Weekly News Recap (16 – 22 March 2026) © Photo by Swiveler via Flickr International Justice Section PCA: Hearings Begin in Rwanda’s Arbitration Proceedings Against UK Over Cancelled Migration Agreement...
Weekly News Recap (9 - 15 September 2024)
© Photo by Luxofluxo via Wikimedia Commons
- Netherlands: Dutch Court Delivers Convictions for Political Assassination Plot
- CJEU: 2.4 Billion Euro Fine Against Google Upheld on Appeal
- KSC: Salih Mustafah Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment
- CJEU: Clarification Issued Regarding Council’s Competence in Sanctions Cooperation Measures
- USA: Charges Dropped in Trump’s Georgia Election Case
- India: Supreme Court Grants Bail to Opposition Leader Arvind Kejriwal
- ICJ: Chile Lodges Intervention in South Africa Genocide Case Against Israel
International Peace & Security Section
Gaza: Ongoing Conflict Deprives Children of Access to Education
Syria: Rising Tensions in Syria May Lead to Increase in War Crimes and Large-Scale War
Senegal: Death Toll from Migrant Shipwreck Off Senegal Coast Rises to 26
Jamaica: 24 Security Personnel to be Dispatched to Haiti to Support Mission Fighting Gang Violence
China: Joint Naval and Air Drills with Russia Launched in the Sea of Japan
Hong Kong: Authorities Denounce UK report Criticising National Security Laws
Yemen: UN Special Envoy Warns of Risk of Full Scale Conflict
- Tunisia: Protestors Gather to Defend Civil Liberties in Opposition to Current Political Climate Ahead of Presidential Elections
- Bangladesh: Interim Leader Denounces Attacks on Sufi Shrines
International Justice Section
Netherlands: Dutch Court Delivers Convictions for Political Assassination Plot
On 9 September 2024, the Hague District Court in the Netherlands delivered a judgement on the conviction of two individuals for their involvement in a political assassination plot against Dutch politician Geert Wilders. Wilders, a right-wing politician with anti-Islam views and leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV), garnered controversy in 2018 when he proposed hosting a cartoon-drawing competition for depictions of Prophet Muhammad. This conviction was delivered against two Pakistani nationals, a 56-year-old religious leader and a 29-year-old political figure. The religious leader was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for ‘attempting to incite murder, incitement to murder with terrorist intent, and threatening a Dutch member of Parliament with murder with terrorist intent’. Evidence against him included threatening speech at the ‘Death to Holland Conference’, with content targeting Wilders and the Dutch government. The political figure, leader of the Pakistani political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik, was sentenced to four years in prison. Both were tried in absentia and likely would not be imprisoned in the Netherlands in the future, as the Netherlands does not have an extradition agreement with Pakistan.
CJEU: 2.4 Billion Euro Fine Against Google Upheld on Appeal
On 10 September 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) dismissed the appeal request made by Google in the Google and Alphabet (Google Shopping) v. Commission case. In 2017, the European Commission found that Google abused its dominant position in online search markets of 13 EEA countries, by more favourably suggesting its own comparison shopping services over others to consumers. In its decision, the Commission imposed a fine of 2.4 billion Euro against Google and its parent company, Alphabet. Google and Alphabet then challenged the Commission decision before the General Court, which was dismissed. Google and Alphabet then appealed this decision, asking the CJEU to overturn the General Court dismissal and annul the Commission decision. On the contrary, the CJEU found that Google’s actions were discriminatory and hindered market competition. The Court was careful to state that the general position of dominance in a market and a company’s favouring of its own services over that of a competitor’s is not necessarily a violation of EU law, but that this case’s specific characteristics makes it so.
https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2024-09/cp240135en.pdf
KSC: Salih Mustafah Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment
On 10 September 2024, the Court of Appeals Panel in the Kosovo Specialist Chambers delivered its decision on his appeal against the judgement and sentence in the case of the Prosecutor v Salih Mustafa. The case stems from the Trial Panel decision of of 6 April 2023, where Mustafa was convicted of the war crimes of arbitrary detention, torture, and murder, and was sentenced to 26 years of imprisonment, and ordered 207,000 Euro in reparations. Mustafa appealed this decision and on 14 December 2023, the Court of Appeals Panel dismissed his challenge on the merits but granted an appeal for the sentence and shortened it to 22 years. Mustafa then challenged this decision before the Supreme Court Panel, which ordered the Appeals Panel to consider reducing his sentence. On Tuesday, the Appeals Panel considered the sentences given to defendants with similar convictions as Mustafa and concluded that his 22-year sentence was too harsh. The judges therefore reduced his sentence to 15 years’ imprisonment.
https://repository.scp-ks.org/details.php?doc_id=0910c8e18030569e&doc_type=stl_filing&lang=eng
CJEU: Clarification Issued Regarding Council’s Competence in Sanctions Cooperation Measures
On 11 September 2024, the General Court of the European Court of Justice (CJEU) delivered its judgement on the scope of the Council of the European Union’s competence in setting reporting and compliance obligations for fund-freezing measures. On 21 July 2022, the Council adopted a regulation that obliges persons and entities on the sanctions list to report funds and to cooperate with competent authorities. Importantly, the Regulation treated the failure to comply with its terms as a circumvention of fund-freezing measures. This was in response to the increasing complexity of sanction evasion schemes. The parties on the sanctions list requested the General Court to annul these obligations, stating that the Regulation measures cannot constitute as necessary, and that the Council was overstepping its competency. However, the General Court dismissed the action and reiterated that EU law gives the Council the power to adopt regulations that ‘give effect to restrictive measures so as to ensure their uniform application in all Member States’. Additionally, the penalties for violating the Regulation are left to the Member States’ discretion.
https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2024-09/cp240140en.pdf
USA: Charges Dropped in Trump’s Georgia Election Case
On 13 September 2024, a Fulton County judge dismissed three charges against Donald Trump and his co-defendants in Georgia’s election interference case. The dismissed charges—Counts 14, 15, and 27—were deemed preempted by federal law due to an 1890 Supreme Court decision, which bars states from prosecuting perjury occurring in federal courts. The ruling by Judge Scott McAfee came after Trump’s attorneys, including John Eastman and Georgia State Senator Shawn Still, challenged the entirety of the indictment. The specific charges dismissed involved the alleged filing of false documents with the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, as part of efforts to submit a false slate of electors for the 2020 US presidential election. Judge McAfee ruled that the state of Georgia lacks jurisdiction to prosecute these charges, stating that only the federal government can address perjury in federal filings. This decision impacts only the specific counts related to false statements in federal court filings, leaving other charges intact, including those alleging undue pressure on Georgia officials to alter election results. The resolution of further charges against Trump hinges on an appeal seeking to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over alleged conflicts of interest. Oral arguments for this appeal are scheduled for October 2024.
India: Supreme Court Grants Bail to Opposition Leader Arvind Kejriwal
On 13 September 2024, the Supreme Court of India granted bail to opposition leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been detained since March 2024 over allegations tied to a liquor policy scandal. The court’s decision comes after reviewing two appeals concerning Kejriwal’s detention, resulting in the overturning of a prior Delhi High Court judgment that had denied bail. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, delivering separate judgments, both concurred on the decision to grant bail but dismissed the appeal challenging the legality of Kejriwal’s arrest. As conditions of his bail, Kejriwal is restricted from making public statements about the case to avoid influencing public perception while the trial is underway. Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on charges of money laundering related to the Delhi liquor policy, which was intended to boost revenue and curb alcohol counterfeiting but was later scrapped over procedural irregularities. The allegations suggest that the policy was manipulated to benefit private sellers who, in turn, provided kickbacks to political figures. Released from detention to a crowd of supporters, Kejriwal expressed that his time in jail reinforced his determination and resolve to continue his political endeavours.
ICJ: Chile Lodges Intervention in South Africa Genocide Case Against Israel
On 13 September 2024, Chile submitted a formal declaration to intervene in the ongoing case brought by South Africa against Israel regarding the application of the Genocide Convention in the Gaza Strip. Chile invoked Article 63 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which allows states that are parties to a convention under question in a case to intervene, as the court’s judgment will also apply to them. Chile, as a party to the Genocide Convention, seeks to participate in the case to clarify its interpretation of key provisions (Articles I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and IX) of the convention. Both South Africa and Israel have been invited to submit written observations on Chile’s intervention.
https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240913-pre_01-00-en.pdf
International Peace & Security Section
Gaza: Ongoing Conflict Deprives Children of Access to Education
On 9 September 2024, a day which would have marked the start of a new school year in Gaza, it was reported that the ongoing war has deprived 625,000 children of one entire school year. These children are now joined by the next big group of children ready to enter first grade, but the risk of yet another year without any classroom education is still imminent. The war has had a severe impact on education infrastructure. Many schools-turned-IDP shelters have been damaged or completely destroyed. Additionally, with all schools destroyed in Gaza, about 39,000 students missed their final year of school and could not take their Tawjihi exams. Without schooling, young people are at an increased risk of exploitation, child labour, early marriage and other forms of abuse. Absence from school can furthermore threaten children’s cognitive, social and emotional development. Gazan parents have reported significant mental health and psychosocial impacts among children, including feelings of increased frustration and isolation. The situation is similar in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Syria: Rising Tensions in Syria May Lead to Increase in War Crimes and Large-Scale War
On 10 September 2024, a new report from the UN Syria Commission of Inquiry stated that the increased war crimes and violence on the frontlines in Syria is leaving civilians in the region fearful of large-scale war. The report further links these rising tensions to the Gaza war: Israeli attacks against Iranian officials and Iranian-backed forces across Syria – which resulted in the death of at least three civilians – is the stem of the increased violence in Syria. The UN Syria Commission says they are investigating these attacks and noted that Iranian-affiliated groups have also targeted US bases in eastern Syria over one hundred times. According to the report, the increased violence in northwest Syria, including the Syrian government forces’ use of cluster munitions in densely populated areas, has killed or injured over 150 civilians, half of them women and children.
Senegal: Death Toll from Migrant Shipwreck off Senegal Coast Rises to 26
On 10 September 2024, the Senegalese navy reported more bodies had been recovered from a shipwreck off the coast of Senegal, bringing the death toll to 26. The Atlantic migration route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is one of the most dangerous migrant crossings in the world. It is typically used by Africans attempting to flee for reasons such as; Islamist conflict in the Sahel region, unemployment and the effects of climate change. It was reported the boat was carrying over 100 migrants from the Senegalese town of Mbour, when it got into difficulty after travelling only 4 km. As part of the rescue efforts the Senegalese navy sent three boats and a Spanish plane. On Monday, the navy stated nine bodies had been recovered while an unknown number of people had been rescued by a local fisherman. On the same day, the navy stopped two boats carrying 421 people trying to migrate. This year there has seen a 154% increase in migrants attempting to cross from Africa to the Canary Islands. According to the European Union’s border agency, 21,620 migrants made the journey in the first seven months of 2024. Spanish authorities predict as many as 150,000 more migrants from Africa may try to make the crossing this year.
Jamaica: 24 Security Personnel to be Dispatched to Haiti to Support Mission Fighting Gang Violence
On 10 September 2024, Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, announced that his government will send 24 security personnel to Haiti to support the ongoing international mission designed to fight violent gangs in Haiti. The initial deployment will help plan the command structure to prepare for further deployments. In March, Jamaica stated it would send 200 personnel for the UN backed mission, but the security force has been slow to deploy. If the mission’s initial mandate is not renewed it will expire in under a month. Kenya is leading the mission and is the only country to have sent officers to Haiti. So far, they have deployed 400 out of a total promise of 1,000 security officers. Benin, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Belize have also pledged to send at least 2,900 officers to support Kenya in the mission. The deployment has encountered a number of setbacks including delays in paying out wages and issues supplying key equipment. Haiti first requested support in 2022, since then armed gangs have taken control of parts of the capital, which has led to a humanitarian crisis, mass displacements, sexual violence, child recruitment and widespread hunger. In September, the Belize Defence Force said it will send two senior officers to Jamaica “to undertake crucial operational planning duties” before deployment to Haiti.
Gaza: 6 UNRWA Staff Members Killed in Airstrike Attack
On 11 September 2024, six staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) were killed in Gaza when two Israeli airstrikes hit a school-turned-shelter, making it the highest death toll among UN staff in a single incident. This marks the highest death toll among UN staff in a single strike. At least 34 staff have been killed in total. The targeted school-turned-shelter in Nuseirat was sheltering around 12,000 IDPs, mainly women and children. This is the fifth time it has been hit since the conflict began 11 months ago. And since then, at least 220 UN staff members have lost their lives.
China: Joint Naval and Air Drills with Russia Launched in the Sea of Japan
On 11 September 2024, China and Russia launched joint naval and air drills. The “Northern United-2024” exercises will take place in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. The Chinese Defence Ministry stated the drills reinforce the close ties between their militaries and are aimed to “improve strategic cooperation between the two countries and strengthen and strengthen their ability to jointly deal with security threats.” The ministry also said the two navies would cruise together in the Pacific, and together take part in Russia’s “Great Ocean-24” exercise. China has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has criticised the US and NATO for provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although China has not directly provided Russia with arms it has become an important economic partner by purchasing Russian oil and gas. Russia with help from China has become a big power in the Pacific, while Russia has backed China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. This includes the 180 km wide Taiwan Strait that divides mainland China and Taiwan, which China considers its own territory and threatens to invade. The Russian Defence Ministry has stated the drills involve over 90,000 troops, more than 400 warships, submarines and support vessels and 120 aircrafts. The drills are expected to run until 16 September 2024.
https://apnews.com/article/china-russia-drills-military-pacific-72ece848adec1684326f12b6d03183fe
https://www.euronews.com/2024/09/11/russia-launches-joint-navy-drills-with-china
UN: Security Council Votes to Extend Sanctions on Sudan
On 12 September 2024, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to renew sanctions on Sudan for another year until 12 September 2025. The sanctions include arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes. UN Resolution 1591 was originally adopted by the Council in 2005 to impose sanctions on Sudan to target individuals and groups involved in the conflict in Darfur. US deputy envoy to the UN, Robert Wood, thanked the Council for renewing the sanctions for another year and stressed that the adoption sends a message that the international community is “committed to advancing peace and security in Sudan.” Woods also added that the renewed sanctions will restrict the movement of arms into Darfur and sanction those who are contributing to the ongoing conflict.
Hong Kong: Authorities Denounce UK report Criticising National Security Laws
On 12 September 2024, the UK’s latest six-monthly report on Hong Kong, covering January to June 2024, was published, which criticises the city’s focus on national security, claiming it harms Hong Kong’s international reputation and undermines civil liberties. The report specifically points to the prosecution of pro-democracy journalist Jimmy Lai, the enactment of the national security law, and the resignation of two UK judges from Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal. It raises concerns about the city’s political freedoms and urges adherence to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, emphasising the need to protect civil rights under international covenants. In response, Hong Kong condemned the report, dismissing its claims as baseless and accusing the UK of political interference. The Hong Kong government defended its national security laws, comparing them to similar UK legislation, and argued that civil liberties are not unlimited. This exchange continues a series of disputes between the UK and Hong Kong over governance and civil rights since the previous report in April 2024.
Yemen: UN Special Envoy Warns of Risk of Full Scale Conflict
On 12 September 2024, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, warned the UN Security Council that ongoing military activities between warring factions in Yemen threaten to escalate the conflict back to full-scale war. Although violence remains lower than pre-2022 levels, clashes in cities like Al Hudaydah, Shabwa, and Lahj have caused unnecessary deaths. Additionally, Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea are destabilising the region. Grundberg highlighted the worsening economic situation, exacerbated by natural disasters like severe flooding, which disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. He emphasised the urgent need for political cooperation and concrete actions to prioritise peace. Meanwhile, Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, reported that 62% of Yemeni households lack sufficient food, with over 600,000 children in government-controlled areas suffering from acute malnutrition. The UN Security Council recently extended the mandate of the UN Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) until 2025, focusing on maintaining ceasefire monitoring. Yemen remains in a severe humanitarian crisis, with 80% of its population requiring aid, over three million people displaced, and famine increasingly likely due to acute malnutrition affecting children and pregnant women.
Tunisia: Protestors Gather to Defend Civil Liberties in Opposition to Current Political Climate Ahead of Presidential Elections
On 13 September 2024, the Tunisian Network for Rights and Freedoms organised a protest in Tunis to oppose the current political climate and defend civil liberties, particularly freedom of expression and the right to protest. The demonstration, which started at Republic Square and moved to Habib Bourguiba Avenue, drew dozens to potentially thousands of participants. Protesters expressed concern over increasing authoritarianism under President Kais Saied, especially with the presidential elections approaching on 6 October 2024. Activists criticised the arrests and disqualifications of electoral candidates, claiming these actions undermine the integrity of the elections. The Tunisian Network urged public mobilisation to protect democratic rights. Tunisia, which has faced political instability since the 2011 ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, has seen a decline in political freedoms, with Saied accused of consolidating power in an authoritarian manner.
Bangladesh: Interim Leader Denounces Attacks on Sufi Shrines
On 14 September 2024, Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, strongly condemned recent extremist attacks on Sufi shrines and minority Hindu temples across the country. In response to the rise in religious violence, Yunus assured the public that law enforcement agencies have been directed to protect these sites and hold the attackers accountable. A recent attack on the Dewanbag Shrine on 6 September 2024 left four people injured, following similar incidents, including the destruction of the Ayyanal Shah Shrine in August 2024. Over 45 religious sites have been targeted in recent weeks, prompting widespread protests from Hindus and Sufi followers demanding stronger protections. Law enforcement has intensified efforts to prevent further violence, with officials emphasising Bangladesh’s commitment to religious tolerance and vowing “zero tolerance” for communal unrest. The increase in extremist violence has been exacerbated by political instability following the transition of power from the Awami League government.
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/1a493631dc9d
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