© Photo by Presidential Executive Office of Russia via Flickr
- Germany: Court Fines Far-Right Politician for Using Nazi Slogan
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US: Supreme Court Rules Former Presidents Immune from Certain Prosecutions
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Japan: The Supreme Court Rules Forced Sterilisation Law Unconstitutional
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UK: A Man Convicted on Terrorism Charges for Hospital Bomb Incident
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Canada: Ontario Court Orders Removal of University of Toronto Encampment
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Ukraine: Leader of Luhansk People’s Republic Sentenced to 12 Years of Prison
- ICJ: Permits Seven Nations to Intervene in Genocide Case Against Myanmar
- Tunisia: Presidential Candidate Arrested on Money Laundering Charges
- Serbia: Belgrade Higher Court Orders Detention of Kosovo Albanian for War Crimes
International Justice Section
Germany: Court Fines Far-Right Politician for Using Nazi Slogan
On 1 July 2024, Björn Höcke, a key figure in the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, was fined €16,900 by a regional court in Halle for using a slogan historically associated with the Nazi party during a public event. The fine was announced following Höcke’s use of the phrase “Alles für Deutschland” (“Everything for Germany”), a slogan used by the Nazi Party’s paramilitary wing, the Sturmabteilung (SA), during a party event in December 2023. The court ruled that Höcke’s action violated §86a of the German criminal code, which prohibits the use of symbols, slogans, or greetings from unconstitutional organisations, including the Nazi party and its affiliates like the SA. Despite Höcke urging the crowd to complete the slogan after he started it, his legal team defended the phrase as a generic expression, not exclusively tied to the SA. Previously in May, Höcke faced a €13,000 fine for similar actions during a 2021 speech. This time, the prosecutor had pushed for an eight-month prison sentence and a two-year political office ban, highlighting the gravity of the repetition of such offences. In response to the verdict, Höcke criticised the decision on X (formerly Twitter), challenging the political impartiality of the judiciary and positioning the ruling as a threat to democratic constitutional principles.
US: Supreme Court Rules Former Presidents Immune from Certain Prosecutions
On 1 July 2024, the US Supreme Court ruled that former US presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for actions taken within their constitutional duties, allowing Donald Trump to challenge a federal indictment related to the 2020 elections. The case centres on Trump’s conduct leading up to January 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the US Capitol, delaying the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. Trump was indicted in August 2023 on charges of conspiring to overturn the election results. He pleaded not guilty and sought dismissal based on presidential immunity. The Supreme Court ruled that while the President is protected from prosecution for official acts, unofficial conduct or shared functions with the legislative branch are not immune. The case was remanded to a lower court to determine the nature of Trump’s actions. The decision, split along partisan lines, emphasised the need to protect the executive’s independence, while dissenting justices warned about the potential erosion of accountability. Trump celebrated the decision, highlighting its significance ahead of the 2024 presidential election, where he remains a prominent candidate despite facing several ongoing criminal cases.
Germany: Five Suspected of War Crimes in Syria Arrested
On 3 July 2024, German authorities arrested five individuals; four stateless Syrian Palestinians and one Syrian national, on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes linked to events in Syria roughly ten years ago, according to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office. Identified only by initials in compliance with German privacy laws, Jihad A., Mahmoud A., Sameer S., Wael S., and Mazhar J. are believed to have ties to the Free Palestine Movement militia and Syrian intelligence services. Initial arrests took place across multiple locations in Germany, including Berlin, Frankenthal, and Mecklenburg Vorpommern. The group is accused of violent acts during a crackdown on a peaceful protest at the Al Yarmouk refugee camp in July 2012, early in the Syrian civil war, where civilians were allegedly targeted and killed. Other accusations include assaults at checkpoints from 2012 to 2014 and collaboration in detainment and torture practices with Syrian Military Intelligence. This operation was supported by Germany’s universal jurisdiction laws, allowing the prosecution of international crimes committed abroad. In coordination with Swedish authorities, who also made related arrests, the investigation reflects broader European legal cooperation against international war crimes. Anwar al-Bunni, a prominent lawyer involved in prosecuting war crimes, indicated hopes to broaden the investigation across Europe and lamented legal challenges in addressing the full scope of alleged atrocities in Al Yarmouk. These arrests underscore ongoing international efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable, regardless of their location, highlighting the extensive reach and impact of universal jurisdiction laws in the global justice landscape. Further details on the prosecution and subsequent legal proceedings are expected as the cases progress.
Japan: The Supreme Court Rules Forced Sterilisation Law Unconstitutional
On 3 July 2024, Japan’s Supreme Court ruled the former Eugenic Protection Law unconstitutional, mandating government compensation for victims. The court found that the law, which led to the sterilisation of about 25,000 people, violated the constitutional respect for individual dignity. The ruling also criticised the 20-year statute of limitations on compensation claims as contrary to “justice and fairness,” enabling victims previously denied compensation to now seek redress. This decision follows years of advocacy by victims and legal experts, including Koji Niisato of the National Eugenic Protection Law Victims’ Lawyers Group, who emphasised the need for timely justice to restore honour to the ageing victims. One of the victims, 80-year-old Kita Saburo, expressed a poignant desire for an official apology, underscoring the deep personal impacts of the law. The Eugenic Protection Law was initially enacted in 1948 to prevent the birth of what it described as “inferior descendants.” Despite its repeal and a 2019 law that offered apologies and reparations, the Supreme Court’s ruling marks a pivotal moment in Japan’s reckoning with its past human rights violations.
Sierra Leone: Law Enacted to Combat Child Marriage
On 3 July 2024, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act into law on Tuesday, establishing stringent penalties, including up to 15 years in prison or fines exceeding $2,000, for those marrying girls under 18. This legislation, passed with significant parliamentary support last month, marks a historic stride in combating a deeply entrenched issue within the nation. At the “We Are Equal” ceremony in Freetown, President Bio celebrated the law as a crucial step toward gender equality, reflecting his administration’s focus on women’s empowerment. The law not only criminalises child marriage but also prohibits cohabitation with underage girls and establishes support systems for victims. Sierra Leone, where traditional customs have seen an estimated 800,000 girls married off as child brides, half of them before the age of 15, stands to benefit profoundly from this change. The US embassy and global organisations like Save the Children have praised the new law, acknowledging First Lady Fatima Maada Bio’s pivotal role in advocating for its passage. This legislation is a key milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to eliminate child marriage and improve the futures of its young women, aligning with global movements for protecting human rights and expanding opportunities for girls.
https://thedailyguardian.com/sierra-leone-enacts-landmark-law-banning-child-marriage/
UK: A Man Convicted on Terrorism Charges for Hospital Bomb Incident
On 3 July 2024, Mohammad Farooq, a former student nurse, was convicted of planning a terrorist attack, including targeting a Royal Air Force Base near Leeds, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The conviction, announced on Tuesday, follows his January 2023 arrest at St. James’s Hospital in Leeds where he was found with a pressure cooker bomb and a firearm. Farooq had reportedly expressed a desire to “kill everyone” at the time of his arrest. Further investigations revealed materials for preparing additional improvised explosive devices in his vehicle, including nails and explosive compounds, alongside floor plans of the hospital close to the RAF base. His online search history indicated detailed planning for potential attacks. Initially, Farooq pleaded guilty to possessing information useful to a terrorist and having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offence but denied preparing acts of terrorism. However, the Sheffield Crown Court jury found him guilty under the Terrorism Act 2006 of preparing acts of terrorism, influenced by Daesh-inspired ideology and personal grievances. Detective Superintendent Paul Greenwood, from Counter Terrorism Policing North East, emphasised the clear evidence of Farooq’s intent to commit the attack. Sentencing will occur at a later date, while investigations continue to uncover any possible accomplices. The case underscores the ongoing “substantial” terrorism threat level in the UK as assessed by MI5.
https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/man-convicted-taking-bomb-hospital-and-planning-attack-raf-base
Canada: Ontario Court Orders Removal of University of Toronto Encampment
On 3 July 2024, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, led by Justice Markus Koehnen, issued a decisive ruling yesterday against the encampment at the University of Toronto, mandating its removal on trespass grounds. The court found that the encampment’s continued presence violated property rights and posed an irreparable harm, necessitating immediate action, including potential physical enforcement, prosecution for trespass, and university-imposed sanctions. In his ruling, Justice Koehnen addressed the serious issue of hate speech associated with the encampment, particularly targeting the Jewish community. The court noted several instances of egregious comments, some directly threatening, such as calls for violence against Jews and derogatory statements, identified on the encampment’s exterior. These included remarks like “Death to the Jews” and “Itbach El Yahod” (slaughter the Jews), which the court unambiguously categorised as hate speech. While the court did not find conclusive evidence linking these expressions directly to specific encampment protesters, it emphasised the broader implications for campus safety and the university’s obligation to maintain a hate-free environment. This ruling underscores the necessity for universities to balance freedom of expression with the imperative to protect all community members from discrimination and threats, setting a precedent for similar cases across Canadian campuses.
Ukraine : Leader of Luhansk People’s Republic Sentenced to 12 Years of Prison
On 3 July 2024, The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) announced that Leonid Pasichnyk, leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic in the occupied Luhansk province, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Pasichnyk was found guilty under Articles 110.2 and 111-1.5 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code for conspiring to encroach on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and collaborating against the state. The SSU’s investigation revealed that Pasichnyk signed an agreement with Russia on February 24, 2022, which facilitated President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Pasichnyk, a former SSU employee with pro-Russian views, played a key role in the offensive against the Donbas region, including organising a fraudulent referendum for Luhansk’s annexation to Russia. The trial, conducted in Pasichnyk’s absence, resulted in a 12-year prison sentence and a 13-year ban from holding positions in government-related functions, to be enforced upon his detention.
ICJ: Permits Seven Nations to Intervene in Genocide Case Against Myanmar
On 4 July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) unanimously decided to permit seven countries—Maldives, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK—to intervene in the genocide case initiated by The Gambia against Myanmar. The court deemed their interventions admissible under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute, which allows states parties to the relevant convention to participate in proceedings where its interpretation is in question. The Gambia’s case, filed on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in November 2019, accuses Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya ethnic group in Rakhine State, who have endured longstanding persecution and violence. Despite Myanmar’s objections regarding The Gambia’s standing, the ICJ issued provisional measures in January 2020, directing Myanmar to prevent further genocidal acts against the Rohingya. However, ongoing abuses have been reported, and on June 27, 89 civil rights groups urged the UN Security Council to intervene to protect ethnic minorities in Myanmar. The involvement of France and the UK, both permanent UN Security Council members, adds significant pressure on Myanmar’s military leadership.
Tunisia: Presidential Candidate Arrested on Money Laundering Charges
On 4 July 2024, Lotfi Mraihi, leader of Tunisia’s Republican Union Party and a candidate in the upcoming presidential election, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering in Nabeul province. Authorities accuse Mraihi, a prominent critic of President Kais Saied, of money laundering and opening unauthorised bank accounts abroad. The arrest, seen by opposition parties as an attempt by Saied’s government to eliminate rivals, adds to a series of detentions of opposition leaders facing various charges. Saied, who assumed extensive powers in 2021 and revised the constitution to strengthen presidential authority, has not officially announced his candidacy for the October election but is expected to seek a second term. Critics argue that credible elections are impossible without the release of imprisoned politicians and free media. Saied maintains his actions were necessary to combat political corruption.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/4/tunisia-opposition-leader-lotfi-mraihi-arrested
Serbia: Belgrade Higher Court Orders Detention of Kosovo Albanian for War Crimes
On 4 July 2024, the Belgrade Higher Court ordered up to 30 days of custody for a Kosovo Albanian man, identified as F.K., suspected of committing war crimes against Yugoslav Army troops in May 1999 in the Kosare region. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic announced the arrest, noting that F.K. is the fourth Kosovo Albanian detained in Serbia for war crimes this year, following the arrests of Tefik Mustafa in June, Sadik Duraku in April, and Hasan Dakaj in January. All detainees remain in custody. Kosovo’s Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, expressed frustration over Belgrade’s refusal to extradite its citizens and cooperate judicially with Pristina, citing the lack of extradition agreements due to Serbia not recognizing Kosovo’s independence. She also highlighted the financial support requests from the families of the detainees, stating that there is no legal framework for the Kosovo government to assist financially. Haxhiu recently requested the extradition of four Kosovo citizens, including F.K., via a letter to her Serbian counterpart, Maja Popovic.
International Peace & Security Section
Nigeria: Suicide Attacks Kill 18 with Dozens Injured
Reported on 30 June 2024, several suicide attacks occurred in the town of Gwoza, which lies across the border from Cameroon, Borno state. There were three blasts allegedly committed by female suicide bombers. During the attack, at least 18 people were killed and dozens injured. Those killed include men, women, children, pregnant women, militias and soldiers. Borno has been prone to armed conflicts and violence for the last 15 years which has resulted in thousands of casualties and has displaced millions. In 2019, 30 people were killed in a triple suicide attack. Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are the most active armed groups in the region. Gwoza was taken over by Boko Haram back in 2014. It is well-known that Boko Haram uses young men and girls to conduct suicide attacks. The Nigerian military reclaimed the town with the help of Chadian Forces in 2015. However, the attacks have spread widely, including Niger, Cameroon and Chad, where there are several coalition groups.
Turkey: Anti-Syrian Riots and Protests Continue
On 2 July 2024, protests against Syrians occurred in Turkey, in the central Melikgazi region and other parts of the country. The riots broke out again after a Syrian man was found guilty of sexually abusing a seven-year-old Syrian girl in the central city of Kayseri. The Turks and residents have been demanding to kick Syrians out of the country, and the violence has been escalating. They damaged houses, workplaces, and vehicles, shops, and burned down the properties of Syrians. During this riot, 474 were detained and the Turkish President and Minister of Interior denounced the provocative actions. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called out the opposition parties for igniting the uprising. Since the Syrian civil war started, most Syrians have fled to Turkey and have been living under “temporary protection” and welcomed as refugees in the country. Xenophobic protests targeting Syrians have been increasing over the last three years. In 2021, a Turkish teenager was stabbed to death in a fight with a group of young Syrians in the capital, Ankara. After the recent riots, Syrians retaliated by tearing down Turkish flags, hurling rocks and objects at Turkish trucks and attempting to storm the Jarablus crossing.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/2/protests-and-arrests-as-anti-syrian-riots-rock-turkey
Mexico: Dozens Killed During the Drug Turf War
On 2 July 2024, at least 19 bodies were found in a truck in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. A violent drug war has been escalating between the rival gangs: the Sinaloa cartel and Chiapas, and the Guatemala cartel. This area is prone to drug and migrant trafficking and the two groups are trying to take control of the criminals in the border area. According to the officials, the victims were shot to death and at least six of them held Guatemalan identity documents. The government has now deployed 1,200 personnel on the southern border. Since 2006, 450,000 people have been murdered amidst the criminal violence when then-President Felipe Calderon launched a military offensive against drug cartels.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/2/drug-gang-turf-war-dumps-dozens-of-bodies-in-mexico-truck
US-Panama: Sign Deal to Close Darién Gap Crossing
On 2 July 2024, it was reported that the US and Panama signed an agreement to restrict the flow of migration through the Darién Gap to the US southern border. The new Panamanian President, Jose Raul Mulino, took office on Monday and stated in his first speech that he would seek international assistance to find solutions to the migration issue, which he described as a “humanitarian and environmental crisis.” Panama’s foreign minister and the US Secretary of Homeland Security signed the memorandum of understanding that aims to “close off the passing of illegal immigrants” through the Darién Gap. The US has agreed to cover the costs of repatriation of migrants who enter Panama illegally. The agreement aims to reduce the number of migrants being “cruelly smuggled” through the Darién Gap heading for the US. The Darién Gap is a 257 km (160 mile) space between Colombia and Panama, and the only land path from South America to the US. The treacherous jungle was once an impassable route but in recent years hundreds of thousands of migrants have made the trek through the Darién trying to reach the US. Last year, a record 520,000 migrants made the journey. More than 190,000 migrants have made the journey so far in 2024, most coming from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia and China. The route has become popular in recent years as smugglers have made it an affordable option. However, the trek includes treacherous terrain, wild animals and criminal gangs. Mulino says he understands there are “deep-rooted reasons” for migration, but he would not allow Panama to be an open path for thousands to enter the country illegally.
https://www.dw.com/en/us-panama-sign-deal-to-curb-migration-across-the-darien-gap/a-69533973
Poland: Meeting with German Leader to Discuss European and Polish Security
On 2 July 2024, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Warsaw for consultations aimed at reestablishing relations between the two countries, and to discuss security and Poland’s eastern border for the first time in six years. Tusk reaffirmed that Germany should be a prominent country in European and Polish security. Previously, Scholz stated Germany would take co-responsibility for the border Poland shares with Belarus and Russia, through investment into infrastructure and security. Scholz stated the security of Germany and Poland is inseparable, “Poland’s security is also Germany’s security.” Tusk welcomed the declaration, however, he was critical of European countries for not taking measures to ensure the joint security of the continent. During the meeting, Scholz also pledged to implement measures to support victims of the German occupation in Poland from 1939 to 1945. He also vowed to bolster remembrance of their shared history and to commemorate the Polish victims. The meeting was the first time the two countries held talks since 2018. Relations were strained under Poland’s previous right-wing government which accused Germany of excessive influence on EU decision-making. The government also looked for €1.3 trillion in compensation for the losses the Nazi German occupation caused Poland during World War II. Tusk’s government took office in December and has vowed to mend ties with other European allies. This comes as there is a surge across Europe of Eurosceptic right-wing parties.
Lebanon: Hezbollah Deployed Rocket Attack at Israel after High-Ranking Official Was Killed
On 3 July 2024, Hezbollah’s top commander Muhammad Nimah Nasser, also known as “Hajj Abu Naameh” was killed by Israeli armed forces in southern Lebanon. As a result of his death, Hezbollah retaliated by launching a barrage of rockets. An ally of Lebanon, an Iran-aligned armed group joined the attack with 100 katyusha rockets, which were targeted at Israeli military bases. It is believed that Nasser was killed in the Tyre attack. Nasser’s death follows another high-ranking official, Taleb Abdallah who was killed by an Israeli attack in June. As of now, Israeli forces have killed Nasser, Abdallah, and Wissam al-Tawil, another top commander from the group. According to Israeli Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli troops are shifting to northern Israel although far-right Israeli ministers aim to invade the territory controlled by Hezbollah in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Minister warned that the military is capable of and can take “Lebanon back to the Stone Age.” Both Hezbollah and Iranian armed groups asserted their readiness to counter the attacks from Israel.
Russia: Sends Warning to NATO over Increased Military Presence on its Borders
On 4 July 2024, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) increased military presence on their borders will not go unanswered. Deputy spokesman for the ministry, Andrey Nastasyin, said in a press conference in Moscow that NATO’s military threatens the security of the Russian Federation, referring to Finland’s agreement to allow the US access to 15 military bases in Finland as an example of NATO’s increased presence on Russian borders. Nastasyin also described the invitation of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers to a NATO summit scheduled for July in Washington as a further example of the US trying to “extend their destructive influence to all regions of the world.” Nastasyin was very critical of the NATO approach and stated NATO members are trying to develop their own approaches to regional issues, but this approach has led to “disastrous results.” Nastasyin accused the US and European allies of being dissatisfied with the situation in Ukraine and are now trying to create chaos in neighbouring countries, accusing them of supplying weapons to Armenia and undermining the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). While at the same time trying to influence Baku, which is increasing the tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia, disrupting dialogue between the countries and inciting an arms race in the region. Nastasyin argued this approach is intended to divide the South Caucasus region. He stressed security and stability should be safeguarded by the countries in the region. Nastasyin also accused Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia of “adopting a destructive approach towards the South Caucasus.”
SCO: Russia and China Lead SCO Summit in Astana
On 4 July 2024, the 24th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) concluded in Kazakhstan’s capital city of Astana. Russian President Putin hailed the Central Asian summit as “one of the key pillars of a fair, multipolar world order.” The summit adopted the Astana Declaration, which outlines the group’s commitment to building a “representative, democratic, equitable, and multipolar world order.” The declaration outlined the importance of growing the SCO’s role in global peace, security and stability. It also highlighted the principles of territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and non-use of force as crucial for maintaining international relations, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and consultation. Chinese President Xi Jinping stated the alliance must settle internal differences with peace and look for common ground. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also attended the summit while he was on a visit to Central Asia. The SCO was created in 2001 by China, Russia and the ex-Soviet nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to discuss regional security and economic cooperation. In 2017, India and Pakistan joined, followed by Iran in 2023. During this year’s summit, Belarus was admitted as a full member of the alliance. There are two observer states, Afghanistan and Mongolia, with 14 states participating as dialogue partners, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
https://www.dw.com/en/russia-china-headline-regional-security-summit/a-69555320
Mauritania: At Least 89 People Dead After Migrant Boat Sinks off Coast
On 5 July 2024, Mauritanian officials reported that at least 89 migrants died after their boat capsised in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday. Nine people were rescued, including a five-year-old girl, but dozens remain missing. The ship set sail from the Gambia-Senegal border with 170 people on board and sank off the southwestern coast of Mauritania. Mauritania is a key transit point for migrants trying to reach Europe from West Africa. The most common destination on the hazardous route is the Spanish Canary Islands. The Spanish government reported nearly 40,000 people arrived there last year, which is double compared to previous years. Migrants desperate to get to Europe often travel in overloaded boats. The Caminando Fronteras charity estimates more than 5,000 migrants died at sea while trying to reach Spain in the first five months of 2024. In April, the EU granted Mauritania €210 million in aid, with almost €60 million going towards curtailing undocumented migration to Europe.