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International Peace & Security Section
Uganda: Cuts Military Ties with Germany Amidst Diplomatic Tensions
South Korea: Former Officials Barred from Travel Amidst Martial Law Investigation
Nigeria: At Least 42 Killed in Nigeria’s Benue State in Weekend Attacks by Herders
Congo: Amnesty International Accuse M23 Rebels of Committing War Crimes in Eastern Congo
UN: Rights Group Urges Renewal of South Sudan Arms Embargo Amidst Rising Tensions
Spain: Seven Migrants Killed After Boat Overturned Near Shore of Canary Islands
Indonesia: Escalating Violence in West Papua Raises Alarms Over Civilian Safety and Human Rights
Austria: Court Acquits Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of Perjury in Parliamentary Probe
On 27 May 2025, the Higher Regional Court of Vienna (OLG) acquitted former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of giving false testimony to parliament. The ruling overturned his 2024 conviction, which had sentenced him to an eight-month suspended prison term for allegedly misleading a parliamentary committee investigating political cronyism in the “Ibiza” scandal. The case centered on Kurz’s involvement in the 2019 appointment of Thomas Schmid as head of Austria’s state holding company, ÖBAG. During the inquiry, Kurz had stated that he was “informed” about the appointment but denied improper influence. The OLG concluded that his statement did not meet the legal threshold for perjury under Austrian law (§288 of the Penal Code), since he acknowledged involvement in an informative—not decision-making—capacity. The “Ibiza” scandal, which originally triggered the investigations, involved secretly recorded footage of right-wing politicians offering public contracts in exchange for media influence. Although Kurz was not directly implicated in that footage, the inquiry expanded to probe his broader role in alleged political manipulation. The acquittal clears Kurz of criminal wrongdoing in this case, potentially paving the way for a political comeback. While he stepped down from politics in 2021, he has since co-founded a cybersecurity firm with ties to former NSO Group leadership. It remains uncertain whether prosecutors will pursue further charges over alleged misuse of public funds for favourable media coverage and polling during his tenure.
US: Supreme Court Declines to Hear Apache Sacred Site Case, Allowing Copper Mine Land Transfer
On 27 May 2025, the US Supreme Court rejected a petition from the nonprofit Apache Stronghold to block a federal land transfer of Oak Flat, a sacred Apache site in Arizona, to a copper mining company. Oak Flat is a historically and spiritually significant 6.7-square-mile area, revered by the Western Apache for over 1,500 years. Apache Stronghold argued that the transfer violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), claiming it would destroy a site essential to Apache religious practices. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals narrowly ruled 6–5 in favor of allowing the transfer to proceed. The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case lets that decision stand. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch, joined by Justice Clarence Thomas, strongly criticised the Court’s inaction, warning it undermines religious freedom for minority faiths. Gorsuch compared the situation to demolishing a historic cathedral and emphasised the nation’s duty to protect all religious practices, especially those that are unfamiliar or marginalised.
Russia: UN Investigation Reveals War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity in Ukraine
On 28 May 2025, a United Nations (UN) investigation concluded via a report published that Russian forces have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine’s Kherson region. The UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine reported that since July 2024, Russian troops have systematically used drones to target civilians across a 100-kilometer stretch along the Dnipro River, including Kherson city. These attacks, which have killed at least 150 civilians and injured hundreds more, were found to be widespread, coordinated, and part of a deliberate state policy. The commission noted that the drone strikes followed a consistent pattern, indicating they were planned and organised, with no evidence that Russian authorities took steps to prevent or halt these crimes. Victims included men, women, and children, often attacked while engaging in everyday activities. The UN’s findings add to the growing body of evidence documenting atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.
https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-war-crime-civilian-ukraine-kherson-region-united-nations/
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Croatian Officials Condemn New War Crimes Indictments
On 28 May 2025, it was reported that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s state prosecutor filed war crimes indictments against two individuals for atrocities committed during the 1990s conflict, prompting strong reactions from Croatian officials. Radinko Stevanović, a member of the Bosnian Serb Army’s Zvornik Brigade, is accused of participating in the illegal imprisonment and murder of between 400 and 500 Bosniak civilians in 1992, as part of a systematic attack on the Bosniak population in the Zvornik area. Muhamed Ibrahimović, a commander in the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) in Livno, faces charges for crimes against Serbian civilians, including torture and inhumane treatment, resulting in deaths and lasting psychological harm. Croatian leaders have expressed anger over these indictments, viewing them as politically motivated and indicative of a broader pattern of targeting Croats for war crimes. This development has exacerbated tensions between Bosnia and Croatia, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing wartime atrocities and achieving justice for all victims. The indictments also underscore the complexities of post-conflict reconciliation in the Balkans, where ethnic divisions and differing narratives about the past continue to impede progress.
https://balkaninsight.com/2025/05/28/new-war-crimes-indictments-from-bosnia-anger-croatias-leaders/
France: Court Jails Former Syrian Rebel for War Crimes in Landmark Universal Jurisdiction Case
On 28 May 2025, a French court sentenced Majdi Nema, a former spokesperson for the Syrian rebel group Jaish al-Islam, to 10 years in prison for war crimes committed during the Syrian civil war. This is the first trial in France applying the principle of universal jurisdiction to crimes committed in Syria, marking a significant milestone in international justice efforts. Nema, who is better known by his nom de guerre Islam Alloush, was found guilty of complicity in war crimes, including the recruitment of child soldiers aged 15 to 18 and contributing to the preparation of war crimes. The court determined that he played a key role in the operations of Jaish al-Islam, a powerful armed group that controlled parts of the Damascus suburbs from 2013 to 2016 and was accused of serious abuses against civilians. He was arrested in Marseille in 2020 after arriving in France on a student exchange program. During the trial, Nema denied the charges and claimed he held only a limited, non-military position within the group. The case sets an important precedent for holding individuals accountable for international crimes committed in Syria, even in the absence of functioning domestic or international judicial mechanisms.
US: Appeals Court Allows Trump Administration to Continue Tariffs Amidst Legal Challenges
On 29 May 2025, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit temporarily allowed the Trump administration to continue enforcing its global tariffs by granting an emergency stay of a lower court’s ruling. The US Court of International Trade had previously found the tariffs unconstitutional, arguing that the president exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which allocates tariff power to Congress. In response, the government filed an emergency motion claiming the lower court’s decision threatened national security and foreign policy. The appeals court granted the stay, keeping the tariffs in effect while the legal process continues, and set a deadline of June 5 for plaintiffs to respond. Separately, a federal district judge in Washington DC also challenged the tariffs, issuing a preliminary injunction in a different case involving businesses affected by the tariffs. This injunction, however, will not take effect for 14 days. The court sided with the plaintiffs, asserting that the IEEPA does not grant the president authority to impose tariffs.
https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/05/us-appeals-court-allows-trump-tariffs-to-proceed/
Kyrgyzstan: Whistleblower’s Conviction Sparks Outcry Over Free Speech Crackdown
On 30 May 2025, Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned the conviction, on 27 May 2025, of Kyrgyz linguist and whistleblower Zhoomart Karabaev, calling it part of a wider pattern of state retaliation against government critics. Karabaev received three years of probation and a fine for social media posts alleging official corruption in the use of expert testimony to convict political dissidents. Karabaev, who had been fired from the National Academy of Sciences for refusing to alter a linguistic report to support a prosecution, was charged with inciting unrest and calling for the violent seizure of power. He maintains his innocence and plans to appeal. HRW argues Karabaev was punished for exposing how so-called expert linguistic analyses are used to fabricate evidence in speech-related trials. These reports, often written by security services, have been used in several high-profile convictions, including of journalists and writers critical of the government. Karabaev’s case comes amid a growing clampdown on press freedom in Kyrgyzstan. Days after his conviction, state security forces raided independent news outlet Kloop Media, detaining journalists and denying them access to legal counsel. Amnesty International decried the raids as part of a broader campaign to silence dissent. Both HRW and Amnesty warn that Kyrgyzstan is violating its own laws and international human rights obligations by targeting whistleblowers and journalists who expose state misconduct.
Uganda: Cuts Military Ties with Germany Amidst Diplomatic Tensions
On 26 May 2025, it was reported that Uganda had suspended all military cooperation with Germany. Ugandan military spokesperson, Chris Magezi, said that they had received “credible intelligence reports” that the German Ambassador, Matthias Schauer, had been engaging in “subversive activities” in Uganda. The announcement marks a significant rise in diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) accused Schauer of being linked to alleged “negative and traitorous” fractions in Uganda. These accusations resulted from a meeting Schauer attended with the brother of longtime President Yoweri Museven, during which, Schauer supposedly criticised General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Museveni and military chief, for his provocative comments on social media. Kainerugaba is widely seen as the likely successor to his 80-year-old father, who has held power since 1986. A spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Ministry dismissed Uganda’s claims about the Ambassador and stressed that the accusations were “absurd” and “baseless.” This dispute puts the longstanding partnership between the two nations at risk and highlights international concern over Uganda’s political landscape ahead of its 2026 presidential elections. It also signifies Uganda’s broader resistance to what it views as foreign interference in its domestic affairs.
https://www.africanews.com/2025/05/26/uganda-cuts-military-ties-with-germany-amid-diplomatic-rift/
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-rejects-ugandas-subversive-activities-accusation/a-72672859
South Korea: Former Officials Barred from Travel Amidst Martial Law Investigation
On 27 May 2025, it was reported that South Korea imposed travel bans on former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and former Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok as part of an investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to impose martial law. The two officials, who both deny involvement, are being questioned over whether they received documents related to the martial law plan during a cabinet meeting. Yoon declared martial law on 3 December 2025, alleging opposition-led “anti-state activities,” but lawmakers swiftly overturned the order the next day. He was arrested on 15 January 2025 by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and later impeached in April 2025—becoming the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. Han and Choi briefly served as acting presidents amidst the constitutional crisis, with Han later impeached and then reinstated before resigning in May 2025. The turmoil has triggered a snap presidential election scheduled for 3 June 2025, advancing the original 2027 date under constitutional rules requiring a successor within 60 days of a vacancy. While the expedited election highlights South Korea’s democratic resilience, the travel bans and legal proceedings raise broader concerns about executive accountability and constitutional governance.
Nigeria: At Least 42 Killed in Nigeria’s Benue State in Weekend Attacks by Herders
On 27 May 2025, it was reported at least 42 people were shot dead in a series of weekend attacks across the Gwer West district in Nigeria’s central Benue State. It is believed these assaults were committed by herders. On Sunday, 32 people were killed in attacks in the villages of Ahume and Aondona. While a further 10 people were killed in a separate assault on the villages of Tyolaha and Tse-Ubiam on Saturday. Benue State is located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, an area where the predominantly Muslim North region meets the largely Christian South region. The region experiences intense rivalry over land use, with frequent clashes between herders, who need land to graze their cattle, and farmers, who require fertile land to grow crops. These tensions are further intensified by underlying ethnic and religious divisions. The office of Benue Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, stated that a Catholic priest was injured in the attack, and is currently in a critical but stable condition.
EU: Approves New €150 Billion Arms Fund to Boost Defence
On 27 May 2025, the EU approved the creation of a €150 billion (US$170.7 billion) arms fund, prompted by concerns over a potential Russian attack in the near future and growing uncertainty about the US’s security commitment to Europe. The approval marked the last step in establishing the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) scheme, which will use EU borrowing to provide loans to European nations for collective defence projects. The proposal was supported by 26 of the 27 EU members, with Hungary abstaining. In March, the European Commission proposed the scheme as concerns grew among European leaders that they could no longer depend on US President Donald Trump’s administration for defence support. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, EU countries have increased defence spending by over 30% in the last three years, however, EU leaders admit this is not enough. The new EU scheme aims to remove national barriers by funding collaborative projects among EU nations, while it also promotes a strong “buy European” policy in an effort to bolster the continent’s defence industry. In order to be eligible for SAFE funding, 65% of a project’s value must come from companies located in the EU, the wider European Economic Area, or Ukraine. However, companies from countries who have signed a Security and Defence Partnership with the EU can also qualify if they comply with further conditions.
Congo: Amnesty International Accuse M23 Rebels of Committing War Crimes in Eastern Congo
On 27 May 2025, Amnesty International accused the M23 rebels of killing, torturing, and forcibly disappearing civilian detainees in the cities of Goma and Bukavu in eastern Congo. The rights group stated, “these acts violate international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.” Between February and April, Amnesty interviewed 18 civilians who had been detained by M23 rebels who were accused of supporting the Congolese army. However, the rebels provided no evidence to support these claims. They were held in overcrowded, unhygienic cells with limited access to food, water, sanitation, and health care. Several detainees reported they witnessed individuals die from the inhumane conditions and torture. While others described how they watched M23 rebels kill two detainees with hammers, while another was shot dead and died instantly. All of those interviewed reported they were either tortured or witnessed others being tortured. They described severe beatings using wooden rods, electric cables, or engine belts. Amnesty said that relatives searched for their family members at the detention sites, but M23 rebels often denied them access or falsely stated that their relatives were not there, which the rights group said amounts to enforced disappearances. The M23 rebel group is one of many armed groups fighting for control of mineral-rich eastern Congo. The conflict has resulted in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over seven million people displaced. Despite the M23 rebels and the Congolese army agreeing to work toward a peace agreement last month, fighting has continued.
UN: Rights Group Urges Renewal of South Sudan Arms Embargo Amidst Rising Tensions
On 28 May 2025, Amnesty International called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to renew its arms embargo on South Sudan, warning that lifting it could endanger peace and violate international commitments to end war on the continent. The embargo, in place since 2015 due to widespread human rights abuses during South Sudan’s civil war, is set for renewal on May 29. Although a peace agreement in 2020 formed a coalition government, recent clashes since March have raised concerns of renewed conflict. While the African Union Peace and Security Council and three African UNSC member states—Somalia, Sierra Leone, and Algeria—support lifting the embargo to aid security reform and unification, Amnesty criticised this view, citing political instability and ongoing violence. The organisation also pointed to Uganda’s unauthorised deployment of arms and troops to South Sudan in March as a violation of the embargo and international law. Amnesty emphasised that renewing and enforcing the embargo is essential to achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goal of ending all wars in Africa by 2030. The UNSC requires nine votes and no vetoes from its five permanent members to pass or renew binding resolutions.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Bodies of 11 Migrants Found in Boat Washed Ashore on Caribbean Island
On 28 May 2025, authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines said they found a boat washed up on the shore of Canouan island carrying the remains of 11 people they believe to be from Mali. Superintendent Junior Simmons outlined that the identification found suggests the individuals were from Mali. He added that the remains “were in an advanced state of decomposition, and some were not fully intact.” Simmons stated that the remains had been moved to mainland St. Vincent for further forensic analysis. In January 2025, officials in nearby St. Kitts and Nevis discovered a vessel with the bodies of 19 people onboard. Officials believed that they had been at sea for a prolonged period due to the advanced state of decomposition. The identification found indicated some of the passengers were also from Mali. Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, located approximately 6,200 km east across the Atlantic Ocean from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa is regarded as one of the most dangerous maritime routes in the world, with powerful westerly currents and winds known to push vessels way off their intended course.
Spain: Seven Migrants Killed After Boat Overturned Near Shore of Canary Islands
On 29 May 2025, Spanish authorities said that a boat carrying migrants capsized near the shoreline as it arrived at the port of El Hierro in the Canary Islands. It is reported four women, and three girls had drowned. Local reports indicated the boat was packed with over 100 people onboard. Amid the distressing scenes at El Hierro port, survivors held onto ropes and life jackets thrown to them by rescuers. A helicopter evacuated two children who were in a serious condition to a hospital after they nearly drowned. Spain’s maritime rescue service said that the boat overturned when rescuers began transferring young people onto a rescue craft situated between the migrant boat and the port. They reported that the movement of people on the boat caused it to capsize. For many years, the Spanish archipelago located off the coast of west Africa has been a popular route for migrants trying to reach Europe, who undertake treacherous journeys in small boats and dinghies unsafe for long voyages in the open sea. Thousands of migrants have died on this dangerous journey to Europe. Last year, almost 47,000 people who made the journey reached the archipelago. Most were from Mali, Senegal and Morocco, and had departed on boats from the coast of Mauritania. The arrivals also included thousands of unaccompanied minors. By mid-May this year, approximately 10,800 people had arrived in the Canary Islands travelling across the Atlantic, a decrease by 34% compared to the same period in 2024.
Indonesia: Escalating Violence in West Papua Raises Alarms Over Civilian Safety and Human Rights
On 29 May 2025, Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned that escalating conflict in Indonesia’s West Papua region is endangering the largely Indigenous population, as clashes between Indonesian security forces and separatist rebels intensify. Military operations—particularly in the Central Highlands—have caused civilian deaths and injuries from drone strikes and indiscriminate explosives, displacing thousands. The West Papua National Liberation Army, armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, claimed responsibility for 17 deaths, while the Indonesian military reported killing 18 rebels during Operation Habema across six provinces. Intan Jaya Regency has been particularly affected, prompting a 14-day state of emergency. The long-running conflict stems from the disputed 1969 Act of Free Choice that integrated West Papua into Indonesia. Over 76,000 Papuans have reportedly been displaced since 2018, amid mounting allegations of human rights abuses by both sides. HRW emphasised that all parties must respect international humanitarian law by protecting civilians, avoiding indiscriminate violence, and allowing humanitarian aid. Deputy Asia Director Meenakshi Ganguly urged both the Indonesian government and separatist forces to uphold the laws of war and ensure civilian safety.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/05/29/indonesia-renewed-fighting-threatens-west-papua-civilians
Thailand: HRW Urges Thai Separatists to Halt Civilian Attacks
On 29 May 2025, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on separatist insurgents in Thailand’s southern provinces to stop targeting civilians and adhere to international humanitarian law. This appeal follows a surge in violence across Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla, where over 7,000 people—many of them civilians—have been killed in the ongoing conflict. The Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the region’s most prominent armed group, pledged in 2019 to avoid civilian targets, but HRW reports continued violations. HRW Asia Director Elaine Pearson criticised BRN for failing to live up to its commitment, calling the civilian attacks war crimes. The separatist conflict, rooted in the historical Malay Patani region’s annexation by Siam, has persisted for decades, with violence intensifying since 2004. The warning comes amidst broader human rights concerns in Thailand. In recent months, HRW has urged Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to address human rights in regional diplomacy and not to deport 48 detained Uyghur men to China, where they risk serious abuses.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/05/29/thailand-new-insurgent-attacks-civilians-despite-pledge
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