© Photo by President Of Ukraine via Flickr
International Peace & Security Section
Libya: At Least 18 Migrants Dead in Shipwreck off Eastern Libya
Somalia-Djibouti: Sign Agreement for the Deployment of Additional Djiboutian Troops in Somalia
UNICEF: Approximately 80,000 Children at Risk of Cholera in West and Central Africa
Slovenia: Becomes First EU Nation to Ban Arms Trade with Israel
Syria: Calls for Action on Abductions of Alawite Women and Girls
On 28 July 2025, Amnesty International urged Syrian authorities to swiftly investigate the abductions of at least 36 Alawite women and girls since February 2025 across the regions of Latakia, Tartous, Homs, and Hama. Some victims were reportedly kidnapped in broad daylight, including underage girls, with survivors believed to have faced forced marriage, ransom demands, and other abuses. In several cases, abducted women contacted families to request divorces, raising suspicions of coercion. Amnesty’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, called for urgent, transparent investigations and support for affected families, warning that these crimes may constitute gender-based violence and even crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute. The organization stressed that Syria is obligated under international law to prevent such violence and ensure justice for survivors.
Myanmar: Rights Group Accuses Arakan Army of Abusing Rohingya Minority
On 28 July 2025, Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the Arakan Army, a powerful armed group in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, of committing serious human rights abuses against the Rohingya population, mirroring the policies of the Myanmar military. Under Arakan Army control, Rohingya civilians face harsh restrictions, including forced labour, arbitrary detention, and tight movement controls requiring paid travel permits. HRW described the situation as “repressive,” warning of inhumane conditions that echo past atrocities. With over 400,000 displaced and food shortages escalating, the Rohingya remain caught between the Arakan Army and Myanmar’s military, both accused of committing abuses. HRW stated these acts may amount to crimes against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute and violations of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions. In February, an Argentine court issued arrest warrants for Myanmar military officials for genocide under universal jurisdiction, as ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan sought an arrest warrant for military chief Min Aung Hlaing.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/07/28/myanmar-arakan-army-oppresses-rohingya-muslims
Nigeria: ICC Pressed to Investigate Military Atrocities
On 29 July 2025, Amnesty International accused the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor of abandoning survivors of military abuses in Nigeria by failing to open a formal investigation, over five years after it found such an inquiry was warranted. The Nigerian army is accused of executing 640 men and boys in 2014 after they fled Giwa barracks in Maiduguri during a Boko Haram attack. Despite visits by Prosecutor Karim Khan in 2022 and Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang in 2024, no progress has been made. Niang praised Nigeria’s “willingness” to ensure accountability, but Amnesty International Nigeria’s Director, Isa Sanusi, criticized the ICC’s inaction, saying its visits “mainly consist in meeting with national authorities.” Khan had earlier reminded Nigeria of its obligations under the Rome Statute to conduct genuine prosecutions. The case remains emblematic of broader concerns about Nigeria’s handling of wartime abuses and the ICC’s uneven pursuit of state accountability.
Yemen: Government Urged to Stop Arresting Journalists
On 29 July 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the arrest of Yemeni journalist Abduljabar Bajabeer in Hadramout on 28 July, calling it part of a broader campaign to silence critical media voices. Bajabeer, head of the TV3ad channel, was detained following a warrant issued by a specialised court that had also targeted two other journalists, Sabri bin Mukhshen and Muhahim Bejaber. All three had criticized local authorities. CPJ noted the arrest violates protections under Yemen’s Press and Publications Law. Local press groups warned of a “dangerous escalation” in Hadramout’s media crackdown. CPJ’s Carlos Martinez de la Serna called on Yemen’s internationally recognized government to release Bajabeer and end the intimidation of journalists. The arrests come amid Yemen’s ongoing civil war, where press freedom is under threat in all regions. UN experts have recently warned of rising instability and urged international action.
Ukraine: Russia Accused of War Crimes After Airstrike on Ukrainian Prison Kills 16
On 29 July 2025, Ukraine’s State Criminal-Executive Service reported that Russian forces had conducted multiple airstrikes on a prison facility in Bilenke, near Zaporizhzhia, in eastern Ukraine, reportedly using four glide bombs. The attack killed 16 inmates and injured around 100 others, as walls and nearby homes crumbled under the blasts. Ukrainian authorities, including the Justice Ministry and Zaporizhzhia Governor Ivan Fedorov, condemned the strike as deliberate, labelling it a war crime due to the prison’s status as a civilian detention facility. Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets insisted detainees retain full protection under international humanitarian law. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) plans to send monitors to the site, emphasising that prisoners must not be targeted, even in conflict zones. The widespread damage observed is consistent with the use of high-explosive glide bombs.
https://kyivindependent.com/russian-air-strikes-on-ukrainian-prison-kill-16-injure-35/
IRMCT: Denies Early Release for Former Bosnian Serb Military Leader
On 30 July 2025, the United Nations war crimes court overseeing legacy cases from the former Yugoslavia, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), denied a request for early release by Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb general convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity. Mladic, aged 83, best known for orchestrating the Srebrenica massacre and the siege of Sarajevo, sought release on health grounds, claiming he had only months to live. Judge Graciela Gatti Santana concluded that while his condition is serious and precarious, it is stable and well managed at the detention unit in The Hague. She found that Mladic does not have an “acute terminal illness” that would justify early release. The court emphasised that his medical treatment meets humanitarian standards, and his continued detention does not constitute inhumane or degrading treatment. Although nearing the end of life, Mladic’s legal appeal failed to present sufficient grounds for compassionate release under IRMCT rules.
Belgium: Refers War Crimes Case Against Israeli Soldiers to ICC
On 30 July 2025, Belgian federal prosecutors officially referred a war crimes complaint against two Israeli soldiers to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The complaint was filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation in partnership with the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), alleging the soldiers, who are believed to be members of Israel’s Givati Brigade, had committed serious violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. The individuals were spotted waving a Givati flag at Belgium’s Tomorrowland music festival and were subsequently identified, detained, and questioned. Authorities later released the suspects but determined the evidence warranted escalation to the ICC in accordance with Belgium’s international legal obligations. The Hind Rajab Foundation welcomed the referral as a significant step but criticised the decision to release the suspects rather than detain or extradite them, and called for urgent action by the ICC.
Sweden: Man Convicted of War Crimes and Terrorism for Role in ISIS Murder of Jordanian Pilot
On 31 July 2025, a Stockholm court convicted Osama Krayem, a 32-year-old Swedish national, of war crimes and terrorism for his involvement in the brutal execution of Jordanian pilot 1st Lieutenant Mu’ath al Kasasbeh in Syria. Al Kasasbeh, whose F-16 crashed near Raqqa in December 2014, was burned alive in a metal cage, a killing filmed and widely distributed by the Islamic State (ISIS) in early 2015. While another ISIS member ignited the fire, the court found Krayem, armed and masked, actively forced the pilot into the cage, filmed the event, and contributed so significantly to the execution that he was deemed a direct perpetrator. Under Swedish universal jurisdiction law, the court handed Krayem a life sentence, despite his denial of intent. He had previously been sentenced in France and Belgium for involvement in the 2015 Paris and 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks, and was temporarily transferred to Sweden to stand trial.
https://news.az/news/swedish-man-found-guilty-of-war-crimes-in-killing-of-jordanian-pilot-in-syria
Libya: At Least 18 Migrants Dead in Shipwreck off Eastern Libya
On 29 July 2025, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that at least 18 migrants had died in a shipwreck off the coast of Tobruk in eastern Libya, located near the Egyptian border, while a further 50 are still missing. So far, ten survivors have been located. A diplomat from the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi stated that the migrants had reportedly come from Egypt. The diplomat added that 10 bodies had been identified and repatriated, while the survivors were currently being held in an anti-illegal migration facility. According to an official from the Libyan Coast Guard, the bodies were recovered about 25 km east of Tobruk. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has become a transit country for migrants escaping conflict and poverty, who attempt to cross the desert and Mediterranean Sea in the hopes of reaching Europe. The IOM said this incident is the latest in a series of tragedies and serves as a reminder of the dangerous journeys that people undertake in search of safety and opportunity. The organisation also emphasised that Libya continues to be a popular transit point for migrants and refugees, who frequently experience exploitation, abuse, and treacherous journeys.
South Sudan-Uganda: Six Soldiers Killed in Border Clashes
On July 30, it was reported at least six people had been killed in clashes between long-term allies South Sudan and Uganda close to their shared border, an area where disputes have erupted over the poorly defined border that regularly result in violent clashes. On Monday, soldiers from both countries exchanged gunfire in South Sudan’s Kajo Keji country. A statement from Kajo-Keji County reported that five South Sudanese soldiers (SSPSF) had been killed in a surprise attack by Ugandan forces, who were backed by tanks and artillery. Ugandan army spokesperson, Felix Kulayigye, stated that SSPDF soldiers had crossed into Uganda’s West Nile region and refused to leave, leading to gunfire, where at least one Ugandan soldier was killed. For decades, Uganda has supported forces loyal to South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, assisting in the country’s fight for independence, which was achieved in 2011, as well as during the subsequent civil war. SSPDF spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang stated that a joint border committee will examine ways to peacefully resolve the ongoing border disputes. In March, South Sudan invited Uganda’s military to help secure the capital, Juba, amid tensions between Kiir and his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar.
Somalia-Djibouti: Sign Agreement for the Deployment of Additional Djiboutian Troops in Somalia
On 30 July 2025, Somalia and Djibouti signed an agreement for additional Djiboutian troops in Somalia. A joint statement from both countries outlined that the agreement would regulate the further deployment of Djiboutian Armed Forces personnel on Somali territory, in line with the agreed priorities. The agreement outlines the methods of intervention, shared responsibilities, and “coordination mechanisms, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.” It also reaffirms Djibouti’s “unwavering” dedication to supporting peace and security efforts in Somalia, alongside a united vision for stability in the Horn of Africa. The signing of this agreement comes as the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab terrorist group intensifies attacks on the Somali National Army (SNA) and local allied militias in south-central Hirshabele state. Currently, Djibouti peacekeepers are positioned in various areas, including Beledweyne, Buula-burte and Jalalaqsi in the Hiraan region of Hirshabele state, to assist the SNA in combating al-Shabaab. For over 16 years, Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency against the Somali government, targeting security forces, government officials, and civilians.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/somalia-djibouti-sign-additional-troop-deployment-agreement/3646556
Angola: 22 Dead in Protests Over Fuel Price Increase
On 30 July 2025, the government of Angola reported that the death toll from violent protests against a fuel price increase had risen to 22, up from the previous estimate of four deaths reported on Tuesday. The protests erupted on Monday, after minibus taxi associations commenced a three-day strike in response to a government move to raise the price of diesel by one-third, which is part of a broader effort to reduce expensive subsidies and strengthen public finances. The protests started in the capital, Luanda, and then spread to other provinces. On Wednesday, a statement from the presidency confirmed there had been 22 deaths, 197 people injured and a further 1,214 arrested. The vandalism included damage to 66 shops and 25 vehicles, while some supermarkets and warehouses were looted. Since 2023, Angola has been steadily reducing fuel subsidies, following an increase in petrol prices that led to deadly protests that year, a policy supported by the International Monetary Fund and other international financial institutions. Angola’s Finance Minister highlighted that subsidies accounted for as much as 4% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/angola-says-death-toll-fuel-hike-protests-rises-22-2025-07-30/
UNICEF: Approximately 80,000 Children at Risk of Cholera in West and Central Africa
On 31 July 2025, the UN children’s agency (UNICEF) reported that nearly 80,000 children were at an increased risk of cholera as the rainy season began in West and Central Africa. In a statement, UNICEF said the risk of cholera spreading is heightened by active outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Nigeria, raising concerns about cross-border transmission to nearby countries. Other countries currently dealing with cholera outbreaks include Chad, the Republic of Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo. Meanwhile, Niger, Liberia, Benin, Central Africa Republic, and Cameroon are under observation due to their potential vulnerability. UNICEF stressed that immediate action is required to stop the spread and contain the disease across the region. In DRC, the most severely affected country in the region, the Ministry for Health reported over 38,000 cases and 951 deaths in July, with 25.6% of these cases involving children under the age of five. UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, stated that “heavy rains, widespread flooding and the high level of displacement are all fueling the risk of cholera transmission and putting the lives of children at risk.” He added that the dire conditions and lack of access to safe water require urgent action, emphasising “this is a matter of survival.” In order to increase its emergency response, over the next three months, UNICEF West and Central Africa urgently needs US$20 million to deliver life-saving assistance in health, WASH, and risk communication and community engagement.
China: At Least 52 Killed in Heavy Rains and Flooding
On 31 July 2025, it was reported that heavy rains and flooding in China had killed over 52 people. In Beijing, at least 44 people died, while an estimated nine others are still missing. Almost half of the fatalities occurred in a nursing home in the suburban Miyun District, one of the hardest-hit regions, where at least 31 deaths were recorded. In Chengde, a city in northern Hebei province, eight people reportedly died, while 18 others are still missing. The torrential rains have caused damage to roads and caused widespread power outages, disrupting essential infrastructures in the affected areas. Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping had called for urgent action to protect lives and property from the floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfalls. In recent weeks, the eastern, northern, and northeastern regions of China have been hit by severe rainfall, leading to flooding and geological disasters. The provinces of Jilin and Shandong have also reported deaths from the extreme weather.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/heavy-rains-floods-kill-52-in-china/3647283
Ukraine: 31 People Killed in Russian Strike on Kyiv
On 1 August 2025, Ukrainian authorities confirmed that 31 people, including five children, were killed in a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv. Reports indicate that 159 people were injured in the attack, during which Russia launched over 300 drones and eight missiles as part of its ongoing campaign of attacks on Ukraine. The strikes caused significant damage to high-rise apartment buildings in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that 1 August will be observed as a day of mourning in the capital. He also outlined the state would provide support to all those affected. The Russian Defence Ministry acknowledged it had executed strikes on targets in Ukraine, but claimed it only targeted military objectives. Additionally, the ministry said that Russian forces had recently seized several settlements in the Donetsk and Zoporizhzhia areas, including the strategic city of Chasiv Yar, often referred to as “the key to Donbas.” The ministry also claimed that Russian air defence systems had successfully repelled Ukrainian aerial attacks.
Slovenia: Becomes First EU Nation to Ban Arms Trade with Israel
On 1 August 2025, Slovenia’s Prime Minister, Robert Golob, announced that Slovenia will ban weapons trade with Israel in response to their actions in Gaza, becoming the first European country to implement such a measure. A statement on the Slovenia’s government website outlined that at the request of the Prime Minister, the government had approved measures “prohibiting the export and transit of military weapons and equipment from or through the Republic of Slovenia to Israel, as well as the import of such goods from Israel into the Republic of Slovenia.” The statement added this decision was in line with Golob’s earlier commitment to “act independently” if the EU “failed to adopt concrete measures by mid-July.” The EU has repeatedly failed to enact measures in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. Due to internal disagreements, the EU’s 27 countries have not ratified any of the proposed sanctions, including a partial suspension of Israel’s participation in the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. This lack of action persists despite a review of the EU-Israel association agreement, which found that Israel’s conduct in Gaza constitutes a violation of human rights. According to UN and EU regulations, human rights violations and war crimes should result in arms embargoes. Following the war in Gaza, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands have paused or limited some arms exports to Israel. Slovenia has been one of the most outspoken EU members, advocating for action against Israel. In June 2024, Slovenia officially recognised Palestinian as a state, and since then, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and increased deliveries of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Furthermore, Slovenia has designated two far-right Israeli ministers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as personae non grata.
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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
