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International Peace & Security Section
US-Russia: Doubts Emerge Over Proposed Trump-Putin Budapest Summit
Sudan: One Million Return to War-Torn Khartoum as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Peru: State of Emergency Declared in Lima Amid Protests and Rising Crime
US: Imposes Sanctions on Major Russian Oil Firms to Cut Kremlin War Revenue
Serbia: Yugoslav General Convicted of War Crimes Dies and Buried with Honours in Belgrade
Nigeria: Over 50 Boko Haram Militants Killed by Army in Response to Drone Attacks
Georgia: ICC Deputy Prosecutor Visits Georgia to Strengthen Cooperation
Türkiye: At Least 14 Refugees Die as Boat Sinks in Aegean Sea
US: Court Finds French Bank Liable for Complicity in Sudan Atrocities
On 17 October 2025, a court in New York found French bank BNP Paribas liable for aiding and abetting genocide committed by Sudan’s regime between 1997 and 2011. The plaintiffs, survivors and relatives of victims, alleged that the bank knowingly processed billions of dollars in transactions for sanctioned Sudanese entities, thereby enabling funding for systematic violence in Darfur and other regions. Jurors awarded more than US$20 million in compensatory damages to three Sudanese plaintiffs who gave evidence of human rights abuses suffered under former President Omar al-Bashir, finding that the bank’s conduct substantially contributed to the commission of atrocities. A spokesperson for BNP Paribas said the ruling should be overturned on appeal. In 2004, the US government recognised the Sudanese conflict as a genocide.
ICC: Appeals Chamber Denies Defence Request for Further Extension in Yekatom Case
On 20 October 2025, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected a request by the Defence for Alfred Yekatom to further extend the deadline for filing his appeal brief against the Trial Chamber’s judgment of 24 July 2025 in The Prosecutor v. Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Édouard Ngaïssona. The Defence for Ngaïssona and the Prosecution supported the request. The Legal Representative of Victims objected, arguing that the requested extension was excessive and would interfere with the victims’ rights. Yekatom, a former Anti-Balaka zone commander, and Patrice-Édouard Ngaïssona, former National General Coordinator of the Anti-Balaka movement, were convicted by the ICC on 24 July 2025 of multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Central African Republic in 2013–2014, including murder, persecution, attacks against civilians, forcible transfer, torture, and other inhumane acts. Yekatom was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment and Ngaïssona to 12 years; both have appealed their sentences. The Appeals Chamber denied the request, noting that both Defence teams had already been granted one extension in August 2025. It found that the renewed request failed to demonstrate “good cause” under Regulation 35 of the Court’s Regulations. Arguments regarding the case’s complexity and translation delays were deemed insufficient, as relevant translations were being progressively provided and the Defence teams had access to working versions. Consequently, the filing deadline of 25 November 2025 was maintained.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/CourtRecords/0902ebd180cd58ee.pdf
https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-icc-office-prosecutor-conviction-messrs-yekatom-and-ngaissona
ICC: Italy Failed to Comply with Obligation to Arrest and Surrender Elmasry
On 21 October 2025, it was reported the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled that Italy failed to comply with its obligations under Article 87(7) of the Rome Statute by not executing the Court’s request to arrest and surrender Osama Elmasry (also known as Almasri Njeem) when he was present on Italian territory. Elmasry, a former Libyan general, is accused of crimes against humanity, including torture, rape, and murder during his management of a detention centre for migrants in Tripoli. The Chamber concluded that Italian authorities “did not act with due diligence and did not use all reasonable means at its disposal to comply with the request for cooperation.” The finding has been referred to the Assembly of States Parties and the United Nations Security Council for possible measures under the Rome Statute. The decision highlights enforcement challenges faced by the ICC and reiterates that the duty to arrest and surrender suspects remains a binding legal obligation upon all State Parties.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/CourtRecords/0902ebd180ccfde4.pdf
ECtHR: Denmark Not Responsible for Alleged Ill-Treatment of Iraqi Nationals During Search and Arrest Operation
On 21 October 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issued its judgment in Abdulaal Naser and Others v. Denmark, examining allegations of torture, unlawful detention, and denial of a fair trial. The applicants, apprehended abroad in joint operations involving Danish forces, claimed Denmark exercised effective control over their detention and was therefore responsible for violations under Articles 3 (prohibition of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment) and Article 6 (right to a fair trial) of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Court declared the complaints inadmissible for lack of extraterritorial jurisdiction, finding that Denmark’s involvement did not meet the threshold of “effective control.” It further held that the applicants had received a fair trial domestically.
ICJ: Court Advises on Israel’s International Obligations as an Occupying Power in Palestine
On 22 October 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an Advisory Opinion in response to a question raised by the UN General Assembly regarding Israel’s obligations, as an occupying Power and a member of the UN, to ensure that Palestinians receive essential supplies for survival, including basic services and humanitarian aid. The Court found that Israel must fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL), unanimously advising that these include ensuring the availability of daily life necessities such as food, water, clothing, bedding, shelter, fuel, medical supplies, and services for Palestinians. Israel is also bound to respect and protect all relief and medical personnel and facilities; to respect the prohibitions on forcible transfer and deportation in Palestine; to uphold the right of Palestinians detained in Israel to receive visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross; and to respect the prohibition on the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare. Ten out of eleven judges further held that Israel must facilitate and not obstruct humanitarian aid in Palestine; respect, protect, and fulfil the human rights of those living there; and cooperate with the UN, assisting it in its actions in accordance with the UN Charter and the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Dissenting Vice-President Sebutinde was also the only judge to vote against recognising Israel’s obligation to respect the UN’s privileges and immunities related to its agencies, bodies, officials, property, and assets, and to ensure that UN premises in Palestine are not violated.
https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/196/196-20251022-pre-01-00-en.pdf
Poland: Former Serbian Paramilitary Suspected of War Crimes Arrested
On 22 October 2025, Polish authorities arrested a 79-year-old former Serbian paramilitary member, identified as Zivko Z., who is accused of committing war crimes against Croatian civilians during the Yugoslav Wars. He was detained at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport on 16 October, while traveling from Serbia to Canada, where he has resided since 1992. The arrest followed a European warrant issued by a Croatian court in Zagreb. Zivko Z. allegedly served as the “political commissar” of the Bilogora unit during the Croatian War of Independence in 1991. He is accused of ordering, participating in, and failing to prevent crimes such as the capture, torture, and killing of civilians in Grubišno Polje between August and October that year. Prosecutors claim he personally shot and injured one detainee after an escape attempt. He denied the allegations during questioning. Following his arrest, Polish prosecutors requested his extradition to Croatia and an extension of his detention. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in Croatia, or five to 25 years under Polish law. Zivko Z. is reportedly among 24 Serbian fighters charged this year for atrocities in Grubišno Polje, part of the broader conflicts that accompanied Yugoslavia’s violent disintegration in the 1990s.
https://tvpworld.com/89609333/serbian-canadian-war-crimes-suspect-in-warsaw-chopin-airport-arrest
ICC: Judges Reject Duterte’s Jurisdiction Challenge
On 23 October 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) dismissed a jurisdictional challenge submitted by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is accused of crimes against humanity arising from the so-called “war on drugs.” Duterte’s defence argued that the Court lacked competence following the Philippines’ 2019 withdrawal from the Rome Statute. The judges reaffirmed that withdrawal does not retroactively nullify obligations for crimes committed while the State was a Party and upheld the Court’s jurisdiction over acts occurring between 2011 and 2019. The ruling allows the Office of the Prosecutor to continue gathering evidence and to seek confirmation of charges. The ruling does not address other motions put forward by Duterte’s defence to stop the case due to his alleged cognitive decline and being unfit to stand trial. Medical experts are expected to file a report on his health by the end of the month.
US-Russia: Doubts Emerge Over Proposed Trump-Putin Budapest Summit
On 21 October 2025, representatives from both the United States and Russia dashed hopes that Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin would meet soon in Budapest to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine, following Trump’s earlier suggestion the summit would happen “within two weeks.” Both the White House and the Kremlin confirmed there are no immediate plans for the meeting, with Moscow noting that “serious preparation” is needed. The postponement is largely attributed to differing views on the terms for ending the conflict, specifically Russia’s reported demand for control of all of Ukraine’s Donbas region, which conflicts with Trump’s proposal to freeze the current battle lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European allies responded by accusing Moscow of “stalling tactics” and continuing to choose “violence and destruction.”
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/21/doubts-emerge-over-trump-putin-budapest-summit
Sudan: One Million Return to War-Torn Khartoum as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
On 21 October 2025, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported that over one million people have returned to Sudan’s war-ravaged capital, Khartoum, in the ten months between November 2024 and September 2025, seeking to rebuild their lives after being displaced by the civil war. The IOM warned that this movement, while a sign of resilience, is also a “warning,” as the humanitarian situation remains dire, with the city still scarred by conflict, homes damaged, and basic services barely functioning. Across Sudan, 2.6 million return movements were recorded during this period. Furthermore, the UN agency highlighted the escalating crisis in El Fasher, North Darfur’s besieged capital, where thousands remain trapped amid intense fighting, with reports of indiscriminate shelling, sexual violence, and civilians resorting to eating animal feed. The IOM reiterated its appeal to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to “silence the guns,” end the suffering, and find lasting solutions for a nation where life remains “incredibly fragile.”
Venezuela: UN Appointed Experts Denounce US Covert Actions
On 21 October 2025, a group of UN human rights experts condemned what they described as covert United States operations, lethal strikes at sea, and threats of armed force against Venezuela, saying such actions violate the UN Charter and Venezuela’s sovereignty. The experts warned of an “extremely dangerous escalation” with grave implications for regional stability, citing reports of a US military buildup and recent operations targeting vessels off Venezuela’s coast allegedly involved in drug trafficking. They argued that even if such allegations were proven, the use of lethal force in international waters without legal basis breaches the law of the sea and constitutes extrajudicial executions. Moreover, they added that designating groups such as Tren de Aragua as “terrorists” does not justify the use of lethal force either. Overall, the experts urged Washington to halt unlawful actions, respect international law, and recommit to peaceful dispute resolution, warning that “the long history of external interventions in Latin America must not be repeated.”
Peru: State of Emergency Declared in Lima Amid Protests and Rising Crime
On 22 October 2025, Peru’s Interim President Jose Jeri declared a 30-day state of emergency in the capital, Lima, in response to escalating protests and a surge in violent crime. The decree suspends several constitutional rights, including the freedom of assembly, and allows the army to patrol the streets. The announcement follows weeks of Gen-Z-led protests that resulted in the ousting of former president Dina Boluarte on 10 October, after lawmakers accused her of failing to address the rise in extortion and killings. According to official figures, police recorded 1,690 homicides between January and September 2025, up from 1,502 during the same period in 2024. Extortion cases, often linked to homicides, have also risen by 30% this year, reaching an estimated 18,000. Jeri, the parliament speaker who replaced Boluarte as interim president, said the government would shift from a “defensive to offensive” approach to crime. Despite Jeri’s pledge for a new approach, demonstrations continued to intensify, reflecting widespread mistrust toward political leaders and institutions. The new state of emergency comes as anti-government protests demanding Jeri’s resignation turned violent last Thursday, leaving one person dead and about 100 injured, including police officers and journalists. A similar 30-day state of emergency was declared by Boluarte in March after the killing of a well-known musician but had little impact on reducing crime.
North Korea: Test Fires Multiple Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Ahead of APEC Summit
On 22 October 2025, South Korea’s military reported that North Korea had fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) towards the East Sea (Sea of Japan). This launch, the first ballistic missile test in several months, is widely viewed as a strategically timed, calculated provocation. It occurs just one week before South Korea is set to host the high-profile Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, bringing together world leaders including US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Analysts suggest the timing is intended to capture international attention, complicate regional diplomacy, and underscore Pyongyang’s demand for recognition as a nuclear weapons state ahead of any renewed dialogue. The launches also test the new South Korean administration under President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that the military has stepped up surveillance, maintaining a staunch readiness posture while closely sharing all relevant intelligence with the US and Japan to counter the persistent escalation of tensions on the peninsula.
US: Imposes Sanctions on Major Russian Oil Firms to Cut Kremlin War Revenue
On 22 October 2025, the United States announced sweeping sanctions on major Russian energy companies, including Rosneft and Lukoil, marking the first such move of President Trump’s second term. The measures freeze US-based assets, block American financing, and restrict market access for new Russian oil projects. Treasury officials said the sanctions aim to curb revenues funding Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine and to reinforce broader Western efforts to tighten economic pressure on Russia. Kyiv welcomed the announcement as “great news,” while Moscow did not immediately comment. The move followed similar actions by the United Kingdom last week and preceded sweeping EU sanctions the next day, signalling a notable policy shift for the Trump administration, which had previously favoured a conciliatory stance toward Russia and a more transactional approach to Ukraine and Western allies. The decision could have significant implications for the conflict’s diplomatic trajectory as Trump pushes for a ceasefire proposal backed by Kyiv and European leaders to freeze the conflict at the current front lines.
Serbia: Yugoslav General Convicted of War Crimes Dies and Buried with Honours in Belgrade
On 22 October 2025, Nebojsa Pavkovic, a former Yugoslav Army general convicted of war crimes, died in Serbia aged 79, a month after being released from a Finnish prison due to ill health. The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) sentenced him in 2009 to 22 years for participating in a coordinated campaign to expel ethnic Albanians from Kosovo during the 1998–99 conflict. He was also found guilty of murder. The conviction, shared with three other senior Yugoslav and Serbian officials, was confirmed in 2014. Pavkovic led the Yugoslav Army’s Third Battalion during the Kosovo War. Pavkovic was buried with military honours in Belgrade’s Alley of Meritorious Citizens, a resting place for prominent national figures. The Humanitarian Law Centre in Belgrade condemned the state ceremony, calling it a denial of war crimes and an insult to victims. It warned that glorifying a convicted war criminal under the guise of patriotism pressures Serbian society, especially youth, to revere those found guilty of atrocities. Opposition MP Dobrica Veselinovic also criticised the burial, saying it sends a “dangerous message” about Serbia’s past. Despite his conviction, pro-government and far-right groups portrayed Pavkovic as a hero. During imprisonment, he wrote books published by the Serbian Defence Ministry and appeared online from jail.
https://balkaninsight.com/2025/10/20/yugoslav-general-sentenced-for-kosovo-war-crimes-dies-at-79/
Nigeria: Over 50 Boko Haram Militants Killed by Army in Response to Drone Attacks
On 23 October 2025, the Nigerian army said it killed more than 50 Boko Haram fighters following multiple drone attacks launched by the group on military bases in the country’s northeast. According to the army spokesperson Sani Uba, the militants carried out simultaneous attacks in Borno and Yobe states, which were repelled through combined ground and air operations. Uba added that troops are still pursuing more than 70 wounded militants. The assault comes amid a prolonged insurgency by Nigeria’s homegrown jihadi movement Boko Haram, which took up arms in 2009 to impose its radical version of Islamic law. The conflict has since spilled into Nigeria’s northern neighbours, leading to the death of around 35,000 civilians and the displacement of more than 2 million. Following the death of the group’s longtime leader Abubakar Shekau in 2021, Boko Haram split into two factions, one of which is backed by ISIS and has become famous for its attacks on military positions. Recently, the US approved a potential $346 million weapons sale to support security efforts in Nigeria.
https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-boko-haram-drones-attack-53cecf196c896a0f579052aa30654da8
Georgia: ICC Deputy Prosecutor Visits Georgia to Strengthen Cooperation
On 23 October 2025, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan visited Georgia to strengthen collaboration with national authorities, civil society, and victims’ groups, while raising awareness of three pending arrest warrants related to the 2008 conflict in South Ossetia. The ICC’s investigation, opened in 2016, concerns alleged war crimes committed by Georgian, South Ossetian, and Russian forces. In 2022, the Court issued arrest warrants for three South Ossetian officials, Mikhail Mindzaev, Gamlet Guchmazov, and David Sanakoev, accused of unlawfully detaining and mistreating at least 171 Georgian civilians and transferring them from occupied territories as part of a policy to remove Georgian populations. The investigation phase in the Georgia case was concluded on 16 December 2022, when the Court announced that no new lines of inquiry would be pursued, while efforts to bring the suspects to trial would continue. During her visit, Khan met with government representatives, diplomats, and NGOs in Tbilisi, and spoke with displaced communities in Koda and Gori. She explained the status of the investigation, the necessity of arrests for trials to proceed, and the role of the Trust Fund for Victims in providing reparative support. Khan reaffirmed that victim participation and security remain priorities for the ICC. She emphasised the Court’s ongoing efforts to locate and arrest the suspects, preserve evidence, and ensure accountability. Reiterating the ICC’s commitment to justice, Khan called on all States to cooperate, stressing that protecting civilians and enforcing international law are essential in conflict situations.
South Sudan: Peace Monitor Warns of Worsening Security
On 24 October 2025, it was reported South Sudan’s peace monitoring body, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), released its latest quarterly report and warned of a sharp deterioration in security across the country between July and September. The commission noted that clashes have broken out among signatories to the 2018 peace agreement, affecting five of South Sudan’s ten states. In some areas, insecurity has made it impossible for monitors to safely investigate reported ceasefire violations. The report comes as political tensions intensify in Juba, where Vice President Riek Machar and several allies are on trial. Observers say the trial has deepened divisions within the transitional government. Many of Machar’s top commanders have reportedly fled the country, fearing arrest. The political deadlock has paralysed governance, with cabinet meetings suspended since Machar’s detention in March. Meanwhile, President Salva Kiir’s administration has drawn criticism for appointing more than 20 new judges without consulting opposition parties. RJMEC reiterated that while the ongoing trial targets individual actors, the 2018 peace deal calls for the establishment of a hybrid court under African Union oversight to address crimes committed by all parties to the conflict.
Türkiye: At Least 14 Refugees Die as Boat Sinks in Aegean Sea
On 24 October 2025, at least 14 refugees died when an inflatable dinghy sank off the coast of Bodrum in western Türkiye. One survivor, who swam back to the mainland, reported that 18 people had set out on the vessel. Another survivor managed to reach the nearby Celebi Island. Emergency services launched search and rescue operations for others still missing. The route across the Aegean Sea to nearby Greek islands remains highly dangerous, with frequent drownings among those fleeing conflict and poverty in search of safety in Europe. Previous incidents this year and last have killed dozens of people attempting the crossing. Irregular migration continues to strain relations between Greece and Türkiye. Athens has accused Türkiye of allowing migrants to depart its shores, while Ankara has criticised Greek pushbacks. Both countries remain bound by the 2016 EU-Türkiye agreement aimed at controlling the flow of refugees to Europe.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/24/refugee-boat-sinks-off-western-turkiye-killing-at-least-14
Weekly News Recap (8 – 14 December 2025) © Photo by Beatrice Murch via FlickrInternational Justice SectionICC: Ali Kushayb Sentenced to 20 Years’ Imprisonment for Crimes Against Humanity in SudanNepal: Corruption Charges Filed Against 55 Former Officials and a Chinese Firm Over Airport Construction KSC: Kilaj Provisionally Released on Bail
Weekly News Recap (1 – 7 December 2025) © Photo by Sébastien Bertrand via Flickr International Justice Section ICC: El Hishri Appears Before Pre-Trial Chamber for Alleged Crimes Against Humanity in Libya IRMCT: Mladić Request for Reconsideration of Release Decision Denied ICC: OTP Opposes Israel’s Request to Disqualify Prosecutor Karim
Weekly News Recap (24 – 30 November 2025) © Photo by United Nations Photo via Flickr International Justice Section Yemen: Houthi Court Sentences 17 People to Death in Espionage Case Amid Ongoing Crackdowns Brazil: Supreme Court Orders Continued Detention of Former President Bolsonaro Malaysia: High Court Advances Ruling Date on
