Weekly News Recap (25 - 31 March 2024)
© Photo by United Nations Photo
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USA: First Criminal “hush-money” Trial Against Former US President Donald Trump to Commence in April
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UK: High Court Seeks Assurances from US Before Final Hearing in Assange Extradition Case
International Peace & Security Section
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Russia: “Radical Islamists” Responsible for Moscow Concert Hall Attacks, Says Putin
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UNRWA: Israel Bars Relief Agency from Delivering Aid in Northern Gaza
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UNHCR: Refugee Agency Calls for Immediate Action in DRC as a Surge in Violence is Observed
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UNICEF: Increase in Severe Acute Malnutrition Among Children, Due to Escalating Violence in Haiti
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UNSC: 14 Members in Favour of “Immediate Ceasefire” in Gaza, as USA Abstains for the Fourth Time
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India: US Criticises Arrest of Opposition Leader, Indian Government Summons US and German Envoys
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North Korea: Renewal of Monitoring Sanctions Against DPRK Vetoed by Russia
International Justice Section
USA: First Criminal “hush-money” Trial Against Former US President Donald Trump to Commence in April
On 25 March 2024, a Manhattan judge set the start date for the first of Donald Trump’s four criminal trials, which will commence on 15 April, despite his lawyers’ efforts to delay or dismiss the case due to a recent document dump. The trial involves allegations related to hush money paid during Trump’s 2016 campaign to cover up marital infidelity claims. Trump’s lawyers accused prosecutors of misconduct, but the judge rejected their claims, saying there was no evidence of wrongdoing. Prosecutors argue that the trial should proceed without further delay. Trump’s legal team also raised concerns about evidence disclosure and the timing of the trial, accusing prosecutors of withholding documents. The trial’s start date marks a significant moment in Trump’s legal battles and comes amidst ongoing legal challenges. Despite Trump’s complaints about the case being politically motivated, prosecutors maintain that the evidence supports the charges against him.
https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-new-york-b8fb980a6ec745e918a13e676b7f1460
Argentina: Former Argentine State Officials Found Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity During Dictatorship Era
On 26 March 2024, a court in La Plata, Argentina convicted eleven former officials of crimes against humanity, shedding light on the dictatorship’s previously overlooked practice of committing sexual violence against transgender women. The trial, spanning nearly four years, brought forth chilling testimonies from transgender plaintiffs, highlighting the suffering of the transgender community and the widespread use of sexual violence during the right-wing dictatorship from 1976 to 1983. Ten defendants received life sentences, and one was sentenced to twenty-five years in prison. This verdict marks the first condemnation of crimes against transgender women in the context of State terrorism. The trial involved 600 victims and hundreds of witnesses, revealing accounts of sexual abuse and the abduction of babies from detained mothers. The verdict was met with emotional reactions from survivors and victims’ relatives, amidst ongoing challenges to the legal recognition of human rights abuses committed during the dictatorship. The trial is part of Argentina’s ongoing efforts to hold military leaders accountable for past abuses, and it signifies a significant step forward for transgender rights in the country.
https://www.voanews.com/a/argentines-given-life-sentences-for-dictatorship-era-abuses/7545188.html
UK: High Court Seeks Assurances from US Before Final Hearing in Assange Extradition Case
On 26 March 2024, the UK High Court ruled that the US must provide assurances that Julian Assange will not face the death penalty, before further considering his extradition appeal. The UK court also seeks guarantees regarding Assange’s free speech rights. The court has adjourned its final decision on Assange’s extradition for three weeks to give the US government time to comply. Assange’s supporters argue that his case is a form of “state retaliation” for his actions with Wikileaks regarding the alleged disclosure of secret military files. Assange, known for publishing classified US documents, has been held in UK prisons since 2019. His extradition was approved by then Home Secretary Priti Patel in 2022, but his lawyers have challenged this decision. The High Court accepted Assange’s argument that he may not have sufficient guarantees against the death penalty and may not receive freedom of expression protections in the US. If the US provides these assurances within three weeks, a final hearing could take place; otherwise, Assange could appeal without a further hearing. If this appeal is not granted, Assange’s remaining option would be to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights. His wife, Stella Assange, has called on the US President to drop the case, describing Assange as a “political prisoner.”
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68662881
France: Court Reduces Life Sentence of Former Liberian Rebel Commander Convicted of Crimes Against Humanity
On 27 March 2024, the former Liberian rebel commander Kunti Kamara received a 30-year prison sentence from a French court for his role in violence against civilians and complicity in crimes against humanity during Liberia’s first civil war. This verdict comes after Kamara had initially been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022. The Paris criminal court upheld his guilty verdict for crimes committed between 1993 and 1994, including allegations that he ate the heart of a teacher. Additionally, Kamara was found complicit in crimes against humanity for failing to prevent soldiers under his command from raping two teenage girls. The prosecution had requested the court to uphold his life sentence. The charges against Kamara stem from the early years of Liberia’s civil war, which resulted in widespread atrocities including murder, rape, and mutilation, often perpetrated by child soldiers. Kamara was a regional commander of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO), which fought against the National Patriotic Front led by ex-president Charles Taylor. The case against Kamara was initiated by the crimes against humanity division of the Paris criminal court following his arrest in France in 2018. This case is significant as it marks the first trial undertaken by the unit that does not relate to the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
USA: Appellate Court Affirms Preliminary Injunction Halting Implementation of Texas Immigration Law Criminalising Migrants for Entry
On 27 March 2024, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled to keep Senate Bill (SB) 4, a controversial Texas law, on hold during ongoing litigation. SB4, signed into law in December 2023, would criminalise unauthorised border crossings into Texas by foreign nationals and allow state magistrates to issue removal orders. Chief Judge Priscilla Richman, writing for the majority, stated that Texas failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits of its case. She also cited potential harm to diplomatic relations and international treaties as outweighing Texas’s interests. Judge Andrew S. Oldham dissented, arguing that SB4 should not be preemptively deemed unconstitutional in all potential applications. The ruling is part of a legal battle over SB4, with previous injunctions and temporary holds issued by lower and higher courts. The decision comes amidst similar legislation in other states, such as Iowa.
https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-migrant-arrests-texas-8e232b8a0c2979943c87c7309652ed34
ICJ: Court Issues Additional Provisional Measures Following South Africa’s Request Regarding Israel’s Actions in Gaza
On 28 March 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in response to a recent request dated 6 March 2024 from South Africa regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza, issued new provisional measures requiring Israel to ensure the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, including food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, medical supplies, and medical care. Israel is also directed by the court to increase the capacity and number of land crossing points and maintain them open for as long as necessary. Additionally, Israel is instructed to prevent its military from committing acts that violate the rights of Palestinians in Gaza as a protected group under the Genocide Convention, including hindering the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Israel is required to submit a report to the ICJ on all measures within one month.
https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240328-pre-01-00-en.pdf
Fiji: Appeal Filed Against Discharge of Former Prime Minister and Police Commissioner for Perverting the Course of Justice
On 28 March 2024, the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr John Rabuku, filed an appeal in the High Court against the sentence handed down to former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho for perverting the course of justice. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge, while Qiliho received a conditional discharge and a fine of $1500 by the Suva Magistrates Court. Both were found not guilty and acquitted by Resident Magistrate Seini Puamau in October 2023 but later found guilty by the Acting Chief Justice. The appeal challenges the leniency of the sentence, errors in considering aggravating factors, irrelevant factors, and the absence of a victim.
Guinea: Conakry Massacre Trial Temporarily Suspended Amidst Reclassification of Charges as Crimes Against Humanity
On 29 March 2024, it was reported that the trial regarding the 28 September 2009 massacre in Conakry, Guinea, was temporarily suspended at the beginning of March as the Public Prosecutor’s Office requested a reclassification of the crimes as crimes against humanity. Former Guinean president Moussa Dadis Camara and ten other defendants are accused of ordering or participating in the massacre of over 150 demonstrators. This request for reclassification, supported by civil parties, aims to utilise international law under the Rome Statute, ratified by Guinea in 2002. However, the defence argues that the case has already been decided under ordinary law after exhausting all appeals, including a Supreme Court decision in favour of prosecution under ordinary law. Reclassifying the crimes would potentially impact the prosecution’s strategy, allowing them to invoke “command responsibility,” while the defence sees it as a violation of fair trial rights. After heated debates and threats of boycott by the defence, the court decided to suspend the hearings and will resume on 2 April 2024.
https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/130122-guinea-stadium-massacre-crime-against-humanity.html
International Peace & Security Section
Russia: “Radical Islamists” Responsible for Moscow Concert Hall Attacks, Says Putin
On 25 March 2024, the Guardian reported that Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, stated that the terrorist attack that occurred on the Crocus City concert hall in Moscow on 22 March was committed by radical Islamists and did not mention the affiliate of the Islamic State group who had claimed responsibility for the attack. He also reiterated his earlier claims that there could have been an involvement of Ukraine in committing the attack that killed 139 people. The Islamic State in Khorasan Province has claimed responsibility for the attack, with ISIL-affiliated media channels publishing graphic videos of gunmen during the terrorist attack. A Moscow court has charged four men on 24 March with carrying out a “terrorist” attack; the men charged have been identified as Tajik nationals by the Russian media.
UNRWA: Israel Bars Relief Agency from Delivering Aid in Northern Gaza
On 25 March 2024, the Guardian reported that the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has been barred by Israel from making any aid deliveries in northern Gaza, as the threat of famine grows in the region. Philippe Lazzarine, the head of the agency condemned this move of Israel calling it “outrageous” and highlighted that this move “makes it intentional to obstruct lifesaving assistance during man-made famine.” According to Juliette Touma, UNRWA Spokesperson, the decision had been made in a meeting with Israeli officials on 24 March with no reason for the decision being given. Jame McGoldrick, UN Coordinator highlighted that there has been witnessed a “70 per cent decrease in people’s ability to sustain themselves.”
UNHCR: Refugee Agency Calls for Immediate Action in DRC as a Surge in Violence is Observed
On 26 March 2024, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) raised concern over the ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting that it had reached dangerous levels; the conflict in the territories of Rutshuru and Masisi in the North Kivu has forced 1.3 million people to flee from their homes, which makes a total 5.7 million people as internally displaced across the North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces. The UNHCR has called for immediate action in the region due to increased conflict as a humanitarian partner have observed systematic incursions by armed groups into civilian structures. Furthermore, with renewed violence, children have also been displaced, with many being unaccompanied and at a higher risk of being exposed to grave violations such as kidnapping, forced recruitment, mutilation, and rape. The UNHCR has also called for an immediate end to the growing violence and has urged parties to the conflict to uphold their humanitarian and human rights law obligations. In 2024, only 14 per cent of its $250 million humanitarian response has been funded and it has further called for more support from the international community.
UNICEF: Increase in Severe Acute Malnutrition Among Children, Due to Escalating Violence in Haiti
On 26 March 2024, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned that due to increased armed violence in Haiti, the risk of malnutrition among children has further heightened. According to recent findings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, there has been a 19 per cent increase in the number of children estimated to suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in the region this year. Furthermore, according to the analysis, 1.64 million people are facing emergency levels of acute food insecurity. Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, highlighted that thousands of children in the region are on the brink of malnutrition and that situation in the country was creating a “child health and nutrition crisis that could cost the lives of countless children.”
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/armed-violence-deepening-malnutrition-crisis-children-haiti
UNSC: 14 Members in Favour of “Immediate Ceasefire” in Gaza, as USA Abstains for the Fourth Time
On 26 March 2024, it was reported that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had voted for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the very first time since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023. The resolution text has demanded “an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan leading to a sustainable ceasefire” and demanded the release of hostages. A total of 14 members voted in favour of the resolution, with the United States abstaining from it. According to the White House, the resolution lacked the language the US considers essential, and its abstention is not representative of its shift in policy. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office urged that the US abstention from the resolution is reflective of its “clear retreat” from its previously beheld position and would further hurt any efforts against Hamas as well as the release of Israeli captive shield in Gaza.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/25/un-gaza-ceasefire-vote
India: US Criticises Arrest of Opposition Leader, Indian Government Summons US and German Envoys
On 28 March 2024, it was reported that Gloria Berbena, a top US envoy, had been summoned by India in the wake of a warning from Washington that the country should ensure a “fair, transparent and timely legal process” for jailing Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of Delhi in connection with a long-running corruption investigation. The arrest of the opposition leader comes just weeks before the parliamentary elections are to be held across the nation. The top US diplomat has been summoned for criticising the arrest of the opposition leader. The US State Department has urged that it was “closely watching” events after the arrest of the chief minister. Germany also raised concerns about the arrest of Kejriwal, with the Indian foreign ministry stating that it had also summoned Germany’s deputy ambassador.
North Korea: Renewal of Monitoring Sanctions Against DPRK Vetoed by Russia
On 28 March 2024, the United States presented a resolution which extended the mandate of an expert panel monitoring the sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). In response to the resolution, Russia vetoed it, with the Member State receiving criticism for its move. Vassily Nebenzia, the Russian Ambassador, stated that the sanctions regime had been adopted to prevent nuclear weapon proliferation, which was slowly losing its relevance. He further highlighted that the “active militarisation” of the North Korea due to action by NATO alliance was worsening matters along with directly putting Russia’s interests under threat in the region. According to the US, the veto by Russia is a “self-interested effort to bury the panel’s reporting on its own collusion” with North Korea. Robert Wood, US Deputy Permanent Representative, highlighted that the Russian veto was an attempt “to silence the independent objective investigations into DPRK Security Council violation”. The veto by Russia does not remove the sanctions imposed on North Korea but results in the end of the group monitoring their implementation along with various alleged violations.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1148121
UNHCR: $1.4 Billion Refugee Response Plan Launched in Addition to Humanitarian Appeal for South Sudan
On 28 March 2024, the United Nations Refugee Agency made an appeal of $1.4 billion this year with the new South Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan that would fulfil the needs of 2.3 million refugees now living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda. According to UNHCR, South Sudan continues to be the largest refugee crisis in Africa. Mamadou Diane Balde, UNHCR’s Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region, highlighted that the Response Plan would “facilitate longer-term solution”. The Response Plan is in addition to the humanitarian appeal that had been launched earlier in the year, which aimed at providing humanitarian aid to 5.9 million people in South Sudan. The inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in national healthcare, education and other systems is central to the plan.
Haiti: Amid Raging Gang Violence in Haiti, Fear Grows in Kenya Over Deployment of Paramilitary Forces to the Caribbean Nation
On 28 March 2024, it was reported that Kenya had raised concerns over the deployment of paramilitary police officers to counter gang violence in Haiti. Based on a United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSC), a Kenya-led multinational security force has been ordered to be deployed to help Haiti in countering gang violence. The UN-backed mission was to begin in early 2024 but has been delayed due to public and legal scrutiny in Kenya. The criticisms come from the Kenyan high court ruling against the deployment, which argued that the deployment would be unlawful due to a lack of “reciprocal agreement” between the two nations. Following the resignation of Ariel Henry, Haitian President, Nairobi paused upon the plan for deployment and cited “a fundamental change in circumstances in Haiti”. Kenyan authorities have indicated their intention to continue with the mission once the political factions have agreed upon a transitional council.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/28/kenya-plan-deploy-police-haiti
UK: Report Finds Extreme Poverty and Hunger in Rwanda as Home Office Readies to Take Deportation Plan Off-Ground
On 28 March 2024, the Guardian reported that a report from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) pointed out the main concerns about the conditions prevailing in Rwanda, highlighting that half of the population, i.e. 56. 5% live on less than $1.90 a day, and according to FCDO’s analysis, the poverty reduction has remained constant since 2014. The FCDO had commissioned research into the root causes of the slowdown in poverty reduction in Rwanda and found the factors to be scarcity, limited livelihood options and climate change. Michela Wong, the author of Do Not Disturb, has assessed the prevailing conditions in Rwanda under the rule of the current president, Paul Kagame, and highlighted that “Rwanda is a poor country, and it has real problems with malnutrition.” The UK Home Office plans to get the first set of asylum seekers on a flight in a few weeks to launch the controversial scheme to process some UK asylum claims.