Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Still from from the 2011 documentary film La Toma (The Siege) For more information, contact:202-994-7000 or nsarchiv@gwu.edu The Palace of Justice building on fire during the night of November 6-7 Helena Urán’s book, Mi vida y el Palacio: 6 y 7 de noviembre de 1985 documents obtained by the National Security Archive Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that he has asked the United States to expedite the declassification of archival records on the 1985 Palace of Justice case The request is an important step forward for human rights advocates seeking to clarify the motivations and actions of the M-19 insurgents who stormed the building on November 6 and the Colombian government’s responsibility for those who died in the fire that tore through the seat of Colombia’s judicial branch and for the disappearances that occurred in the aftermath He pedido desclasificar los archivos secretos de los EEUU para el año 1985. Espero que EEUU ayude a la verdad. https://t.co/q5kRdiW3M1 — Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) December 6, 2024 The request was welcomed by Helena Urán Bidegain author of Mi Vida y El Palacio (My Life and the Palace) a memoir of her own investigation of the disappearance of her father an auxiliary magistrate who is believed to have been tortured and murdered by the Colombian Army after surviving the initial assault on the building The latest edition of the book includes cites a number of declassified documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the National Security Archive that raise important questions about the U.S role in the episode that remain unanswered In seeking the records, Petro is complying in part with a recommendation made by Colombia’s truth commission, which said that the president should ask the U.S. to declassify records relating to human rights violations in Colombia, including the Palace of Justice case, among others. President Petro’s request to President Biden is also made in compliance with the 2014 ruling of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights which found the Colombian state responsible for deaths and disappearances during the episode and ordered Colombia to satisfy the victims’ right to know the truth about what happened (the “Right to Truth”) The case is of particular interest to President Petro who was a member of the M-19 insurgent group that seized the Palace on November 6 but was detained at the time and was not involved in the takeover of the building The request for declassification comes less than two months before President Joe Biden leaves the White House and turns the office over to Donald Trump The Palace of Justice case has long been a focus of the Archive’s Colombia documentation project. Last year, as part of a call by Urán and others for Petro to request such a declassification, the Archive published a collection of U.S. records on the case highlighting some important revelations and raising questions about documents and portions of documents that remain secret military reports included in the posting confirm that Colombian military intelligence knew about the M-19 assault at least a week in advance and that Colombian President Belisario Betancur “gave the military a green light telling them to do whatever was necessary to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.” The CIA ultimately found that Betancur acted mainly out of “fear that failure to act forcefully would anger military leaders.” A U.S Embassy cable written years later found that the Colombian Army was responsible for deaths and disappearances during the Palace of Justice case Other documents raise more questions than they answer Southern Command dispatched a C-130 aircraft and a six-person “support team” carrying high-powered C4 explosives and detonating cord to Bogotá during the crisis raising questions as to whether these were used just a few hours later to blow open a large metal door on the third floor of the building—an explosion that was determined to have caused many civilian casualties also pondered a Colombian request for “asbestos suits” so that security forces could continue “pressing their efforts” inside the “fire gutted building,” but redactions in these records make it hard to tell what became of these requests has also failed to declassify any contemporaneous records about the people who were disappeared in the wake of the assault and whose surviving family members have waited years to learn the truth about what happened to their loved ones Also of interest are the still-hidden lessons that the U.S drew from the outcome of the Palace of Justice episode especially as a means of understanding the fragile state of civil-military relations in Colombia at the time Embassy said that the Colombian military was anticipating “the swing of political opinion towards more forceful tactics against insurgents” and that they would have “a free hand” against the guerrilla groups when Betancur left office the next year declassification on the Palace of Justice case is an important step in Colombia’s long-overdue reckoning with one of the most searing episodes in its history,” said Michael Evans director of the Archive’s Colombia documentation project “President Biden should seize this opportunity to use declassified diplomacy to help shed light on one of the country’s most important and most debated human rights tragedies.” “After Black November”: The U.S. and the 1985 Palace of Justice TragedySep 19 “Godfather” of Colombian Army Intelligence Acquitted in Palace of Justice CaseDec 16 Landmark Conviction in Colombia's Palace of Justice CaseJun 11 Truth Commission Blames Colombian State for Palace of Justice TragedyDec 17 State Department Cable says Colombian Army Responsible for Palace of Justice Deaths, DisappearancesOct 28 Una mirada a los secretos del Estado, una columna de Helena Urán Bidegain para CAMBIOCambioDec 5 Estados Unidos dio explosivos y partipó en la retoma del Palacio de Justicia. Parte 1RTVC NoticiasSep 16 Estados Unidos intervino en la retoma del Palacio de JusticiaParte 2RTVC NoticiasSep 16 RTVC noticias tiene pruebas de posibles nexos de Estados Unidos con la retoma del Palacio de JusticiaRTVC NoticiasNov 7 La JEP le pide a EE.UU. revelar la verdad sobre el Palacio de JusticiaRTVC NoticiasNov 17 Especiales RTVC Noticias: la toma del Palacio de Justicia en 1985RTVC NoticiasDec 15 En RTVC Noticias conocimos carpetas con miles de foliosRTVC NoticiasDec 15 Conocimos documentos que serían prueba de la participación de Estados Unidos en la retomaRTVC NoticiasDec 15 Las investigaciones alrededor de la toma del Palacio de Justicia en 1985RTVC NoticiasDec 15 Gelman LibraryThe George Washington University2130 H Street Phone: 202/994-7000Fax: 202/994-7005Contact by email     ​ support our work - donate The National Security Archive is committed to digital accessibility. If you experience a barrier that affects your ability to access content on this page, let us know via our Contact form Contents of this website (c) The National Security Archive 1985-2025For educational or noncommercial use contact the Archive using the form above for permission appeared before Monaco’s magistrates on 7 January 2025 The events date back to the night of 9 July 2024 she was stopped while driving her Volkswagen with a puncture The police soon noticed clear signs of drunkenness she was taken to the Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG) where a blood test revealed a blood alcohol level of 2.44 grammes per litre the legal limit for drivers is 0.5g of alcohol per litre of blood “Incredibly severe intoxication” In an effort to understand the defendant’s reasons he asked: “Why did you get back behind the wheel in such a state?” The young woman explained: “I had promised my friend I would take her home.” She said that she was also carrying some of her friend’s belongings The friend’s home is in the Moneghetti district Ukrainian forgets to declare €35,000 in cash, buys Rolex The presiding magistrate was however sceptical about these explanations pointing out how illogical it was to use a vehicle for a journey that was absolutely possible on foot He added in a firm tone: “You are a danger to the public The public prosecutor stated: “Fortunately no serious harm was done,”  and requested a driving ban in the Principality and a fine of between 500 and 1,000 euros She was handed a one-month suspended prison sentence fined 500 euros and banned from driving in the Principality for a year Monaco cracks down on speeding and drink-driving MonacoTribune straight to your inbox? It's free! indispensable guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington follow the latest on tariffs and executive orders Stay on top of the latest events in US politics with the FT’s trusted and impartial coverage Insight and analysis on US politics from commentators such as Ed Luce and James Politi This subscription does not include access to ft.com or the FT App The giant of Brussels opened its doors to us for a visit.. The never-ending restoration work is enough to make the people of Brussels laugh Few of us can remember a time when the Palais de Justice wasn’t covered in scaffolding the Brussels colossus has been slowly reopening its doors to the more curious for guided tours organized by Arkadia and Korei Guided Tours allow visitors to discover the history and architecture of this emblematic monument notably the restoration of the main facade which should be completed by the end of 2025 We tell you all about our visit to the Palais de Justice “Grandeur” is perhaps the word that best describes the Palais de Justice in Brussels Visible from many of the city’s vantage points the world’s largest Palais de Justice (26,000 square meters on the ground It’s impossible to visit each of the 27 courtrooms that make up the palace is enough to get a good idea of the building’s scale Our guide takes us to three different courtrooms reveal many details of the country’s history the building’s great central hall and nerve centre so much so that you’d be afraid of getting lost in it In the dimly lit December we’re visiting the few rays of sunlight streaming through its high windows almost give us the impression of disconnecting from the world… Once outside, we take time to admire the great columns and impressive statues that populate its covered forecourt of Greco-Roman splendor, which opens onto the pretty Place Poelaert (one of its architects, along with Albert Storrer). Its seemingly sky-high entrance door is suddenly less imposing than expected: after all, it’s the right size for this stone colossus. ​CategoriesCategoriesEnglishGENERAL, JUSTICERestoration of Brussels' Justice Palace facade reaches milestone7 November 2024 Restorers at the Justice Palace in Brussels have removed the scaffolding from the top of the right-hand side of the courthouse After 40 years with scaffolding around the courthouse the first phase of the facade restoration is now half complete About 1,500 square metres of the 10,000 square metres of scaffolding currently around the building have been removed in recent weeks completing the restoration of the right projecting part of the facade above the assizes room The restoration was particularly challenging because this section contains many sculptures and mouldings The restorers also had to stabilise the pediment Stones from the original quarries in the Burgundy region of France were used to preserve the original appearance The aim was to replace as little stone as possible A first section of scaffolding was removed in May on the upper central part of the facade and the statue of Minerva the scaffolding will be gradually removed from other parts of the right side of the building The first phase of the restoration of the facade which covers an area of about five football pitches is now half complete at a cost of 31.7 million euros It is due to be completed by the end of 2025 which will restore the facades of the base under the dome the Brussels secretary of state in charge of the Buildings Agency said it was "unacceptable" that the building had been scaffolded for 40 years this site is a symbol of a country that finally respects its heritage," he said on Thursday The restoration should be finished by 2030 when Belgium celebrates its 200th anniversary as an independent nation Copy linkGet updates in your mailboxYour email addressSubscribeBy clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy rapid and high-quality information 24 hours a day from Belgium and abroad to all Belgian media not to mention entertainment and lifestyle our journalists and press photographers produce hundreds of photos and news stories Since the end of March 2022 English has been added as a language businesses and various organisations that need reliable information Belga News Agency also offers a comprehensive range of corporate services to meet all their communication needs www.belganewsagency.eu A 38-year-old Ukrainian man appeared before the Monaco courts on 7 January 2025 for failing to declare funds in cash on arrival in Monaco was tried for offences dating back to 22 May 2024 the authorities discovered that he was carrying almost €35,000 euros in undeclared cash The ceiling for cash payments in Monaco is set at €30,000 but anyone entering or leaving the Principality with €10,000 euros or more in cash may be subject to checks police enquiries and precautionary seizures if there is any suspicion regarding the source of the funds The man was arrested and taken to the Police Department where he refused to speak and asked for his lawyer to be present He later explained that he had come to the Riviera with an initial sum of €100,000 which a friend had allegedly lent him in March 2024 to start a business the defendant claimed he acted in good faith stating that he was unaware carrying the money was illegal “I apologise,” he said with the help of his interpreter The head magistrate was sceptical and queried the logic of buying a watch as part of his business plans: “Why would you buy a Rolex if you intended to start a company?” he asked image is important,” but also that he thought he was making “a good investment,” and that he could sell it later The prosecutor pointed out the inconsistencies in these explanations  “This man explains being in possession of nearly €100,000 by the fact he was going to start a company It’s hard to see the link between buying a watch and setting up a business,” he said calling for fines and confiscation of the undeclared sums “He freely told the authorities that he had over €35,000 in his possession If he hasn’t set up his own business it’s because of administrative complications He decided to take part of the money to buy a watch He chose to invest in a tangible asset that could later be sold on.” has not yet repaid the money lent by his friend and says he still wants to set up his company The lawyer also explained that his client has every intention of putting his situation in order and complying with Monegasque legislation: “He had no intention of committing a crime,”  he added the court found the man guilty and fined him €4,500 Yet it's here that the chancellors and later the gardes des Sceaux have lived and worked for the past 250 years Hardened eyes will find the symbols of justice hidden everywhere the passive weapon of strength and victory; the scepter the instrument of mastery; and the serpent you can step back in time through the various salons of the private mansion and into the Royal Library the office of the Keeper of the Seals and Minister of Justice Another magnificent decorative element is a Gobelins tapestry after Raphael le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles Refer your establishment, click herePromote your event, click here Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker This important part of the judicial system is located on theIle de la Cité, in the Palais de Justice in Paris: the Paris Court of Appeal is opening its doors to visitors and the curious on the occasion of the new edition of the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) come and discover it thanks to guided tours organized all afternoon within the building The role of the Court of Appeal (not to be confused with the Paris Administrative Court of Appeal which also takes part in the JEP) is to re-examine a first-instance judgment and to validate or modify the legal decision The Paris Court of Appeal covers the departments of Paris This site, located in the heart of the capital, can therefore be visited exceptionally during the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days). Each year, this event offers us the opportunity to discover little-known places or those closed to the public backstage areas of department stores or theaters the various sites are organizing special events and tours Find out what's in store at the Paris Court of Appeal Are you interested in the world of justice Discover the other institutions opening their doors to the public during the Journées du Patrimoine in Paris and the Île-de-France region Heritage Days 2024 in Paris' courts and judicial institutionsFascinated by the judicial world? Spend these 41st Heritage Days in the courts and judicial institutions of Paris and the Île-de-France region, on September 21 and 22, 2024. [Read more] Residents in north-west Paris are being urged to remain cautious over inhaling smoke after a major blaze at a recycling centre in the city which started at a waste processing centre in the 17th arrondissement – close to the Palais de Justice – began around 20:00 last night (April 7).  Flames quickly spread throughout the facility with a strong plume of smoke rising in the area and spreading across the city’s sky due to fairly strong evening winds however around 200 firefighters remain at the scene to ensure the flames do not start again and there is no structural damage to nearby buildings Firefighters say the flames have not touched any neighbouring buildings so this is unlikely “We used 45 fire engines and 180 military personnel and we had eight active hoses,” said Parisian police prefecture Laurent Nuñez.  🚨🔥 Un #incendie s'est déclaré dans le 17e arrondissement de Paris. D'épaisses fumées se dégagent d'un centre de tri sélectif. #JT20h pic.twitter.com/khnU6oz6Ij “The fire probably started in an area where newspapers and papers were stored,” said mayor of the 17th arrondissement Geoffroy Boulard to French media outlet BFMTV.  “This morning, there are still major nuisances in the neighbourhood,” he added.  The Police prefecture initially closed traffic to the area and recommended those nearby to keep their windows closed to prevent inhalation of toxic fumes.  However, subsequent air measurement readings from AirParif, the capital’s pollution watchdog, have shown that air quality in the city has not been affected and that air samples had toxicity readings below the maximum levels.  That said, people are still being urged to be cautious, and anyone who has difficulty breathing – particularly between Avenue de Clichy, Rue de Saussure and Rue Cardinet – should call 18 if they have breathing difficulties. The processing centre belonged to Syctom, which provides recycling services to several communes in and around the capital. It has five such centres in the Paris area, catering to around 900,000 residents. “Fire outbreaks [of this kind] are very frequent,” in the recycling centres, said president of the company Corentin Duprey.  “We have hundreds of these incidents every year,” he added. The prefectural ban is set to remain in place until at least December 31 There are new boxes in the address and personal details page of the 2025 online declaration (for 2024 income) The geographical spread of Canadian nationals follows a similar pattern to Americans Text description provided by the architects. Traditionally large and thick as if to express force and power, the walls of the Courthouse in Pointe-à-Pitre evoke openness and transparency the building challenges the ice-cold popular image of courts with an apparent warmth and a liberation from the authoritarian codes of judicial architecture © Luc Boegly«Open to the city, displaying the transparency of its function, embodied by three courtrooms that can be seen from the street, the Courthouse reveals itself to the gaze, without being fully naked. The modesty of the judiciary, associated with its statutory restraint, obliges it to respect more intimate surroundings and to set aside curiosity. » or bodywork fade quickly due to both the aggressive ultraviolet light and the saline air Aluminium with an anodised finish was chosen above all for its unalterable chemical nature combined with the necessary precision of a prefabricated modular implementation You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email On November 6, 1985, the  Ivan Marino Ospina commando of the M-19 guerilla group lay siege to Colombia’s Palace of Justice seat of the country’s Supreme Court,  which stands in the heart of the capital city of Bogota Although the military already had received intelligence reports since August indicating that the M-19 would take the Palace security staff provided by the National Police were withdrawn two days before the attack was launched without any prior notice the high command of the Armed Forces of Colombia decided to take back the palace through a 27-hours long counter-siege During the course of the military operative 4 were tortured and an auxiliary judge was also forcibly disappeared and extrajudicially executed by members of the armed forces over 90 people died once the counter-siege military operation had concluded the families of the victims  filed their first complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) Colectivo de Abogados “José Alvear Restrepo” (CCAJAR) and Comisión Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz (CIJP) began representing the families of the missing After nearly 25 years within the Inter-American System the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (I-A Court)in 2014 found the Colombian State responsible for serious human rights violations citing the use of disproportionate force by the country’s armed forces The events that took place during and after the siege and counter-siege of the Palace of Justice were milestones for the country’s history representative of  Colombia’s context of impunity lack of effective implementation of the right to truth and breach of the State’s responsibility to identify all the victims who disappeared and died the whereabouts of 11 of the 12 missing victims is unknown there are only two active convictions for for enforced disappearances Jesus Armando Arias Cabrales,who was held responsible for the disappearance of 5 of the 12 victims and is currently serving a 35 year prison sentece The second is against the Colonel (r) Luis Alfonso Plazas Vega for the disappearance of Irma Franco and Carlos Rodriguez Vera there is an appeal which will be discussed shortly the Inter-American Court’s ruling has catalysed the re-opening of investigations into these and has prompted additional trials of  military officials involved in the counter-siege Help us continue this critical and urgent work with a donation This site is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution - Non-Commercial - No Derivative Works 3.0 Unsupported | Privacy Policy has been a prisoner of its own scaffolding for nearly 40 years Renovations started on the 19th-century law courts in 1984 Belgium's monumental "symbol of justice" is plagued by mold holes in the ceiling and decrepit foundations Now the palace is set for major new renovations with the government pledging to bring down the huge building's metal cage of scaffolding by 2030 What impact has Brexit had on UK cheese? Europe's vaccine rift explained Video: Driver escapes dramatic rally crash Brussels' Palais de Justice has been a prisoner of its own scaffolding since 1984 "The water leaks in the roof causes rubble to fall down – people have sometimes been injured," says Jean de Codt the supreme court of the Belgian judiciary but there is quite some discomfort," he adds "There are courtrooms and offices that look more like slums than rooms where justice is delivered." chief clerk at the French-speaking court of first instance several of the palace's corridors are at risk of collapse.  WATCH: France's Louvre renovates while forced to close amid pandemic the ground is falling away and therefore there is no guarantee it's stable," she says Minnen also points to the mould developing in the never-ending warren of corridors.  "It means that some of the exhibits that are stored here might not be transported or properly destroyed because they are contaminated by fungus," she adds "This is a concern in relation to the holding of trials and for the proper conduct of hearings." Brussels' Palais de Justice was once the largest building in the world The palace's interior isn't the only issue Standing at 160 by 150 meters and covering a total ground surface area of 26,000 square meters the building – and its scaffolding – can be seen from most of the Belgian capital a constant reminder of negligence towards the courts.  "Justice delayed is justice denied." And according to Mathieu Michel Belgium's secretary of state for building renovation the symbol of a justice which must function and which honestly cannot remain in this state The first thing the government plans to do is reinforce the scaffolding to be able to carry out the work that was planned but never completed in 1984 – which for now The government has pledged to finish the renovations and bring down the building's metal cage of scaffolding by 2030 "You can imagine that if they were planned in 1984 they are all the more indispensable today," says Michel it's a welcome promise for those that work in the palace.   "It's a little bit like if Band-Aids had been put on the Mona Lisa," says Jean de Codt of the long-term metal bars that decorate the building "It is an extraordinary work of art that is disfigured "It's important that this scaffolding is taken down so that the Palais can once again play its role as a book of stone." But with the stark symbol of yesteryear's promises still very much in the public eye some would be forgiven for not holding their breath over the renovation targets this time round – 2030 is a long way off.  KAAN Architecten is a Dutch architectural firm based in Rotterdam with over 30 years of experience in a wide range of scales and typologies Vincent Panhuysen and Dikkie Scipio founded KAAN Architecten in 2014 Through a collaborative and analytical design approach and the Dutch building traditions of sustainability and welfare This is further refined by merging practical and academic expertise which supports their response to the increasingly challenging complexities and contradictions of the built environment the firm comprises an international team of architects KAAN Architecten believes that cross-pollination between projects and disciplines fosters the essential critical discourse within the firm KAAN Architecten has engaged in a diverse array of projects within both the public and private sectors project teams have evolved to become progressively multidisciplinary and dynamic Their unwavering focus is on fostering a culture of continual evolution recognising this paramount approach in a profession that undergoes rapid transformation At the heart of KAAN Architecten’s philosophy is the belief that all projects acquire distinctive character through an architecturally curated layered dialogue involving all stakeholders This approach extends to developing enduring relationships with clients each project becomes an opportunity for meaningful engagement achieving architectural solutions that resonate with the diverse voices and perspectives involved Kees Kaan was the founding partner of Claus en Kaan Architecten Kaan graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at TU Delft in 1987 Since 2006 he has been a professor of Architectural Design at TU Delft and initiator of the Complex Projects Chair The Chair's research focuses on large-scale projects that characterise this era of rapid global urbanisation In 2019 Kaan was appointed Chairman of the Architecture Department he has been a Principal Investigator at the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS) since 2016 Kees Kaan is a lecturer and member of various juries and boards in the Netherlands and abroad Numerous books and exhibitions have been dedicated to his body of work Kees Kaan was officially inducted as a member of the Académie d'Architecture · Vincent Panhuysen brings expertise and vision to each project he undertakes His impact on the architectural landscape is profound with a diverse portfolio encompassing court buildings Panhuysen's approach to design is marked by a deep commitment to the entire process his architectural ethos transcends passing trends emphasising a timeless elegance rooted in relaxed functionalism Central to his design philosophy is a dedication to creating spaces that prioritise spaciousness and clear organisation hallmarks evident in the work of KAAN Architecten His role as a visiting professor at Delft University of Technology further underscores his commitment to shaping the future of architecture through education and mentorship For his special and careful guidance in the renovation of the Provinciehuis of North-Brabant Vincent Panhuysen was awarded the "Commissarispenning" a medal of merit from the Commissioner of the King Wim van de Donk · Dikkie Scipio has been trained in various disciplines She holds a master’s degree in applied arts and interior design from the Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague and afterwards qualified as an architect at the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture she owned a gallery in Amsterdam and a design studio in Utrecht ranging from large-scale master plans in urbanism and architecture to furniture and interior design She is an expert in managing complex projects and processes with a particular focus on museums and heritage renovation As a spokeswoman for integrated art and craftsmanship in architecture her views have been featured in many publications and documentaries she has been a professor at the Münster University of Applied Sciences where she holds a chair in Architectural Design In 2023 Dikkie Scipio was recognised as Woman Architect of the Year by the Prix des Femmes Architectes Archive Competitions your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt a seven hundred thousand cubic meter stone palace erected at the height of the country’s prosperity in the 19th century a state of affairs that some see as a symbol of Belgium’s dysfunction and disintegration Considered to be the eighth wonder of the world by its architect Joseph Poeleart the Belgian Palace of Justice was completed in 1883 after almost twenty years of difficult and expensive construction it is still in use as Belgian’s highest courthouse and hears court cases on a daily basis Erected on the Galgenberg (Dutch for Gallows Hill) where hundreds were hanged for crimes in the Middle Ages the Palace of Justice towers over all the city it was the largest building in all of Europe and a colossal emblem of an expansive the grotesque statues – it’s obvious that whoever designed this building was completely insane,” said Christian who runs a newspaper and snacks stall in a corner of the Palace’s massive central hall the building underwent no major structural renovations after World War II and consistent neglect has nonetheless pushed the building into a state of dilapidation once described by Sigmund Freud as an entrance fitting of “a great Assyrian palace,” is completely obscured by rusted metal scaffolding designed to hold in place loose stones from the extravagant 104 metre copper dome that tops the building even the scaffolding today has its own scaffolding Belgian work safety inspectors have perennially released reports that reveal how the building is out of line with the country’s safety codes citing the explosive risks posed by the building’s corroded gas pipes and the underground store of petrol stocks sections of the building that house police evidence related to ongoing terrorist investigations were closed due to mold and fungal invasions Court cases and trials related to the evidence have been delayed as health inspectors test and analyze the mold The architectural complexity of the building – there are an estimated 280 rooms and nearly 5000 steps – certainly affords no favors to public authorities responsible for the building’s management “Renovation takes a great deal of time because of the vast size of the building and budgetary constraints The restoration is also to be carried out while the courts continue to operate in the building and witnesses present everyday,” said Johan Vanderborght the federal agency entrusted with the building’s management and renovations Lawyers are divided whether the dilapidated court should remain in use or be retired as a public monument citing the estimated costs of over 100 million euros to finish renovations by 2028 if it’s a great deal of public money [to finish renovations] then it should be questioned because there is a lack of funds for many important purposes in the country,” said Nicolas Cohen a human rights lawyer at the firm Jus Cogens in Brussels Despite the decentralization of Belgium into its constituent regions of Flanders and Wallonia through the 20th century the administration of justice has remained one of the few competences held onto by the federal government in modern Belgium it is no secret that the Palace of Justice’s disrepair speaks to the sharp regional divisions within the country “It is true that some politicians in Belgium have an interest in the dysfunction of national justice money pours into the regions rather than federal institutions because the politicians are most concerned with reelections,” said Joris Snaet a former employee at the federal Régie des Bâtiments for over ten years also described the slow and steady dilapidation of other cultural monuments in Belgium such as the Royal Museum of Middle Africa in Tervuren and the Belgian Old Masters’ Museum where priceless Flemish masterpieces have been removed from the wall because of damage from a leaking roof “The problem is honestly inside the minds of managers and politicians aren’t prepared to spend taxpayer money on small restoration work That’s just the system behind it,” he said “It’s much easier to fix small holes and problems in the structure over time But if there’s one thing that architects and politicians have in common it’s this: they both love big Renovations on the facade of the Palace of Justice are expected to end by 2028 at which point the Belgian government will have finished a consultation on the future purpose of the building A Colombian Army cavalry regiment uses an EE-9 Cascavel armored car to breach and enter the Palace of Justice building on November 6 after it was occupied by M-19 insurgents earlier that day Daughter of Slain Magistrate Calls for Full U.S Declassification on Emblematic Human Rights Case Sent Explosives Team and C4 to Bogotá During Hostage Crisis Colombian Military Knew Palace of Justice Was Possible Insurgent Target President Betancur “Gave the Military a Green Light” to “Do Whatever Was Necessary” and their children in front of the Palace of Justice a few days before the Palace of Justice siege 2023 – Colombian President Gustavo Petro should comply with the 2014 sentence of the Inter-American Human Rights Court (IACHR) and ask U.S President Joe Biden to declassify all pertinent U.S the daughter of a court magistrate believed to have been tortured and assassinated by the Colombian Army in the aftermath of the conflagration Over 100 people perished during the episode including 11 Colombian Supreme Court justices most of them during Colombian military operations to retake the building from M-19 militants who stormed and occupied the Palace the morning of November 6 told the RTVC television network that she had investigated U.S records provided by the National Security Archive and “found information that the country should know.” Long said to have been killed in the crossfire inside the Palace, in 2007 the Colombian prosecutor uncovered video footage showing Helena’s father limping out of the burning wreckage of the building in the custody of Colombian security forces Some of the magistrate’s possessions were later found during a search of a nearby Colombian Army installation leading many to conclude that the auxiliary magistrate was detained and killed by the military and that his body was later placed inside the still-smoldering Palace of Justice building to deceive investigators and cover up the military’s responsibility for his death “I think it would be a good moment for President Gustavo Petro to make a formal declassification request to President Biden as a way of a responding to the sentence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights,” said Helena Urán in an interview last week with RTVC “I think that to completely declassify those archives would be a great support to the peace process and to the strengthening of democracy in Colombia.” A previous Archive posting featured a 1999 cable from the U.S Embassy Bogotá indicating that the Colombian Army was responsible for deaths and disappearances during the Palace of Justice case The cable said that soldiers under the command of Col who in 1985 was in charge of the Bogotá-based Escuela de la Caballería (Cavalry School) “killed a number of M-19 members and suspected collaborators hors de combat [“outside of combat”] including the Palace's cafeteria staff.” federal court under the Torture Victims Protection Act (TVPA) Portions of the documents that have been released reveal tantalizing clues and fractions of details that if fully declassified could help clarify what happened to victims like Magistrate Urán and others including members of the building’s cafeteria staff tortured and killed by Army intelligence officials after surviving the Army’s violent assault on the building indicated that Colombian Army intelligence knew that the Palace of Justice was a likely M-19 target more than a week before the occupation (Document 5) Colombian security forces had “surprised” the M-19 at the beginning of the crisis Embassy’s first readouts on the unfolding crisis and were “’in charge’ of the situation” only hours after it began personnel were in touch by telephone with at least two people who were trapped inside the building including one inside the office of the Supreme Court Other records describe actions taken by the U.S in response to emergency appeals for support from Colombian security forces during the crisis A request for assistance shortly after the initial M-19 assault Southern Command (Southcom) to dispatch a C-130 aircraft and a six-person “support team” carrying high-powered C4 explosives and detonating cord to Bogotá leading Helena Urán to ask whether it was the U.S that supplied the technology used just a few hours later to blow open a large metal door on the third floor of the building—an explosion that was determined to have caused many civilian casualties also pondered a Colombian request for “asbestos suits” so that security forces could continue “pressing their efforts” inside the “fire gutted building.” (Document 7) Other records shed light on the Betancur government’s decision to take a hard line against the M-19 and the President’s refusal to negotiate with the militants a decision that was immediately known to the Embassy telling them to do whatever was necessary to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,” said a U.S military report sent on the afternoon of November 6 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) “Talking Points” written nearly two weeks later said that M-19 “reportedly intended only to stage a publicity-generating operation that would enable it to criticize the government and promote its cause.” The Army nevertheless “launched a massive counterattack While few would debate the now widely accepted fact that Betancur gave carte blanche to the Colombian security forces to end the occupation by force declassified documents from the weeks and months following the assault shed light on the internal dynamics the led a proponent of peace and dialogue like Betancur to take a hard line against the M-19 insurgents The CIA’s National Intelligence Daily for November 13 said that Betancur’s reluctance to deal with the M-19 was probably due to “fear that anything short of a full-scale retaliation would have worsened relations with the military,” noting that his handling of the episode “probably will weaken his popular standing.” (Document 9) Similarly the CIA talking points from November 18 said that Betancur’s “fear that failure to act forcefully would anger military leaders” was one of the main things behind his decision to let security forces storm the building rather than negotiate a detailed Embassy missive on the affair titled “After Black November” took a more nuanced view of the theory that Betancur acted out of concern for his standing among the military agreed “that negotiations would unacceptably damage the legitimacy and public respect of the government.” The Embassy said that it had “no reason to believe that Betancur and his generals were ever on opposite sides of the issue.” (Document 11) The “After Black November” cable also included some ominous speculation about the future of civil-military relations in Colombia noting that the Embassy had “begun to suspect that some of the leftist propaganda about security force ‘provocations’ contain a germ of truth … at least in the limited sense that the military may be provoking some confrontations with the guerrillas.” The military was said to be anticipating “the swing of political opinion towards more forceful tactics against insurgents.” The military would have “a free hand” against insurgents when Betancur left office in 1986 according to the Embassy’s analysis of the situation “The military leadership,” such as Colombia’s armed forces chief “President Petro has a historic opportunity to do what no other Colombian president has been able to do: to finally bring justice to the family of Carlos Urán and to all of the victims of the 1985 Palace of Justice tragedy,” said Michael Evans director of the Archive’s Colombia Documentation Project “The first step is to recover the historical truth that government communications such as State Department cables and DIA intelligence information reports bear date/time stamps reflecting Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and thus the time in Bogotá would be six hours earlier This means that some documents dated November 7 were actually sent in the late hours of November 6 Less than three years before the Palace of Justice seizure Embassy cable identifies and describes units of the Colombian security forces involved in counter-terrorism operations Noting the “considerable overlapping of effort and potential conflicts” among Colombian police and military units the senior local Colombian Army official has assumed control in serious terrorist incidents,” citing the roles of the Military Institutes Brigade (BIM) and the 3rd Brigade in the 1980 seizure of the Dominican Embassy and the January 1982 Aerotal hijacking in Cali Embassy report on the takeover of the Palace by M-19 guerrillas from early afternoon on November 6 indicates that U.S personnel are in touch by telephone with at least two people inside the building including someone inside the Supreme Court office who was said he was “guarding himself.” A top Colombian military intelligence official told the U.S defense attaché that Colombian forces had “surprised” the M-19 militants at the start of the operation and were now “in charge” of the situation Security has been increased for a nearby conference organized by the U.S In the middle of the afternoon on November 6 military attaché reports on the unfolding crisis describes the initial military assault on the building just a few hours after the M-19 seized control military source indicated that President Betancur “gave the military a green light telling them to do whatever was necessary to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.” The attaché says that Betancur’s “unleashing of the military is particularly significant” and predicts that the President “is about to come out a winner.” military attaché files a report on Colombia’s apparent request for U.S Redactions in the document obscure the nature of the request and the substance of the U.S personnel appear to be under instructions “restricting them to airport.” According to the report “Current situation appears to be that the President of the Supreme Court are holed up behind a metal door in the Palace of Justice.” military attaché indicates that Colombian security forces had been “alerted by intelligence over a week ago that the Palace of Justice was one of the possible targets of the M-19” and thus “reacted swiftly to prevent a complete take over.” Around noon two trucks “containing weapons and M-19 supporters” had been “intercepted and detained,” according to the report “It appears that the Colombian government is taking a hard line in this situation,” the report concludes military “support team” consisting of “3 explosive experts and 3 communications experts” arrived in Bogotá at 11:50 p.m on November 6 carrying “C4 explosives” and detonating cord “pending expresse need and necessary advise by experts to Colombian team,” according to this report from the U.S Ongoing fires at the Palace of Justice mean that “it is not possible at this time to place charges,” the report adds three charges had been set off in front of the Palace “followed by heavy firing on the front of the building by 3 Castavel armored vehicles.” Another charge had been set off inside the building after some 50 troops breached the entrance The Colombian Army engineer officer who received the U.S assistance team told them that “the decision was made to end the situation tonight.” as “intense heat from the fires prevents Colombian security forces from pressing their efforts,” the U.S has been asked to “determine the availability for loan of 12 asbestos suits for use in the fire gutted building.” Embassy wrap-up of the Palace of Justice episode reports the deaths of Supreme Court President Alfonso Reyes Echandia and Magistrate María Inés Ramos by M-19 leader Andrés Almarales adding that “The surviving guerrillas have all been taken prisoner.” “Local Flavor,” the Embassy relates how a cocktail party scheduled for the afternoon of November 7 at the Soviet Embassy went on as scheduled despite the crisis at the Palace of Justice official whether increased security at the event “reflected the current incident,” a Soviet official “acknowledged that the Soviet Embassy was probably not a prime target,” adding that “with so many different ‘líneas políticas’ [political factions] in this country even the Soviets can not rule out the chance that some group will make an attempt.” military attaché that Betancur would come out of the Palace of Justice debacle as a “winner” (see Document 2) here the CIA finds in the National Intelligence Daily (NID) that his handling of the episode “probably will weaken his popular standing.” There has been a “mixed reaction” in the country with many expressing support for the President’s hardline approach including “30,000 unionized court employees” who called for a strike over “the government’s refusal to negotiate for the release of the hostages.” Betancur’s reluctance to strike a deal with the M-19 was probably due to “fear that anything short of a full-scale retaliation would have worsened relations with the military.” These CIA talking points note that the M-19 “reportedly intended only to state a publicity-generating operation that would enable it to criticize the government and promote its cause Embassy’s assessment of Colombia’s internal security situation a month after the Palace of Justice burned down The Embassy’s predicts “a cyclical swing to the right in Colombian politics,” “increased reliance on military action to restore public order” and a “request for an increase in [U.S.] security assistance.” Characterizing these as “generally favorable prospects,” the Embassy anticipates “the continuation of present [U.S.] policies toward Colombia” and of Colombia’s “own democratic traditions.” Regarding the decision to launch the military attack to retake the building the Embassy says that “Many find it impossible to believe that Betancur would order the recapture of the Palace of Justice and accept the near certainty of the hostages’ deaths,” while “alternate theories focus on the military and the allegedly irresistible pressure they were said to have applied” on the President the decision-making process was “more complex” and “more typically Colombian,” with most of the country’s top leaders in agreement “that negotiations would unacceptably damage the legitimacy and public respect of the government.” The Embassy says it has “no reason to believe that Betancur and his generals were ever on opposite sides of the issue.” the Embassy says it has “begun to suspect that some of the leftist propaganda about security force ‘provocations’ contain a germ of truth … at least in the limited sense that the military may be provoking some confrontations with the guerrillas.” These suspicions “indicate that some within the military had anticipated the failure of the peace process and the swing of political opinion towards more forceful tactics against insurgents.” “The Colombian military can now anticipate a relatively free hand against all the guerrillas except the FARC,” with whom there were ongoing negotiations “and a free hand even against them after Betancur leaves office in only nine months.” Colombia’s armed forces chief military attaché that “The military leadership is waiting out the Betancur term and hoping … after our Carter A panel of judges has concluded that President Betancur acted within his presidential powers in ordering a military counterattack but also found that he “should have established a dialogue with the attackers.” Their report did not clarify “why military and police protection was withdrawn from the Palace the day of the attack” and was unable to prove widespread rumors that the seizure of the building was a conspiracy between the M-19 and narcotraffickers from the Medellín Cartel The report calls on the military to investigate reports about two insurgents who were seen leaving the building but had since disappeared “We continue to believe,” the Embassy comments “that the Palace of Justice attack will become one of the great mysteries of Colombian history and the frequent (but probably fruitless) object of conspiracy theorists.” at the center of the OMA-designed courthouse is a triangular tower surrounded by a ring of offices floating above its base where the public and major courtrooms are located the interior of each building’s components will be inviting and free of intimidation.  will accommodate the high court and district court of lille. light-filled and geometric in shape the architectural proposal of OMA provides a response to the major principles of modernization of justice of the 21st century OMA returns to lille more than 20 years after designing the masterplan for the new euralille district in 1989 the studio also completed the congrexpo conference and exhibition center in the city in 1994 the project is developed in collaboration with saison menu BMF and quadrim. completion is scheduled for 2023 AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been placed firmly in the global spotlight this month following South Africa’s decision to turn to the world tribunal after accusing Israel of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention Here is a primer on the ICJ and what it does The ICJ which is situated in the Peace Palace in The Hague was established in 1945 as a way of settling disputes between countries The court also provides advisory opinions on legal questions that have been referred to it by other authorized UN organs Widely known as the "world court", the ICJ is one of the six “principal organs” of the United Nations, on the same footing as the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the only one that is not located in New York Unlike the Court of Justice of the European Union the ICJ is not a supreme court to which national courts can turn; it can only hear a dispute when requested to do so by one or more States all of whom are elected to nine-year terms of office by the UN General Assembly and Security Council Elections are held every three years for one third of the seats The members do not represent their governments but are independent magistrates and there is only ever one judge of any nationality on the court Cases open with the parties filing and exchanging pleadings containing a detailed statement of the points of fact and of law on which each party relies and an oral phase consisting of public hearings at which agents and counsel address the court.  The countries involved appoint an agent to plead their case someone who has the same rights and obligations as a solicitor in a national court a leading politician may defend their country as in the 2020 The Gambia v Myanmar case (see below) the judges deliberate in camera (in private The length of time this takes can be anything from a few weeks to several years The ICJ is the only international court that settles disputes between the 193 UN Member States This means that it makes an important contribution to global peace and security providing a way for countries to resolve issues without resorting to conflict The court can rule on two types of case: “contentious cases” are legal disputes between States and “advisory proceedings” are requests for advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by United Nations organs and certain specialized agencies The case brought by South Africa against Israel on 29 December last year is the first time a contentious case has been brought against Israel at the ICJ (a 2004 advisory opinion found that the construction of the wall built by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and its associated regime is contrary to international law) South Africa contends that “acts and omissions by Israel...are genocidal in character as they are committed with the requisite specific intent...to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national South Africa seeks to found the court’s jurisdiction on the 1948 UN Genocide Convention Another relatively recent case that gained international attention involved a ruling against Myanmar in January 2020 ordering the country to protect its minority Rohingya population and the destruction of evidence related to genocide allegations was notable for the appearance of Aung San Suu Kyi As for “advisory proceedings”, on 20 January 2023 the General Assembly requested an advisory opinion from the court on “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory In March 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to ask the court to deliver an advisory opinion on the obligations of States in respect to climate change with most speakers in the resulting debate hailing the move as a milestone in their decades-long struggle for climate justice Any UN Member State can bring a case against any other Member State whether or not they are directly in conflict, when the common interest of the international community is at stake.  The Gambia was not directly concerned by the genocide allegations levelled against Myanmar but that did not preclude the country from bringing the action on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and there is no possibility of appeal.  It is up to the States concerned to apply the court's decisions in their national jurisdictions they honour their obligations under international law and comply demanding reparations for the US support for Contra rebels.  Nicaragua then took the matter to the Security Council where a relevant resolution was vetoed by the United States There is frequent confusion between the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) The simplest way to explain the difference is that ICJ cases involve countries which brings cases against individuals for war crimes or crimes against humanity.  whilst the ICJ is an organ of the United Nations although it is endorsed by the General Assembly While not all 193 UN Member States are parties to the ICC it can launch investigations and open cases related to alleged crimes committed on the territory or by a national of a State party to the ICC or of a State that has accepted its jurisdiction.  Cases have been heard and decisions rendered on a range of violations from using rape as a weapon of war to conscripting children as combatants For a look back at the birth of the ICJ and the crucial role it plays in the work of the United Nations, check out our newly published UN Video piece today, part of our weekly Stories from the UN Archive series. The General Assembly and the Security Council on Thursday elected five judges to serve on the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. You don't have permission to access the page you requested. What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed. This responsibility to strengthen the public identity informed the concept for the Palace of Justice. While the Cordoba city center is located south-east from the site, the building volume was condensed to create a generous entrance square to the north which connects it with the existing Huerta del Sordillo gardens.   © Fernando AldaThe massing strategy creates urban integration through fragmentation. It follows a similar strategy to the spontaneous growth process of medieval cities resulting in a volume which is carefully sculpted to adapt to the surrounding context. This results in a puzzle-like structure which hints its process of formation and emulates the experience of the dense historical center of Cordoba.  © Fernando AldaThe vertical fractures that are introduced in the building mass create patios, relating the local courtyard typologies. These fractures provide natural light and ventilation in the central zones of the large building. One can say that the sustainability of the building is not achieved by expensive technological mechanisms but by an intelligent interpretation of the vernacular architecture. the courthouse features an open ground floor that contains the most public sections such as courtrooms High security offices are situated off the upper courtyards and the archives and jail cells are found below ground level ​CategoriesCategoriesEnglishGENERAL, INNOVATIONFirst restored part of Justice Palace’s facade in Brussels unveiled24 May 2024 The first restored part of the facade of Brussels' Justice Palace was unveiled on Friday The facelift of the building’s front should be complete at the end of next year The works began after about 40 years of waiting so that many people only know the building as being encased in scaffolding The first restored part is at the top of the front facade and overlooks Place Poelaert It is topped by a 3m-high bust of the Roman goddess of wisdom The stones and decorative elements are cleaned one by one and carefully repaired or replaced when necessary Around 70 to 80 people are working on it every day The federal Buildings Agency began the first phase of the restoration of the front facade in August 2023 This phase also involves a complete redesign of the forecourt and a renovation of the colonnade The first phase should be completed by the end of 2025 The final step will be the restoration of the other facades "This project has been dragging on for 40 years and although there have been many obstacles this symbolic first phase is now complete," said secretary of state Mathieu Michel "The works will now continue until all facades are renovated This would mean that all scaffolding would be gone when Belgium celebrates its 200th anniversary as an independent nation Bust of Minerva on the first renovated part of the Brussels Justice Palace's facade © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS Renzo Piano recently inaugurated the new Palais de Justice of Paris a project that was undertaken to address the increasing shortage of space in the famous building on the Île de la Cité raised by virtue of an agreement between public and private agents houses all the courthouses and administrative offices of the institution within a single stepped construction For its “creation of a powerful urban composition” the jury of the architectural awards of the weekly magazine Le Moniteur has honored the new Paris law courts with the prestigious Prix de l’Equerre d’Argent a recognition which the Italian architect already earned in 1991 there arent any match using your search terms The Palais de Justice on Saint-Martin Blvd in Laval is one of several courthouses across the province that will see their security systems upgraded thanks to a $31 million investment the Quebec government has announced According to details in an announcement made by Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette and Public Security Minister François Bonnardel on June 3 $23.4 million will be spent to train and hire more special constables while $7.6 million will go towards modernizing security equipment Sherbrooke and Gatineau will also received security improvements The action is being taken after a knife attack in January that seriously injured an interpreter at the Longueuil courthouse as well as an assault incident involving a youth protection worker at the Sherbrooke courthouse which includes courthouse entrance security arches is scheduled to take place beginning this month until September 2025