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International Peace & Security Section
Colombia: At Least Seven Killed in Wave of Rebel Attacks in Southwest Colombia
Djibouti: At Least Eight Dead after Migrants Forced Off Boat Near Djibouti Coast
Haiti: A Record 1.3 Million Internally Displaced by Gang Violence
Kenya: Protests Erupt in Nairobi Over Police Brutality and Death of Activist in Custody
Russia: Ex-Policeman Jailed for Anti-War Graffiti and Links to Pro-Ukraine Group
On 10 June 2025, a Moscow military court sentenced former policeman Konstantin Podoshvelev to 14 years in prison and fined him 250,000 rubles (US$3,000). He was convicted of vandalism and alleged ties to the Freedom of Russia Legion (FRL), a pro-Ukraine paramilitary group. Podoshvelev was accused of painting anti-war slogans on university and church walls, and authorities claim the graffiti was an assignment from FRL. He denies the charges and reported torture and threats against his family by Russian law enforcement to force a confession. Human rights organisation Memorial recently designated Podoshvelev a political prisoner, while the UN Special Rapporteur urged Russia to release prisoners held for political reasons.
Israel: Thunberg Deported from Israel after Challenging Blockade
On 10 June 2025, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was deported from Israel after the Israeli navy intercepted a small aid ship—the Madleen—that she and 11 other pro‑Palestinian activists had attempted to sail into Gaza to challenge the naval blockade. Twelve volunteers were detained near Tel Aviv; four, including Thunberg, accepted immediate deportation, while eight others—including French MEP Rima Hassan—refused and are contesting the orders through legal appeals. Thunberg accused Israel of “kidnapping” them in international waters and denounced systemic violations of international law and war crimes by obstructing aid to starving Palestinians. Israel’s Foreign Minister dismissed the mission as a “ridiculous gimmick,” asserting the small amount of aid would instead be delivered via official channels. The detained activists remain in custody pending a court ruling on their expulsion.
Russia: Court Sentences Opposition Figure Leonid Volkov to 18 Years in Absentia
On 11 June 2025, a Moscow military court sentenced prominent Russian dissident Leonid Volkov in absentia to 18 years in prison and a fine of US$25,000 approximately. Volkov, an ally of the late Alexey Navalny and former leader of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, was convicted of numerous charges, including spreading military misinformation, justifying terrorism, financial fraud, and politically motivated vandalism. He was also banned from using the internet for 28 years. Now living in Lithuania, Volkov denounced the charges and urged support for Russian political prisoners. He highlighted a previous European Court of Human Rights ruling that deemed his 2018 arrest unlawful. In a related crackdown, Volkov’s elderly father was recently arrested in Russia for allegedly financing extremism, drawing concern from international academic organisations. The sentence is part of a broader effort by the Russian government to suppress dissent following the death of Navalny in prison and the continued persecution of his allies and supporters.
Belarus: Sheltered Russian Soldiers Accused of Serious Crimes
On 11 June 2025, it was reported via an investigation that was published that, despite President Lukashenko’s claims of neutrality, Belarus covertly provided medical care to nearly 900 wounded Russian soldiers during the Ukraine invasion—some of whom are believed to have committed war crimes. This support, delivered through Belarusian hospitals, contradicts the Geneva Conventions’ provisions on neutrality, as the assistance arguably aided Russia’s military operations and aggressions. Human rights lawyer Kateryna Rashevska emphasises that such medical backing, combined with Belarus hosting Russian troops and facilitating cross-border attacks, undermines Minsk’s neutrality stance and may amount to legal complicity in Russian war crimes. The investigation reveals that while Belarus justified its actions under humanitarian obligations, the involvement appears politically and militarily motivated.
Russia: Officials Pass Abortion Propaganda Ban, Restricting Women’s Rights
On 12 June 2025, Saint Petersburg legislators approved a bill imposing fines for “encouraging abortions,” claiming it promotes family values. The law introduces escalating penalties for citizens, public figures, and legal professionals who encourage abortions. Twenty Russian regions already have similar bans, with Mordovia first adopting the policy in 2023. Russian authorities justify these measures as necessary to address declining birth rates, amidst predictions of significant population decline. Critics argue that these laws severely restrict reproductive healthcare and subject women to psychological pressure and bureaucratic obstacles, significantly limiting abortion access. Over 500 clinics across Russia stopped providing abortions in 2024, further compounding women’s difficulties.
US: Appeals Court Considers Trump’s Hush Money Conviction Removal
On 12 June 2025, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit heard arguments on former President Donald Trump’s appeal to transfer his New York state hush money conviction to federal court. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to Stormy Daniels. Trump’s legal team argues presidential immunity justifies federal jurisdiction, citing the Supreme Court’s 2024 Trump v. United States ruling. Manhattan prosecutors contend Trump’s actions were private and procedural deadlines were missed. The judges are examining whether removal is procedurally viable and if the immunity precedent applies retroactively. No ruling date has been set.
Netherlands: NGO Files Legal Complaint Against Israeli Air Force Major
On 12 June 2025, it was reported that the Hind Rajab Human Rights Foundation (HRF), based in Belgium, filed a formal complaint with the Dutch Public Prosecutor against Major Lavi Lazarovitz of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), currently in the Netherlands attending a CyberArk tech event. The foundation highlights Lazarovitz’s dual role—as a military officer and tech executive—pointing out his appearance in uniform in promotional material filmed during intense Israeli bombardment of Gaza. The complaint references detailed reports from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and United Nations agencies, which document alleged IAF strikes on civilian infrastructure—hospitals, schools, refugee camps—resulting in extensive civilian casualties. HRF argues these actions may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity. They urge Dutch authorities to detain Lazarovitz, open an investigation, and prevent the Netherlands from becoming a safe haven for individuals implicated in such alleged atrocities.
Azerbaijan: Military Court Tries Armenians for War Crimes
On 13 June 2025, a military court in Baku presided over a high-profile trial of 15 Armenian nationals—including former leaders of the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic—accused of committing serious war crimes during Armenia’s occupation of the territories. The defendants face a wide range of charges under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, including waging aggressive war, genocide, forced displacement, torture, military robbery, terrorism, and financing terrorism. The prosecution presented new evidence involving the planting of landmines during the occupation. The hearing, held at the Baku Military Court under Judge Zeynal Agayev, continues to build on previous sessions that included victim testimonies and documentation of atrocities. Azerbaijani authorities described the trial as a crucial move toward achieving justice for thousands of victims and reinforcing accountability and rule of law. The proceedings are expected to span several more months.
Colombia: At Least Seven Killed in Wave of Rebel Attacks in Southwest Colombia
On 10 June 2025, Colombia’s National Police announced in a statement that at least seven people, including two police officers, were killed by a series of bombings and gun attacks by rebel groups near police stations in the city of Cali and the neighbouring Cauca province. The police and military have accused the FARC-EMC of committing the attacks. This group is run by former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia who separated from the group after it signed a peace agreement with the government in 2016. Authorities outlined that the rebels placed explosives in cars and motorcycles parked outside police stations, while they also carried out attacks with firearms and grenades. There were 24 attacks reported on Tuesday in the city Cali and the neighbouring provinces of Cauca and Valle del Cauca, resulting in 28 injuries, of which 19 were civilians. These recent attacks occurred just days after Miguel Uribe, a conservative presidential candidate, was shot during a rally in Bogota. He remains in a critical condition in hospital. The Colombian government has faced challenges in containing violence in both urban and rural areas, where various rebel groups are attempting to seize control over territory left vacant by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. Negotiations between the Colombian government and the FARC-EMC group collapsed last year following attacks on indigenous communities. Currently, the government is engaged in discussions with another faction of the group, which is led by commander Luis Alberto Alban, also known as Marcos Calarca.
https://apnews.com/article/colombia-bombs-attacks-cali-fatalities-41821ea22bc9f2748dc85d9980e34138
Sudan: WFP Reports Parts of Sudan Are At Risk of Famine
On 10 June 2025, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported that some areas south of Khartoum, Sudan’s capital Khartoum city, are at risk of famine. The demand for assistance in these areas exceeds what is available on the ground due to a shortfall of funding for food aid. Laurent Bukera, WFP Country Director in Sudan, said the level of hunger is severe and confirmed there is a strong risk of famine in those areas. The WFP reported it had provided assistance to one million people in several regions of Khartoum after gaining access to the city. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has displaced millions of people and divided the country into rival areas, where the RSF controls much of western Sudan. In March, the Sudanese army regained control of the capital from the RSF, which had been preventing aid from reaching the city. The WFP identified Jebel Awlia as a region facing severe hunger. The group added that it had cut back on the distribution of food rations, including items such as oil and pulses, due to a $500 million funding shortfall for emergency assistance, as donor countries decrease their humanitarian funding. In April, the WFP reported that rations in areas at risk of famine have been reduced to 70% of a standard WFP ration (equivalent to 2100 kcal per day). Currently, the WFP is aiding four million people across Sudan.
Djibouti: At Least Eight Dead after Migrants Forced Off Boat Near Djibouti Coast
On 11 June 2025, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that at least eight migrants had died while 22 others are missing after they were forced off a boat near the Djibouti coast by smugglers. The IOM said they were part of a group of 150 migrants who were forced by smugglers to exit the boat and swim to shore. Reports indicate survivors were found in the desert by IOM patrol teams. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing to find the missing individuals. Frantz Celestin, IOM Regional Director for the East, Horn and Southern Africa, said those on the boat were “forced into impossible choices by smugglers who show no regard for human life.” Every year, thousands of refugees from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, make the treacherous journey by sea to Europe, fleeing conflict, persecution, or in search of a better life. Smugglers exploit these individuals, overcrowding small fragile boats with passengers desperate to escape and willing to risk their lives to reach Europe. Most of the boats make it across the Red Sea to Gulf countries, with many migrants continuing onward to European countries.
Haiti: A Record 1.3 Million Internally Displaced by Gang Violence
On 11 June 2025, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported that a record number of 1.3 million people have been displaced from their homes in Haiti due to the escalating gang violence this year. The number of people internally displaced has increased by 24% since December, the highest number ever recorded by the IOM in the country. Amy Pope, IOM Director General, said that these figures represent individuals who are suffering immensely, who now must live in conditions that are “neither safe nor sustainable.” Armed gangs, who have established alliances now together control nearly 85% of Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince. These gangs are equipped with weapons that are largely trafficked from the US. According to the IOM, an increasing number of people are escaping the capital for safety. The Centre Department, located north of the capital, has seen the largest increase in displacement numbers from around 68,000 to more than 147,000 in recent months in towns like Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau. Many of these individuals are now living in makeshift shelters without access to health care, clean water, or education. In February, UNICEF reported an increase in sexual violence against children in Haiti. While they also indicated that extreme poverty levels have led many children to join gangs, with up to half of all armed groups consisting of minors.
OHCHR: Warns of US$60 Million Funding Shortage
On 11 June 2025, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Volker Turk, warned that the UN Human Rights Office is facing a serious financial crisis with a deficit of at least US$60 million this year as donor countries reduce their funding. Turk outlined that because of these cuts, he will be unable to maintain a human rights presence in 11 countries, leaving vulnerable people at increased risk. This year, OHCHR has received US$179 million of its US$246 million regular annual budget, a deficit of US$67 million. While funding for its extra-budgetary projects amount to US$209 million, US$60 million less than the previous year. Turk said there are ongoing efforts to transfer some personnel to regional offices in cities like Vienna, Beirut, and Panama City, to cut costs and move staff closer to the countries in their mandate. Turk also called on leaders, particularly in Europe, to “support the human rights course, strategically, politically, but also financially.” UNHCR and other UN agencies are also experiencing severe funding shortfalls as important donors, particularly the US, have cut contributions. The US traditionally funded almost a quarter of the UN budget. The upcoming 59th session of the Human Rights Council had to make 250,000 Swiss francs’ (US$304,803.71) worth of cuts to save money, and in doing so shortened the duration of the meeting by 2.5 days.
UNHCR: Over 122 Million People Displaced Globally by Wars
On 12 June 2025, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported that the number of people displaced by war and persecution globally had reached over 122 million this year, driven mainly by the inability to resolve long-term conflicts, including those in Sudan and Ukraine. UNHCR Chief, Filippo Grandi, said by the end of April 2025 the number of displaced people had increased by more than two million globally compared to the previous year, despite the return of nearly two million Syrians after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The increase in numbers is attributed to major conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine. Grandi said we are in a time of “intense volatility in international relations, with modern warfare creating a fragile, harrowing landscape marked by acute human suffering.” The rise in displacement numbers comes as humanitarian funding to assist refugees has decreased to 2015 levels, when refugee figures globally were about half of the current levels. Under President Donald Trump, the US has significantly cut their contribution to humanitarian aid, while the UK and other European nations have also scaled back their foreign aid spending. The UNHCR said the funding cuts were “brutal” and added the situation was untenable. They emphasised that the shortage of funding puts the lives of millions at risk, leaving women refugees at an increased risk of experiencing sexual violence and children at risk of trafficking. Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said “we are already doing more with less – but we cannot do this indefinitely.”
Sudan: RSF Seize Key Region Bordering Libya and Egypt
On 12 June 2025, it was reported the Rapid Defence Forces (RSF) had seized a strategic area bordering Libya and Egypt, strengthening their presence along Sudan’s unstable border. The RSF has been at war with the Sudanese army for over two years. Just hours before the RSF captured the area, the Sudanese army said it had evacuated the region as part of its “defensive arrangements to repel aggression” by the RSF. The Sudanese army claimed the forces of Libyan commander Khalifa Hifter had supported the RSF’s attack on the area, describing it as a “blatant aggression against Sudan, its land, and its people.” Hifter rejected the accusations. The Sudan civil war has killed over 24,000 people, although the actual figure is likely far higher. At least 13 million people have been displaced from their homes, resulting in one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The UN and other rights groups have documented atrocities including sexual violence and ethnically motivated killings, which constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
https://apnews.com/article/sudan-military-rsf-war-libya-border-89edb6c0f925a765f0a90a2f2513142b
Kenya: Protests Erupt in Nairobi Over Police Brutality and Death of Activist in Custody
On 12 June 2025, Kenyan youth staged protests in Nairobi over police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and the release of the 2025–2026 national budget. The demonstrations were sparked by the death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and activist, who was found dead in police custody after criticising a senior police official online. Protesters chanted “No justice, no budget” amid clashes with police. Ojwang was arrested in Homabay for allegedly threatening the reputation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat and later died under suspicious circumstances in Nairobi’s Central Police Station. While police claimed his death was self-inflicted, his family and lawyer suspect torture. Investigations are ongoing, with one officer charged with murder and others under scrutiny. Government officials were questioned in the Senate over custodial safety, and legislators criticised the lack of accountability, urging authorities to uphold citizens’ constitutional rights.
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Weekly News Recap (19 – 25 January 2026) © Photo by Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan via Wikimedia Commons International Justice Section Greece: 24 Aid Workers Acquitted of Migrant-Smuggling Charges IACtHR: Declares Honduras Responsible for Discriminatory Arrests and Failure to Investigate the Death of a
Weekly News Recap (12 – 18 January 2026) © Photo by Phillip Pessar via Flickr International Justice Section Austria: Rights Group Files Criminal Complaint in Austria Over Gaza War Crimes CJEU: Upholds Inclusion of Syrian Businessman on Sanctions List KSC: Closing Statements in Thaçi’s Trial Scheduled for February Bosnia and
