© Photo by European Union Naval Force Operation Atalanta via Flickr
International Peace & Security Section
Madagascar: President Dissolves Government Following Deadly Protests
Morocco: Two Killed and Hundreds Arrested as Anti-Government Protests Escalate
Myanmar: Rohingya Representatives Plead for Justice and Aid at UNGA Conference
Israel: Intercepts Gaza Aid Flotilla Triggering Global Protests
UK: Yom Kippur Synagogue Attack in Manchester Leaves Two Dead
Gaza: Israeli Strikes Kill 57 Palestinians as Hamas Deliberates on Trump’s Peace Proposal
Somalia: UN to Cut Food Aid for 750,000 People Amid Funding Shortfalls
Syria: Issues Arrest Warrant for Former President Bashar al-Assad
On 29 September 2025, it was reported Syrian authorities had issued an arrest warrant for former president, Bashar al- Assad. The investigating judge made the announcement on Saturday and stated that the charges relate to the 2011 crackdown in Daraa and include “premeditated murder, torture leading to death, and deprivation of liberty.” The decision “opens the door” for cooperation with Interpol to circulate the warrant and pursue the case on an international level. The civil war in Syria broke out in 2011 after peaceful protests led to violence. The Assad regime was accused of committing widespread atrocities, including torture and summary executions. In December 2024, Assad was removed from power after Syrian rebels seized control. David M Crane, the founding Chief Prosecutor of the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone, emphasised the necessity of international cooperation, stating that “it is imperative to prioritise accountability,” and highlighted the need to establish a regional justice mechanism capable of bringing Syrian leaders and their supporters to trial.
IRMCT: Convicted Army General Nebojša Pavković Granted Early Release on Humanitarian Grounds
On 29 September 2025, it was reported the former Yugoslav Army general Nebojsa Pavkovic, convicted of war crimes, returned to Serbia on Sunday after the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) granted him early release from his 22-year sentence imposed by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Judge Graciela Gatti Santana cited “compelling humanitarian reasons” for the decision, noting Pavkovic’s deteriorating health. Under the release conditions, he must remain at his residence or in a medical clinic for the rest of his sentence and refrain from denying crimes under ICTY jurisdiction during the former Yugoslavia’s conflict. Pavkovic’s defence requested his early release in August, arguing that his health had deteriorated to a life-threatening condition. Pavkovic was a commander of the Yugoslav Army Third Battalion during the war in Kosovo from December 1998 until early 2000. Pavkovic was convicted of participating in a criminal organisation aimed at persecuting and forcibly expelling Albanians from Kosovo, as well as committing murder. The ICTY verdict in 2009 found that Serbian authorities ultimately controlled widespread violence targeting Kosovo Albanian civilians, which included murder, sexual assault and the destruction of mosques.
Germany: Arrests Militia Leader Suspected of Crimes Against Humanity in Syria
On 30 September 2025, German authorities arrested a man suspected of committing crimes against humanity in Aleppo in 2011. The suspect, a Syrian national, identified as Anwar S., is alleged to have been the leader of “shabiha militia,” and is accused of killings and torture. The prosecution stated the man operated in Aleppo on behalf of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s regime. According to prosecutors, between April and November 2011, eight incidents were reported in which the suspect and his forces assaulted civilians with batons, metal pipes and various other implements to break up protests. They also believe electric shocks were used on civilians. Some protesters were transferred to police and intelligence authorities, while others faced extreme abuse in detention, with one case resulting in the death of a protester. In recent years, Germany has taken action against numerous former Syrian officials under universal jurisdiction laws, which grant prosecutors the power to bring charges against anyone accused of crimes against humanity, regardless of where the crime occurred.
DRC: Former President Kabila Sentenced to Death for War Crimes
On 30 September 2025, former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila was found guilty of war crime, treason, and crimes against humanity and sentenced to death in absentia by a military court in Kinshasa. Kabila served as president of Congo between 2001 to 2019. It is claimed Kabila supported the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in their advancement across Congo. Kabila has denied the charges and described the court as “politicised.” Lieutenant-General Joseph Mutombo Katalayi, leading the military tribunal, said Kabila was found guilty of various crimes, including murder, sexual assault, torture, and insurrection. Kabila was absent from the trial and did not have legal representation. His whereabouts are currently unknown. Katalayi said in his verdict that under Article 7 of the Military Penal Code, the court must impose “a single sentence, namely the most severe one, which is the death penalty.” Kabila was also ordered to pay US$50 billion in damages. The ruling could potentially exacerbate tensions in the country which has faced years of division and violent conflict. Kabila resigned as president in 2019 following deadly protests against his rule and has reportedly been living primarily in South Africa since 2023. Kabila backed current president Felix Tshisekedi in the disputed 2019 elections, but their relationship later deteriorated. Tshisekedi claimed Kabila was behind the M23 rebels, and senators subsequently removed his legal immunity, allowing for his prosecution. Tshisekedi’s government has since taken steps to suspend Kabila’s political party and seize the assets of its officials.
US: Federal Court Rules Targeted Deportations of Pro-Palestinian Activists Violate First Amendment
On 1 October 2025, it was reported a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled on Tuesday that officials in the Trump administration violated the First Amendment and the right to free speech of pro-Palestinian non-citizens through “targeted deportation proceedings.” The case was filed by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) against Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who were accused of misusing their powers, resulting in arbitrary arrests and deportations. Rubio cited § 237(a)(4)(C)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to justify revoking visas and deporting pro-Palestinian peaceful activists. This provision allows the Secretary of State to deem a foreign national inadmissible if their “entry or proposed activities” are reasonably believed to have “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences” for the United States. Judge William Young ruled that the First Amendment does not discriminate against non-citizens, who are equally entitled to freedom of speech. Student Mahmoud Khalil and scholar Rümeysa Öztürk are among the hundreds of pro-Palestinian individuals who were unlawfully arrested and had their visas revoked due to their political expression. Although both were later released by judicial orders, they continue to face ongoing deportation proceedings.
CJEU: Court Rules Exclusion of Pain and Suffering from Victim Compensation Schemes Breaches EU Law
On 2 October 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered its judgment in LD v. Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal and Others (Case C-284/24), clarifying the scope of Member States’ obligations under Article 12(2) of Council Directive 2004/80/EC on compensation to victims of violent intentional crimes. The case originated in Ireland, where LD, a victim of a violent assault, applied for compensation under the national scheme. While certain expenses were reimbursed, Irish law excludes compensation for non-material damages, including pain and suffering. LD challenged this exclusion before the Irish High Court, which referred questions to the CJEU regarding the compatibility of such limitations with EU law. The Court ruled that Article 12(2) of the Directive requires national schemes to provide “fair and appropriate” compensation, which cannot be restricted to out-of-pocket losses alone. The ruling also provided that, while Member States maintain discretion in designing financially viable schemes, awards cannot be merely symbolic or manifestly insufficient. In this respect, the CJEU underlined that the notion of “harm” under EU law encompasses both material and non-material losses. Non-material harm expressly includes physical, mental, and emotional suffering. Accordingly, the Court ruled that compensation must, where appropriate, contribute to the redress of pain and suffering. A categorical exclusion of such damages, as in the Irish scheme, undermines the Directive’s objective and fails to reflect the seriousness of the consequences for victims. This decision reinforces the principle that EU Member States must guarantee victim compensation schemes that address not only financial costs but also the profound personal suffering resulting from violent crime.
KSC: Defence Witness Says Thaçi Feared KLA Commanders and Lacked Authority Over Them
On 2 October 2025, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) concluded the testimony of James ‘Jock’ Covey, former deputy to UN representative Bernard Kouchner in post-war Kosovo, who testified as the fourth defence witness for ex-Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi at his war crimes trial in The Hague. Covey argued that none of the crimes allegedly committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) were directly attributable to Thaçi. He asserted that Thaçi was a politician, not a fighter, noting that there was no evidence he personally engaged in violence and that he instead consistently advocated for an end to ethnic-based violence. Covey described Thaçi as cautious in his interactions with KLA leaders and lacking personal authority over the guerrilla force. He emphasised that Thaçi neither benefited politically from crimes committed by KLA fighters nor could he have commanded them, reflecting the KLA’s decentralised structure. Covey added that during the Rambouillet peace negotiations in 1999, it was clear that Thaçi was under direct threat from zone commanders, though Thaçi never explicitly told him he felt afraid or threatened. Regarding specific incidents, Covey recalled that while Thaçi condemned the murder of 14 Serbian farmers in Grackë, Lipjan, he did not sign a formal statement on the matter, and Covey had no knowledge of any steps Thaçi may have taken to investigate the killings. Thaçi, along with former parliamentary figures Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli, and Rexhep Selimi, were indicted in October 2020 and face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, enforced disappearances, cruel treatment, and other inhuman acts.
https://balkaninsight.com/2025/10/02/kosovos-thaci-was-a-politician-not-a-fighter-hague-court-told/
DRC: ICJ Victims’ Fund Investigation Reveals Mismanagement and Misappropriation in Frivao Compensation Fund
On 3 October 2025, an investigation by the Centre for Research on Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL) revealed widespread mismanagement and misappropriation of funds from the Special Fund for the Distribution and Compensation of Victims of Uganda’s Illegal Activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The fund, known as Frivao, is the Congolese compensation fund for victims of Ugandan military actions in Kisangani. Established in 2019 to administer reparations ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Frivao was intended to distribute Uganda’s payments, amounting to US$195 million between 2022 and 2024, to victims of crimes committed during the 2000 conflict. CREFDL’s September 2025 report, based on an analysis of bank statements, administrative documents, and interviews with 50 stakeholders, found that only 1.8% of the compensation allocated to individuals had been paid. Only 998 of 14,000 eligible victims had received US$2,000 each, far below the estimated US$30,000 per victim they were entitled to. The report highlights systemic flaws, including low staffing qualifications, slow processing of claims, and cascading withdrawals of funds to multiple bank accounts, including several controlled by the Minister of Justice, in violation of the governing decree. Frivao funds were reportedly diverted to unauthorised uses, including a currency exchange office, buses for ministry officials, and partial electricity network rehabilitation. Former Minister of Justice Constant Mutamba was sentenced to ten years of hard labour for embezzling US$19 million, and the fund’s coordinator is in detention on similar charges. CREFDL recommends the dissolution of Frivao, transfer of funds to a more accountable body, a full audit by the Court of Auditors, restitution of misappropriated funds, and suspension and reassessment of compensation payments. With Uganda’s fourth instalment pending, the report underscores the urgent need for accountability to ensure reparations reach victims.
https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/150512-drc-should-the-victims-fund-be-dissolved.html
Madagascar: President Dissolves Government Following Deadly Protests
On 30 September 2025, Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina, dissolved his government in response to youth-led protests that had been ongoing for more than a week. The demonstrations, the largest Madagascar has seen in years and since Rajoelina’s re-election in 2023, have been driven by power and water shortages, as well as frustration over years of economic hardship. Madagascar remains one of Africa’s poorest countries, with about 75% of its 30 million people living below the poverty line in 2022, according to the World Bank. The protests turned deadly after police fired tear gas and used rubber bullets, while a nighttime curfew was imposed. According to the UN, at least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured, with casualties resulting both from security forces and gangs unconnected to the demonstrations. Following the government’s dissolution, President Rajoelina addressed the nation on television, stating he “acknowledges and apologises” for public anger and his administration’s failings. Despite his statement, protests continued, with thousands of demonstrators calling for the president’s resignation.
https://www.africanews.com/2025/09/30/protests-escalate-in-madagascar-over-president-rajoelina//
Afghanistan: Imposes Nationwide Internet Shutdown
On 30 September 2025, Taliban authorities imposed a nationwide telecoms shutdown in Afghanistan as part of a crackdown on “immoral activities.” The Taliban had previously cited morality concerns and cut fibre-optic links in several provinces. Netblocks, a global internet watchdog, reported that multiple networks and telephone services were disconnected, resulting in a “total internet blackout.” The measure, the first total national shutdown under the current rule, is feared to “severely limit the public’s ability to contact the outside world,” compounding the difficulties faced by Afghans following a recent devastating earthquake. The blackout has immediately impacted news services, hampered international agencies trying to contact their bureaus in Kabul, and cut off Afghan citizens from family abroad. Furthermore, the action severely curtails the rights of Afghan women, many of whom relied on online classes for education after being prohibited from attending universities and high schools. Women’s rights activist Sanam Kabiri characterised the move as the Taliban “using every tool at their disposal to suppress the people.” Experts have warned that the shutdown risks exacerbating the country’s economic struggles, affecting e-commerce platforms crucial for women artisans, disrupting financial and hospital services, and undermining coordination for ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts.
Russia: Withdraws from European Anti-Torture Convention
On 1 October 2025, it was reported Russian President Vladimir Putin approved Russia’s exit from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Russia’s withdrawal from the Convention was signed into law by Putin on Monday and abolishes international supervision of detention facilities in the country. Under the Convention, international experts were enabled to visit prisons and detention facilities, which resulted in 27 reports over three decades that evaluated inhuman treatment and made recommendations for reform. However, in 2024, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) criticised Russia for its lack of cooperation. A 2024 report by UN Special Rapporteur stated that torture and other inhuman treatments are used as tools for “systemic oppression” and are “infamous features of the Russian penitentiary system.” Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said that the decision “confirms that torture and inhuman treatment are systemic practices” of Putin’s government. He added that it removes the international community’s ability to address documented cases of torture in facilities and areas where war prisoners and civilians are confined. Lubinets urged the UN mechanisms and the International Committee of the Red Cross to “continue documenting torture” and “submitting evidence to the International Criminal Court.” Russia remains a party to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), which only requires periodic reports be submitted to the UN, but has never ratified its 2002 optional protocol regulating inspections to prisons and detention facilities. The EU spokesperson stated that the withdrawal represents a “complete loss of benchmarks for developing a penitentiary system in line with international norms.” Russia defended the decision by arguing discrimination from the Council of Europe in denying the country a new seat at the CPT.
Morocco: Two Killed and Hundreds Arrested as Anti-Government Protests Escalate
On 1 October 2025, Morocco’s Ministry of Interior reported that two people were killed after clashes with police who opened fire on protesters, and that more than 400 people were arrested during the fifth day of anti-government demonstrations. The deaths occurred in Leqliaa, near the southern city of Agadir, and are the first fatalities since the protests began. Morocco’s state news agency said that the police acted in self-defence, though no eyewitnesses could corroborate the state’s report. The demonstrations, organised by a leaderless movement that emerged on social media, are the largest the country has seen in years and have spread nationwide. The so-called “Gen Z protests”, echoing similar movements in Nepal and Madagascar, denounce widespread corruption and stadium spending for the 2030 World Cup, while social services lack funds and jobs are scarce. Protests have been strongest in the hardest-hit cities, where development efforts remain particularly weak. On Tuesday, Amnesty International urged Moroccan authorities to “engage with legitimate demands of the youth for their social, economic, and cultural rights and to address their concerns about corruption.”
https://apnews.com/article/morocco-protests-4dea4a759588d401b78b08952973ce06
Myanmar: Rohingya Representatives Plead for Justice and Aid at UNGA Conference
On 1 October 2025, members of the Rohingya community addressed a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) conference in New York, seeking to refocus attention on the persecuted Muslim minority amid ongoing fighting in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and massive aid cuts. Maung Sawyeddollah, founder of the Rohingya Student Network, directly challenged world leaders, asking: “Where is justice for the Rohingya? Where?” He highlighted systematic atrocities, including alleged drone attacks by the rebel Arakan Army. Wai Wai Nu, executive director of the Women’s Peace Network-Myanmar, emphasised the urgent need to address root causes, advance justice, and ensure humanitarian aid is no longer blocked from reaching communities inside Rakhine State. Speaking on behalf of the UN secretary-general, Chef de Cabinet Earle Courtenay Rattray confirmed that “massive aid cuts” have worsened conditions for the more than 1 million refugees in Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, stressed that the country is struggling with the financial and social costs, stating that “the only peaceful option is to begin their repatriation.” The United States announced US$60 million in assistance for refugees in Bangladesh, contingent on allowing refugees access to work. Meanwhile, The Gambia’s minister of justice confirmed that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has scheduled an oral hearing for mid-January 2026 on its case accusing Myanmar of genocide.
Israel: Intercepts Gaza Aid Flotilla Triggering Global Protests
On 2 October 2025, Israel intercepted nearly all of a flotilla of over 40 vessels carrying food and medicine to Gaza, detaining more than 450 foreign activists, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Footage showed Israeli soldiers in helmets and night vision goggles boarding boats and transferring passengers to a cargo vessel before taking them to Ashdod. The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed all detainees were in “good health” and would likely be expelled early next week. The flotilla, organised by the Global Sumud Coalition, included parliamentarians, lawyers and activists in a high-profile challenge to Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Many human rights organisations and legal experts assert that the blockade constitutes collective punishment under international humanitarian law and has contributed to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza including starvation and famine. Protests erupted across Europe, Latin America and South Asia after the detentions, while Italian unions called for a general strike in solidarity. Israel denounced the mission as a provocation and warned remaining vessels would also be stopped. The interception comes as US President Donald Trump floated a controversial peace proposal for Hamas’ surrender and temporary international oversight of Gaza.
UK: Yom Kippur Synagogue Attack in Manchester Leaves Two Dead
On 2 October 2025, two people were killed and three seriously injured in what authorities are calling a terrorist attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. The attacker, identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, rammed his car into the synagogue grounds before stabbing several worshippers. Armed police shot him dead after fearing that he was carrying an explosive device, which was later found to be fake. Three additional suspects were arrested on terrorism-related charges. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and opposition leaders condemned the assault as an antisemitic act of terror, pledging stronger protection for religious communities. Security has since been reinforced at synagogues and Jewish centres nationwide. The incident underscores growing alarm over Britain’s polarised environment, where antisemitism and Islamophobia are intensifying amid the reverberations of the Gaza conflict. UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the attack was “not only an assault on the Jewish community, but an attack on the very foundations of humanity and the values of compassion, dignity and respect which we all share.”
Gaza: Israeli Strikes Kill 57 Palestinians as Hamas Deliberates on Trump’s Peace Proposal
On 2 October 2025, Israeli strikes killed at least 57 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, with civilian casualties reported near aid distribution sites and in central areas. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) confirmed that one of its staff members was among the dead, while hospitals reported mounting strain amid intensified Israeli operations in Gaza City. The escalation coincided with Hamas’ review of a US peace proposal backed by President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. The plan would require Hamas to disarm, release remaining hostages, and relinquish power in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction of the enclave under international governance. The proposal, which excludes a path to Palestinian statehood, has been criticised by many Palestinians as favouring Israel. Hamas has said some elements are unacceptable, while mediators Qatar and Egypt have stated that further negotiations are needed.
Somalia: UN to Cut Food Aid for 750,000 People Amid Funding Shortfalls
On 3 October 2025, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced it will reduce emergency food assistance in Somalia from 1.1 million people in August to 350,000 by November due to critical funding shortfalls. The decision comes as 4.6 million Somalis face crisis-level hunger, including 1.8 million children at risk of acute malnutrition, with 421,000 severely malnourished children receiving only partial aid. The humanitarian crisis is driven by prolonged drought, flooding, GKongoing conflict, and control of some regions by the al-Qaida-linked group al-Shabab. US aid cuts have further strained relief efforts. WFP estimates that US$98 million is needed to maintain life-saving operations for 800,000 people through March 2026, with Ross Smith, the agency’s director of emergency preparedness and response, warning that “without urgent funding, families already pushed to the edge will be left with nothing at a time when they need it most.”
https://apnews.com/article/somalia-hunger-wfp-7cb9b747dbe452dba374bd6f7164c1c1
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