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International Peace & Security Section
Afghanistan: Deadly Earthquake Exposes Gender Barriers in Rescue Efforts
Syria: Investigation Reveals Syrian Forces Executed Druze Civilians in Suwayda
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 7,600 People Still Unaccounted for 30 Years After the Bosnian War
UK: Jeremy Corbyn Opens Independent Inquiry into UK Actions in Gaza
ICC: Schedules Rare In-Absentia Confirmation of Charges Hearing Against Ugandan Warlord Joseph Kony
On 1 September 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) scheduled a confirmation of charges hearing in the case against fugitive Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony to begin 9 September 2025, marking a rare in-absentia proceeding under Article 61(2)(b) of the Rome Statute for individuals who “cannot be found.” The Appeals Chamber, in a unanimous June 2025 decision, upheld Pre-Trial Chamber III’s earlier ruling that such hearings are permissible, even without the suspect’s presence, as long as adequate safeguards are upheld to protect fair trial rights. Judges affirmed that the Court’s procedural framework ensures rigorous scrutiny despite Kony’s absence. The confirmation hearing will give defence and legal representatives of victims an opportunity to make submissions before the judges and present their arguments. Kony faces charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes for atrocities including murder, rape, sexual slavery, and forced child conscription, which he allegedly committed in 2003 and 2004 in Uganda.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/CourtRecords/0902ebd180badaa5.pdf
Indonesia: Rights Group Urges Probe into Deaths During Crackdown on Protests
On 1 September 2025, Amnesty International urged Indonesian authorities to investigate the deaths of at least eight people during a nationwide protest crackdown that began on 25 August. The demonstrations, sparked by anger over low wages, new tax increases, and pay raises for lawmakers, swept across the country, with protesters setting fire to parliament buildings and other public institutions. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and heavy force. Rights groups reported several killings, including a ride-share driver fatally struck by an armoured police vehicle. President Prabowo Subianto cancelled a planned trip to China to focus on the crisis, while the government acknowledged fatalities and expressed condolences to victims’ families. Amnesty stressed that authorities must ensure independent and impartial investigations and hold those responsible accountable through fair trials. As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Indonesia is legally bound to protect the right to life and guarantee freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, rights that Amnesty warned are increasingly at risk.
https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/09/rights-group-urges-indonesia-to-investigate-protest-deaths/
Bolivia: Court Convicts Two Priests of Covering Up Decades of Child Sexual Abuse
On 2 September 2025, a Bolivian court found two elderly Spanish Jesuit priests guilty of concealing decades of child sex abuse within the church. The convicted priests, Marcos Recolons, aged 81, and Ramon Alaix, aged 83, were sentenced to one-year each in prison. The verdict represents the first criminal conviction against senior members of the Catholic Jesuit order for covering up abuse cases in Bolivia. The prosecution argued that during the period of abuse, Recolons and Alaix oversaw the Jesuit order in Bolivia. They both had knowledge of serious allegations against a fellow priest, Alfonso Pedrajas, yet failed to inform the police, which permitted him to maintain contact with children. Pedraja died in 2009, but the case emerged in 2023 following the release of his diary. Pedraja’s diary detailed the abuse of at least 85 children from 1972 to 2000, with a considerable number being Indigenous students at a renowned boarding school. The publication of the diary ignited global outrage regarding the Catholic Church’s responsibility in addressing child sexual abuse scandals throughout Latin America. On Tuesday, the judge sentenced the defendants to one year in prison, along with the obligation to pay court costs and compensation to the victims. They must also undergo psychological treatment. The judge noted that prosecutors will now seek to bring new cases against other priests identified during the trial. Pedro Lima, a representative of a Bolivian group for sex abuse survivors, said that although the prison sentence handed down was not severe, it “makes clear that they were responsible.” He described the ruling as a historic moment and emphasised that it must set a precedent “so that no boy or girl in Bolivia suffers sexual abuse.”
Türkiye: Court Annuls Opposition CHP Congress
On 3 September 2025, an Istanbul court annulled the Republican People’s Party (CHP) provincial congress, citing alleged irregularities in the October 2023 vote. The ruling ousts provincial chair Özgür Çelik and installs veteran party figure Gürsel Tekin as caretaker until a new congress is convened. The court accepted claims of cash payments and procedural flaws in the internal election, which Çelik won against a candidate backed by former provincial head Canan Kaftancıoğlu. CHP leaders denounced the decision as politically motivated, warning it threatens party stability after their strong performance in the March 2024 municipal elections, where they retained Istanbul and Ankara. The annulment comes amid broader legal pressure on the opposition, including the political ban imposed on Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a leading challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. With Istanbul seen as the CHP’s key power base, the ruling highlights the increasingly fragile environment for opposition politics in Türkiye.
ECtHR: UK Lawyer Secures Expanded ECHR Access for Ukraine Victims
On 3 September, UK barrister Tim Otty KC discussed the significance of the 9 July ruling at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Otty represented Ukraine and delivered a significant legal breakthrough by securing an expanded interpretation of jurisdiction under Article 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This precedent-setting ruling by the Grand Chamber allows victims in Ukraine, whose regions were not under direct Russian control, to access the ECtHR and seek compensation from Russia for human rights violations stemming from the 2022 invasion. Before the Court’s decision, only those in areas under effective Russian control could bring claims, but Otty successfully argued for a broader interpretation of jurisdiction. He highlighted the practical difficulties of documenting evidence amidst an ongoing conflict. Otty underscored the long-term importance of this legal development as part of global efforts to ensure justice for victims in armed conflicts.
https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22002-13989%22]}
ICJ: Mali Files Aggression Case Against Algeria Over Alleged Downing of Malian Drone
On 4 September 2025, Mali’s Ministry of Territorial Administration announced it had filed a case against Algeria at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Algeria of aggression after the alleged shooting down of a Malian military reconnaissance drone along their shared border, near Tinzaouaten in the Kidal region. Mali’s transitional government claims that Algeria intentionally downed the drone during the night of 31 March to 1 April, asserting the action was aimed at hampering operations by Malian forces against armed groups. In a statement, the Malian Ministry said the incident was “blatant aggression” intended to obstruct “the neutralisation of armed terrorist groups by the Malian Armed and Security Forces.” They argued that this incident is the latest in a series of hostile acts. Mali condemned the incident, labelling it an aggressive act and a breach of international law, specifically the prohibition of the use of force. Furthermore, the government stated that it had repeatedly requested evidence from the Algerian authorities that the drone had entered Algerian airspace, but no response has been provided. Algeria’s foreign ministry has not yet commented on the case. Previously, Algerian officials stated that their forces had downed an armed surveillance drone that had allegedly crossed into its airspace near the Malian border.
Afghanistan: Deadly Earthquake Exposes Gender Barriers in Rescue Efforts
On 31 August 2025, the Taliban government called for international aid after a magnitude 6 earthquake struck Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar province, killing over 2,200 people and injuring more than 3,600 others, according to government figures. Witnesses report that many women and girls were left untreated and even trapped under rubble due to restrictions on contact between men and women. All-male rescue teams prioritised men and children, while women were pushed aside. Some injured women remained under collapsed buildings until other women arrived to help. Aid workers and rights groups said the response underscored the severe gender discrimination Afghan women face under Taliban rule. “Women and girls will again bear the brunt of this disaster, so we must ensure their needs are at the heart of the response and recovery,” UN Women’s Afghanistan representative Susan Ferguson stated. While the Taliban have not provided casualty figures by gender, accounts from doctors, rescuers, and women in quake-hit areas describe women as enduring acute suffering, exacerbated by neglect and isolation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/world/asia/afghanistan-earthquake-rescue-efforts-women.html
Gaza: Academic Body Declares Israel’s Actions in Gaza Meet Legal Definition of Genocide
On 1 September 2025, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), the world’s foremost academic body on genocide, passed a resolution declaring that Israel’s actions in Gaza satisfy the legal definition of genocide under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. Out of its 500 members, 28% participated in the vote, with 86% supporting the resolution. Signatories cited actions such as deliberate killings of civilians (including children), systemic starvation, displacement, deliberate deprivation of essential resources, and sexual violence as evidence of genocidal intent. While acknowledging Hamas’s attack on 7 October 2023 as a crime under international law, the resolution asserts that Israel’s subsequent response constitutes genocide. This marks a rare intervention by experts aiming to provoke international legal and moral accountability. IAGS President Melanie O’Brien described the resolution as a “definitive statement from experts in the field.” The adoption coincides with legal scrutiny in The Hague; Israel is facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and other officials have been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Syria: Investigation Reveals Syrian Forces Executed Druze Civilians in Suwayda
On 2 September 2025, a report from Amnesty International documented the execution of 46 Druze civilians, including two women, by Syrian government forces and affiliated groups in Suwayda on 15-16 July. Victims were shot in public spaces, homes, a school, a hospital, and a ceremonial hall. Eyewitnesses recounted deliberate killings at checkpoints, with security forces even filming themselves carrying out executions. Amnesty verified the massacres through videos, photos, and testimony, calling them intentional and coordinated. The organization urged the transitional Syrian government to ensure independent, impartial investigations and fair trials without recourse to the death penalty, warning that impunity threatens both justice and reconciliation in Syria’s fragile post-Assad transition.
Sudan: Landslide Kills Over 1,000 in Marra Mountains
On 2 September 2025, a landslide in the Marra mountains of western Sudan destroyed the village of Tarasin, killing an estimated 1,000 people, according to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM). The SLM appealed to the UN and international agencies for support in recovering the victims. Access to the area is severely restricted due to the ongoing conflict, limiting the ability of humanitarian organisations to deliver urgent assistance. Sudan’s civil war, now in its third year, has exacerbated the country’s humanitarian crisis, particularly in Darfur, where millions have been displaced and famine has been declared in some areas. The Marra mountains have become a refuge for families fleeing fighting near El Fasher. Humanitarian organisations and African Union officials have urged all parties to ensure safe access for relief operations.
UK-Libya: Discuss Enhancing Military Cooperation
On 2 September 2025, the UK and Libya held discussions in Tripoli aimed at bolstering military cooperation between the two countries. Admiral Edward Ahlgren, Senior Adviser at the UK Ministry of Defence for Middle East and North Africa Affairs, headed the UK delegation, which conducted separate meetings with Mohamed al-Menfi, the head of the Libyan Presidency Council, and Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, the Prime Minister. In a statement issued by the council, the talks centered on opportunities for bilateral cooperation, enhancing security and defense partnerships, and addressing regional concerns, such as counterterrorism, irregular migration, and boosting Libya’s military capabilities. Menfi commended the UK’s support and expressed his eagerness to “develop cooperation with international partners in a way that safeguards Libya’s unity and sovereignty and serves regional and international security.” Following a separate meeting with the UK delegation, Dbeibeh’s government in Tripoli noted the discussions focused on improving military cooperation, boosting Libya’s military capabilities, and expanding training and development. Libya continues to be politically divided, with two rival administrations competing for control. The western part of the country is controlled by Dbeibeh’s government, based in Tripoli, while the east and much of the south are controlled by the Osama Hammad led administration based in Benghazi, which was formed in 2022 by the House of Representatives.
Pakistan: Terrorist Bomb Kills 11 at Public Rally
On 3 September 2025, it was reported that a bomb explosion killed at least 11 individuals at a public rally in the city of Quetta in Balochistan province, located in southwestern Pakistan. On Wednesday, the Islamic State militant group released a statement and claimed responsibility for the explosion. Government official Hamza Shafaat said 30 people were injured in the bomb. He stated that the gathering was held to honour Sardar Ataullah Mengal on the anniversary of his death. Mengal was a nationalist leader and previously served as chief minister of the province. Mengal’s son, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, was present at the rally and uninjured in the explosion. Shafaat said sources suggest the bomb occurred in a parking area as attendees were leaving the rally. Police official Athar Rasheed said they were investigating the incident, with reports indicating it was a suicide bombing. The turbulent Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, is a hotspot for both Islamist militants and Baloch separatist insurgents.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 7,600 People Still Unaccounted for 30 Years After the Bosnian War
On 3 September 2025, the Institute for Missing Persons of Bosnia and Herzegovina reported that around 7,580 individuals remain missing 30 years after the Bosnian war. At a joint press conference in Sarajevo, officials noted that most unsolved cases were Bosniaks who had been specifically targeted by Serb forces. The Minister of Human Rights and Refugees, Sevlid Hurtic, was optimistic that within two-three years, authorities would be able to discover what happened to the missing persons. Chairman of the Institute’s board, Nikola Perisic, reaffirmed that the goal is to locate and identify all victims. He outlined the investigation faces significant challenges and noted that some difficult cases stem from the perpetrators trying to conceal evidence. The passage of time, along with the deaths of witnesses and relatives, has made the search more difficult. Officials urged anyone with details about mass grave sites to come forward. The Bosnian war broke out on 1 March 1992, following Bosnia’s declaration of independence from Yugoslavia. Serb forces, supported by the Yugoslav army, carried out a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Bosniak Muslims. The war ended in December 1995 with the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The deadly conflict resulted in over 100,000 deaths and the displacement of around two million people.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/nearly-7-600-people-still-missing-3-decades-after-bosnian-war/3677681
UK: Jeremy Corbyn Opens Independent Inquiry into UK Actions in Gaza
On 3 September 2025, it was reported that Jeremy Corbyn would co-chair a two-day independent, publicly livestreamed tribunal aimed at investigating the UK government’s involvement in Israel’s Gaza operations, amid allegations of UK complicity in international crimes. The event, organised by Corbyn’s Peace and Justice Project, will explore whether the UK’s actions align with its legal obligations to prevent genocide. It brings together legal experts such as human rights professor Neve Gordon and international law lecturer Dr Shahd Hammouri. Key witnesses include a former Foreign Office whistleblower, the UN special rapporteur on Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese, aid workers, journalists, legal representatives, and genocide scholars. The tribunal will scrutinise issues including the use of Royal Air Force surveillance over Gaza, sales of F-35 components, and the Ministry of Defence’s relationship with Israel’s arms industry. Although the UK has taken some measures, like imposing targeted sanctions, suspending arms discussions, and banning certain weapons exports, organisers contend these have been insufficient. The tribunal seeks to stimulate public demand for an official, state-funded inquiry into the UK’s role. Palestinian envoy Dr Husam Zomlot has also called for action, urging the UK to cease imports from illegal settlements and remove visa privileges for settlers.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/03/jeremy-corbyn-inquiry-uk-israel-gaza-war
Iran: Rights Groups Condemn Post-War Crackdown Targeting Civilians
On 3 September 2025, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned the mass arrests and executions in Iran following the June conflict with Israel. Since 13 June, Iranian authorities have detained more than 20,000 people, including at least 330 Kurds and members of other religious minorities such as Baha’i, Christians, and Jews. Rights groups warn that many detainees face the death penalty, with officials labelling alleged cooperation with Israel as “corruption on earth,” crime punishable by death under proposed new legislation. In the first half of 2025 alone, Iran executed 612 people, double the figures of previous years, raising alarm among UN bodies. Amnesty accused authorities of weaponizing “national security” to justify repression, surveillance, and discrimination, while HRW said Iran is scapegoating minorities and dissidents for a conflict they “had nothing to do with.” Both groups urged accountability for unlawful arrests and executions, stressing Iran’s obligations under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to protect the right to life. Although Article 6 does not explicitly ban the death penalty, its wording underscores that elimination is necessary. The Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR requires signatory parties to eliminate the death penalty, however, Iran has not ratified this protocol.
Ukraine: 26 Nations Pledge Military Guarantees for Ukraine
On 5 September 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries had committed to providing Ukraine with post-war security guarantees, including deploying an international force on land, at sea, and in the air. Macron clarified that the troops would not serve on the frontline but would aim to deter any future large-scale attacks. Some countries will deploy to Ukraine, but others will provide support from outside through training, equipment, and other guarantees. The announcement followed a summit of 35 leaders from the “coalition of the willing,” focused on coordinating security assurances and securing US backing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the pledges as a significant step forward. Macron noted that details of the US’ participation would be finalised in the coming days. Russia rejected the idea of security guarantees, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating such arrangements would not be acceptable. Several European countries, including Germany, Spain, and Italy, have so far declined to commit troops, emphasising that the focus should be on funding, training and arming Ukrainian forces. The summit took place amid European concerns about the US stance toward Ukraine following the meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin in August.
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