Weekly News Recap (21 – 27 September 2026) © Photo by United Nations Photo via Flickr International Justice Section ICJ: Colombia Withdraws Intervention in South Africa v. Israel Genocide Case...Read More
Weekly News Recap (25 November - 1 December 2024)
© Photo by OPCW via Flickr
- US: Special Prosecutor Drops Two Criminal Cases against Trump
- UK: Supreme Court Reviews Scotland’s Gender Definition Law
- Hong Kong: Court Declares Exclusion of Same-Sex Couples from Public Housing and Inheritance Laws Unconstitutional
- Russia: Court Issues Arrest Order for France 24 Journalist Catherine Norris Trent
- ICC: Prosecutor Applies for Arrest Warrant in the Situation in Myanmar
- France: Foreign Ministry To Maintain Cooperation with Netanyahu Despite ICC Arrest Warrant
- ICC: Prosecutor Receives Referral from Six States to Investigate Afghanistan
- China: Journalist Sentenced to Seven Years Imprisonment for Espionage
International Peace & Security Section
Iran: Joint Military Drills Held with Azerbaijan Amidst Improving Inter-State Relations
Italy-Japan: Agreement Signed To Strengthen Defence Cooperation
Madagascar: 25 Dead After Two Migrant Boats Capsize in Indian Ocean
Lebanon: Ceasefire Deals Sees Israeli Defence Force Withdrawal and Return of Displaced Communities
Haiti: UN Evacuates Staff from Haiti Capital Amidst Gang Violence
Angola: Human Rights Group Calls for Investigation of Police Brutality During Post-Election Protests
Greece: 10 Dead After Second Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Greek Coast This Week
Chad: Defence Partnership Ended with France Amidst Sovereignty Re-Assertion
- UN: Secretary-General Urges Global Community to Eliminate Chemical Weapons
International Justice Section
US: Special Prosecutor Drops Two Criminal Cases against Trump
On 25 November 2024, US special prosecutor Jack Smith dropped two criminal cases against US president-elect Donald Trump. These cases include the 2020 election interference case and an appeal regarding his classified documents case. Smith’s court filing stated that these cases must be dropped based on previous rulings from 1973 and 2000 by the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Council, which found it unconstitutional to prosecute future presidents prior to their inauguration. According to those rulings, charging a sitting president would threaten the separation of powers. The US Supreme Court had similarly ruled in July 2024 that presidents are generally immune from prosecution for official acts. Additionally, Smith had paused cases earlier this month and a judge delayed Trump’s sentencing in a related matter. Charges against Trump’s two classified documents co-defendants will still be appealed.
UK: Supreme Court Reviews Scotland’s Gender Definition Law
On 26 November 2024, the UK Supreme Court began hearing a challenge to Scotland’s definition of “woman” under the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018, a case initiated by For Women Scotland Limited against the Scottish government. The controversy arises from the 2018 legislation, which includes individuals undergoing gender reassignment under the definition of “woman.” Previously, the Court of Session ruled this definition unlawful for confusing distinct protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, exceeding the Scottish Parliament’s authority. Despite this, the Scottish government continued using the 2018 definition, asserting that a Gender Recognition Certificate legally recognizes one’s gender as female. This case now centres on whether the Equality Act 2010 limits the effect of the Gender Recognition Act 2004. Arguments focus on the compatibility of these laws, with advocates discussing the implications for biological and legal definitions of gender. The Supreme Court’s decision will crucially impact the rights of women and transgender people in the UK, with the final ruling expected soon after the hearings conclude.
https://apnews.com/article/uk-supreme-court-trans-gender-case-cf2bbc911c59b147a5261f431ee93eb7
Hong Kong: Court Declares Exclusion of Same-Sex Couples from Public Housing and Inheritance Laws Unconstitutional
On 26 November 2024, the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal found that the exclusion of same-sex couples from public housing policies and inheritance laws constitutes unlawful discrimination and is unconstitutional. This landmark decision marks a significant advancement in LGBTQ+ rights in the region. The court specifically addressed the issue of spousal eligibility under the Public Rental Housing (PRH) and Home Ownership Scheme, declaring that denying same-sex couples the right to apply as a family unit promotes discrimination. This overturns the government’s defence which hinged on Article 36 of the Basic Law, asserting that it recognised rights exclusively to heterosexual couples based on pre-existing rights before 1997. Moreover, the court dismissed the government’s justification that the housing policies were meant to promote traditional families, stating that there was no evidence to suggest that excluding same-sex couples from applying together serves this aim. Instead, it held that accepting applications from both heterosexual and same-sex couples could equally promote family formation. Regarding inheritance laws, the court similarly found no legitimate aim in differentiating between opposite-sex and same-sex foreign marriages. The government’s argument, aiming to preserve a consistent definition of marriage across various legislations, was not compelling for the court. It emphasised that recognising a surviving same-sex spouse aligns with the legislative intent of the Intestates’ Estates Ordinance and the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Ordinance, which require a “valid marriage” for inheritance rights.
Russia: Court Issues Arrest Order for France 24 Journalist Catherine Norris Trent
On 26 November 2024, it was reported that the Leninsky District Court of Kursk issued an in absentia arrest order for France 24 journalist Catherine Norris Trent and several unidentified individuals. The court claims the group illegally crossed into the Sudzhansky District of Kursk while accompanying Ukrainian armed forces for a report. France 24 has confirmed that its journalists were embedded with the Ukrainian military and had authorised access to the Ukrainian-controlled areas of Kursk following the country’s advance into the region. The Russian court, based on allegations from the Border Directorate of the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), has charged Trent under Part 3 of Article 322 of Russia’s Criminal Code. This specific part of the law deals with illegal border crossings involving conspiracy, organised groups, or violence, threatening up to five years of imprisonment. The Kursk judicial system’s press office has stated that Trent would be detained upon arrest in Russia or if extradited there.
ICC: Prosecutor Applies for Arrest Warrant in the Situation in Myanmar
On 27 November 2024, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim A.A. Khan, announced his Office’s filing of the first arrest warrant in relation to the situation in Myanmar. Just over five years ago, on 14 November 2019, the Office of the Prosecutor launched an investigation into potential international crimes committed in Myanmar. The investigation focused on the waves of violence and exodus of the Rohingya minority in 2016 and 2017. The Office has concluded that ‘there are reasonable grounds to believe that Senior General and Acting President Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services, bears criminal responsibility for the crimes against humanity of deportation and persecution of the Rohingya, committed in Myanmar, and in part in Bangladesh’. The crimes were allegedly committed between 25 August 2017 and 31 December 2017 by the armed forces of Myanmar, the Tatmadaw, supported by the national police, the border guard police, as well as non-Rohingya civilians. Khan has also made it clear that more arrest warrants will be filed.
France: Foreign Ministry To Maintain Cooperation with Netanyahu Despite ICC Arrest Warrant
On 27 November 2024, it was reported that France declared its intention to continue close collaboration with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and other Israeli authorities, despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Netanyahu. The French Foreign Ministry stated that under the Rome Statute, France is not compelled to act contrary to its international obligations concerning immunities for states not party to the ICC. The ministry highlighted that such immunities are applicable to Prime Minister Netanyahu, and these will be considered if the ICC requests his arrest and surrender. France also reiterated its longstanding friendship with Israel, emphasizing both nations’ commitment to the rule of law. Israel has criticised the ICC as “biased and discriminatory,” with Netanyahu dismissing the arrest warrant as influenced by corruption allegations against the ICC’s chief prosecutor. Meanwhile, the European Union, through its High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, supports the ICC decision, stating it binds all Member States, though some, like Hungary, plan to defy it. France’s position could potentially conflict with Article 86 of the Rome Statute, which requires state cooperation with the ICC, posing a challenge to France’s obligations under international law.
ICC: Prosecutor Receives Referral from Six States to Investigate Afghanistan
On 28 November 2024, the governments of Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Mexico referred Afghanistan to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for further investigation into violations of women’s rights due to the systematic oppression of their rights by the Taliban regime since 2021. The ICC investigation into Afghanistan, which started in 2020 and resumed in 2022 after a brief suspension, is now being urged to focus on crimes against women and girls. This referral follows the UN Gender Accountability and Justice Conference in Geneva, held on the same day, which also highlighted the need for justice for Afghan women enduring oppression.
China: Journalist Sentenced to Seven Years Imprisonment for Espionage
On 29 November 2024, Veteran Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu was sentenced to seven years in prison for espionage by a Beijing court, a decision condemned by his family, international diplomats, and press freedom organisations. Dong’s family called the verdict a “grave injustice,” pointing out that the court classified Japanese diplomats he met as agents of an “espionage organisation.” Dong was arrested in 2022 while dining with a Japanese diplomat, and authorities have since detained him incommunicado. US officials, including Ambassador Nicholas Burns and the State Department, criticised the ruling, asserting that Dong’s work as a journalist and his interactions with foreign diplomats are not crimes. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also denounced the charges, emphasising that engaging with foreign diplomats and academics is standard for journalists. RSF labeled China under Xi Jinping as hostile to press freedom, ranking it 172 out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index. Dong, a graduate of Peking University and a journalist with Guangming Daily, had a history of advocating for the rule of law and constitutional democracy, as well as critiquing the Chinese Communist Party’s selective portrayal of history. Experts suggest that his critical writings, more than his foreign contacts, were the real reason for his persecution. Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, relationships with foreign entities have increasingly led to espionage accusations, marking a shift in government policy toward greater repression of dissent and journalism.
International Peace & Security Section
Iran: Joint Military Drills Held with Azerbaijan Amidst Improving Inter-State Relations
On 25 November 2024, it was reported that Iran launched a joint military drill in the northwestern Ardabil province of Iran with Azerbaijan amid improving relations between the two countries. According to a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC), the four-day ‘Aras Joint Exercise’ is taking place in Aslan Duz District near the Azerbaijan border. The IRGC said the intention of the exercise is to bolster bilateral relations, combat illegal armed groups, protect the security of shared borders, improve military capabilities and further develop defence cooperation between the two countries. Special forces from both the IRGC and the Azerbaijan Army are participating in the drills. This follows a two-day naval exercise that occurred last month in the Caspian Sea under the slogan “Cooperation for Peace and Friendship.” In January 2023, diplomatic ties between Iran and Azerbaijan had been damaged after a gunman attacked the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran and killed a diplomat. This resulted in Azerbaijan closing its embassy and evacuating its staff from Iran. In July 2024, after a period of extensive negotiations, the embassy reopened and signified an easing of tensions between the two countries.
Italy-Japan: Agreement Signed To Strengthen Defence Cooperation
On 25 November 2024, Italy and Japan signed a bilateral agreement to strengthen defence cooperation. The Acquisition and Cross-Service Agreement (ACSA) was signed by Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. The agreement is intended to facilitate acquisitions, supplies and exchanges in the military field, and to rapidly organise aid in case of emergencies. Crosetto stated the deal “marks not only a strengthening of our operational capabilities, but also a significant contribution to regional and global stability.” The agreement will allow Italy to effectively use its military resources and aid their ability to tackle global issues, including humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and safeguarding international trade routes.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/italy-japan-agree-to-bolster-military-collaboration/3404195
Madagascar: 25 Dead After Two Migrant Boats Capsize in Indian Ocean
On 25 November 2024, it was reported the death toll had risen to 25 after two boats carrying migrants from Somalia capsized in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar. The migrants had been at sea for nearly a month attempting to reach Mayotte, a territory of France in the Indian Ocean. Head of Madagascar’s Maritime Ports Agency, Jean-Edmond Randrianantenaina, said another 48 people were rescued on Sunday from the waters off northern Madagascar. It is reported the boats left a beach near the Somali capital of Mogadishu on 2 November with 73 people on board headed to Mayotte. Randrianantenaina said an investigation was underway, while a government delegation from Somalia will come to organise the repatriation of its citizens. Every year, young Somalis make treacherous journeys in search of better opportunities abroad. The UN agency has raised concerns over the rise in irregular migration from Horn of Africa countries as people flee from conflict and drought.
https://apnews.com/article/migrants-madagascar-somalia-capsize-2c861378504c9e0b1dcb0a455c91babf
Lebanon: Ceasefire Deals Sees Israeli Defence Force Withdrawal and Return of Displaced Communities
On 26 November, 2024, the Lebanon ceasefire deal entered into force and the uprooted communities have already started returning to their homes in South Lebanon after months of forced displacement. Heavy traffic was observed on the highway from Beirut to the south since the early Wednesday hours. After months of firing across the UN-patrolled Blue Line separating Hezbollah and the IDF, it escalated into a full-blown war in September, killing thousands of civilians and uprooting more than 886,000 people. 11 of the UNHCR trucks have delivered emergency supplies to 3,100 people in the eastern city of Baalbek. WHO, UNICEF and the UNHCR have reported they are committed to peace and urgent work must now begin to ensure this peace is sustained. Meanwhile, in Gaza, fighting and bombardment is still going on. The UNRWA reported that some northern areas of the Gaza strip have been under siege for more than 50 days, while missions to the north from Gaza City continue to be denied. Another hospital with 55 in-patients has been bombed.
Haiti: UN Evacuates Staff from Haiti Capital Amidst Gang Violence
On 26 November 2024, it was reported evacuation flights were to land in Panama this week as the UN is to remove staff from the Haiti capital Port-au-Prince amid an escalation in violence by armed groups. Last week, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Haiti, Ulrika Richardson, said the UN would reduce its presence in Port-au-Prince due to the violence and added they would move staff to other departments in the country. The Chief of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, Maria Isabel Salvador, outlined as of Monday some 1,527 of 1,725 personnel remained in Haiti, and added “we are not leaving the country.” Other aid agencies, including Mercy Corps, announced it was relocating staff to other regions outside the capital. Doctors without Borders has suspended operations in Port-au-Prince due to police threats. It is estimated 80-90% of the capital is controlled by armed groups. The gangs working together as an alliance known as Viv Ansanm have made further gains in recent weeks, attacking areas which had escaped the worst of the violence previously. In October 2023, the UN approved the deployment of an international operation relying on voluntary contributions to restore order, but the mission has so far only been partially deployed and underfunded. Haiti’s government called for it to be converted into a peacekeeping mission, but the proposal was vetoed by China and Russia in the UN Security Council. This month saw over 40,000 people in Port-au-Prince displaced in just 10 days due to the violence, making it the largest wave of displacement since January last year.
Angola: Human Rights Group Calls for Investigation of Police Brutality During Post-Election Protests
On 27 November 2024, Amnesty International urged Angolan authorities to hold police accountable for human rights violations, including killings and injuries of protesters, between November 2020 and June 2023. A report published by Amnesty this week highlighted the excessive and unnecessary use of force by police, including live bullets, tear gas, and batons during protests under President João Lourenço’s rule. At least 17 deaths and numerous cases of arbitrary detention, torture, and police violence were recorded during this period. The protests were sparked by grievances such as the high cost of living, lack of municipal elections, and dissatisfaction with the controversial 2022 elections. Despite promises of investigations, authorities have not held any officers accountable, often ignoring or delaying justice for victims. Amnesty International, supported by other human rights organisations, has called for immediate investigations into these abuses and for the perpetrators to be brought to trial. The group also urged the Angolan police to adhere to international human rights standards, refrain from suppressing peaceful protests, and respect obligations under the ICCPR and ACHPR. The international community has been encouraged to pressure Angola to uphold the right to peaceful assembly and protect protesters.
Nigeria: Human Rights Group Claims Police Response to Anti- Government Protests Violates Fundamental Rights
On 28 November 2024, in their report released, Amnesty International condemned the violent suppression of anti-government protests by Nigerian police, resulting in at least 24 deaths and significant human rights violations. The organisation criticised the authorities for using live ammunition against peaceful demonstrators, arbitrarily arresting and torturing individuals, threatening protesters, and charging some with treason, including 29 minors who could face the death penalty. Nigerian authorities cited the Public Order Act, requiring police approval for protests, but Amnesty countered that international law prohibits the use of firearms against protesters unless there is an imminent threat to life and no alternative. Amnesty also noted attempts by authorities to cover up the violence, suggesting the death toll could be higher. The protests, sparked by a cost-of-living crisis and systemic corruption, are part of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement. The country’s severe economic conditions are projected to push 33 million Nigerians into food insecurity over the next year. Amnesty called for immediate investigations to hold perpetrators accountable and deliver justice for victims, emphasising that peaceful protests have become life-threatening in Nigeria.
Greece: 10 Dead After Second Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Greek Coast This Week
On 28 November 2024, Greek authorities confirmed they were searching for survivors after a migrant boat sank off the island of Samos in the Aegean Sea. So far 16 people have been rescued and four confirmed dead, including two children. The incident occurred near where another migrant boat sank on Monday, where eight people were confirmed dead, including six children, while 36 survivors were rescued. Greece’s Minister for Migration, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, blamed people-traffickers for the fatal incident. He said bad weather this time of year worsens sea conditions making journeys facilitated by criminal groups riskier. Panagiotopoulos stated people-traffickers are responsible for loading large numbers of people and children onto boats to transport them to the Greek islands, and in bad weather conditions, the chances of a shipwreck resulting in deaths at sea are greatly increased. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) stated the Eastern Mediterranean is a popular route used by migrants to enter Europe. According to IOM numbers, 1,933 people have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean, 102 of them in the Eastern Mediterranean this year. The Eastern Mediterranean saw migrant numbers rise by 15% in the first nine months of the year, to 45,600. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said that so far this year, a total of 55,998 migrants reached Greece with 48,984 arriving by sea.
Chad: Defence Partnership Ended with France Amidst Sovereignty Re-Assertion
On 29 November 2024, it was reported Chad had ended a defence partnership with France in a move that could see French troops leave the country. Chad’s foreign minister said in a statement the country wanted to assert its sovereignty and redefine its strategic partnerships. In the past, Chad assisted military forces from Western countries and was a key ally in the fight against Islamic militants in the region, but in recent years has veered closer to Russia. The decision to end the partnership is another blow to France and its position in West and Central Africa after already being forced to pull its troops out of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso following military coups. The military juntas have turned to Russia for support, who have deployed mercenaries across the Sahel region, and developed ties with Chad’s President Mahamat Deby. The foreign ministry stated Chad will respect the process of the termination and will “collaborate with French authorities to ensure a harmonious transition.” Currently, France has around 1,000 troops stationed in Chad plus military planes. The foreign ministry added the decision to end the defence agreement should not damage the friendly relations between the two countries. Similarly, earlier this year, Chad requested a small group of US forces to leave the country.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/chad-ends-defence-cooperation-agreement-with-france-2024-11-28/
UN: Secretary-General Urges Global Community to Eliminate Chemical Weapons
On 30 November 2024, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for decisive global action to eliminate chemical weapons, emphasising the importance of reaffirming commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). His remarks came on the Day of Remembrance of All Victims of Chemical Warfare, a UN-recognised observance honouring victims and advocating for a world free of chemical weapons. Guterres highlighted progress, such as the destruction of declared chemical weapons stockpiles, but warned of a resurgence in their use over the past decade. He stressed the urgency of addressing emerging threats from scientific and technological advances and called for an end to impunity for violations of international norms. The CWC prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons, except for minimal purposes like medical research. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), established to enforce the CWC, ensures compliance, verification, and international cooperation. Recent allegations, including Ukraine’s accusations against Russia and investigations into Syria’s use of chemical weapons, underscore the ongoing challenges. The Day of Remembrance, observed annually on November 30, serves as a global reminder of the need for continued vigilance against chemical weapons and the pursuit of peaceful technological advances.
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