Weekly News Recap (26 January – 1 February 2026) © Photo by United Nations Photo via Flickr International Justice Section ICC: Pre-Trial Chamber Rules Duterte Fit to Stand Trial ICC:...
Weekly News Recap (16 - 22 December 2024)
© Photo by Kurdishstruggle via Flickr
- ICJ: Belgium Files Declaration of Intervention in Case between Gambia and Myanmar Concerning Application of the Genocide Convention
- ICC: Al-Hassan Case Moves to Reparations Stage
- Lithuania: Constitutional Court Scraps Anti-LGBT Law
- Germany: Former Assad Militia Member Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment for War Crimes
- US: Montana Supreme Court Affirms Youth Climate Victory
- France: Supreme Court Upholds Corruption Conviction of Former President Nicolas Sarkozy for Corruption
- Belarus: Journalist Sentenced to 1.5 Years Imprisonment For Post Election Protest Coverage
- KSC: Three Former KLA Fighters Plead Guilty to Charges of Witness Intimidation and Obstruction of Justice
International Peace & Security Section
Congo: Fighting Continues as Peace Talks Between Congo and Rwanda Cancelled
Norway: US$242 Million to be Provided to Bolster Ukrainian Navy
Greece: Authorities Rescue 23 Migrants in the Eastern Aegean Sea
Switzerland: Parliament Votes to Officially Recognise ISIS Genocide Against Yazidis
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Agreement Reached with EU Border Agency Frontex
Gaza: Winter Conditions and Further Bombings Worsen Situation in Gaza
- Germany: 5 Killed, 200 Injured in Christmas Market Attack
International Justice Section
ICJ: Belgium Files Declaration of Intervention in Case between Gambia and Myanmar Concerning Application of the Genocide Convention
On 16 December 2024, it was reported that on 12 December 2024, Belgium formally declared its intention to intervene in the ongoing case concerning the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (The Gambia v. Myanmar). This move was made under Article 63 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which grants states that are parties to a convention the right to intervene when the interpretation of that convention is in question. Any interpretation determined by the ICJ in such cases is binding on all parties to the convention, not just those directly involved in the case. Belgium, a party to the 1948 Genocide Convention, invoked its right to intervene to address the interpretation of Article II of the Convention. In its declaration, Belgium outlined its perspective on this critical provision, seeking to contribute to the Court’s understanding and construction of its terms. Following this declaration, the ICJ invited The Gambia and Myanmar to submit written observations on Belgium’s intervention, in accordance with the Court’s procedural rules. This development highlights Belgium’s legal interest in the case and underscores the broader implications of the Court’s judgment for all states bound by the Genocide Convention.
https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/178/178-20241216-pre-01-00-en.pdf
ICC: Al-Hassan Case Moves to Reparations Stage
On 17 December 2024, both the defence and prosecution announced that they will not submit appeals against the guilty verdict reached in the case of The Prosecutor v. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The sentence is now final, and the case will move to the reparations stage. Previously, on 26 June 2024, Mr. Al Hassan was convicted for crimes against humanity of torture, persecution, and other inhumane acts as well as war crimes of torture, outrages upon personal dignity, mutilation, cruel treatment, and passing sentences without a fair trial. However, he was acquitted of the crimes against humanity of rape, sexual slavery and other inhumane acts in the form of forced marriage as well as the war crimes of rape and sexual slavery. On 20 November 2024, he was sentenced to 10 years.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/al-hassan-case-discontinuance-appeals-defence-and-prosecution
Lithuania: Constitutional Court Scraps Anti-LGBT Law
On 18 December 2024, the Lithuanian Constitutional Court ruled that a law banning the spread of same-sex relationship information to minors is unconstitutional. The Court found that Clause 16 of Article 4(2) of the Law on the Protection of Minors violated the right to freedom of expression and narrowed the constitutional concept of family. The Court specifically found that the law’s definition of detrimental information to minors as any that “encourages the concept of entry into a marriage and creation of a family other than stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and the Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania” problematic. The Constitutional Court’s President, Gintaras Goda, declared that no law should prevent minors from receiving information about different family models and emphasized that children’s development should be based on human rights and equality.
Germany: Former Assad Militia Member Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment for War Crimes
On 19 December 2024, a court in Germany sentenced a former member of the pro-Assad militia to 10 years in prison for committing war crimes during the Syrian conflict. The Higher Regional Court in Hamburg convicted the 47-year-old Syrian citizen of war crimes, including mistreatment, torture, forced labor, and threatening civilian lives. The court ruled that the accused, acting as a district leader of the Shabiha militia, committed these atrocities under the orders of the Assad regime. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that the accused arbitrarily detained civilians, subjected them to torture, and forced them to transport sandbags for government forces, often exposing them to enemy fire. The case relied on the testimony of over 25 witnesses, including former victims who described systematic mistreatment. The accused denied all allegations but was convicted following a thorough investigation. The former militia member entered Germany as an asylum seeker in 2016. His identity was revealed when a former Syrian victim recognised him at a refugee shelter in Bremen. German authorities arrested him in August 2023 after a federal investigation. Germany’s prosecution was made possible under the “Code of Crimes against International Law,” which allows German courts to exercise universal jurisdiction over war crimes and crimes against humanity, even when such offences are committed outside Germany. This landmark legislation has enabled the country to take a leading role in holding perpetrators of international crimes accountable.
US: Montana Supreme Court Affirms Youth Climate Victory
On 19 December 2024, the Montana Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that a state law violated youth plaintiffs’ constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. The court found that an exemption in the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) unlawfully barred the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews, contradicting constitutional protections. Chief Justice Mike McGrath stated the plaintiffs showed “serious and irreversible harms” from climate change, undermining their right to a healthy environment. The decision permanently blocks the MEPA Limitation, allowing Montana agencies to consider climate impacts in decision-making. Governor Greg Gianforte criticised the ruling, warning it could lead to costly lawsuits and higher energy bills. However, climate advocates, including Columbia University’s Michael Gerrard, celebrated it as a landmark for youth-led climate litigation. Filed in 2020 by 16 plaintiffs aged 2 to 18, the case argued that Montana’s approval of fossil fuel projects exacerbated climate harms. The court’s decision affirms that a clean environment includes a stable climate, setting a significant precedent for future climate cases nationwide.
France: Supreme Court Upholds Corruption Conviction of Former President Nicolas Sarkozy for Corruption
On 19 December 2024, France’s Cour de Cassation upheld the conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy for corruption and influence peddling, confirming his sentence of one year under house arrest with electronic monitoring. Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012, was found guilty in 2021 of attempting to bribe magistrate Gilbert Azibert by offering a prestigious position in exchange for confidential information about a separate investigation. He was originally sentenced to three years, with two years suspended. Sarkozy plans to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), alleging violations of his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). On social media, he called the ruling the result of “12 years of judicial harassment.” The conviction is enforceable as Sarkozy has exhausted all domestic legal remedies. He also faces trial in 2025 over allegations of illegal campaign financing tied to Libyan funds from Moammar Gadhafi, which he denies. This decision cements Sarkozy’s place as the first former French president convicted for corruption, marking a historic moment in French judicial accountability.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/nicolas-sarkozy-ap-france-paris-french-b2666512.html
Belarus: Journalist Sentenced to 1.5 Years Imprisonment For Post Election Protest Coverage
On 19 December 2024, it was publicly reported and announced that journalist Yauhen Nikalayevich, a former videographer for the independent news outlet Media-Polesye, was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison in October 2024 after the Brest Regional Court upheld a prior conviction. He was charged under Article 342(1) of the Criminal Code for allegedly participating in “gross violations of public order,” a charge widely believed to stem from his reporting on the 2020 protests. During these demonstrations, thousands of Belarusians were arrested, including journalists, as they called for free and fair elections. Nikalayevich himself was detained in August 2020 while performing his duties as a journalist and was reportedly assaulted by police during his arrest. After briefly serving administrative detention in November 2020, Nikalayevich fled Belarus. However, upon his return in early 2024, he was arrested and added to the Belarusian government’s registry of individuals allegedly involved in “extremist activities.” The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has demanded his immediate release, along with all other imprisoned journalists, and criticised the Belarusian authorities for targeting journalists who covered the 2020 protests against President Aleksandr Lukashenko, calling Nikalayevich’s imprisonment a clear act of retaliation.
https://cpj.org/2024/12/belarusian-court-sentences-journalist-yauhen-nikalayevich-to-1%C2%BD-years/
KSC: Three Former KLA Fighters Plead Guilty to Charges of Witness Intimidation and Obstruction of Justice
On 19 December 2024, it was reported that three former fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)—Haxhi Shala, Sabit Januzi, and Ismet Bahtijari—have pleaded guilty to charges of witness intimidation and obstruction of justice, following plea agreements with the Kosovo Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO). Their admissions come as part of efforts to address ongoing issues of interference with judicial proceedings related to the Kosovo war. The guilty pleas were entered earlier this week, with Bahtijari confirming his plea on Thursday. Shala, who initially pleaded not guilty, explained his change in court, saying, “When I pleaded not guilty, I had never been interviewed and was not fully informed of what it was fully about. Now I plead guilty, as agreed in the plea agreement.” Januzi similarly admitted to his actions, acknowledging that his meeting with a prosecution witness constituted obstruction of justice. According to the SPO, the offences occurred between 5 April and 12 April 2023. Shala orchestrated efforts to intimidate a witness, referred to as Witness 1, directing Bahtijari and Januzi to approach the individual on separate occasions. They allegedly sought to compel the witness to withdraw testimony or provide false information, offering promises of support in return. The plea agreements recommend prison sentences of up to three years for Shala, two-and-a-half years for Januzi, and two years for Bahtijari, subject to court approval. If the court confirms the deals, there will be no trial. This case highlights the broader context of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, established in 2015 in The Hague to prosecute crimes committed during and after the Kosovo war, including crimes against civilians and political killings. The court was set up outside Kosovo due to concerns over the domestic justice system’s inability to handle such cases, largely because of persistent witness intimidation that marred earlier proceedings.
International Peace & Security Section
Israel: Closure of Israel Embassy in Ireland Announced
On 16 December 2024, Israel announced the closure of its embassy in Dublin. Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, said the decision is due to “the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government.” Israel had already recalled its ambassador to Ireland after the decision from the Irish government to recognise Palestine as a state. Saar cited Ireland’s decision last week to support South Africa’s legal case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide. Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Simon Harris, described Israel’s announcement to close the embassy as a “deeply regrettable decision.” Harris also strongly rejected the accusation that Ireland is anti-Israel, and added “Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law.” Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, said there are no plans to close Ireland’s embassy in Israel and stated the importance of “maintaining diplomatic channels of communication.” Last week, Martin obtained government approval for Ireland to intervene in South Africa’s ICJ proceedings. The case was initiated in response to the Israeli military offensive in Gaza following the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas. The case relates to breaches of the Genocide Convention by Israel. Martin said Ireland’s intervention is to promote a “consistent interpretation of the Genocide Convention which prioritises the protection of civilian life, and to demonstrate Ireland’s strong commitment to the rule of law and international justice.” Last month, Harris said Irish authorities would comply with the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and detain him if he travelled to Ireland. Chairperson of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, Maurice Cohen, expressed concern over the worsening relations between Ireland and Israel. Cohen said Ireland’s intervention in the ICJ case risks oversimplifying a complex issue, “unfairly isolating Israel, and undermining the integrity of the term genocide.” He also stated that the closure of the Israeli embassy in Ireland is worrying for the Jewish community in Ireland.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/1215/1486609-israel-embassy/
Congo: Fighting Continues as Peace Talks Between Congo and Rwanda Cancelled
On 16 December 2024, it was reported fighting between the Congolese army and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group resumed a day after peace talks were cancelled. Local sources reported the Congolese army lost territory in clashes with the M23 group in Eastern Congo, including the town of Matembe in the North Kivu province located on the main route to the city of Butembo, an important commercial centre. Since 2021, the M23 rebel group has taken control of swathes of Eastern Congo, resulting in mass displacement and a humanitarian crisis. Planned peace talks between Congo and Rwanda were cancelled on Sunday. Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame were scheduled to meet in Angola, who were acting as the mediator to end the conflict. The Congolese presidency said negotiations were stalled over a demand from Rwanda that Congo hold direct dialogue with the M23 rebel group, which Congo refused. Rwanda’s government issued a statement and said the meeting was postponed. The statement outlined no commitment was reached on a guarantee for direct talks between the Congolese and the M23 group. They added “the summit would therefore not have resulted in an agreement.”
https://www.voanews.com/a/clashes-in-east-dr-congo-day-after-aborted-peace-summit-/7903599.html
https://apnews.com/article/congo-rwanda-talks-angola-canceled-0177dc34c1b18b8b43599b3e9da54316
Norway: US$242 Million to be Provided to Bolster Ukrainian Navy
On 16 December 2024, Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Stoere, announced Norway would provide 2.7 billion crowns ($242 million) to bolster Ukrainian navy defence against Russian naval forces in the Black Sea. A considerable amount of the funding will support innovation and autonomy under the Maritime Capability Coalition, which was launched last year by Norway and the UK to update Ukraine’s navy forces in line with Western allies. Stoere stated “it is essential to protect the Ukrainian population and Ukrainian infrastructure from attacks by Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.” The funding includes contributions from the Norwegian Armed Forces as well as the securement of additional military equipment for future donation. The funding will also go towards mine clearance operations and the training of Ukrainian soldiers. Norway’s Defence Minister, Bjoern Arild Gram, stated it will give Ukrainian forces the ability to “detect and defuse mines along their coastline.”
Greece: Authorities Rescue 23 Migrants in the Eastern Aegean Sea
On 17 December 2024, Greek authorities rescued 23 migrants from a boat near the island of Lesbos in the Eastern Aegean Sea. This follows a tragic incident that occurred at the weekend where a boat carrying migrants sank off Gavdos. Rescue teams have recovered two more bodies, with the death toll now rising to seven. The Greek government declared the numbers of migrants arriving has increased by up to 35% since autumn last year. While most migrants travel from mainland Turkey to Greek islands, officials stated a growing number are now making the treacherous 300 km (200 mile) journey from the Libyan coast to the Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos. Greek Migration Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, stated the pressures on eastern Mediterranean migration routes is expected to continue in 2025. He highlighted the geopolitical unrest in the region as a factor for the significant increase in refugee numbers, with three wars raging in the broader region. According to government figures, the number of migrants attempting to reach Greece this year is expected to exceed 60,000. Greece has temporarily suspended final decisions on asylum applications for Syrian asylum seekers following the fall of the Assad regime, as the main reasoning for their claims, persecution by the Assad government, may no longer be applicable. Greek officials say they are still accepting applications, but decisions are paused pending a review of the situation in Syria.
https://apnews.com/article/migration-greece-lesbos-boat-sank-gavdos-d251142438681ec14eb59973594e6b05
Syria: UN Special Envoy Emphasises Importance of Building Inclusive Foundations for Lasting Peace and Security
On 17 December 2024, just 11 days after the collapse of the Assad regime, Syria faces a fragile mix of hope and chaos with a worsening humanitarian crisis. UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, describes this as a pivotal moment for the country and its people, but needs careful management by both Syrians and the international community. Many are apprehensive about their future as challenges ahead are enormous. Pedersen outlined Syria’s three main challenges: ongoing hostilities, immense humanitarian and economic needs, and the necessity for a credible political transition. Preserving state institutions will be of utmost importance, he stated, establishing an inclusive governance process and ensuring free and fair elections. The time is to build these foundations now, otherwise stability will not last.
Switzerland: Parliament Votes to Officially Recognise ISIS Genocide Against Yazidis
On 17 December 2024, the Swiss Parliament voted to officially recognise the atrocities that the Islamic State (ISIS) committed against the Yazidi community in Iraq as genocide. This is a historic acknowledgement, as 105 parliamentarians voted for and 61 voted against this recognition. Switzerland therefore joints the UN and the European Parliament in officially recognising the ISIS genocide against the Yazidis. Other countries, including Armenia, Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US are currently discussing this move as well.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Agreement Reached with EU Border Agency Frontex
On 18 December 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina initialled an agreement with EU border agency Frontex which will provide technical assistance as well as the deployment of EU guards on its borders. The final agreement is expected to be signed soon after the central government and parliament sanction the deal. Other than Kosovo, Bosnia is the only Western Balkans country that has not yet signed an arrangement with Frontex. Every year, thousands of migrants from regions including the Middle East and North Africa travel the Balkan route in an attempt to reach Europe. Bosnian Security Minister, Nenad Nesic, said the agreement is “proof that Bosnia and Herzegovina is fully integrated into the European system of collective security.” He added when Frontex has guards on the Bosnian borders its citizens will be able to rely on improved security measures. Nesic also stated the deal is part of a larger fight against organised crime. Frontex can assist countries it has agreements with and carry out border checks and registration of persons. Bosnia borders EU member Croatia, as well as Serbia and Montenegro who already have arrangements with Frontex.
Gaza: Winter Conditions and Further Bombings Worsen Situation in Gaza
On 18 December 2024, the UN estimates that one million Gazans risk spending winter without adequate shelter as UN agencies struggle to provide aid and assistance in the midst of Israeli bombings and evacuation orders. Additionally, WHO reports further 95 attacks on hospitals and school buildings since 6 October 2024. Floodings are damaging makeshift shelters. Truck convoys have been violently attacked, leading to the loss of nearly entire food and aid supplies. The UN stresses that these attacks could have been avoided had Israel kept to the agreement last Tuesday that allowed a UN convoy to use the Philadelphi corridor to reach nearly 200,000 Gazans. A rise in infections, including respiratory illnesses, diarrhoea and jaundice due to dropping temperatures. Over 1.2 million respiratory infections were reported in 2024 but numbers are expected to worsen.
UN: Secretary General Warns Delays To International Guardrails for AI May Heighten Global Peace and Security Risks
On 19 December 2024, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that delays to establishing international guardrails for AI can heighten risks to global peace and security. He noted that rapid developments in AI are outpacing humanity’s ability to govern it, raising important questions about accountability, equality, safety and human oversight in decision-making. Guterres explains “No country should design, develop, deploy or use military applications of AI in armed conflict that violate international humanitarian and human rights laws. That includes relying on AI to select or engage targets autonomously.
Germany: 5 Killed, 200 Injured in Christmas Market Attack
On 21 December 2024, it was reported that a man drove his vehicle into the crowded Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg, leaving five people dead and 200 injured. The suspect, identified as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old former Saudi doctor, was arrested at the scene. According to local media reports, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen fled Saudi Arabia in 2006, seeking asylum in Germany after describing himself as a dissident and a former Muslim. He was known for his vocal criticism of Islam and had previously warned of its dangers to Germany. He also claimed to have established a website to assist Saudi activists escaping oppressive regimes in the Gulf region. During a Saturday press conference, Prosecutor Horst Walter Nopens suggested that the attack might have been motivated by the suspect’s dissatisfaction with the treatment of Saudi refugees in Germany. However, authorities have yet to confirm a clear motive, and it remains uncertain whether the act was connected to terrorism. By Saturday evening, prosecutors had applied for arrest warrants, and a judge ordered pre-trial detention for the suspect. He now faces charges of five counts of murder, multiple counts of attempted murder, and grievous bodily harm. As the investigation continues, the suspect remains in custody. The attack has left the people of Magdeburg deeply shaken, as they grieve the loss of lives and grapple with the horrifying events that disrupted the festive atmosphere of their Christmas market.
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