Weekly News Recap (25 – 31 May 2026) © Photo by USAID U.S. Agency for International Development via Flickr International Justice Section Tunisia: Court Sentences Presidential Critic Sonia Dahmani to...
Weekly News Recap (29 July - 2 August 2024)
© Photo by United Nations Photo via Flickr
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- ICJ: Poland Files an Application to Intervene in Allegations of Genocide in the Ukraine v. Russian Federation Case
- Germany: Parliament Debates Amending the Constitution to Include LGBT+ Protection
- Venezuela: Allegations of electoral fraud follow newly elected President Maduro of Venezuela
- Nepal: Supreme Court Grants Legal Recognition to Transgender Woman
- ACHPR: The Commission Says Displacing Indigenous Batwa in DRC Violates Rights
- ICC: The Office of the Prosecutor Welcomes the Judgement in Guinea
- Ireland: Court Declares Government’s Failure to Provide for Asylum Seekers Violates EU Charter
- US: President Biden Proposes Supreme Court Reforms and Presidential Immunity Changes
International Peace & Security Section
- Gaza: Frequent Evacuation Orders Lead to Further Misery for Gazans
- Bangladesh: Restores Mobile and Internet Services After 11-day Blackout
- Venezuela: Allegations of Electoral Fraud Following Newly Elected President Maduro
- Gaza: Vaccine Campaign Necessary to Prevent Gaza’s Youth from Contracting Polio Amid ‘Deathly Cycle’ of Hunger, Heat and Diseases
- Congo: Ceasefire Agreed in Eastern Congo Conflict
- Gaza: Two Journalists Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Gaza
- Ukraine: New F-16 Jets Arrive in Ukraine to Bolster Defence Against Russia
- Lebanon: Top Hezbollah Commander Fuad Shukr Killed in Israeli Strike in Beirut
- Iran: Hamas Leader, Ismail Haniyeh, Killed in Tehran Amid Rising Tensions
International Justice Section
ICJ: Poland Files an Application to Intervene in Allegations of Genocide in the Ukraine v. Russian Federation Case
On 29 July 2024, Poland filed an application for permission to intervene under Article 62, and a declaration of intervention under Article 63 in the case concerning Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation). In accordance with Article 62, a State not party to a case may submit a request to intervene if “it has an interest of a legal nature which may be affected by the decision in the case.” In its application, Poland stated, an accusation of genocide by Ukraine, “simultaneously affects the Republic of Poland’s legal position as a state providing a wide range of support to Ukraine.” On 26 February 2022, Ukraine filed an Application instituting proceedings against the Russian Federation concerning the Genocide Convention, contending that the Russian Federation “has falsely claimed that acts of genocide have occurred in the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts of Ukraine, … and then declared and implemented a ‘special military operation’ against Ukraine.” On 2 February 2024, the Court rendered its Judgement on the preliminary objections and fixed 2 August 2024 as the new time-limit for the filing of the Counter-Memorial of the Russian Federation.
https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/182/182-20240729-pre-01-00-en.pdf
Germany: Parliament Debates Amending the Constitution to Include LGBT+ Protection
On 29 July 2024, more political leaders took to social media to discuss their parties’ stances on bill 19/13123, which proposes to establish sexual identity as a prohibited ground of discrimination under Article 3 of the Basic Law. This bill was proposed by the Free Democratic Party, the Left Party, and the Green Party. While this would be a promising development, the bill would need to reach a two thirds majority in both the Bundestag and Bundesrat. There are oppositions to this development, including by the Christian Democratic Union. While the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany has recognised that discrimination based on sexual identity is prohibited and a recent law passed in April, which allows transgender and non-binary people to modify their legal identity through a more LGBT-friendly process which shows promise for enhanced LBGT protection, there is still much to be done. According to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, there were 1 422 anti-LGBT+ hate crimes in Germany in 2022 alone.
Venezuela: Allegations of electoral fraud follow newly elected President Maduro of Venezuela
On 29 July 2024, Nicolás Maduro was elected president of Venezuela. However, his opposition candidate, Edmundo González, claims that González himself actually received over 73 percent of the votes and accused President Maduro of fraud. Numerous South American countries have expressed doubt as to the transparency and integrity of the process, as did the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. In response to the mounting political pressure, President Maduro announced on 31 July that his coalition will publicise the vote counting sheets and asked the Venezuelan high court, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, to audit the results. However, with justices proposed and ratified by the National Assembly, closely aligned with Maduro, it is doubtful that this audit would be more transparent.
UK: High Court Upholds Ban on Puberty Blockers for Minors
On 29 July 2024, the UK High Court ruled that the ban on prescribing puberty blockers to minors, introduced on 29 May 2024, is lawful. The challenge, led by TransActual and an anonymous young transgender plaintiff, argued that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care improperly implemented the ban through emergency procedures without adequate consultation with transgender organisations. However, the court found the procedure was justified due to “scientific uncertainty” and stated that the ban’s implementation was a rational government decision. This ruling drew heavily on the “Cass Review,” which recommended strict controls over puberty blockers citing potential risks, a stance criticised by LGBTQ+ groups and some medical experts for excluding diverse perspectives. TransActual’s Director for Healthcare, Chay Brown, expressed deep concerns over the decision’s impact on transgender minors and criticised the UK medical system for not adequately addressing their needs. Following the ruling, TransActual called for immediate policy revisions and public advocacy against the ban, considering an appeal based on further legal advice.
https://apnews.com/article/british-court-puberty-blocker-ban-f509fdaa8697803bdfc246212201a802
Approved Judgment – R(TransActual CIC and Anor) v SSHSC and Anor (judiciary.uk)
Libya: Court Convicts Twelve over Deadly Floods
On 29 July 2024, a Libyan court sentenced twelve individuals for their roles in mismanaging two dams whose failure resulted in catastrophic floods in 2023, killing thousands. The Derna Criminal Court handed down sentences ranging from nine to twenty-six years after finding the officials guilty of negligence and mismanagement. Four other defendants were acquitted but ordered to return funds derived from illegal gains. The floods occurred in early September 2023 when the Abu Mansur Dam and Al Bilad Dam burst during Storm Daniel’s heavy rainfall, releasing 24 million cubic feet of water near the city of Derna. The World Health Organization reported the floods killed at least 4 000 people and displaced 25 000, with substantial numbers still missing. According to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, a third of Derna’s housing was damaged. A 2021 state audit had revealed that despite allocated funding, the dams were not properly maintained or repaired. The ruling can be appealed to a higher court, which might overturn these sentences, marking another chapter in Libya’s struggle with infrastructure and disaster management.
Criminal Court convicts twelve officials responsible for managing Derna’s dams (libyaherald.com)
Nepal: Supreme Court Grants Legal Recognition to Transgender Woman
On 1 August 2024, the Supreme Court of Nepal ruled that Rukshana Kapali, a transgender woman, “should be legally recognized on all documents as a woman without having to submit to medical verification.” Kapali has filed more than 50 lawsuits since 2021 against the Nepali government, as part of efforts to gain rights-based legal recognition of gender identity. Authorities confirmed that for the past ten years, they have published certain documents that include ‘other’ or ‘third gender’ in accordance with the 2007 Supreme Court ruling. However, the 2007 ruling usually requires trans people in Nepal to have surgery to change their gender markers to ‘female’ or ‘male’. This means that trans people must leave the nation to have gender changing surgery, followed by in-country medical evaluations that are ‘intrusive.’ Kapali’s verdict is the most recent in the court’s string of progressive decisions regarding gender identity and sexual orientation. The 2015 Constitution of Nepal also recognizes LGBTQIA + identities.
https://www.mygwork.com/es/my-g-news/nepals-supreme-court-affirms-legal-recognition-for-trans-women
ACHPR: The Commission Says Displacing Indigenous Batwa in DRC Violates Rights
On 1 August 2024, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) released a landmark decision declaring that the “displacement of the indigenous Batwa people from their ancestral lands within the Kahuzi-Biega National Park by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) violated their rights, and requested that Batwa receive title to their confiscated lands.” The Commission found that the DRC breached 11 articles under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including Article 3, the right to be treated equally and Article 14, the right to property. The ruling was first filed in 2015, following years of unsuccessful attempts for redress within the DRC domestic courts. The DRC has declined to participate throughout the proceedings and has “taken no steps to comply with the ruling since its adoption in mid-2022.”
ICC: The Office of the Prosecutor Welcomes the Judgement in Guinea
On 1 August 2024, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) welcomed the Dixinn Court’s judgement of 31 July, convicting those responsible for the 28 September 2009 events at the national stadium in Conakry, where between 156 and 200 people were allegedly killed or disappeared, and at least 109 women were raped or subjected to other forms of sexual violence. This decision, which held former leaders of Guinea responsible, sends a signal that no-one is above the law. The OTP noted that they look forward to further action with respect to other pending proceedings in relation to the events on 28 September 2009 and congratulated the Republic of Guinea and the relevant national authorities for “the important step taken in relation to the events” at the national stadium.
Ireland: Court Declares Government’s Failure to Provide for Asylum Seekers Violates EU Charter
On 1 August 2024, the Irish High Court ruled that the Irish government violated the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights by failing to meet the basic needs of asylum seekers, undermining their right to human dignity. The court found that between 4 December 2023 and 10 May 2024, the government did not provide adequate accommodations, refusing to adhere to a mandatory order. Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin acknowledged the court’s decision and affirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations. Michael O’Neill from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission urged the government to comply with the ruling. This decision aligns with international refugee law principles, such as those in the 1951 Refugee Convention.
US: President Biden Proposes Supreme Court Reforms and Presidential Immunity Changes
On 2 August 2024, President Joe Biden announced a plan to reform the Supreme Court by introducing term limits and altering presidential immunity rules. This three-part strategy, detailed in a Washington Post op-ed, includes a proposed constitutional amendment to strip former presidents of immunity from prosecution and to end lifetime appointments for Supreme Court justices. Instead, Biden suggests a system where each president would appoint a justice every two years for an 18-year term. The proposal, emerging ahead of the November 2024 presidential election, faces significant challenges in Congress, where bipartisan support is necessary but uncertain. The House, controlled by Republicans, and the Democrat-dominated Senate must both pass the amendment by a two-thirds majority. Alternatively, a constitutional convention could be requested by 34 states, a process not utilised since the adoption of the 27th Amendment in 1992. President Biden emphasised that term limits would regularise the timing of Supreme Court nominations, making the court less susceptible to drastic changes by any single administration. He cited a 2022 Associated Press poll showing substantial public support for Supreme Court term limits, with 67% of Americans in favour, including majorities across both major political parties. Biden’s remarks also underscored a broader critique of the current Supreme Court’s actions, which he argues have deviated from constitutional norms and eroded public trust in its decisions. He stated, “No one is above the law,” reinforcing the principle of legal equality across all branches of government. The president’s proposals aim to restore confidence and ensure the court more accurately reflects the evolving values and laws of the United States.
Biden endorses Supreme Court reforms, amendment to limit immunity – The Washington Post
International Peace & Security Section
Gaza: Frequent Evacuation Orders Lead to Further Misery for Gazans
On 29 July 2024, UN humanitarians reported 12 children were killed over the weekend in a deadly strike in the Syrian Golan Heights which led to new forced displacements in Gaza. Evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military have impacted Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps, said UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) spokesperson, forcing families to relocate over and over, knowing that safety is “non-existent in the Gaza strip.” Evacuation orders are now given more and more frequently, while the UNOCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) reported that humanitarian partners estimate that more than 190 000 Palestinians had been displaced last week in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah, since an evacuation order was issued one week ago. These evacuation orders along with the intense hostilities have continued to destabilise aid operations and has hampered efforts to provide critical relief to civilians in Khan Younis.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/07/1152601
Bangladesh: Restores Mobile and Internet Services After 11-day Blackout
On 29 July 2024, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the Bangladeshi Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, announced that mobile and internet services will return to Bangladesh. However, social media platforms, such as Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, are still under censorship. The nation-wide blackout from 17 to 28 July 2024 was in response to escalating protests. Originally, students carried out peaceful protests on campus against the Bangladeshi High Court’s decision to reinstate a quota system that designated 30% of government jobs to descendants of the 1971 Independence War veterans. As the unemployment rates continued to rise, particularly among young people, the reinstatement of this quota system that ended in 2018 caused widespread unrest. Police retaliated against student protestors using tear gas, rubber bullets, and smoke grenades. Allegedly, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami members were armed and joined the protests as well. Although investigations are ongoing, there were an estimated 147 people killed, damages to government infrastructure, public transport system, and hundreds of government-owned vehicles. The Bangladeshi High Court responded by modifying their decision, designating 5% of (instead of 30) government positions to veteran descendants, 2% to minority groups, and leaving the remaining 93% of jobs to be given based on merit. However, it is unclear whether this has brought an end to the conflict, as students have listed more demands, including investigations and reform, that have not yet been met.
https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/07/bangladesh-authorities-announce-end-to-11-day-internet-shutdown/
Venezuela: Allegations of Electoral Fraud Following Newly Elected President Maduro
On 29 July 2024, Nicolás Maduro was elected president of Venezuela. However, his opposition candidate, Edmundo González, claims that González himself actually received over 73 per cent of the votes and accused President Maduro of fraud. Numerous South American countries have expressed doubt as to the transparency and integrity of the process, as did the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. In response to the mounting political pressure, President Maduro announced on 31 July that his coalition will publicise the vote counting sheets and asked the Venezuelan high court, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, to audit the results. However, with justices proposed and ratified by the National Assembly, closely aligned with Maduro, it is doubtful that this audit would be more transparent.
Gaza: Vaccine Campaign Necessary to Prevent Gaza’s Youth from Contracting Polio Amid ‘Deathly Cycle’ of Hunger, Heat and Diseases
On 30 July 2024, UN humanitarians continued to call for a ceasefire in order to allow a mass vaccination campaign to get underway, to prevent a polio epidemic in Gaza. War and intense bombardment have shattered healthcare in Gaza, leaving children and the young exposed to a range of preventable diseases including polio, which WHO has confirmed to be present last month in several sewage samples taken from Gaza. So far, no cases have been reported. A ceasefire would be the best solution, according to a WHO spokesperson, otherwise, the vaccines would be sitting, like many other trucks, across the border. If a child receives the full course of vaccines, the risk of contracting paralysing polio is negligible, according to UNICEF spokesperson. The water emergency in Gaza and having no access to waste disposal has led to a horrendous lack of sanitation, a spike in diarrhoeal illness, acute respiratory infections and further environmental degradation. UNRWA also reported that between 800 to 1 000 new hepatitis A cases are being reported weekly from health centres across Gaza.
Congo: Ceasefire Agreed in Eastern Congo Conflict
On 30 July 2024, it was reported that a ceasefire was agreed between Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, to begin on 4 August following talks between the two countries that were mediated by Angola. The Angola presidency confirmed the ceasefire agreement in a statement but did not specify how long it would last. Earlier in July, a two-week humanitarian pause took place amid intense fighting between Congolese government troops and rebels from the M23 group (March 23 Movement). Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 group, Rwanda has denied the claims. Fighting in North Kiuv province of eastern Congo has displaced at least 1.7 million people. The United Nations estimates a record number of 7.2 million people are displaced in Congo due to multiple conflicts.
Gaza: Two Journalists Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Gaza
On 31 July 2024, two reporters from Al Jazeera were killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza City. The Qatari based broadcaster said journalist Ismail al-Ghoul and his cameraman Rami al-Rifi died in the attack that struck a car near the Aidia area west of Gaza city. The number of Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip now stands at 165 since the war broke out. Israel has faced international criticism for its brutal assault on Gaza since the 7 October attack by Hamas, and for not obeying a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. Nearly 10 months into the Israeli war, almost 40 000 Palestinians have since been killed and over 91 000 injured.
Ukraine: New F-16 Jets Arrive in Ukraine to Bolster Defence Against Russia
On 31 July 2024, Lithuanian and US officials confirmed the first batch of F-16 jets had arrived in Ukraine in an effort to strengthen its depleted air force. Ukraine was eager to get F-16 jets because of their destructive power and global availability. The jets have a 20mm cannon and can carry bombs, rockets and missiles. Other countries have said they will donate F-16s to Ukraine. Denmark has said it will donate 19 jets, while the Netherlands has promised to give 24 jets. Both countries have been pushing international allies to supply Ukraine with fighter jets. Norway has said it would donate six F-16s to Ukraine. Western partners have been training the pilots and ground staff for months to operate the jets. Up until now, Ukraine had been relying on Soviet-era jets in its fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian officials see the addition of F-16 jets as a vital upgrade for its Air Force, but the F-16s will not alone prove a turning point in the war.
Lebanon: Top Hezbollah Commander Fuad Shukr Killed in Israeli Strike in Beirut
On 31 July 2024, it was reported senior Hezbollah military commander, Fuad Shukr, had been killed in an Israeli airstrike and his body had been recovered from the rubble of a building in Beirut. Earlier on Wednesday, Hezbollah confirmed that Shukr was inside the targeted building, but his fate was still unknown. The Israeli military claimed on Tuesday its strike had “eliminated” Shukr, who they stated was responsible for a rocket attack on the Israel-annexed Golan Heights that killed 12 children on Saturday. Lebanon’s health ministry estimates three civilians were killed in the Israeli strike, a woman and two children. Israel stated Shukr was Hezbollah’s most senior military commander, and also the “right-hand man” to the Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah. In 2017, the US Treasury offered $5 million for information on Shukr who they stated played a central role in the 1983 bombing of the US Marine Corps barracks in Beirut. They also described him as a senior adviser to Nasrallah. Hezbollah has denied responsibility for Saturday’s rocket strike in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights but on that day did claim multiple strikes on Israeli military positions. Israeli Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, indicated there would be a “severe” response. The Hezbollah group backed by Iran has been exchanging daily military strikes with Israel since the war broke out in Gaza following the Hamas attack on 7 October. Hezbollah is an ally of Hamas. The Lebanon-Israel clashes have resulted in 534 deaths in Lebanon, mostly fighters, but 108 civilians have also been killed. In Israel, at least 22 fighters and 25 civilians have been killed.
Iran: Hamas Leader, Ismail Haniyeh, Killed in Tehran Amid Rising Tensions
On 31 July 2024, Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas was assassinated in Tehran while attending the Iranian president’s inauguration. Israel is being held responsible for his death. According to media reports, Haniyeh was killed by an “airborne guided projectile” that struck a special residence for military veterans in northern Tehran, where he was staying, at about 2am local time on Wednesday. The Haniyeh was leading negotiations for a ceasefire which many hoped would come to fruition. Many Palestinians across Gaza and the West Bank viewed Ismail Haniyeh as more pragmatic compared to other leaders who head the military side of the movement. There are widespread concerns that Haniyeh’s death could lead to a further escalation of the conflict. This has been further compounded by Iran’s promise of revenge for the assassination of Haniyeh. Although Israel has not directly claimed Haniyeh’s killing, the Heritage Minister, Amichai Eliyahu, wrote on X that “the killing ‘makes the world a little better.’”
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