Doc. 10661

9 September 2005

Election of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

Communication

from the Committee of Ministers

Letter from the Chairman of the Ministers’ Deputies to the President of the Assembly, dated 8 September 2005

TRANSLATION

Mr President,

Pursuant to Article 9 of Resolution (99) 50 on the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe and the rules adopted for drawing up a list of three candidates in conformity with that Article, the Ministers’ Deputies, at their 936th meeting (7 September 2005) adopted a decision, copies of which I enclose in English and in French, designating the three persons whose candidature has been accepted.

You will note that the names, which I formally submit with a view to the election of a Commissioner by the Parliamentary Assembly, are presented in alphabetical order.

Signed: Joaquim Duarte

Chairman of the Ministers’ Deputies

936th meeting – 7 September 2005

Item 4.5

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights –
Drawing up a list of three candidates in conformity with Article 9 of Resolution (99) 50

(CM(2005)92, 93, 110, 119, 120 and Addendum, 121, 122, 123 and 125)

Decision

The Deputies, having voted by secret ballot in accordance with the procedure adopted by the Deputies at their 677th bis meeting and confirmed at their 935th meeting, decided to transmit to the Parliamentary Assembly, in accordance with Article 9, paragraph 1, of Resolution (99) 50, the following list of three candidates, in alphabetical order:

      Mr Thomas HAMMARBERG (Sweden);

      Mr Marek Antoni NOWICKI (Poland);

      Mr Marc VERWILGHEN (Belgium).

APPENDIX 1

Appendix

Curriculum Vitae

THOMAS HAMMARBERG


Contact information

Olof Palme International Center

Box 836, SE 101 36 Stockholm, Sweden

Phone: (+468) 677 5780. Fax: (+468) 677 5771
E-mail: [email protected]

Personal data

Year and place of birth:       1942, Örnsköldsvik, Sweden

Nationality:       Swedish

Family:       Wife (Alfhild Petrén) and son (Filip)

Key professional achievements

• Presently: Secretary General of Olof Palme International Centre (on leave from a position as Ambassador and Special Adviser to the Swedish Government on Humanitarian Issues); Chair of the Board of Trustees for the UN Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation for Human Rights.

• 2003-2005: Member of the Committee on Human Security of the Helsinki Process

• 2004: Evaluated the National Action Plan for Human Rights in Sweden

• 1996-2004: Chair and co-founder of the International Council on Human Rights Policy

• 2001-2003: Regional Adviser for Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

• 1995-2003: Convenor of the Aspen Institute roundtable on Human Rights in Peace Missions

• 1999-2002: Personal Representative of the Swedish Prime Minister for the UN Special Session on Children

• 1994-2002: Swedish representative in the Refugee Working Group within the multilateral Middle East Peace Process; Special Co-ordinator for children and youth programmes

• 2001: Represented the Swedish EU Presidency in the dialogue meetings on human rights with the Chinese Government and represented Sweden at meetings within UNICEF, UNESCO, UNRWA, ILO and EU.

• 1996-2000: Served as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Human Rights in Cambodia

• 1991-1997: Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

• 1994-1996: Chair, Technical Advisory Committee, UN Study on the Impact on Children of Armed Conflict

• 1986-1992: Secretary General of Swedish Save the Children

• 1980-1986: Secretary General of Amnesty International

• 1976-79: Chair of the International Executive Committee of Amnesty International

Employment and functions

  

2002 – present

Head of the Olof Palme International Center

2000 – 2002

Regional UN Adviser for human rights in Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus

1994 – 2002

Special Adviser to the Swedish Foreign Minister on Humanitarian Issues (on leave since 1 March 2002 for the Olof Palme International Center)

1996 – 2000

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Human Rights in Cambodia

1992 – 1994

Special Adviser, Swedish International Development Agency, SIDA

1986 –1992

Secretary General, Rädda Barnen, Swedish Save the Children

1980 – 1986

Secretary General, Amnesty International (headquarters in London)

1979 – 1980

Columnist, weekly ”Vi”. Teacher

1976 – 1979

Foreign Correspondent, Swedish Broadcasting

1973 – 1976

Foreign Editor, daily ”Expressen”

Committees

• Board of Trustees for the UN Voluntary Fund for Technical Co-operation for Human Rights, member since 2000 and chair since 2003

• International Council on Human Rights Policy, chair, 1996-2004

• UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, member; 1991-96; vice chair 1993-96

• UN Study on the Impact on Children of Armed Conflict, Chair of the Advisory Committee; 1994-96

• UNICEF Innocenti Centre, Children’s Rights Advisory Council; 1992-95

• Swedish Commission on International Humanitarian Law; 1988-92

• Swedish UNICEF Committee; 1986-90

• Swedish UNESCO National Committee; 1977-80

• Swedish International Development Agency's Board for Humanitarian Aid; 1977-80, 1986-92

Conferences and missions

• UNRWA international conference 2004 on Palestinians refugees

• World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, 1993

• UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Region Consultation on the Rights of the Child, Beijing, 1992, Expert delegate

• UN Conference on Juvenile Delinquency, Beijing, 1988, Expert delegate

• UNICEF Executive Board, 1991, Swedish representative

• UN Working Group on the Draft Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1987-89, Save the Children representative

• UNESCO General Conference, 1980-86, Amnesty International representative

• UNESCO General Conference 1978-79, Swedish delegate

Books and articles

• Newspaper and magazine articles in English speaking press, including The International Herald Tribune; 1979-

• Conference papers and publications in English on the rights of the child; 1989-

• Newspaper and magazine articles in Swedish on international affairs, security, minority issues, human rights, the rights of the child and refugee policy; 1962 –

• Publications in Swedish on refugee policy, minority issues and xenophobia, roma rights, human rights, the rights of the child and foreign reporting; 1970 -

Lectures, key note speeches

• Annual OSCE Human Dimension Meeting, October 2004.

• Lecture on State Obligations for Children, Senate, Prague, February 2000

• Lecture on Education for a Culture of Peace, Semana Social, Luanda, 1999

• National Assembly, Cambodia, 1999

• Dorab Patel Lecture on Principles and Politics of Human Rights, London School of Economics; 1999

• Innocenti Lecture on the Right to Education, UNICEF Florence; 1997

• UNICEF Middle East Regional Conference on Global Education, Beirut; 1995

• International Human Rights Colloquium, Gaza Centre for Rights and Law, Gaza City; 1994

• Government conference on the Rights of the Child, Hanoi, Vietnam; 1994

• Conference on the Rights of the Child in Armed Conflict, Dialogues Foundation, Amsterdam; 1994

• Comenius lecture, Prague; 1992

• Benigno Aquino Human Rights Lecture, Yale University; 1989

• Human Rights Lecture, New Delhi; 1986

• Arab Lawyers Union Congress, Sousse; 1984

• Los Angeles Foreign Affairs Council; 1983

Education

1969, Graduated from Stockholm School of Economics

Languages

English: fluent

German and French: fair

Swedish: mother tongue

APPENDIX 2

      Warsaw, 28 April 2005

With reference to your letter of 6 April 2005 opening the election procedure for the post of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, I have tile honour to present Mr Marek Antoni Nowicki, as the candidate of the Government of the Republic of Poland, for this office.

Marek Antoni Nowicki is an eminent lawyer and an internationally recognised specialist in the field or human rights. Throughout his long, outstanding career spanning more than twenty years, from an involvement in the Polish “Solidarity" movement to the very demanding function of International Ombudsman in Kosovo, he has proved his attachment to the values of the Council of Europe. He is a person of high moral character, high intellectual capacity and vast experience in the field of Human Rights.

The detailed Curriculum Vitae of Mr Marek Antoni Nowicki is attached herewith,

Mr. Terry Davis

Secretary General of the

Council of Europe

67000 Strasbourg

Appendix

Curriculum Vitae

Marek (Antoni) Nowicki

Sex: male

Date of birth: 5 March, 1953

Place of birth: Siemiatycze, Poland

Nationality: Polish

Professional activities

July 2000- present:       International Ombudsperson in Kosovo appointed by the UN (the mandate has been renewed for the second time and will end 31 December 2005)

March 2003- present:        Member of the European Union Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights, Brussels

a) Judicial activities

1993 – 1999:        Member of the European Commission of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France

15 December 1997

- 31 October 1998:        Vice - President of the Second Chamber, European Commission of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.

b) Non - judicial legal activities

1989 – 1993:        Private practice, Advocates' Office 29, Warsaw; Poland

1982 – 1989:        Legal Advisor to different underground structures of the Polish “Solidarity” movement

1982 – 1989:        Legal Counsel to different Polish public enterprises and companies

1981 - 1982:        Legal Advisor to the National Office of the Polish

      "Farmers’ Solidarity"

1977 – 1981:        Public Prosecutor in Wysokie Mazowieckie; Łomża and Warsaw, Poland

Education, academic and other qualifications

January – June 1991:       Visiting Fellow at Harvard University Law School

      (Human Rights Program)

Since 1987:       Member of the Polish Bar

January 1977:        Judicial exam

1971 – 1975:       Law School, Warsaw University, Poland, degree: Master of Law

Activities and experience in the field of human rights

a) Positions currently held:

November 2003

- present:        President of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Warsaw, Poland

2002 – present:       Honorary Member of the Scientific Committee of the International Ombudsman Counter, Naples, Italy

1996 – present:        Member of the Advisory Council of the International Centre for the Legal Protection of Human Rights (INTERIGHTS) in London, United Kingdom

1996 – present:       Member of the Rule of Law Council of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) in Vienna, Austria

b) Positions held in the past:

1995 – 2002:        Member of the Advisory Council of the European Roma Rights Centre, Budapest, Hungary

1995-1999:        Member of the Council of the Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association (HRI IBA), London, United Kingdom

1990 – 2001:        Co-founder and Vice – President of the Helsinki Foundation of Human Rights, Warsaw, Poland

1990 – 2001:        President of the Human Rights Commission of the Polish Bar

1990 - 1993:        Expert, Human Rights Commission of the Polish Senate

1990 - 1993:        Member of the Executive Committee of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) (since July 1991: Vice - President of the IHF and from April 1992 until December 1993: Acting President of IHF)

1991 - 1993:        Human rights expert, Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)

1991 - 1995:        Secretary of the Polish UN Program on the Strengthening of the Human Rights Infrastructure

1982 – 2001:        Co- founder and member of the Helsinki Committee in Poland (1989 – 1992: spokesman of the Helsinki Committee in Poland)

c) Other international activities in the field of human rights (selected)

1999:        Council of Europe expert advising the Georgian national working group charged with the preparation of a report on "The compatibility of the Georgian legal system with the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights", Tbilisi, Georgia/ Strasbourg, France

August 1997:        Special Rapporteur to the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, responsible for preparing "Eminent Lawyers’ Reports” on the conformity of the legal system of Azerbaijan with the Council of Europe’s basic standards of human rights, the rule of law and a pluralistic parliamentary democracy (these reports were prepared together with Mr. Rudolf Bernhardt, then President of the European Court

March 1997:        Member of the jury sitting on the final round of the European René Cassin Competition on Human Rights, Strasbourg, France

January –May 1997:       Council of Europe expert advising the Russian national working group charged with the preparation of a report on "The compatibility of the Russian Federation’s legal system with the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights", Moscow, CIS/ Strasbourg, France

August 1994:        Special Rapporteur to the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, responsible for preparing "Eminent Lawyers’ Reports” on the conformity of the legal system of the Republic of Moldova with the Council of Europe’s basic standards of human rights, the rule of law and a pluralistic parliamentary democracy (these reports were prepared together with Mr. Karel Jungwiert, judge at the European Court of Human Rights)

1993:        Co - author of the draft of the "Charter of Rights and Freedoms" for the Polish Constitution

August 1992:       Head of the IHF’s human rights fact - finding mission to Albania

May 1990:       Member of the IHF’s human rights fact - finding mission to Romania

September 1989:       Member of the IHF’s fact - finding mission to Bulgaria on the situation of the Turkish minority there

d) Human rights conferences and public lectures (selected)

May 2002:       Presentation on “The role of an Ombudsman in extreme situations” at the European Ombudsmen Conference on “Ombudsmen at the outset of the 21st Century” in Krakow, Poland

April 2002:        Presentation on “The Ombudsman and the protection of human rights in a crisis” at the European Ombudsmen Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania

April 1998:        Paper presented on “The Right to Legal Assistance in Criminal Proceedings” at a meeting of experts on legal aid to indigent Criminal defendants (Project on Access to Justice in Central and Eastern Europe), organised by the Public Interest Law Initiative of Columbia University, New York, USA, together with INTERIGHTS, London, United Kingdom and the European Roma Rights Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom

February 1998:        Paper presented on “The right to legal assistance in criminal proceedings” at the Turkish National Conference of the Judiciary organised by the Turkish Ministry of Justice in Istanbul, Turkey

May 1997:        Presentation on "The media in the criminal proceedings" at the Conference of the Criminal Bars of Europe on "Human rights and the criminal process: is the right of the accused to a fair trial being eroded?" in Strasbourg, France

April 1997:        Co – chair at the session on "Access to the Strasbourg instances and the right to an individual complaint” (Accés aux instances de Strasbourg et droit de requéte individuelle) of the European Sections of the International Commission of Jurists Congress, Strasbourg, France

April 1997:        Paper presented on "Art.10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and other international standards concerning minorities and the media" at international seminar on " Minorities and media", organised by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Hungarian Office for National and Ethnic Minorities, Budapest, Hungary

October 1996:        Report on "The European Convention on Human Rights as an instrument for the protection of refugees and asylum - seekers", presented at a hearing of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Paris, France

September/

October 1996:        Paper presented on "The concept of reasonable delay in the case law of the bodies of the European Convention on Human Rights. Remedies available in domestic law and their effectiveness with regard to the European Convention on Human Rights - comparative approach" at a multilateral meeting on "Delays in civil and criminal proceedings and ways of counteracting them", organised by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice of Poland, Warsaw, Poland

March 1996:        Presentation on "Fair trial (civil proceedings). Observations on the recent case law of the European Commission on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights (Procés équitable (aspect civil). Quelques observations sur la jurisprudence récente de la Commission et la Cour européenne des droits de l'Homme") at the Pole European University of Montpellier and Languedoc – Roussillon, Scientific Journal:" Les droits de l'homme",

May 1995:        Paper on "The European Convention on Human Rights in Central Europe" at the seminar on "Human Rights in the Emerging European Order" in Nicosia, Cyprus

October 1994:        Member of the Committee of Recommendation and chairman of the discussion group at the international symposium on "Europe against Discrimination; Vigilant for Democracy and Freedom" organised under the auspices of Catherine Lalumiére, Secretary- General of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France

November 1992:        Expert at an International Meeting on “The impunity of perpetrators of serious human rights violations”, organised by the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights and the Commission of International Jurists (Rencontres Internationales sur " L'impunité des auteurs de violations graves des droits de l'homme", organisées par la Commission nationale consultative des droits de l'homme et la Commission Internationale de Juristes at the United Nations Palais, Geneva, Switzerland

May 1991:        Paper presented on "The public interest activity of lawyers – the Polish experience” at the International Public Interest Law Symposium of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) Legal Defence and Educational Fund on "Public interest law around the world" at Columbia University Law School, New York, USA,

April 1991:        Public lecture on "The Helsinki process and the human rights movement in Eastern Europe" at Harvard University Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

January 1991:       Paper presented on "Lessons that can be learned by the Chinese from the human rights movement in the recent transition in Eastern Europe" at the International Conference on Human Rights in China, Organised by Human Rights in China and China Watch at Columbia University, New York, USA

November 1990:        Paper presented on "The development of the human rights movement and the multiparty State in Central and Eastern Europe" at the Third Sintra Human Rights Conference in Sintra, Portugal

Participation in the parallel programmes of NGOs during CSCE meetings in Helsinki (1992), Moscow (1991), Copenhagen (1990) and Paris (1989).

Other activities

1990 - present:        Member of the Program Council of the Information Centre of the Council of Europe, Warsaw, Poland

1990 – present:       Member of the Editorial Committee of the Polish Bar Association’s journal " Palestra"

1995 - 1998:       Member of the National Council of the Polish Bar

1989:        Member of the Administration of Justice Commission of Lech Walesa's Citizens Committee, Poland

August 1988:        Legal advisor to the Silesia Strike Committee of the “Solidarity” movement in Jastrzebie, Silesia, Poland

Publications and other work

Twenty- eight books (in Polish) and two in Albanian, as well as approximately 700 articles on human rights published mainly in Polish, but also in English and French.

a) Books in Polish (selected)

2001/2002:        European Court of Human Rights Case – law, Vol. I. The Right to a Fair Trial, Zakamycze, Cracow, pp. 903. Vol. II. The Right to Life and Other Rights, Zakamycze, Krakow, pp. 1500

2001:        Dictionary of the European Convention on Human Rights (English – French – Polish), Zakamycze, Krakow, pp. 318; Second edition: 2004

2001:        The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Zakamycze, Krakow, pp. 113; Second edition: 2003

2000:        On the European Convention (A short commentary to the ECHR), Zakamycze, Krakow, pp.512; Second edition: 2002, pp. 524; Albanian edition: 2003

1998:        Strasbourg case law. Digest, C.H.Beck, Warsaw pp.700; Second edition: 1999; pp.748

1996:        Milestones. Case law of the European Court of Human Rights, Centre of Information and Documentation of the Council of Europe, Warsaw, pp.479; Second edition: 1997; Albanian editions: 1998 and 1999

b) Articles in English or French (selected)

2002:        “Poland”, in : Fundamental Rights in Europe. The ECHR and its member states, 1950 – 2000, ed. by R. Blackburn & J. Polakiewicz (with A. Drzemczewski), pp. 657-680 20

2001:        “The ECHR in Poland : 10 Years After”, in : Kosovo Law Review, Vol. VI, No.1, pp.13-2320

2000:        "Les effets de la CEDH en Pologne: Un bilan quatre ans aprés", in: Studies in honour of Mr Rolv Ryssdal (with A. Drzemczewski), pp. 415-440;

2000:        “Ratification of the European Convention of Human Rights: Important, but. .... “,  in : Law in Greater Europe, ed. by B. Haller et al., 2000 Kluwer Law International, pp.171-17719

1999:        “Prevention and Remedy: New Standards for Domestic Protection of Rights”, Interights Bulletin 1990/1999, Vol.12, pp.175-180 19

1998:        “Non – Governmental Organisations (NGOs) before the European Commission of Human Rights, in: “The Birth of European Human Rights Law”, Liber Amicorum Carl Aage Norgaard, ed. by Michele de Salvia / Mark E. Villiger, Nomos Verlag, Baden – Baden, pp. 267-27419

1998:        “Les lenteurs des procédures civiles et pénales et la manière de les combattre“, Bulletin des droits de l’Homme, L’institut luxembourgeois des droits de l’Homme, Numéro 8, Décembre 199819

1998:        “The Right to Legal Assistance in Criminal Proceedings”, Columbia University, The Parker School Journal of East European Law, Vol. 5 No. 1-2, pp.57-8119

1998:        « Freedom of expression. Art.10 of the European Convention on Human Rights », Bulletin des droits de l’Homme, L’ institut luxembourgeois des droits de l’Homme, Numéro 7, Janvier 1998 1

1996:        “The Impact of the ECHR in Poland: A Stock - taking after Three Years", European Human Rights Law Review, Issue 3, pp.261- 280, (with A. Drzemczewski)19

1996:        “NGOs before the European Commission and the Court of Human Rights", Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights, Volume 14, No.3, pp.289-30219

1982 – 1992:       co - author of all 15 reports of the Helsinki Committee in Poland, including “Poland under Martial Law", Human Rights Watch, New York, 1983

Languages

Polish:       mother tongue

English:        reading skills – very good, writing skills – very good,

      oral skills – very good

French:        reading skills – very good, writing skills – good,

      oral skills – very good

Russian:        reading skills: very good, writing skills – good,

      oral skills – good

Serbian:        reading skills: good, writing skills – basic, oral skills – good

Other Slavic languages:       fair understanding

Other relevant information

Awards:

1984:        Award of the Polcul Foundation (Australia) for an exceptional contribution towards the development of the independent Polish culture

1992:        Award of the Krzyzanowski Foundation (USA.) for the promotion of human rights

1995:        Polish Bar Association medal "The Bar to the Meritorious"

Postal address (till 31 December 2005):

Ombudsperson Institution in Kosovo

Agim Ramadani str., n.n.

Pristina, Kosovo

Contact during office hours:

fax number: 00 381 38 545 302

e-mail address: [email protected]

APPENDIX 3

TRANSLATION

Kingdom of Belgium       The Minister for Foreign Affairs

Subject: Election of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

Dear Secretary General,

With reference to your letter of 6 April 2005 and to Resolution (99) 50 on the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 7 May 1999, I have the honour of addressing to you a detailed curriculum vitae in French and structured in accordance with the prescribed model, of Mr Marc VERWILGHEN, a Minister in Belgium’s federal government.

Pending confirmation that you have received this candidature and curriculum vitae, as well as information about the subsequent procedure, I remain,

Yours faithfully,

Signed:

Karel DE GUCHT

Appendix

Curriculum Vitae

I.       Personal details:

VERWILGHEN Marc, Ernest, Elisabeth, Robert, Juliette

Sex: male

Born in Dendermonde, Belgium, on 21 September 1952

Nationality: Belgian

II.       Education, academic and other qualifications

Greek/Latin studies at the Koninglijk Atheneum, Dendermonde

Initial law diploma (candidature en droit) at the Vrije Universiteit, Brussels, 1972 (distinction)

Honorary doctorate from the University of Ghent, 1999

Honorary professorship at the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo, 2001

III.       Professional experience

Member of the Dendermonde Bar since 1975 and joined the Bruges Bar in 2005

IV.       Human rights-related activities and experience

As a lawyer: a career spanning 25 years, specialising in criminal law and detention on remand

As an MP: eight years in opposition, including membership (as secretary) of the parliamentary commission of inquiry into the trafficking of human beings, four years chairing the justice committee and two years chairing the parliamentary commission of inquiry into child murders and disappearances

As Minister for Justice: four years in office, a term including several bills and laws on human rights-related matters

As Minister for Development Co-operation, with a policy focused on respect for human rights

As Minister for Economic Affairs and Foreign Trade, with a policy focused on respect for human rights

As a member of the special parliamentary committee on the criminal liability of ministers and the prosecutions committee

V.       Public activities:

MP from 24.11.91 to 12.04.95 and again from 21.05.95 to 05.05.99

Echevin in the municipality of Dendermonde from 01.01.95 to 12.07.99

Directly elected Senator since 13.06.99

Member of the parliamentary commission of inquiry into the trafficking of human beings

Chair of the commission of inquiry into the Dutroux/Nihoul case and of the commission of inquiry into child murders and disappearances (1996-1998)

Negotiator on the "Octopus" agreement and the law on an integrated police force (07.12.98)

Minister for Justice from 12 July 1999 to 12 July 2003

Honorary doctorate from the University of Ghent, 1999

Honorary professorship at the Facultad de Ciencias Juridicas, Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo, 2001

Director of the Bruges-Zeebrugge port authority since 28 April 2003

Minister for Development Co-operation from 12 July 2003 to 18 July 2004

Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy, Foreign Trade and Scientific Policy since 19 July 2004

VI.       Involvement in other activities:

16.01.01       One-day seminar at the Senate, Brussels, on the operation of the 1980 Hague Convention

26.01.01       European Union/United States conference on organised crime, Ghent

06.03.01       National Assembly, Paris, hearing on the Convention on Cybercrime

13.09.01       2nd European consultation on the International Criminal Court, Strasbourg, Council of Europe

10.10.01       Club of Berne: “Naar een Europese staatsveiligheid”, Bruges

15.11.01       Bufalaw 2001: “The Fight against the Illegal Use of Growth Promoters
in Europe”, Brussels

19.11.01       Presentation of the UNICEF report "What do you think?", Brussels

29.11.01       4th “Eurojustice” conference, Egmont Palace, Brussels

12.12.01       2001 annual debate on the European Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, European Parliament, Strasbourg

17.12.01       Second World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, Yokohama

06.03.02       Evaluation of the Belgian Presidency, Egmont Palace, Brussels

28.03.02       "Some considerations about the forensic aspects on combating child pornography on the Internet", Stockholm

05.04.02       Europe and terrorism: review of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union, Montreal

04.05.02       General Assembly of the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children, European Parliament, Brussels

06.09.02       Visit to Egmont Palace, Brussels, by US Attorney General, John Ashcroft, "Justice en Mouvement" conference

19.09.02       IOM-European Parliament conference, Brussels

04.10.02       "Combating human trafficking" conference, Athens, "Belgian strategy for tackling the trafficking of human beings from a European perspective"

24.10.02       Monaco World Summit - Address to the plenary session: "Governments in the face of the power of organised crime in the economic and financial fields: thoughts of a Minister for Justice"

20.01.03       European Parliament, Committee on Citizens’ Freedoms and Rights: "Setting up of a European network of national contact points for restorative justice"

Official journeys made while Minister for Development Co-operation:

Morocco, Niger, South Africa, Benin, Peru, Tanzania and Vietnam

Official journeys made while Minister for Foreign Trade:

Tunisia, China, India, Japan and St Petersburg

VII.       Publications and other writings:

Security plan (Justice)

Bâtir des passerelles (Building bridges)

Children's rights and development co-operation

The gender issue and co-operation

Has drafted some 30 bills, many subsequently adopted, on subjects including criminal protection of minors, the federal prosecution service, special policing techniques, witness protection, European arrest warrants, the fight against terrorism and accelerated procedure.

VIII.       Languages

a. Mother tongue:        Dutch

b. Official languages:       French (virtually mother tongue standard following bilingual education)

c. German:        (basic speaking, reading and writing knowledge)

d. Spanish:       (rudimentary).

IX.       Other relevant information:

Placed on the eight-strong shortlist of candidates for the post of UN High Commissioner for Refugees, for which the profile was similar to that for this office (see appendices 1, 2 and 3)

Letter from the NGO 11.11.11 (see appendix 4)

Annex 1 to the Curriculum Vitae

Annex 2 to the Curriculum Vitae

Annex 3 to the Curriculum Vitae

Annex 4 to the Curriculum Vitae