© Photo by UNAMID via Flickr
International Peace & Security Section
Madagascar: Military Seizes Power and Suspends Government Institutions After President Flees
Pakistan-Afghanistan: Declares 48-Hour Ceasefire After Deadly Border Clashes
Haiti: Doctors Without Borders Closes Emergency Centre Amid Escalating Violence
US: Trump Administration Authorises CIA Operations in Venezuela Targeting President Maduro
Gaza: UN Calls for Surge of Aid as Crossings Remain Restricted Amid Fragile Ceasefire
Kenya: At least 2 Killed as Police Opens Fire at Crowds Mourning Raila Odinga
China: Dozens of Christian Leaders Detained in Crackdown on Unregistered Churches
ICC: Appeals Chamber Disqualifies Prosecutor Karim Khan from Duterte Case Over Conflict of Interest Concerns
On 14 October 2025, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) disqualified Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from the ongoing case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte due to concerns over a potential conflict of interest. The judges concluded that Khan’s previous role in representing the chair of the Philippine Human Rights Commission, as well as victims who had implicated Duterte in communications to the ICC, could create an appearance of bias. This decision follows Khan’s earlier recusal from the investigation into Venezuela for similar reasons and occurs amidst a separate United Nations inquiry into alleged sexual misconduct. Duterte has been detained in The Hague since March on charges of crimes against humanity related to his “war on drugs” and will now be prosecuted by Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang.
Haiti: Appeals Court Orders Fresh Investigation into 2021 Assassination of President Jovenel Moïse
On 14 October 2025, a Haitian appeals court annulled a previous indictment involving 51 suspects in the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 and mandated a new investigation to commence from the beginning. The ruling emphasises the importance of renewed collaboration with the United States and Canada to secure testimony from key individuals, including ex-police chief Léon Charles, Moïse’s widow, Martine Moïse, her son, and former Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The court also ordered that 17 detained former Colombian soldiers, along with several Haitian suspects, remain in custody. Defence attorneys pointed to translation errors and procedural shortcomings that compromised earlier investigations, while also acknowledging the systemic dysfunction within Haiti’s judiciary amid rising gang violence. Concurrently, US prosecutors are pursuing separate proceedings against 11 extradited suspects, with trials scheduled for March 2026.
South Africa: ICJ Genocide Case Against Israel to Continue Despite Gaza Ceasefire
On 14 October 2025, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed before Parliament that the recent U.S.-backed ceasefire in Gaza will not impede South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Filed in December 2023, the case alleges that Israel has committed acts of genocide during its operations in Gaza. Ramaphosa noted that South Africa submitted a comprehensive 500-page pleading in October 2024 and that Israel is required to respond by January 2026, with oral hearings anticipated in 2027. The ICJ has already issued provisional measures demanding that Israel prevent genocide and facilitate humanitarian aid, which it has largely neglected to implement. Ramaphosa emphasised that “true healing requires justice,” aligning with statements from international figures and human rights organisations that assert accountability cannot be sacrificed for peace.
Serbia: Court Convicts Former Fighters for Abductions in Bosnia
On 14 October 2025, three former Serbian fighters were convicted by the Belgrade Higher Court for abducting 20 Bosniak passengers from a train in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1993. The victims, who disappeared at Štrpci station, were taken to a school in Prelovo, where they were assaulted, and later murdered in a burned-out house in the village of Musici. Gojko Lukic and Dusko Vasiljevic were each sentenced to ten years in prison, while Dragana Djekic received a five-year sentence. The three had previously been convicted at first instance to the same penalties, but the decision was annulled months later by the Belgrade Court of Appeals. The prolonged legal proceedings and the inability to hold two perpetrators accountable, who died before a final verdict, have drawn criticism from the victims’ families. Ten other Serbian fighters have also been convicted for these crimes, including Boban Indjic, a former commander of the Interventions Company of the Višegrad Brigade, sentenced to fifteen years in prison, and two paramilitary volunteers, Mico Jovisic and Nebojsa Ranisavljevic, sentenced to five and fifteen years, respectively. The alleged leader of the Štrpci abductions, Milan Lukic, is serving a life sentence for other war crimes in Bosnia unrelated to these abductions, as ruled by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). He is imprisoned in Estonia and faces additional charges in Bosnia related to the Štrpci crimes.
ECtHR: Russia Must Pay Georgia €253 Million for Human Rights Violations
On 14 October 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ordered Russia to pay €253,018,000 to Georgia in compensation for non-pecuniary damages suffered by 29,746 ethnic Georgians, victims of systematic violations during the “borderisation” process following the 2008 conflict. In the case Georgia v. Russia (IV), no. 39611/18, the ECtHR had previously ruled on 9 April 2024 that Russia committed widespread human rights violations while hardening administrative boundary lines between the countries. These violations included excessive use of force, ill-treatment, unlawful detention, restrictions on freedom of movement, and denial of the right to education in Georgian. The 2024 judgment found that Georgians were killed while attempting to cross into or out of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and others were arrested, detained, or mistreated for crossing these boundary lines. Civilians lost access to farmland, families were separated, and children were forced either to study in Russian-controlled schools or undertake long and dangerous journeys to schools in Georgian-controlled areas. This week, the Court addressed the question of just satisfaction for these violations, granting the Georgian government 18 months to distribute the total compensation to the victims and allowing it to establish an internal mechanism for allocation.
ECtHR: Court to Examine Italy’s Failure to Hand Over Suspected Libyan Torturer to the ICC
On 14 October 2025, a sub-Saharan African man, who had been tortured in detention centres in Libya, filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) against Italy for failing to cooperate with an ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation. Italy allegedly refused to surrender Osama Elmasri Njeem (also known as Almasri), a suspect accused of committing crimes against the complainant. The European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) reported that the complaint, submitted on behalf of the victim, was formally registered after a preliminary review and will now be examined by the Court. According to the ECCHR, the victim attempted to cross the Central Mediterranean in a rubber boat when he was intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard. He was unlawfully detained, tortured, and subjected to forced labour in several detention centres under Almasri’s command. The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Almasri on 18 January 2025 for murder, torture, rape, and other sexual crimes. Almasri was subsequently arrested in Turin but later released by Rome’s Court of Appeal, allegedly due to the failure of Italy’s Justice Minister to cooperate with international justice as required under national law and the ICC Statute. He was then returned to Libya on an Italian government plane. Recently, the Italian parliament voted against authorising a criminal investigation into Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and Cabinet Secretary Alfredo Mantovano for their roles in facilitating Almasri’s release.
Italy: Appeals Court Confirms Convictions of Milan Prosecutors Over Omitted Evidence in Eni–Nigeria Corruption Case
On 16 October 2025, an Italian appeals court in Brescia upheld eight-month prison sentences for Milan prosecutors Fabio De Pasquale and Sergio Spadaro for their failure to submit evidence favourable to the defence in the significant Eni–Nigeria corruption trial. The court confirmed that the prosecutors had neglected to file a video recorded by an external Eni lawyer, which the judges deemed pertinent to the defendants’ case. Although Eni, Shell, and other defendants were acquitted in 2021 of bribery charges related to the US$1.3 billion acquisition of a Nigerian oilfield, this ruling reinforces the prosecutors’ obligation to ensure fairness and full disclosure. Both prosecutors denied any wrongdoing, claiming they acted in good faith and intend to appeal to Italy’s highest court, the Court of Cassation.
Northern Ireland: Court to Deliver Verdict in Soldier F’s Bloody Sunday Murder Trial on 23 October
On 16 October 2025, a Belfast judge announced that a verdict would be delivered on 23 October in the trial of “Soldier F,” the only British soldier charged with murder related to the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre in Londonderry. Soldier F faces two counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder for allegedly shooting unarmed civil rights marchers during a protest that resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals. The month-long, juryless trial focused on whether he acted as a principal or as a secondary participant in the killings. Defence attorneys contended that the case relied on unreliable statements from decades past that lacked corroborating evidence, characterising it as “fundamentally flawed.” The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, chose not to testify, citing memory loss. This trial revisits one of Northern Ireland’s most painful episodes, following the UK government’s 2010 apology, which acknowledged the killings as “unjustified and unjustifiable.”
ICC: Lawyers Ask ICC to Investigate 122 European Officials Over Deadly Mediterranean Migration Policies
On 16 October 2025, a group of human rights lawyers, led by Omer Shatz and Juan Branco, submitted a brief to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 9 October, requesting the Court to investigate 122 European officials for crimes against humanity committed against migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea. The 700-page brief is based on a six-year investigation, which included interviews with senior European officials and reviews of European Council meeting minutes. The investigation had been previously authorised by the ICC and was established to examine European officials’ migration policies that allegedly led to abuses, torture, and the killing of thousands of migrants attempting to reach Europe. According to the lawyers, several European officials, including heads of state, are alleged co-perpetrators, along with Libyan suspects, of the killing of 25,000 asylum seekers and abuses committed against approximately 150,000 survivors. Among the individuals named are Emmanuel Macron, President of France; Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany; Mark Rutte, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and current NATO Secretary-General; and Donald Tusk, former Prime Minister of Poland and former President of the European Council. Omer Shatz stated that “the law of the ICC was born out of European crimes but so far has only been applied to crimes committed outside of Europe,” and emphasised that their request asks the Court to apply the law impartially, “also upon European nationals.”
Russia: 15 Ukrainian POWs Convicted on Terrorist Charges
On 17 October 2025, a military court in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, convicted 15 Ukrainian soldiers from the Aidar Battalion to 15 to 21 years in prison on terrorism charges. The trial, held on 10 October, reportedly violated international law protecting prisoners of war, as the accused were charged not with specific war crimes but merely for serving in the Aidar Battalion, which Russia classifies as a terrorist organisation. According to the Geneva Conventions, the verdict violates the prohibition against prosecuting prisoners of war solely for participating in armed conflict. In a previous trial in March, another 23 Ukrainian soldiers linked to the elite Azov Brigade were convicted on similar charges. Aidar and Azov are volunteer units that fought against separatist groups supported by Russia in Eastern Ukraine and later became part of the Ukrainian military. Both units have faced criticism for alleged far-right affiliations, though their members currently deny any connection to extremist movements. The Aidar trial was largely closed to the public and has been condemned as “shameful” by Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, who stated that “Russia is making criminals out of those who defended their native land.”
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-aidar-trial-pow-258459f79277eb7853b1a351e6d0476c
Madagascar: Military Seizes Power and Suspends Government Institutions After President Flees
On 14 October 2025, a military colonel in Madagascar announced the armed forces had seized power and dissolved all key government institutions except the lower house of parliament. This followed a day of constitutional deadlock after President Andry Rajoelina, who had fled the country amid mounting anti-government protests, issued a decree to dissolve the lower house, only to be immediately impeached by lawmakers. The military’s move, led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina, was celebrated by crowds in the capital, Antananarivo, and came after an elite army unit joined weeks of youth-led demonstrations that began on 25 September over the high cost of living, corruption, and power outages. The Gen Z Madagascar movement reflects a wider pattern of similar youth-led manifestations that have occurred in other countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The military leadership stated they will rule the country for up to two years alongside a transitional government, before organising elections and a constitutional referendum. Rajoelina, whose whereabouts are unknown, denounced the military’s move as a “clear act of attempted coup d’etat.” The protests have reportedly led to at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries.
DRC: Government and M23 Sign Ceasefire Monitoring Deal
On 14 October 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 group signed an agreement in Doha to establish a mechanism for monitoring a permanent ceasefire, a key step toward resolving the conflict in eastern DRC. Under the agreement, a ceasefire monitoring body will be formed with representatives from the DRC, M23 and the 12-country International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). The body is empowered to investigate alleged violations of the ceasefire and is expected to convene within seven days of its formation. Meanwhile, the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) will “provide logistical coordination” but will not have an operational role, as M23 considers the UN body a “belligerent actor” because its mandate includes supporting the DRC’s army. Additionally, representatives from the African Union, Qatar, and the United States will attend as observers. The signing signals cautious optimism for peace, though implementation remains uncertain given persistent clashes and mutual distrust.
Pakistan-Afghanistan: Declares 48-Hour Ceasefire After Deadly Border Clashes
On 15 October 2025, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire following deadly border clashes that erupted overnight in the remote area spanning southeastern Afghanistan’s Spin Boldak district and Pakistan’s Chaman district. The fighting, a “serious escalation” of tensions, resulted in dozens of casualties on both sides, with each country blaming the other for initiating the violence. The Afghan Taliban’s chief spokesman accused Pakistani forces of firing first, claiming the assault killed 12 civilians and wounded over 100, including women and children. Conversely, Pakistani authorities stated that Afghan Taliban forces first fired on a Pakistani military post, which led to the clash, with one official reporting six Pakistani soldiers killed. The Pakistani army claimed its forces “effectively repulsed” the attack, killing 15 to 20 Taliban members. Amid the border tensions, at least five people were killed and 35 wounded in explosions in Kabul. The ceasefire, announced by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry and at the “insistence” of the Pakistani side according to a Taliban spokesman, aims to allow sincere efforts through dialogue to resolve the standoff.
Haiti: Doctors Without Borders Closes Emergency Centre Amid Escalating Violence
On 15 October 2025, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced it would permanently close its Port-au-Prince emergency care centre due to ongoing violence in Haiti’s capital, now 90% controlled by armed groups. MSF’s centre had already temporarily closed in March 2025 after several of the organisation’s vehicles that were evacuating staff from the centre were shot at by armed men. Originally opened in the Martissant area in 2006, the centre relocated to Turgeau in 2021 for security reasons and has treated more than 100,000 patients since then. Its closure marks the loss of a vital lifeline in the city, where over 60% of health facilities, including the general hospital, are now closed or non-functional due to the violence. This closure comes amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, with more than 3,100 people killed and 1,100 injured across Haiti from January to June 2025, and a record 1.4 million people displaced, a 36% increase since the end of 2024, according to the United Nations.
US: Trump Administration Authorises CIA Operations in Venezuela Targeting President Maduro
On 15 October 2025, US President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration had authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, marking a sharp escalation in Washington’s campaign to oust President Nicolás Maduro. The decision, outlined in a classified presidential finding, reportedly empowers the agency to carry out lethal and intelligence operations within Venezuela and across the Caribbean. The announcement comes amid an expanded US military presence in the region, with around 10,000 troops and multiple naval assets deployed near Venezuelan waters. Trump also stated that possible strikes on Venezuelan territory were under consideration. Venezuela’s government condemned the move as an act of aggression and a violation of the UN Charter, accusing the US of pursuing “regime change” to seize the country’s oil resources. Caracas plans to raise the matter before the UN Security Council. The escalation follows months of US maritime operations targeting vessels allegedly involved in narcotics trafficking from Venezuelan waters, which have resulted in 27 deaths. Critics warn the covert authorisation revives Cold War-era interventionist tactics in Latin America, where the CIA has a long history of destabilisation campaigns.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/us/politics/trump-covert-cia-action-venezuela.html?nl=The+World
Gaza: UN Calls for Surge of Aid as Crossings Remain Restricted Amid Fragile Ceasefire
On 15 October 2025, UN officials and aid agencies urged Israel to open additional border crossings to Gaza to enable a “massive surge” of humanitarian assistance as part of the ongoing US-brokered ceasefire. UN relief chief Tom Fletcher insisted that “withholding aid from civilians is not a bargaining chip.” Preparations are under way to reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt, for the first time since Israel took control in May 2024, but humanitarian actors stressed that many more entry points are needed to reach the north and meet desperate civilian needs. On Monday, Israelis celebrated the return of the final 20 living hostages held by Hamas, while Palestinians rejoiced at Israel’s release of about 2,000 prisoners and detainees in the first phase of the peace deal. However, Israel accused Hamas of delaying the return of hostages’ remains, temporarily halving the number of aid trucks permitted into Gaza. The militant organisation cited difficulties locating burial sites amid widespread destruction. Meanwhile, many Palestinians in Gaza remain in dire conditions, with severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.
Kenya: At least 2 Killed as Police Opens Fire at Crowds Mourning Raila Odinga
On 16 October 2025, at least two people were killed after Kenyan police opened fire to disperse a crowd of mourners gathered for a public viewing of the body of opposition leader Raila Odinga, who died a day earlier in India. Local media reported that the death toll had increased to four and dozens of people were injured. The shooting took place at a 60,000-capacity football stadium in Nairobi, where thousands of mourners had gathered to pay their respects. Earlier in the day, mourners briefly stormed Nairobi’s international airport, interrupting a ceremony for President William Ruto and other officials to receive Odinga’s body with military honours. Tensions rose later at the stadium when parts of the crowd breached a gate, prompting security forces to fire shots and tear gas. The resulting panic triggered a stampede. Known affectionately as “Baba,” Odinga was a pivotal figure in Kenya’s pro-democracy movement, serving as prime minister from 2008 to 2013 and contesting five presidential elections. His funeral will take place on Sunday in his hometown of Bondo, following national mourning events in Nairobi and Kisumu.
China: Dozens of Christian Leaders Detained in Crackdown on Unregistered Churches
On 16 October 2025, it was reported that around 30 pastors and church leaders linked to the unregistered Zion Church were detained this month in China’s most sweeping religious crackdown on Christians in decades. The arrests, including that of founder Jin Mingri, follow new government edicts in September banning online preaching unless it is aligned with Chinese Communist Party ideology. Detention notices cite “illegal use of online networks”, a charge carrying prison sentences of up to seven years. Since tightening religious laws in 2018 under Xi Jinping’s campaign to “sinicise” faith groups, officials have sought to bring independent congregations under state control. The Protestant Zion Church, which had 1,400 members in 2018, has since operated through a “hybrid” model of livestreamed sermons and small home gatherings across more than 40 cities. Despite restrictions, thousands continue to join daily online prayers. The crackdown underscores Xi’s renewed push to enforce Chinese nationalism and party loyalty, even as unregistered churches persist through creative underground networks.
https://www.economist.com/china/2025/10/16/china-is-rounding-up-christian-leaders
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