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International Peace & Security Section
Somalia: Funding Shortfall Leaves 300,000 Without Clean Water
UN: Warns of Deteriorating Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan
Venezuela: President Mobilises Four Million Militia Fighters Amid Rising Tensions with the US
IOM: Calls for Urgent Action to Stop Rising Attacks on Humanitarian Workers
ECtHR: UK’s First Transgender Judge Challenges Supreme Court ‘Biological Sex’ Ruling
On 18 August 2025, Dr. Victoria McCloud, the UK’s first openly transgender judge, appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) against a UK Supreme Court ruling that defines “woman” and “sex” under the Equality Act 2010 based solely on biological criteria, excluding transgender women even with Gender Recognition Certificates. Filed by the Trans Legal Clinic and W-Legal, the appeal argues violations of Articles 6, 8, and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, citing denial of the right to a fair trial, privacy, and protection from discrimination. McCloud warns the ruling could create unsafe access to gendered spaces and conflicting legal statuses for trans people. This is the first trans-led legal team to bring a case of its kind to the ECtHR in the UK, amid growing concerns that the judgment could weaken transgender protections in public services, schools, and criminal justice.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/aug/18/transgender-judge-supreme-court-case-biological-sex
Türkiye: Rights Group Demands Release of Arbitrarily Detained LGBTQ+ Activist
On 19 August 2025, Amnesty International called on Türkiye to “immediately and unconditionally” release Enes Hocaoğulları, a 23-year-old LGBTQ+ activist who was arrested on 5 August at Ankara Esenboğa Airport and placed in pre-trial detention. Hocaoğulları faces charges under Articles 217/A and 216/1 of the Turkish Penal Code for “spreading misleading information” and “inciting hatred” after a speech he delivered on 27 March at the Council of Europe’s Congress in Strasbourg, criticizing rights violations during mass protests. Amnesty condemned the charges as a violation of freedom of expression protected under Article 19(2) ICCPR and urged Türkiye to repeal or amend the laws. The arrest has drawn international criticism, including from Oliver Ropke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, who warned of “serious threats” to democracy and fundamental freedoms in Türkiye. Amnesty also highlighted widespread police violence, unlawful detentions, and threats of sexual violence during the crackdown on protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Kosovo: Serb National Held in Pre-Trial Detention for Alleged War Crimes
On 19 August 2025, the Pristina Basic Court ordered the pre-trial detention of Siniša Spasić, a Serbian national suspected of committing wartime killings and rape during the 1998-1999 Kosovo conflict. Prosecutors allege that Spasić participated in attacks against civilians while serving with Serbian forces, including the murder of ethnic Albanian civilians and the rape of at least one woman. According to the court, there is a high risk that he might flee, influence witnesses, or obstruct the investigation if released, justifying his 30-day detention. Spasić’s arrest and detention form part of Kosovo’s wider judicial efforts to address war crimes committed during the conflict, a period that left thousands dead and displaced. Human rights groups and victims’ associations have long urged greater accountability, as many cases remain unresolved more than two decades later. The case also underscores ongoing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, particularly as Belgrade continues to refuse recognition of Kosovo’s independence. While the ruling demonstrates Kosovo’s commitment to pursuing war crimes trials domestically, it also highlights the challenges of evidence gathering and witness protection in such sensitive cases. The trial, if it proceeds, could contribute to strengthening the role of national courts in prosecuting atrocity crimes alongside international mechanisms.
https://balkaninsight.com/2025/08/19/kosovo-court-detains-serb-suspected-of-wartime-killings-rape/
ICC: Court Condemns US Sanctions Targeting ICC Officials
On 20 August 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) forcefully condemned recent US sanctions targeting several of its judges and prosecutors, including asset freezes, characterising them as a “blatant attack on our independence.” The Court warned that the sanctions pose a serious threat to its ability to operate impartially and set a dangerous precedent for political interference. The measures have been widely condemned by various UN bodies and countries, including Spain, Slovenia, Norway, and Senegal. The sanctions target judges Kimberly Prost and Nicolas Guillou, as well as Deputy Prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang. In a separate but related statement, the Assembly of States Parties, through its Presidency, voiced deep concern over the additional US measures and formally objected to the targeting of elected ICC officials. This gesture signals strong institutional resistance from the Rome Statute’s governing body, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding judicial autonomy, and insulating the Court from external political pressures.
Iraq: Rights Group Urges Kurdistan Authorities to Release Journalist After Prison Term Extended
On 20 August 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Iraqi Kurdish authorities to immediately release Sherwan Sherwani, a Kurdish journalist whose prison sentence was extended by an additional four years and five months on 19 August by the Bnaslawa Misdemeanor Court. Sherwani, known for reporting on human rights, corruption, and military activity, was first arrested in 2020 and has faced multiple convictions since, including a 2021 six-year sentence for allegedly “undermining national security,” later reduced by presidential decree. The current extension stems from accusations of threatening a counter-terrorism officer while in detention under Article 229 of the Iraqi Penal Code, allegations he denies. His legal team plans to appeal. Rights groups, including Amnesty International and the Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights, say Sherwani’s case reflects systematic repression of press freedom in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I). Amnesty documented 37 journalist arrests and 27 attacks or threats in 2023, while the Kurdistan Journalists’ Syndicate reported 45 violations in 2024, including arrests, coverage bans, and equipment confiscations. CPJ condemned the ruling, calling it an attempt to silence critical voices and warning that journalists in the region face persistent intimidation, harassment, and coerced confessions, despite official claims that the KR-I is a “beacon of press freedom.
Australia: Former Soldier to Stand Trial for War Crimes Committed in Afghanistan
On 21 August 2025, Oliver Schulz, a former Australian special forces (SAS) operator, became the first Australian serviceman or veteran to face a war crimes trial under domestic law. He is accused of murdering Dad Mohammad, an unarmed Afghan civilian, in May 2012 in Uruzgan province during an operation targeting Taliban insurgents. The case emerged when ABC’s Four Corners programme aired helmet-camera footage in 2020, showing Schulz, referred to as Soldier C, using an expletive and asking whether he should kill the civilian, before shooting him while he lay on his back in a wheat field. Schulz was arrested by Australian federal police in March 2023 following an investigation by the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI), which was established in response to the Brereton Report that recommended prosecuting several alleged war crimes involving Australian forces. Despite security concerns, he was granted bail. In August 2025, Magistrate Greg Grogin finally committed Schulz to stand trial in the New South Wales Supreme Court, with his arraignment scheduled for October. The case is expected to draw on extensive helmet-camera footage and witness testimonies. If convicted, Schulz could face life imprisonment. This prosecution represents a watershed moment for Australia as it seeks accountability for alleged wartime misconduct through its civilian judicial system.
IIMM: Funding Shortfall Threatens Rohingya War Crimes Investigations
On 21 August 2025, the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), established by the UN in 2018 to collect evidence of serious international crimes committed against the Rohingya, was reported to face a US$6.2 million funding shortfall. This financial constraint threatens ongoing investigations into atrocities such as mass killings, sexual violence, and land dispossession in Rakhine State. Nicholas Koumjian, head of the IIMM, warned that without additional funding, critical projects, including those focused on sexual violence and crimes against children, may be halted by the end of the year. The IIMM has been instrumental in providing evidence to various jurisdictions, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and has supported national courts in Argentina and the UK. Despite these challenges, the IIMM continues to advance its investigations, aiming to hold perpetrators accountable and facilitate the eventual safe return of displaced Rohingya.
Burkina Faso: Declares UN Coordinator Persona Non Grata Following Report on Violations Against Children
On 18 August 2025, Burkina Faso declared UN regional coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak persona non grata in response to a UN report, titled “Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso,” which accused the country’s security forces of violating children’s rights. A spokesperson for the government said that authorities in Burkina Faso were not involved in the preparation of the UN report and were unaware of its conclusions prior to its publication. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed regret over the decision and emphasised that the UN has privileges and immunities, including the right for its personnel to remain in Burkina Faso to carry out their duties. In response, the government claimed the report contains baseless assertions and falsehoods, without referencing investigations or judicial decisions. Flore-Smereczniak, appointed UN regional coordinator in Burkina Faso last year, has now been forced to leave the country. Violence in Burkina Faso and neighbouring countries has escalated in recent years, driven by a decade-long struggle against Islamist militants linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State, as well as a series of coups from 2020 to 2023. Previously, the UN publicly condemned incidents in the Sahel region where children were reportedly killed, abused, abducted, or recruited as child soldiers during the ongoing regional conflict. Despite the government’s decision to expel the UN coordinator, Dujarric stated that the organisation remains committed to working with Burkina Faso’s authorities to support the country and its people.
Somalia: Funding Shortfall Leaves 300,000 Without Clean Water
On 18 August 2025, it was reported that at least 300,000 people, primarily displaced families living in settlements and rural areas throughout Somalia, lost access to clean and safe drinking water after water trucking and sanitation services were cut back or suspended. Funding for water and sanitation services is currently at less than 12% of the required amount, leaving aid organisations to make difficult decisions. In early 2025, the UN issued an appeal for US$1.42 billion to support 4.6 million people across Somalia, however, only 17% of this funding goal has been reached. Severe funding cuts have led aid organisations to decrease their target by 72%, with the aim to reach just 1.3 million people at a cost of US$367 million. Mohamed Abdi, Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) Country Director in Somalia, said the reduction of aid “does not mean fewer people need aid; it means more than three million Somalis will be left to fend for themselves.” He added the funding cuts are leading to a deadly increase in waterborne diseases, especially prevalent in children under five. During the first half of this year, Somalia documented over 6,550 cases of cholera and acute watery diarrhoea, which included nine deaths. Additionally, over 1,000 new cases were reported in the past month alone. At the same time, at least 150 health centres have closed after their water and sanitation systems failed. The crisis is severely affecting vulnerable groups, including displaced people in overcrowded camps and rural communities that are already facing challenges from drought, conflict, and poverty. Abdi stressed that Somalia “is being pushed to the brink by the combined impact of relentless conflict, climate extremes, and a sharp drop in international support.” He emphasised that this is “a man-made disaster that can still be prevented.”
UN: Warns of Deteriorating Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan
On 18 August 2025, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Pobee, addressed the Security Council on the worsening security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan. She warned that the advancements made in the peace process have significantly diminished since March. Fighting between rival militias, forces aligned with the First Vice President on one side and government troops loyal to the President on the other, has eroded confidence in the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. Murithi Mutiga from the International Crisis Group noted that the agreement effectively collapsed when President Salva Kiir placed First Vice President Riek Machar under house arrest on 26 March. The renewed military clashes have led to fatalities, displacement, and damage to civilian infrastructure. Additionally, the crisis is further exacerbated by the ongoing civil war in neighbouring Sudan, which has forced 1.2 million refugees to seek refuge in South Sudan, placing more strain on already limited resources. The conflict in Sudan has also disrupted oil exports through Port Sudan, causing a significant loss of part of the country’s oil revenues. Murtiga warned that South Sudan is facing a humanitarian crisis, with 9.3 million people requiring urgent assistance and 7.7 million facing food insecurity. Additionally, reports indicate a rise in sexual violence. Currently, the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for South Sudan has only received 28.5% of its required funding, leaving millions of people without essential aid. Meanwhile, humanitarian access is becoming more difficult, with increased attacks on aid workers, poor infrastructure, and administrative barriers. Pobee urged the Security Council to press all parties to uphold the peace agreement, warning that without peaceful and legitimate elections in December 2026, the risk of a renewed conflict will increase significantly. She highlighted that it is the international community’s responsibility to support South Sudan, and noted, “the people of South Sudan are counting on us.”
UN: Action Needed to Address Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
On 18 August 2025, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, addressed the Security Council on the issue of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). She presented the Secretary-General’s annual report and emphasised the urgent need to support survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones. In 2024, over 4,600 cases of CRSV were recorded, a 25% rise compared to 2023. Patten stressed that these figures only reflect verified incidents, meaning the actual number is likely far higher. In the past year, sexual violence against children increased by 35%, with victims reportedly as young as one year old. Most cases of CRSV were reported in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Haiti, Somalia and South Sudan. The UN recently added groups in DRC, Libya, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory to its list of parties suspected of committing CRSV. Women and girls remain the primary victims of sexual violence, making up over 90% of verified cases, with displaced and refugee women and girls at an increased risk. Armed groups continue to use sexual violence as a tactic of war. The UN’s capacity to support survivors of sexual violence is under strain due to funding shortfalls. In just one day, global military expenditure surpasses the yearly funding allocation for CRSV, leaving women’s frontline organisations underfunded. As a result, facilities for survivors have shut, medical resources for rape victims have run out, and healthcare clinics have closed. To respond to the crisis, Patten highlighted the importance of “fostering compliance, enhancing service delivery, and strengthening safeguards against impunity.” She also commended the work of the inter-agency network UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict, which has assisted thousands of survivors in conflict zones through awareness campaigns, training programmes, and coordinated ground efforts. Patten stressed that failure to secure funding, weakening of established rules, or collapse of existing systems would “not only betray the survivors, but further embolden the perpetrators.”
Venezuela: President Mobilises Four Million Militia Fighters Amid Rising Tensions with the US
On 19 August 2025, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared his intentions to deploy over four million militia fighters across the country in response to escalating tensions with the US. Maduro stated that he will “activate a special plan with more than 4.5 million militiamen to ensure coverage of the entire national territory,” asserting that his forces are “prepared, activated and armed.” He condemned what he called “threats” from Washington, following the decision by US President Donald Trump’s administration to raise the reward for his arrest to $50 million. Maduro is accused by the US of heading a cocaine trafficking organisation known as the Cartel de los Soles. However, no evidence has been presented by the US to support their claims. The US government has not acknowledged Maduro’s victory in the last two elections and has placed sanctions on his administration and the cartel. Furthermore, as part of the US government’s wider campaign against drug cartels in Latin America, they have deployed three US guided-missile destroyers to the southern Caribbean, which are expected to arrive within the coming days. Maduro called on his supporters to expand worker and rural militias, pledging to arm them to safeguard Venezuela’s sovereignty. He criticised Washington’s position, referring to the US rhetoric as a “rotten refrain.” Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dismissed US claims that Maduro is connected to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, stating that her government has found no evidence supporting such allegations.
IOM: Calls for Urgent Action to Stop Rising Attacks on Humanitarian Workers
On 19 August 2025, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) along with several UN agencies and humanitarian organisations called for an end to violence against aid workers. IOM called for more robust, coordinated, and decisive political measures from Member States to protect aid workers. IOM Director General Amy Pope stated that aid workers are protected under international humanitarian law, however, “attacks continue with impunity.” She added this situation is seen globally, where convoys are targeted, infrastructure damaged, and aid routes blocked. Pope stressed the need for urgent political will and real accountability to stop these inexcusable attacks. This appeal from IOM and other UN agencies coincides with World Humanitarian Day. Figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) show that 383 aid workers lost their lives in 2024. By 15 August 2025, 265 aid workers had been killed, while more than 202 others were injured, kidnapped, detained, or arrested. If this trend continues, 2025 could become one of the deadliest years on record. The rise in attacks occurs amid a growing displacement crisis and rising humanitarian needs. According to the 2025 Global Report on Internal Displacement, 73.5 million people were forced to flee their homes due to conflict and violence in 2024. Pope emphasised that humanitarian workers risk their lives to help people in need, reiterating that stronger measures are urgently needed to ensure their protection now and in the future.
https://www.iom.int/news/iom-chief-calls-end-impunity-violence-against-humanitarian-workers
Nigeria: At Least 50 Killed by Gunmen in Mosque Attack
On 20 August 2025, it was reported the death toll from an attack in Nigeria’s Katsina state had risen to over 50, with at least 60 others reportedly kidnapped. The assault occurred on Tuesday in Unguwan Mantau, a remote village in Malumfashi district, where armed assailants stormed a mosque and nearby residential homes. According to local reports, Muslim worshippers had assembled for Fajr, the morning prayers, when gunmen arrived on motorbikes and opened fire inside the mosque. The attackers then advanced through the village, setting fire to local homes. Katsina police spokesperson Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu stated that police had stopped the assailants from a planned attack on two villages. Survivors detailed distressing accounts of women and girls being forcibly taken away by the attackers. In recent years, Northwest Nigeria has experienced an increase in assaults by gangs, referred to locally as bandits. The bandits are known for targeting villages and highways, kidnapping people and demanding ransom payments for their release, and extorting taxes from local farmers and miners.
Sri Lanka: Rights Group Warns of Harassment Against Families of Enforced Disappearance Victims
On 20 August 2025, Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned that Sri Lankan security forces continue to harass families of enforced disappearance victims, despite government promises of reform. Under President Dissanayake’s administration, nearly a year in power, security agencies reportedly use counterterrorism laws, including the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), to intimidate families seeking justice and deter their cooperation with international mechanisms, including the UN Human Rights Council and the Sri Lanka Accountability Project. HRW’s findings align with a UNHRC report highlighting continued impunity for wartime abuses and intimidation, particularly in Tamil Northern and Eastern Provinces, where families, journalists, and civil society actors face surveillance, questioning, and threats. The 2024 US State Department Human Rights Report similarly documented harassment and reprisals against those investigating disappearances. HRW urged the Human Rights Council to renew its mandate for monitoring and evidence gathering, warning that domestic mechanisms have repeatedly failed to deliver accountability. Without sustained international engagement, the organization cautioned, victims’ families remain at risk, and perpetrators of wartime atrocities continue to enjoy impunity.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/08/20/sri-lanka-police-target-families-of-disappeared
Niger: Floods Kill at least 47 and Displace Over 56,000
On 21 August 2025, authorities in Niger reported that at least 47 people had died, while over 56,000 people were displaced due to flooding. The deadly floods, triggered by heavy rainfall, have affected approximately 7,754 households in 339 villages. The General Directorate of Civil Protection outlined in a statement that an estimated 30 people had died when their houses collapsed, while a further 17 drowned. At least 70 people were also injured. The national committee responsible for flood prevention announced it has begun distributing food aid, aiming to assist 3,776 families in the worst-hit areas. Authorities added that the government has allocated 12 billion CFA francs (US$21.3 million) to support communities impacted by floods. Flooding has become one of the most devastating natural disasters worldwide, with Africa experiencing some of the most severe effects due to shifting rainfall patterns driven by climate change. In 2024, heavy rainfall affected nearly 1.5 million people across Niger.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/floods-in-niger-kill-at-least-47-impact-thousands/3665041
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