Weekly News Recap (23 – 29 March 2026) © Photo by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid International Justice Section China: Court Sentences Human Rights Lawyer Xie Yang to Five...
Weekly News Recap (28 October - 3 November 2024)
© Photo by United Nations Photo via Flickr
- Türkiye: Constitutional Court Rules Solitary Confinement for Victory Sign Violated Prisoner’s Freedom of Expression
- Iran: German-Iranian Dual National Executed Following Controversial Death Sentence Imposed by Supreme Court
- Belgium: Brussels Court Imposes Over 100 Convictions For Drug Trafficking Based on Decrypted Data in Largest Ever National Criminal Trial
- Japan: High Court Declares Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional
- Malaysia: High Court Confirms Charges of Abuse of Power and Money Laundering Against Former Prime Minister in Corruption Case
- Netherlands: Court Imposes Daily Penalty On Asylum-Seeker Housing Agency for Overcrowding at Reception Centre
- Iraq: Criminal Court Sentences Syrian Journalist to 3 Years Imprisonment for Espionage
- France: Paris Court Imposes 27-Year Sentence on Rwandan Ex-Doctor for Role in 1994 Genocide
International Peace & Security Section
Israel: Parliamentary Bills Passed Limit Operations of UN Aid Relief in Gaza and the West Bank
Georgia: EU Ministers Call for Investigation Into Integrity of Georgian Elections
UN: Commission of Inquiry Concludes Russian Crimes against Humanity in Ukraine
Sudan: Mass Killings and Systematic Sexual Violence Causing 11 Million to Flee
Russia: Pentagon Announces 10,000 North Korean Soldiers Deployed to Russia to Fight Against Ukraine
Myanmar: UK, EU and Canada Impose Sanctions on Myanmar Military
UN: Security Council Votes for Transitional Mission in Somalia
UN: General Assembly Calls on US to End Sanctions on Cuba for 32nd Consecutive Year
Myanmar: 6 Rohingya Refugees Killed At Sea While Fleeing Country
- Lebanon: Thousands Continue to Flee Amidst Ongoing Hostilities and Evacuation Orders
International Justice Section
Türkiye: Constitutional Court Rules Solitary Confinement for Victory Sign Violated Prisoner’s Freedom of Expression
On 28 October 2024, it was reported that the Constitutional Court of Türkiye (AYM) ruled that the 11-day solitary confinement of Nihat Ekmez, an inmate at Izmir No. 2 T Type Closed Penal Institution, for making a victory sign during a prison visit, violated his freedom of expression. The prison officials interpreted the gesture, commonly linked to support for banned leftist groups, as a sign associated with criminal activities and disciplined Ekmez under Article 44 of the Law on the Execution of Penalties and Security Measures. After his appeals were rejected, Ekmez filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court, asserting his constitutional rights were violated. The Court affirmed that Ekmez’s right to freedom of expression was intact despite his incarceration and found the disciplinary action against him to be disproportionate. It ordered a compensation of 30,000 Turkish Lira to be paid to Ekmez, emphasising the judiciary’s role in protecting against arbitrary restrictions on fundamental freedoms.
https://stockholmcf.org/turkeys-top-court-finds-rights-violation-over-victory-sign/
Iran: German-Iranian Dual National Executed Following Controversial Death Sentence Imposed by Supreme Court
On 28 October 2024, Iran executed a German-Iranian dual national following a controversial death sentence imposed by the Supreme Court, sparking international condemnation. The executed individual was abducted from Dubai and taken to Iran, where he was accused of leading an opposition group and subjected to a trial that was criticised globally as unfair. He faced charges that typically penalise moral offences against the state, and despite extensive diplomatic efforts for his release, he was held in isolation and subjected to conditions that severely impacted his health. The execution has been decried by international officials and organisations, highlighting violations of fundamental human rights norms, including the rights to a fair trial and protection against arbitrary detention as stipulated by international treaties to which Iran is a party. The case has intensified calls for accountability and reforms within the country’s judicial processes.
Belgium: Brussels Court Imposes Over 100 Convictions For Drug Trafficking Based on Decrypted Data in Largest Ever National Criminal Trial
On 29 October 2024, a Brussels court sentenced 119 people for drug-related crimes, with prison terms ranging from 14 months to 17 years. This case, Belgium’s largest-ever criminal case, was built on decrypted messages from the Sky ECC encrypted messaging service, and involved charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, arms trafficking, extortion, and kidnapping. The Sky ECC network, widely used by criminal organisations, was cracked by Belgian, Dutch, and French law enforcement in 2021, leading to extensive raids and arrests. Among those convicted was a former police officer who received a five-year sentence for providing criminals with sensitive police data. Eridan Munoz Guerrero, an Albanian national and key defendant who managed a cocaine trafficking ring, was sentenced to 14 years after his legal team managed to reduce the initial demand for a 19-year sentence. The case underscores Belgium’s escalating drug problem, especially in Antwerp, which has become Europe’s primary entry point for Latin American cocaine. In 2023, Belgian customs seized a record 116 tonnes of cocaine at the port. Defence lawyers argued that the decryption process violated privacy rights, but the court rejected these claims. The Sky ECC case is part of a broader European effort to dismantle organised crime networks using decrypted communications, with similar cases ongoing in the Netherlands and France.
https://www.ft.com/content/0824bfcc-b21f-43f2-b252-3c58711ea66b
Japan: High Court Declares Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional
On 30 October 2024, the Tokyo High Court ruled that Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, describing the policy as discriminatory. This decision arose from a case involving a Tokyo couple who challenged the lack of legal recognition for same-sex marriages, arguing it violated constitutional rights. The court emphasised that the terms “both sexes” and “husband and wife” in Article 24 of the Constitution, concerning the freedom of marriage, do not exclude same-sex couples from legal protections. This ruling reinforces earlier judicial decisions against the ban and prompts calls for the Japanese parliament to quickly legislate same-sex marriage rights, emphasising the need for national laws that ensure equality for all couples.
Malaysia: High Court Confirms Charges of Abuse of Power and Money Laundering Against Former Prime Minister in Corruption Case
On 30 October 2024, the Kuala Lumpur High Court mandated that former Prime Minister Mohammad Najib Razak stand trial to address allegations of abuse of power and money laundering linked to the 1MDB scandal. Facing 25 charges, including four for abuse of power and 21 for money laundering, Najib is accused of funnelling billions from the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund, originally meant for economic development, into his personal accounts. The court dismissed the defence’s claims about procedural flaws and upheld the substantial evidence presented, confirming the credibility of the case. This ruling is part of ongoing efforts to combat corruption linked to one of Malaysia’s largest financial scandals, which continues to have significant legal and political ramifications.
Netherlands: Court Imposes Daily Penalty On Asylum-Seeker Housing Agency for Overcrowding at Reception Centre
On 30 October 2024, a Dutch court in Groningen imposed a fine of €50,000 per day on the Central Organ for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) for exceeding the 2,000-person capacity limit at its Ter Apel asylum centre, with a maximum penalty of €5 million. This ruling follows Westerwolde municipality’s complaint that the facility regularly exceeds capacity, despite an agreement with COA. The COA cited delays in new shelter locations and the rising number of temporary residents awaiting housing as reasons for overcrowding. COA director Milo Schoenmaker stated that further adjustments could jeopardise staff rest and well-being. In court, Westerwolde argued that the COA’s counts do not include all asylum seekers, as some spend nights in emergency shelters but remain at Ter Apel during the day, raising daytime occupancy to 120-140%. This discrepancy supported Westerwolde’s case. This is the second ruling in 2024 on the issue; an earlier court set a daily penalty of €15,000 for exceeding capacity. The current fine, although less than the requested €75,000, is a significant increase. The court’s decision aligns with EU standards, which mandate adequate reception conditions and urge EU Member States to keep housing shortages brief. In response to growing asylum demands, the Netherlands plans to boost temporary capacity and involve EU asylum support teams under a 2024 operational plan signed with the EU Agency for Asylum.
https://nltimes.nl/2024/10/30/asylum-agency-face-fines-eu5-million-overcrowding-ter-apel-center
Iraq: Criminal Court Sentences Syrian Journalist to 3 Years Imprisonment for Espionage
On 30 October 2024, Duhok Criminal Court sentenced Syrian journalist Sleman Ahmed to three years in prison on espionage charges. The charges pertained to accusations of espionage for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a separatist group recently banned in Iraq and designated as a terrorist organisation by multiple countries, including the U.S. and Türkiye. Following the sentence, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Iraqi Kurdish authorities to release Ahmed, who has been detained since October 25, 2023. Ahmed, an Arabic editor for the pro-PKK news site RojNews, denies the charges, which his lawyers argue are retaliatory and unsubstantiated. Lawyer Luqman Ahmed described the trial as “very unfair,” noting that legal representation was only allowed under international pressure from the UN and foreign consulates. The CPJ condemned the sentencing as persecution of a journalist and has urged Iraqi Kurdish authorities to release Ahmed and respect journalistic freedom. The Duhok Security Directorate (Asayish) responsible for Ahmed’s detention has not commented on the case.
https://cpj.org/2024/07/iraqi-kurdistan-court-sentences-syrian-journalist-to-3-years/
France: Paris Court Imposes 27-Year Sentence on Rwandan Ex-Doctor for Role in 1994 Genocide
On 30 October 2024, a Paris court sentenced former Rwandan doctor Eugène Rwamucyo, aged 65, to 27 years in prison for his involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He was found guilty of complicity in genocide, complicity in crimes against humanity, and conspiracy to prepare for these crimes, but acquitted of direct charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. Rwamucyo denied wrongdoing throughout the trial, which featured witnesses recounting his presence at massacre sites and his alleged encouragement of Hutu militias to kill Tutsis. Rwamucyo, who was arrested in France in 2010, was reportedly seen at massacre sites in Butare, where witnesses claimed he incited violence and assisted with mass burials, which he justified as necessary for sanitation. This trial marks the seventh genocide-related case in Paris over the last decade, with France continuing to prosecute suspects of the 1994 genocide that resulted in the deaths of over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
International Peace & Security Section
Israel: Parliamentary Bills Passed Limit Operations of UN Aid Relief in Gaza and the West Bank
On 28 October 2024, Israel’s parliament passed bills limiting the operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) within Israeli territory, effectively ending cooperation with the agency. This legislation will prevent UNRWA from coordinating aid into Gaza and the West Bank, potentially halting vital support to Palestinian refugees. The bills reflect long standing criticisms by some Israeli officials, who accuse UNRWA of bias, particularly after recent attacks by Hamas. The UN swiftly condemned the move, with Secretary-General António Guterres warning of “devastating consequences” and UN leaders highlighting the risk to humanitarian operations.
Georgia: EU Ministers Call for Investigation Into Integrity of Georgian Elections
On 28 October 2024, EU Ministers from a number of member states issued a joint statement criticising the Georgian election for not meeting international standards. According to the OSCE, this election season was the first time that Georgia implemented an electronic voting system, and found a concerning lack of transparency in auditing processes. Additionally, the OSCE reported incidents of voter tracking and biassed media coverage favouring the ruling party. The joint statement from the EU Ministers also emphasised that the “violations of electoral integrity […] are a betrayal of the Georgian people’s legitimate European aspiration”. The International Election Observation Mission stated that Georgia’s EU membership process was essentially halted due to democratic regression. The European Commission further called for swift, transparent investigations into irregularities. The Georgian Dream Party was victorious in the elections but Georgian President Zourabichvili accused the election of being rigged in favour of the ruling party with guidance from Moscow, likening their propaganda to Russian tactics.
https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/10/the-eu-has-ordered-an-investigation-into-georgian-election/
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/news/elections-georgia/2681910
UN: Commission of Inquiry Concludes Russian Crimes against Humanity in Ukraine
On 29 October 2024, the UN Commission Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine submitted its report before the UN General Assembly. While the Commission had previously concluded that Russian authorities committed war crimes in occupied territories of Ukraine, this report concludes that similar incidents against civilians have also occurred. Specifically, the Commission finds that Russian authorities in detention facilities in occupied regions have used “harsh practices designed to scare, break, humiliate, coerce, and punish” Ukrainian detainees. Instances of sexual violence as a torture method were also recorded, primarily against male detainees. The report states that the Commission obtained evidence on the involvement of senior Russian officials, and that the torture practices in detention facilities were both widespread and systematic, and in pursuant of a state policy. This constitutes the crime against humanity of torture.
Sudan: Mass Killings and Systematic Sexual Violence Causing 11 Million to Flee
On 29 October, 2024, it was reported that displacements in Sudan now exceed 11 million people amidst reports of mass killings and systematic-sexual violence across multiple regions, pushing the humanitarian crisis to unprecedented levels in Sudan. The conflict, which started in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has now displaced 11 million internally. As of 29 October 2024, 3.1 million are sheltering beyond its borders. A new report by the UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission reveals widespread sexual violence by RSF forces. These acts are equivalent to war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to the investigation. The Human Rights Council has reported at least 25 cases of sexual violence, including attacks against medical personnel and an 11-year-old girl who died as a result.
Russia: Pentagon Announces 10,000 North Korean Soldiers Deployed to Russia to Fight Against Ukraine
On 29 October 2024, the Pentagon announced that an estimated 10,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed and trained to fight against Ukraine. It is highly concerned about the expansion of the war due to North Korea’s military intervention. North Korean soldiers have been marching closely towards the Ukraine border. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned that the cooperation between Russia and North Korea is illegal and the deployment puts South Korean national security in jeopardy. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte commented that it is a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war.
Myanmar: UK, EU and Canada Impose Sanctions on Myanmar Military
On 29 October 2024, the UK, EU and Canada imposed sanctions on the Myanmar military to restrict access to equipment and funds, in an effort to curb the junta from conducting airstrikes on civilians. The measures aim to target entities involved in supplying aviation fuel and restricted goods to Myanmar’s military. UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific region, Catherine West, said the human rights violations in Myanmar, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure is “unacceptable and the impact on innocent civilians is intolerable.” Myanmar is embroiled in a civil war between an armed resistance movement and the military. Following a coup in 2021, the military took control from a government led by former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but the military has since lost control of large areas of the country. The UK has accused the military of “brutal tactics” to remain in power. The EU has imposed sanctions on three individuals and one company linked to Myanmar’s military for alleged human rights violations.
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk-eu-canada-impose-new-sanctions-against-myanmar-military-2024-10-29/
UN: Security Council Votes for Transitional Mission in Somalia
On 30 October 2024, the UN Security Council unanimously voted for a resolution that allows the transition of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to the UN Country Team (UNCT) for two years. The resolution states the UN support mission will be called the UN Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS). The transfer of responsibilities from UNSOM to UNTMIS and national authorities will begin on 1 November 2024, with an anticipated conclusion by 31 October 2026. The resolution underscores transition priorities, such as support for State-building, including efforts to conduct free and fair elections, protection of human rights, rule of law, coordination, working with bilateral and multilateral partners, and coordination of UN efforts in Somalia. UK Envoy to the UN, Barbara Woodward, described it as a “crucial period for Somalia” and added that UNSOM has played an important role since it was introduced in 2013. Woodward stated the UK will continue to work with stakeholders and support areas critical to Somalia’s needs.
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15872.doc.htm
UN: General Assembly Calls on US to End Sanctions on Cuba for 32nd Consecutive Year
On 30 October 2024, the UN General Assembly called on the US to end its long-standing sanctions on Cuba, as the island nation is experiencing its worst economic crisis in decades. The UN General Assembly’s non-binding resolution was approved by 187 countries, with only the US and Israel voting against and Moldova abstaining. This was the 32nd consecutive year the General Assembly has voted for a resolution regarding the sanctions on Cuba. The vote came just days before the US presidential election, with neither the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris or Republican candidate, Donald Trump showing any interest in a policy change. Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, stated “the blockade against Cuba is an economic, financial and trade war which qualifies as genocide”, insinuating the US policies were intentionally put in place to cause suffering to the Cuban people to force a change of government. US diplomat, Paul Folmsbee, said the sanctions were intended to promote “human rights and democracy” and that exceptions for humanitarian purposes. The US has enacted dozens of sanctions against Cuba since a trade embargo was put in place following Fidel Castro’s revolution in 1959.
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/un-once-more-calls-us-change-course-cuba-2024-10-30/
Myanmar: 6 Rohingya Refugees Killed At Sea While Fleeing Country
On 31 October 2024, it was reported that at least six Rohingya refugees perished at sea while attempting to flee Myanmar, with 93 others reaching the coast of Aceh, Indonesia, early on Friday morning. Authorities found the survivors and the bodies of those who had died, which were covered in sarongs, along the shore in Aceh’s Madat district. Local police have launched an investigation, and efforts are underway to coordinate with the UN refugee agency and other international bodies for support. The tragedy highlights the ongoing, dangerous journeys of Rohingya refugees who, facing severe persecution in Myanmar from the ruling junta and other armed groups, often undertake perilous sea crossings to reach safer destinations, including Bangladesh and Indonesia. This incident is a reminder of the humanitarian crisis affecting the Rohingya, as they continue to flee violence and repression, risking their lives in search of refuge and safety.
Lebanon: Thousands Continue to Flee Amidst Ongoing Hostilities and Evacuation Orders
On 31 October, 2024, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported that the people in Lebanon continue to be killed, injured and displaced by airstrikes, hostilities and displacement orders. The same day, Israel issued new displacement orders for several villages and refugee camps. This is the first time the Israeli army has issued evacuation orders of a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. The evacuation orders and airstrikes have forced thousands to flee. Many of those affected spent the night in their vehicles, facing harsh conditions as they search for safety. UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that intense clashes between Hezbollah and the IDF were reported in the Khiam area on Thursday. The IDF have continued to strike areas across Lebanon with multiple casualties reported, while Hezbollah reportedly killed five people near Metula.
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