to have as our keynote speaker the Hon. Minister of Industry Trade and Investments, H.E. Mr. Otunba Niyi Adebayo and his spouse H.E. Ms. Erelu Angela Adebayo with us. She is an investment guru in her own right. The Minister will speak on the Business opportunities in Nigeria. We are also privileged to have the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele with us. He will be throwing more light on Nigeria’s fiscal and monetary policies and everything you need to know about repatriation of funds after investments.

H.E. Dr Eniola Ajayi with her colleagues ambassadors.


We also welcome, Ambassador Peter Potman, the Deputy Director-General Foreign Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the  Netherlands, who will speak to us about the Dutch perspective.

I am sincerely honoured to welcome my Ambassadors of Nigeria colleagues from Germany, France, Hungary, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. I am sure they will be quite happy to engage on issues of investments as well. Also here with us are some of my African Ambassador colleagues accredited to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Ambassadors of Angola, Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, Tanzania, Rwanda and South-Africa. Thank you for the usual solidarity, dear brothers and sisters.

I am truly delighted to announce that the Embassy had been working on another publication before I left my previous posting in Hungary over two years ago and we finally just produced another publication called NIGERIA AT A GLANCE. It is a publication for navigating Nigeria as a country, the Nigerian people, our uniqueness and our cultures. Her Excellency, Ms. Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the Former First Lady of Ekiti State in Nigeria, a renowned author is here to do us the honour of presenting the publication today. Thank you for making out time Madam.

The other speakers are officials of the Ministry of Industry Trade and Investments as well as the Nigeria Export Promotion Council. There are also officials from relevant agencies on hand to answer your questions. This will be rounded up by a segment on testimonials from Dutch companies who already do business in Nigeria and are successful at it.

This is a short but loaded event. We shall wrap up this exploration by the Nigerian delegation with factory visits tomorrow. Although the sectors under focus are: Agriculture Value Chain, Renewable Energy, Circular Economy, Healthcare, ICT and Fintech. We shall be having the factory visits to only the Agriculture and Renewable Energy sectors.

This Business and Investment Forum is geared towards showcasing the fact that Nigeria is worth every dime of your investment especially when you consider our population of over 230 million people. Everything sells in Nigeria. Nigeria being the heart of Africa makes Nigeria the natural connector to other parts of Africa. With the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the opportunities are limitless within the Continent.
Netherlands on the other hand is a country that anyone serious about business and investments would take seriously. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Wopke Hoekstra recently said, ‘Netherlands is a Merchant Nation’. I totally agree. Netherlands goes where others fear to tread. This explains why many Dutch companies have been household names in Nigeria for nearly a century.

The Ambassador of Nigeria to Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Kelvin Peters, the Ambassador of Nigeria to the Netherlands, H.E. Dr Eniola Ajayi, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Ambassador of Nigeria to Switzerland, H.E. Mr Baba Madagu.

Netherlands has mastered the golden triangle strategy of creating a synergy between Government, Research / Educational Institutions and the Private sector Entrepreneurs for business development.

How else can you explain that a country with just a population of 17.8 million people and a geographical land space of 41,543 square kilometres being the second largest producer of food in the world? Netherlands has learnt how to get the optimal yield from their land.

Although Netherlands is the number four trading partner of Nigeria in the world and number one in Europe, I am sure you will agree with me that there is still much room for growth. There are a lot more grounds to cover especially in the area of non-oil sectors of Nigeria.

Nigeria has a land space of 923,769 square kilometres and a very youthful population with an average age of 18.5 years. I know you will agree that the potential for investment is limitless.

Welcome to this exploration and networking event. We trust that you will have a rewarding time . “The Land Is Green”.”

The expectation is  that the Business and Investment Forum will contribute to a better understanding of Nigeria’s strategic economic potential in encouraging stronger collaboration, especially in the investment and trade sector between Nigeria and the Netherlands.

Good to mention. Booming Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa. Further growth is expected in the coming years. By 2050 Nigeria will become the 3rd largest economy in the world!

The imperative for investors is the NIPC. A one-stop shop for prospective investors. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) is a specialized agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Aimed at encouraging, promoting, and coordinating all investments in Nigeria. Bank of Industries BOI, is lending to entrepreneurs at less than 9%. Women are encouraged to go into export. The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria is fondly referred to as the Governor with money.

Also featured on the program, testimonials by Shell, Invest International, Friesland Campina, CBI, and Tunga. A relaxed atmosphere resigned during the conference. The break was a fabulous networking opportunity.

Pictures are a courtesy of the Embassy of Nigeria in the Netherlands.

ICC Trial Chamber X to deliberate on the Al Hassan case

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ICC Trial Chamber X to deliberate on the Al Hassan case

The trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud has entered his final stages following closing statements that took place before Trial Chamber X of the International Criminal Court from 23 to 25 May 2023. During the closing statement hearings , the Prosecution, the Legal Representatives of Victims and the Defense presented their final arguments.

The ICC’s Trial Chamber X, composed of Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua (President Judge), Judge Tomoko Akane and Judge Kimberly Prost, will deliberate on the proceedings and, within a reasonable period, pronounce its decision on conviction or acquittal pursuant to article 74 of the Rome Statute. The Chamber bases its decision only on the applicable law and on evidence submitted and discussed before it at the trial.

Closing statements the Prosecutor v. Al Hassan’s case.

Mr Al Hassan is accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in Timbuktu (Mali). The trial in this case opened on 14-15 July 2020 . 52 oral witnesses were called by the Prosecution at this stage and 22 Defense witnesses appeared in court.

The Legal Representatives of Victims, representing 2196 victims in this case, also called two witnesses to testify. On 8 February 2023, Trial Chamber X declared the closure of the submission of evidence in this case and parties and participants were requested to file their final briefs.

ICC / Al Hassan’s case
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