© Photo by Daniel Taka via Flickr
Israel: Supreme Court Rules Israel Depriving Palestinian Prisoners of Food
On 8 September 2025, Israel’s Supreme Court ordered authorities to improve prisoners’ nutrition, ruling that the State had failed to provide adequate food to Palestinian prisoners. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and the Israel Prison Service (IPS) had been denounced in April 2024 by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) and the NGO Gisha for the deliberate starvation of prisoners. The 2–1 decision found that food rations in Israeli prisons did not meet legal standards and condemned the use of starvation as punishment. Ben Gvir and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who opposed the ruling, criticised the Court, arguing that Israeli hostages remain captive and starved in Gaza while the Court ruled in defence of “terrorists.” Conversely, ACRI stated that the ruling rejected Ben Gvir’s “systematic starvation policy” and represented a “crucial victory for the rule of law and human dignity.”
ICC: Confirmation of Charges Hearing Postponed in Duterte Case
On 8 September 2025, the hearing on the confirmation of charges in the case The Prosecutor vs. Rodrigo Roa Duterte was postponed by the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I. Mr Duterte’s defence requested that the proceedings be indefinitely postponed, arguing that the defendant “is not fit to stand trial.” The Chamber postponed the hearing until the request and related matters are adequately addressed. Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera opposed the Chamber’s decision. The confirmation of charges hearing is the last procedural phase before the trial and aims to assess whether there is enough evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the accused committed the crimes they are charged with. Mr Duterte is accused of murder, torture, and rape, amounting to crimes against humanity, and was arrested by the authorities of the Philippines and surrendered to the ICC on 12 March 2025, pursuant to the arrest warrant issued by the Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber I on 7 March 2025.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/duterte-case-hearing-confirmation-charges-postponed
Thailand: Former Prime Minister Sentenced to One-Year Prison Term by the Supreme Court
On 9 September 2025, the Supreme Court of Thailand issued a ruling requiring former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to serve a one-year prison sentence, deeming that his prior hospital detention and parole did not meet the criteria for lawful imprisonment. Thaksin had been convicted in absentia from 2008 to 2013 on charges of corruption and abuse of power, with his original eight-year sentence subsequently reduced by a royal pardon following his return from exile in 2023. Human rights organisations and political opposition have criticised his parole and extended hospital stay, arguing that these measures reflect preferential treatment. Conversely, government officials have defended their actions by citing medical grounds as justification. Following the court’s decision, Thaksin was transferred to Klong Prem Central Prison.
ICC: Confirmation of Charges Hearing Concluded in Kony Case
On 10 September 2025, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber III concluded the hearing on the confirmation of charges in the case The Prosecutor vs. Joseph Kony. Mr Kony, suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed between 2003 and 2004 in northern Uganda, was absent and represented by Defence Counsel Peter Haynes. Between 9 and 10 September, the Chamber heard the opening statements, submissions on the merits, and final observations presented by the Prosecution, as well as the Legal Representatives of the Victims and the Defence. The conclusion of the hearing marks the beginning of the judges’ deliberations, which may last up to 60 days – the time limit for the Pre-Trial Chamber to deliver its written decision. The Chamber may: confirm the charges supported by sufficient evidence against Mr Kony and commit him to trial; decline to confirm the charges due to insufficient evidence and terminate the proceedings; or request the Prosecutor to provide further evidence, conduct additional investigations or amend the charges. The Defence and the Prosecution might only appeal this decision upon authorisation of the Pre-Trial Chamber. A trial, however, will not be conducted in Mr Kony’s absence, in accordance with the ICC Rome Statute. An arrest warrant for Mr Kony was issued by the ICC in 2005. He remains at large.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/icc-concludes-confirmation-charges-hearing-kony-case
Brazil: Former President Sentenced to 27 Years Over Coup Plot
On 11 September 2025, Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison for leading a coup plot that culminated in the violent assault on government buildings on 8 January 2023, following Bolsonaro’s defeat in the 2022 election. The 4–1 decision convicted Bolsonaro of leading a criminal organised armed group and of the crimes of attempting the violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law, coup d’état, aggravated property damage, and damage to protected property. In addition to Bolsonaro, eight other defendants accused of participating in the criminal group’s “central cell” were convicted. The ruling represents a historic first, as it is the inaugural conviction of a Brazilian ex-president for attacking democratic institutions. Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest, may appeal, although a review of the merits of the decision or the assessment of matters raised by dissenting Justice Luiz Fux regarding the court’s jurisdiction is not admissible at this procedural stage.
https://noticias.stf.jus.br/postsnoticias/stf-condena-os-oito-reus-da-acao-por-golpe-de-estado/
South Sudan: Vice President Charged with Treason, Murder, and Crimes Against Humanity
On 11 September 2025, South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar was charged with murder, treason, and crimes against humanity for his alleged involvement in militia attacks against federal forces in March. In response to these developments, President Salva Kiir suspended Machar along with Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol. Machar, who has been under house arrest since March, is accused of commanding the White Army militia in Nasir. These charges exacerbate the ongoing tensions between Kiir and Machar, whose factions were embroiled in a civil war from 2013 to 2018. Additionally, twenty others have been indicted alongside Machar. International observers have expressed concerns that Machar’s detention could destabilise the country further. Officials emphasise that the case is currently sub judice, and the judicial proceedings will ultimately determine the outcome.
DRC: ISIL-Linked Rebels Kill 60 People in Attack on Funeral
On 8 September 2025, armed fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIL-affiliated group, killed at least 60 people at a funeral ceremony in the town of Ntoyo, in DRC’s North Kivu province. Local administrators reported that most of the victims were attacked with machetes, while others were shot. The attack is part of a wider pattern of ADF violence in eastern DRC. In recent months, the group has carried out mass killings, abductions, and the destruction of villages, including an assault on a Catholic church in July that killed more than 40 people and a raid in August that left over 50 dead. UN experts estimate the ADF has 1,000–1,500 fighters operating across North Kivu and Ituri. The funeral massacre comes against the backdrop of intensifying conflict in the mineral-rich Kivu region, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, Congolese forces, and allied militias have also been accused of grave rights violations. A UN Human Rights Office fact-finding mission last week concluded that abuses by all parties since late 2024 may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
UN: Warns Record Military Spending Threatens Global Peace and Development
On 9 September 2025, the UN released a new report warning that record-high global military expenditures are undermining peace and sustainable development, calling on member states to reassess their security and development priorities. According to the findings, global military spending reached an unprecedented amount of $2.7 trillion in 2024. By contrast, less than $300 billion would be enough to eradicate extreme poverty worldwide. The alarming amount spent in military funding in 2024 was also 750 times the UN’s regular budget and nearly 13 times greater than the total development assistance provided by members of the OECD Development Assistance Committee, highlighting the scale of the imbalance. The UN stresses that while investment in armed forces continues to grow, funding for social development, poverty reduction, health care, education, environmental protection, and infrastructure remains insufficient, slowing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned at a press briefing that “excessive military spending does not guarantee peace, but often undermines it by fuelling arms races, deepening mistrust, and diverting resources from the very foundations of stability.” Given this situation, the report calls for a shift towards a human-centred approach to security, emphasising that investing in development is investing in peace.
Qatar: Prime Minister Condemns Israeli Strike in Doha Targeting Hamas Negotiators
On 10 September 2025, Israel carried out an airstrike in Doha, Qatar, deploying 15 fighter jets and firing 10 munitions at a location housing Hamas’ negotiating delegation. Hamas claimed its negotiators survived, but six people, including a Qatari security official, were killed. The following day, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani condemned the strike as “state terror” and said it had eliminated any prospect for hostage releases from Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wanted under an ICC arrest warrant issued in November 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict, defended the operation, accusing Qatar of providing refuge to terrorists. The attack has raised doubts about Qatar’s traditional role as a mediator in the conflict, with Doha signalling a potential reassessment of its involvement in negotiations. The strike drew strong international criticism, including from some of Israel’s Western allies, and further inflamed regional tensions amid the continuing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/10/israel-threats-outrage-qatar-strike-hamas
Poland: Shoots Down Russian Drones in its Airspace
On 10 September 2025, Polish F-16 fighter jets intercepted several suspected Russian drones that had crossed into its airspace during a large-scale Russian assault on Ukraine. With support from allies including Dutch F-35 fighter jets, Italian surveillance planes, and NATO mid-air refuelling aircraft, this is the first time a member of the NATO alliance has fired shots since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told his parliament this was the most dangerous moment for Poland since the Second World War, although he underlined that there was no sign of imminent conflict with Russia. One drone struck a house in Wyryki-Wola, eastern Poland, causing serious damage. Russia denied responsibility, claiming the drones originated from Ukraine, while Poland triggered Article 4 of the NATO treaty, requesting urgent formal discussions with member states about threats to their security. In response, NATO partners have strongly condemned the incident and emphasised the need for strengthening collective air defence.
US: Right-Wing Activist Shot Dead at Event in Utah
On 10 September 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead while addressing students at a college in Utah. The 31-year-old, a close ally of President Donald Trump and founder of Turning Point USA, a controversial right-wing nationalist political organisation, was killed by a gunshot to the neck as he debated students under a tent emblazoned with his signature slogan “prove me wrong.” Although the perpetrator is yet to be apprehended, Kirk’s killing likely follows a pattern of high-profile political violence cases in recent years, including a close assassination attempt on President Trump’s life in June 2024 and a lethal assault on Democratic Party state legislators in Minnesota in June 2025. Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the nation as “broken,” warning of the corrosive effect of the normalisation of political violence. President Trump, in a video address, labelled the killing as a “dark moment for America” and blamed the “radical left” despite the fact that the perpetrator is yet to be identified. The killing has increased partisan tensions, with lawmakers clashing in Congress during a moment of silence for Kirk, reflecting the United States’ worsening political polarisation.
Nepal: Prime Minister Resigns After Deadly Protests
On 11 September 2025, Nepal’s health ministry reported that 30 people had died and more than 1,000 had been injured following two days of anti-corruption protests that led Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to step down. The demonstrations began on Monday in Kathmandu after the government imposed a ban on social media, stating that the platforms had failed to register and comply with oversight requirements. On Tuesday, despite the ban being lifted, protests intensified when police opened fire on demonstrators. The prime minister announced his resignation, and protests persisted, during which some government buildings were set on fire. Although the demonstrations began with the social media ban, they reflect broader discontent, particularly among young people who criticise the apparent privileges of “nepo kids” – children of political leaders – in contrast to the difficulties faced by most youth in finding work. In 2024, youth unemployment reached 20% according to the World Bank, and the government estimates that every day, more than 2,000 young people leave Nepal for the Middle East and Southeast Asia to find work. Since Tuesday, the capital has been under army control, and a curfew was imposed. It remains unclear who would take control of the government as the search for an interim leader continues and residents call for elections.
https://apnews.com/article/nepal-protest-social-media-ban-08a04672297946e85f3159a7238e3d44
Belarus: Releases 52 Political Prisoners After Deal with US
On 11 September 2025, Belarus released 52 political prisoners following mediation by the US. This gesture comes after months of international isolation for the country due to its human rights record and its support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was orchestrated by President Alexander Lukashenko, in an effort to improve relations with the West and potentially secure relief from existing sanctions. In exchange for the release, Washington has promised to grant sanctions relief to Belavia, the Belarusian national airline. Among those released were Ihar Losik, a journalist, and Mikola Statkevich, a veteran dissident and 2010 presidential candidate. The group of freed prisoners also included an EU staff member and 14 foreign nationals. Although this was the largest group of political prisoners pardoned by Lukashenko to date, it falls short of the 1,300 to 1,400 releases that US President Donald Trump had called for. Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented that the release covered only a small percentage (4%) of designated political prisoners and did not signal fundamental change in policy.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/11/belarus-frees-52-political-prisoners-after-us-mediation
China: Exports its “Fengqiao” Surveillance Model to the Solomon Islands to Improve Security
On 11 September 2025, China began piloting its “Fengqiao” surveillance model in the Solomon Islands, in collaboration with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF). This community-based system, which was originally created under Mao Zedong in the 1960s, is designed to prevent social unrest by having citizens monitor one another. The project is currently being tested in the village of Fighter 1 and is slated to be expanded across the country. It involves collecting detailed data, including fingerprints, household information, and palm prints, and utilises surveillance drones. While the RSIPF and some residents see it as a way to improve security, the model has raised human rights concerns. Opponents, including opposition politicians, argue that it is an infringement on individual rights protected by the constitution. A representative from the Ministry of Traditional Governance also expressed concern that the system disregards local culture and the authority of village chiefs. This pilot project follows a 2022 security pact between China and the Solomon Islands, which was struck in the wake of anti-government riots in 2021. Those protests were fuelled, in part by politicians who opposed the country’s decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to Beijing.
US-South Korea: Public Outrage After Mass Detention of Workers in Georgia
On 12 September 2025, more than 300 South Korean workers landed at Incheon airport after being detained for over a week in the US following an immigration raid at a Hyundai–LG battery plant construction site in Georgia. US authorities accused the workers of violating visa terms. The raid, which was the largest ever single-site operation by US immigration authorities, sparked anger across South Korea. Local media described the treatment of workers as akin to “prisoners of war,” while others called it a “stab in the back” by Seoul’s closest ally. A poll found that 68% of South Koreans believed Washington had failed to treat their country with due consideration. The detentions became a flashpoint in US-Korea relations. President Lee Jae Myung warned that Korean companies may hesitate to expand investment in the US unless visa rules for skilled technicians are reformed. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun travelled to Washington to secure guarantees that workers would not be restrained during repatriation and announced a bilateral working group to address visa issues. Despite assurances, the episode left a lasting sense of betrayal in South Korea, with one protester at Incheon airport calling the mass arrest a “national humiliation” and denouncing President Trump’s handling of the case as “evil behaviour.”
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