Platform for Peace and Humanity

Weekly News Recap (20-26 November 2023)

© Photo by UNMISS via Flickr

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE SECTION

INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY SECTION

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE SECTION

Italy: Mafia Trial Results in Conviction and Sentencing of More than 200 Individuals

On 20 November 2023, Italy’s largest mafia trial in nearly thirty years resulted in the conviction and sentencing of more than 200 individuals, primarily members of the powerful ‘Ndrangheta operating in Calabria. The three-year “maxi trial” targeted crimes such as criminal association, extortion, and bribery. While over 100 defendants were acquitted, the verdicts dealt a significant blow to the ‘Ndrangheta, known for its near-monopoly on the European cocaine trade. The arrests, made in 2019 after an extensive investigation covering 11 Italian regions, included individuals from various sectors, marking a departure from previous cases. Led by anti-mafia prosecutor Nicola Gratteri, the investigation collected substantial evidence of the ‘Ndrangheta’s oppressive tactics, including violence, extortion, corruption, election manipulation, and bribery. The convicted individuals, mainly associated with the ‘Ndrangheta’s Mancuso clan in Vibo Valentia, faced charges supported by 24 000 wiretaps and intercepted conversations. The trial revealed the criminal group’s deep entrenchment in the local economy and its use of fear to control the community. Former Forza Italia MP Giancarlo Pittelli received an 11-year jail term for aiding a mafia clan.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/20/more-than-200-mobsters-convicted-in-italian-mafia-maxi-trial


Kosovo: First War Crimes Trial in Absentia in the Region Opens as Cedomir Aksic Faces Charges from 1999 Conflict

On 20 November 2023, the trial of Cedomir Aksic commenced at Pristina Basic Court in Kosovo, marking the first war crimes trial held in the absence of the defendant in the region. Aksic, accused of murder, causing suffering, injuries, property damage, and ordering the expulsion of civilians in the municipality of Shtime/Stimlje in 1999, is currently in Serbia, but his exact address is unknown. According to Kosovo law, Aksic’s lawyer has 30 days to contest evidence and seek dismissal. The prosecution alleges Aksic’s involvement in expulsions, executions, and property destruction during the 1999 conflict. This year, Kosovo’s special prosecution has filed six indictments in absentia, with amendments allowing trials without the defendant if all efforts to locate them prove futile.

https://balkaninsight.com/2023/11/20/kosovo-launches-first-war-crimes-trial-in-defendants-absence/


Pakistan: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan to Face State Trial 

On 21 November 2023, Islamabad High Court ordered the authorities to present former Prime Minister Imran Khan in court next week on 28 November 2023, for trial in a case related to the alleged leaking of state secrets. The special court, established under the Official Secrets Act in Islamabad, directed Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, both currently in jail, to appear on 28 November. This comes after Khan’s imprisonment in August in a separate case related to the illegal selling of state secrets. Khan, who was ousted in April 2022 after a no-confidence vote, claims a conspiracy involving the United States and the military. He faces multiple charges, including leaking diplomatic information for political gains. 

https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20231121-pakistan-court-rules-jail-trial-of-ex-pm-imran-khan-illegal


Paris: Former Syrian Rebel Spokesman Majdi Nema to Face Trial for War Crimes in Paris Court

On 21 November 2023, the Paris Court of Appeal confirmed the referral of Majdi Nema, a 35-year-old former spokesman for the Syrian rebel group Jaysh al-Islam, to a court of assizes for complicity in war crimes committed in Syria from 2013 to 2016. Additionally, Nema will face charges of complicity in recruiting minors into an armed group and participating in a criminal association to prepare for war crimes. However, the court overturned charges related to complicity in enforced disappearances and deliberate attacks against the civilian population, as well as wilful attacks on life, physical or mental integrity, kidnapping, and kidnapping. Nema, known by his war name Islam Alloush, has consistently asserted his role as an impartial spokesperson for Jaysh al-Islam, which has controlled eastern Ghouta since 2011. Despite the reduction in charges, Nema remains in firm denial, maintaining that he worked within Jaysh al-Islam to uphold the laws of war, according to his lawyers Romain Ruiz and Raphael Kempf. Nema, a former Syrian army officer who defected in 2012, has been in pre-trial detention since January 2020 after being arrested in Marseille.

https://www.justiceinfo.net/fr/125108-crimes-de-guerre-en-syrie-proces-aux-assises-confirme-en-france-pour-un-ex-rebelle-salafiste.html


Bosnia: Court Sentences 10 Bosnian Serbs to Jail for Killing 24 Civilians in 1992

On 22 November 2023, a Bosnian court handed down sentences ranging from nine to 18 years to 10 Bosnian Serbs convicted of killing 24 Bosnian Muslim civilians during the country’s civil war in 1992. The group, part of a Bosnian Serb militia, attacked two villages near what is now Novi Grad following the death of a fellow militia member. During the seven-year trial, it was revealed that residents were forcibly expelled from their homes, and some were taken to a church cemetery where men were executed in front of their families. Subsequently, about 90 men were taken to a Muslim cemetery, forced to dig a mass grave, and then killed, resulting in 24 casualties. The bodies were later thrown into a river. While all 10 were found guilty of crimes against humanity, only four were present during the sentencing. Six received 18-year sentences, three were sentenced to 15 years, and one received a nine-year term.

https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/125121-10-bosnian-serbs-found-guilty-of-killing-bosnian-muslims-during-1990s-war.html


Kosovo:  Former Guerrilla Leaders Accused of Witness Manipulation

On 23 November 2023, the prosecution at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague requested restrictions on visits to three former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, and Rexhep Selimi who are currently on trial for war crimes. The prosecution alleges that the defendants interfered with witnesses by revealing identities and sharing confidential testimony. Redacted transcripts of conversations with visitors were published, indicating discussions about trial witnesses. The prosecution also claims the defendants tried to influence witness testimony and issued instructions. The court is asked to immediately segregate the defendants and suspend non-privileged communications until a ruling on the visit restriction is reached. Witness protection concerns have been prominent in KLA-related trials.

https://balkaninsight.com/2023/11/23/hague-prosecutors-accuse-kosovo-guerrilla-leaders-of-witness-tampering/


ICC: Court Considers Absentia Hearing for Joseph Kony

On 23 November 2023, the International Criminal Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber II addressed the case of Joseph Kony. Kony faces 12 counts of crimes against humanity and 21 counts of war crimes, including murder, enslavement, sexual enslavement, rape, and cruel treatment of civilians. The alleged atrocities occurred in northern Uganda in 2003 and 2004. The recent decision pertains to a request to hold a confirmation of charges hearing against Kony in his absence. The Chamber ordered the ICC Prosecutor to file a public document containing the charges within eight weeks and instructed the ICC Registrar to submit a plan for outreach activities and notification efforts within four weeks to inform Kony of the charges. It will later assess whether all reasonable steps to inform Kony have been taken, a prerequisite before deciding whether to hold a confirmation of charges hearing in his absence. The Chamber weighed the fair trial rights of the suspect against the interests of justice, considering the gravity of the alleged crimes and the prolonged wait for justice by the victims. If the charges are confirmed, the case cannot proceed to trial without Kony present.

https://www.icc-cpi.int/court-record/icc-02/04-01/05-466

https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/icc-judges-issue-preliminary-decision-holding-confirmation-charges-hearing-absence-joseph-kony


US: Former US Government Official Seldowitz Arrested Over Anti-Islamic Statements

On 23 November 2023, a former high-ranking US government official, Stuart Seldowitz, who served as deputy director of the US State Department’s Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs, was arrested after a video surfaced showing him making anti-Islamic statements to a food vendor in New York City. Seldowitz faces charges of aggravated harassment, hate crime stalking, stalking causing fear, and stalking at a place of employment. In the video, he expressed insensitive remarks about the death of 4 000 Palestinian children and used slurs against Prophet Muhammad. Seldowitz claimed the video did not show the whole story, stating that he became upset when the vendor expressed sympathies for Hamas, although this was not evident in the footage. New Yorkers rallied to support the vendor, and the incident reflects the heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict, contributing to increased instances of anti-semitism and Islamophobia in the US. 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/23/ex-obama-adviser-stuart-seldowitz-arrested-after-islamophobic-rant


Kosovo: Ex-Serbian Police Officer Denies Charges of War Crime 

On 24 November 2023, Zlatan Arsic, a former member of Serbia’s Police, pleaded not guilty to war crime charges at Pristina Basic Court. Arsic, along with other armed Serbian Police members, is accused of brutally beating a victim in March 1999, causing serious injuries and threatening his life. The Prosecution also alleges Arsic’s involvement in the forceful deportation of Kamenice/Kamenica residents in February and March 1999, followed by looting, arson, and mistreatment of Albanian civilians. Arsic’s lawyer, Vasilije Arsic, denied the charges, emphasising the lack of material evidence. The lawyer proposed bail or alternative measures for Zlatan Arsic’s release, but the court rejected the request. Arsic, a Kamenica resident, was arrested in March 2023. 

https://balkaninsight.com/2023/11/24/serb-ex-policeman-denies-kosovo-war-crime-charges/


INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY SECTION

Suriname: Gold Mine Collapses Killing At Least 14

On 20 November 2023, an illegal gold mine collapsed and killed at least 14, with seven individuals still missing. This incident marks Suriname’s worst mining accident. The collapse occurred in a remote southern region where a previously discovered gold vein attracted large groups of illegal miners. Zijin Mining, operating a legal gold mine in the area, had been in discussions with the government to address the issue of illegal mining just hours before the incident. The company had warned about the dangers of illegal gold mining and had filed an eviction request. Despite efforts by the army and police to remove illegal miners, they returned in significant numbers. The region has a history of tensions between Maroons, descendants of slaves, and the mining company’s security guards. Suriname has long struggled with illegal small-scale mining, with over 15 000 people, including Brazilians and recently Chinese, working in the sector. The government is now pledging a stricter approach to regulate the gold sector and prevent such incidents.

https://apnews.com/article/suriname-gold-mine-collapse-zijin-c4fed75f16f48d65098e16e2cf903e6f


UN: At Least 10 000 Civilians Killed in Russian Invasion of Ukraine

On 21 November 2023, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission reported over 10 000 civilians, including more than 560 children, have been killed, with over 18 500 injured since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The actual figures may be higher, given the challenges of verification. The conflict, now entering its 21st month, shows signs of evolving into a protracted war and is causing severe human suffering. The Monitoring Mission notes that a significant number of civilian casualties occur beyond the frontlines due to Russian forces deploying long-range missiles in populated areas. The UN Security Council highlighted concerns that attacks against civilians and infrastructure may escalate during the upcoming winter. The conflict is ongoing, with Russian aerial attacks, missile strikes on Kyiv, and intense bombardments in various regions. The humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating, compounded by attacks on energy infrastructure and harsh weather conditions. A Winter Response Plan is in motion, but urgent international support is needed. The World Food Programme emphasised the impact on food security, with Ukrainians facing difficulties accessing markets and farmers unable to produce food due to hostilities. Contaminated fields and blockages of sea export routes threaten global agricultural production, as Ukraine accounted for a significant share of wheat, maize, and sunflower oil exports before the invasion.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143852


Congo: 31 People Die in Stampede

On 21 November 2023, at least 31 people died in a stampede during an army recruitment drive at the Michel d’Ornano Stadium in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo. The recruitment initiative, launched on 14 November 2023, aimed to enlist 1 500 individuals aged 18 to 25. While not explicitly confirming a stampede, the government acknowledged the “tragedy” and is investigating its causes. The recruitment process has been halted, and a day of mourning has been declared. The death toll was revised from an initial report of 37, with over 140 individuals injured. Witnesses reported that the stampede occurred as many people remained in the stadium, and attempts to force their way through gates led to a chaotic situation, resulting in trampling. According to the World Bank, the Republic of the Congo faces high unemployment rates, with 75 per cent of the workforce engaged in the informal sector or low-productivity jobs.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/21/stampede-kills-37-people-in-army-recruitment-drive-in-congo-brazzaville


Sudan: 40 Civilians Killed in Sudanese Army Bombing After RSF Seizes Control of Base in East Darfur

On 21 November 2023, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declared control of the 20th Infantry Division in East Darfur, marking the fourth military base under their command since mid-April’s outbreak of conflict. Shortly after the takeover, Sudanese army warplanes bombed the area, resulting in at least 40 civilian deaths and over 50 injuries. Journalist Abu Bakr Al-Sandali reported that the victims were civilians celebrating the RSF’s success. Despite the airstrikes, calm returned to El Daein, with the RSF opening markets and imposing restrictions on military vehicles. RSF Deputy Commander Abdel Rahim Dagalo pledged readiness to protect civilians in various cities, vowing to establish a civilian government without the Muslim Brotherhood’s involvement. He urged supporters of the banned National Congress Party to avoid inciting unrest and called for the return of armed forces members who fled El Daein.

https://sudantribune.com/article279589/#google_vignette

https://sudantribune.com/article279625/


UN: About 160 Children Killed Daily in Gaza Due to Israeli Bombardments

On 21 November 2023, UN agencies warned of an anticipated and avoidable surge in child deaths in Gaza, with 160 children killed daily due to Israeli aerial bombardments. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN World Health Organization (WHO) expressed grave concerns about restricted access to water and sanitation, emphasising the potential for a mass disease outbreak. Over 5 350 Palestinian children have reportedly been killed since 7 October 2023. UNICEF also called attention to 30 Israeli children held hostage in the conflict. Gaza faces shortages of water, fuel, food, electricity, and medical supplies, contributing to a sharp increase in diseases. Medical staff and equipment arrived in Gaza, including the establishment of a second Jordanian field hospital. However, an Indonesian hospital in Beit Lahiya came under attack, marking the fifth such incident. Nearly 93 000 displaced people are sheltering in United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facilities. The WHO mourns the death of a staff member killed in Gaza, emphasising the senseless loss in the ongoing conflict and pleading for its resolution.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143822


WFP: Critical Funding Shortfall Threatens Assistance for 1.4 Million, Including Darfur Refugees

On 22 November 2023, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that around 1.4 million people would be facing a halt in the delivery of food aid due to underfunding. Due to funding shortfalls, WFP warned that food aid would have to be paused from December onwards for millions of displaced people in Nigeria, Central African Republic and Cameroon. They also stated that the suspension of food aid would be extended to Chad starting in January. According to a recent assessment of half a million refugees who have crossed into Chad, 90 per cent of them do not have enough to eat already. Pierre Honorat, WFP’s country director for Chad, highlighted that hundreds of thousands of Chadians were going to face hunger because of the effects of climate change, inter-communal conflict and increased food and fuel prices. He also highlighted that in the last six months, a staggering number of Darfurians have fled. To keep its operations afloat in Chad and provide food to people for the next six months, WFP needs $185 million. 

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/22/hunger-crisis-threatens-chad-as-funding-for-food-aid-falters


Pakistan: Refugees Waiting to Be Resettled in the West Facing Exorbitant “Exit Fee” by Government 

On 22 November 2023, the Guardian reported Western diplomats and the UN had condemned Pakistan for the imposition of hundreds of dollars of exit fees for every Afghan refugee who fled persecution by the Taliban. Under this move, Pakistan would charge $830 to refugees who plan on leaving the country under resettlement schemes to Western countries. Payment for the exit permit can only be made by credit card, which many Afghan refugees do not have access to. Initially, Pakistan had decided to charge $10 000 from each person but had lowered it to $830. According to a spokesperson for Pakistan’s foreign ministry, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, these people are “immigrants” who have overstayed their visas and lack documentation. Meanwhile, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Spokesperson Babar Baloch has highlighted that the agency is working with the Pakistani government to resolve the issue concerning exit permits and overstay visa fees for refugees in resettlement programmes. 

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/22/pakistan-under-fire-for-shocking-830-exit-fee-for-refugees-who-fled-taliban


Israel-Hamas: After Seven Weeks of Conflict Ceasefire for Four Days Negotiated

On 23 November 2023, the Guardianreported that on 24 November morning, a four-day ceasefire would begin between Israel and Hamas that would also be followed by the release of hostages. The negotiated ceasefire would be the first pause in the seven weeks of conflict that has been ongoing in Gaza. The truce was announced on 22 November, and under it, Hamas will free at least 50 of the more than 240 Israeli hostages. At the same time, Israel would release at least 150 Palestinian prisoners and also allow up to 300 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza. According to a statement by Hamas, Israel has agreed to arrest anyone in Gaza for the duration of the ceasefire. Both sides confirm that the hostages to be released are also women and children. The exchange of hostages was going to take place on 23 November. Still, it was postponed at the last- minute because of logistical issues, and Israel had presented a series of late requests for clarifying practical issues such as the identification of hostages that Hamas had intended to release. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/23/israel-hamas-ceasefire-and-hostage-deal-wont-happen-before-friday-israeli-officials-say


OHCHR: Rohingya Refugees Arriving in Indonesia by Sea Require Emergency Regional Response 

On 23 November 2023, Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, called for a regional emergency response to the increasing number of Rohingya refugees arriving in Indonesia in overcrowded vessels. He commended the Indonesian government for providing safety and shelter to Rohingya refugees. He urged that the root cause of the crisis should be addressed; otherwise, it would continue while calling on the international community to provide humanitarian assistance and look for durable solutions for Rohingya refugees. In the past week, 1000 Rohingya refugees have arrived by boat in the northernmost province of Aceh, Indonesia. 

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/11/un-expert-calls-emergency-response-save-rohingya-lives-sea


India: Afghan Embassy Permanently Closes its Operations in New Delhi

On 24 November 2023, Reutersreported that the Afghan embassy in New Delhi closed its operations in India. According to Ambassador Farid Mamundzay, the diplomats appointed by the government and ousted by the Taliban in 2021 failed to secure visa extensions from the host government. India had allowed the embassy members to continue its operations even though it does not recognise the defacto government of Afghanistan. However, in September 2023, the ambassador and its senior staff left for Europe and the US to seek asylum, suspending its operations in India. The embassy stated that it would be closing permanently, with the decision being effective from 23 November, and would follow the earlier move to cease operations starting 1 October 2023. On 1 October, the embassy released a statement highlighting that the decision to close the operation was taken due to the lack of “crucial support” from India, which was hampering the embassy’s capacity to carry out its duties. 

https://www.elpasoinc.com/the-afghan-embassy-says-it-is-permanently-closing-in-new-delhi-over-challenges-from-india/article_4c86c6d9-aaf2-5688-ab2e-66289f33ad47.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghan-embassy-india-shuts-down-citing-lack-support-taliban-pressure-2023-11-24/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *