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International Peace & Security Section
Czech Republic: Reaffirms Support for Victims of Rome Statute Crimes
Brazil: Protests Erupt After Police Raid Leaves Over 100 Dead in Rio Favelas
Sudan: UN Warns of Atrocities and Humanitarian Collapse as RSF Seizes El Fasher
Tanzania: Deadly Protests Break Out Amid Disputed Presidential Election
ICJ: President Highlights Role of Domestic Courts in Enforcing International Law
France: Investigating Judges Re-Issue New Arrest Warrant for Bashar al-Assad
On 23 October 2025, it was reported French investigating judges of the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Unit re-issued an international arrest warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in relation to the 2013 chemical-weapons attacks in Eastern Ghouta. This is the third arrest warrant France has issued against Assad. The decision follows the lifting of earlier procedural obstacles concerning head-of-state immunity after the Cour de cassation clarified that immunity does not apply to core international crimes. The renewed warrant charges Assad with complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes under France’s universal-jurisdiction provisions and has been transmitted to Interpol for dissemination. While the warrant is unlikely to result in immediate enforcement, it signals a deepening commitment within European jurisdictions to pursue accountability for atrocities committed in Syria and strengthens ongoing cross-border cooperation among national prosecutors addressing impunity for the use of prohibited weapons.
https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/151313-assad-new-french-arrest-warrant.html
UK: Tribunal Ruling Defines Intelligence Agencies’ Duties to Prevent Complicity in Torture
On 27 October 2025, the UK’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) delivered a judgment clarifying the legal duties for UK intelligence agencies, including M15, M16 and GCHQ, when cooperating with foreign counterparts accused of torture or ill-treatment. The case arose from the detention and alleged torture of Mustafa al-Hawsawi by United States authorities, during which UK intelligence was alleged to have contributed information. The IPT concluded that the agencies had not acted unlawfully in this instance but issued detailed guidance emphasising the duty to assess real risks of torture before sharing intelligence. The Tribunal outlined that UK agencies must assess whether a detainee faces a risk of torture or other ill-treatment before sharing intelligence, they must make “reasonable enquiries” or seek assurances from the foreign State that detainees will not be ill-treated, and they must refrain from cooperation where they either “knew or reasonably ought to have known that a detainee was at risk” of being subjected to torture or ill-treatment. The judgment sets a significant precedent by defining the procedural safeguards necessary to ensure compliance with the Convention against Torture and Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, establishing clearer limits on intelligence cooperation in the context of counter-terrorism operations.
ECtHR: Rules States Must Carry Out Adequate Environmental Impact Assessments Before Granting Petroleum Exploration Licences
On 28 October 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered its judgment in Greenpeace Nordic and Others v. Norway, addressing the State’s approval of offshore oil exploration licences in the Barents Sea. The applicants argued that Norway’s decisions breached Articles 2 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights by endangering life and private life through environmental degradation. The Court found no violation, holding that Norway had fulfilled its procedural obligations by conducting environmental-impact assessments consistent with domestic and international law. The Court confirmed States must consider environmental consequences of new oil and gas projects before granting licences and held that when making decisions affecting the environment and climate “the State had to carry out an adequate, timely and comprehensive environmental impact assessment in good faith, and based on the best available science.” While the judgment reaffirmed the importance of environmental due diligence, it emphasised the margin of appreciation afforded to States in balancing economic and environmental interests. The ruling refines the Court’s evolving climate-jurisprudence, building on Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz v. Switzerland and clarifying the threshold for establishing direct victim status in climate-related litigation.
IRMCT: Denies Kayishema’s Requests for Revocation of Referral and Assignment of Counsel
On 29 October 2025, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) delivered its decision rejecting two requests submitted by Rwandan genocide suspect Fulgence Kayishema, one seeking revocation of his referral to Rwanda and the other concerning the assignment of defence counsel. The Chamber found that no new circumstances warranted overturning its earlier referral decision and that Kayishema’s fair-trial rights would be adequately protected under Rwandan jurisdiction. It further confirmed that counsel had been properly assigned in accordance with the Mechanism’s legal aid framework. Kayishema, a former police inspector, is accused of genocide and crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the 1994 Nyange Church massacre. The ruling reinforces the Mechanism’s practice of entrusting competent national courts with residual prosecutions, while ensuring judicial oversight of transferred cases and upholding the continuity of post-ICTR accountability processes.
https://www.irmct.org/sites/default/files/case_documents/MSC54421R0000665390.pdf
Sweden: Trial Opens of Syrian-Palestinian Defendant Accused of War Crimes
On 30 October 2025, it was reported that proceedings had commenced in the Stockholm District Court against a Syrian-Palestinian man accused of war crimes committed in Syria between 2012 and 2013. The defendant, formerly affiliated with an armed opposition group, is charged with violations of international humanitarian law, including the unlawful treatment of captured government soldiers and desecration of corpses. Swedish prosecutors brought the case under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows domestic courts to try grave crimes committed abroad. The trial represents the latest in a series of Syrian-related prosecutions across Europe, demonstrating sustained regional efforts to combat impunity for crimes committed during the country’s conflict. If convicted, the accused could face a lengthy custodial sentence, as previous war crimes trials in Sweden have resulted in life imprisonment.
ICC: Chamber Rejects Kushayb Defence Request for Extension on Sentencing Submissions
On 30 October 2025, Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) dismissed a defence request by Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, for additional time to file sentencing submissions. The Chamber held that the defence had been granted sufficient opportunity following his 6 October 2025 conviction for 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004. It determined that no exceptional circumstances justified further delay. The decision ensures that the sentencing phase will proceed according to the Court’s procedural calendar and maintains the momentum of the first ICC case arising from the Darfur situation. Sentencing submissions from both parties remain due in November, after which the Chamber will schedule a hearing to determine penalties.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/CourtRecords/0902ebd180ce6465.pdf
Ukraine: Extradites Russian Soldier to Lithuania for War Crimes Trial
On 31 October 2025, it was reported Ukraine handed over a captured Russian soldier to Lithuania to face trial for alleged war crimes, marking the first time Ukraine has extradited a Russian soldier to a foreign state to be prosecuted. Ukrainian officials said the man, a former sailor in the Russian military police, was captured in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region. Ukraine’s prosecutor general Ruslan Kravchenko said the man was alleged to be involved in “illegal detention, torture, and inhumane treatment of civilians and prisoners of war,” including a Lithuanian citizen. Lithuania is pursuing war crimes charges against the man who could face life imprisonment. Kravchenko said the extradition was “a historic and important precedent for the entire international justice system.” The Lithuanian prosecutor general’s office said a court in Vilnius ordered the man to remain in prison for at least three months ahead of trial.
https://thedefensepost.com/2025/10/31/ukraine-extradites-captured-russian-soldier/
Czech Republic: Reaffirms Support for Victims of Rome Statute Crimes
On 27 October 2025, the Czech Republic reaffirmed its commitment to international justice by making an unrestricted voluntary contribution of €20,000 to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Trust Fund for Victims (TFV). As a State Party to the ICC since 2009, the Czech Republic has consistently supported the Fund since 2011, with contributions that have steadily increased over time. Mr. Andres Parmas, Chair of the TFV Board, praised the donation as a testament to the Czech Republic’s dedication to assisting victims of Rome Statute crimes in rebuilding their lives and reclaiming their dignity. Ambassador René Miko emphasized that reparations and support for victims are vital components of restorative justice and reconciliation. The TFV finances rehabilitative and reparative programs for victims in ICC cases, including those of Ntaganda and Ongwen, thereby contributing to several UN Sustainable Development Goals such as peace, justice, gender equality, and poverty reduction.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/czech-republic-reiterates-its-commitment-victims-rome-statute-crimes
US: To Reduce Troop Presence on NATO’s Eastern Flank
On 29 October 2025, Romania’s defence ministry confirmed that the US will not replace a brigade of around 1200 troops that rotated out of Romania a month ago, which also included elements stationed across other countries on NATO’s Eastern Flank. Around 1,000 US troops will remain permanently in Romania, with a total NATO presence of 3500 personnel. The decision follows repeated statements from US President Trump’s administration outlining that European allies must assume greater responsibility for their own security as Washington shifts its priorities towards domestic concerns and the Indo-Pacific region. However, the US military insisted the decision does not signal a reduced commitment to NATO, but senior Republican lawmakers on the Senate and House Armed Services Committees condemned the withdrawal and demanded clarification from the Pentagon. Romanian Defence Minister Moșteanu said ties with Washington remain strong, noting the recent delivery of a US advanced air defence system. NATO said it remains in close contact over deployments and downplayed the adjustment as routine. The decision comes despite continuing Russian drone incursions into Romanian airspace and heightened regional security tensions over the war in Ukraine.
Brazil: Protests Erupt After Police Raid Leaves Over 100 Dead in Rio Favelas
On 29 October 2025, protests broke out in Rio de Janeiro following a massive police raid that left at least 119 people dead, in what residents and rights groups have called a “massacre”. The operation, involving some 2,500 police officers and soldiers, targeted the Red Command drug gang in the favelas of Penha and Complexo do Alemão, making it the deadliest police action in Rio’s history. Authorities said 115 suspects and four police officers were killed, while 113 others were arrested. However, questions quickly arose over the use of force, as residents accused the police of executing suspects and tampering with evidence. Witnesses reported that many bodies showed signs of bullet and knife wounds, and in a powerful act of protest, families placed dozens of corpses in Penha’s main square to demand justice. In response to mounting criticism, human rights organisations, the UN, and Brazil’s Supreme Court called for investigations into excessive use of force, while lawmakers summoned Rio’s governor, Claudio Castro, to explain the operation. Castro defended it as a “success” and described Rio as being “at war against narco-terrorism”. President Lula ordered an inquiry and sent federal officials to Rio, urging policing reform to end Brazil’s “cycle of extreme brutality”.
https://apnews.com/article/brazil-favela-deaths-f2e7366d98790c5c90e7996ec8b3282f
Sudan: UN Warns of Atrocities and Humanitarian Collapse as RSF Seizes El Fasher
On 30 October 2025, UN officials told the Security Council that El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has “descended into an even darker hell” after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized the city from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) following a 500-day siege. UN relief chief Tom Fletcher described “credible reports of mass executions, rape and starvation,” warning that civilians face “utter impunity” as fighters move from house to house. Nearly 500 patients and their companions were reportedly killed in the Saudi Maternity Hospital. Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee said the city’s fall marks “a significant shift in the security dynamics” in the region, where violence is also intensifying across Kordofan, Blue Nile and Khartoum. UN human rights monitors have documented ethnically targeted killings and reprisals in El Fasher and Bara, where at least 50 civilians were also killed this week. Moreover, over four million people have fled Sudan into neighbouring countries, while over 40% of the remaining population are experiencing food insecurity. Fletcher highlighted the resignation of the international community to the crisis in Darfur and urged the Security Council to act decisively to halt atrocities and weapons flows.
Tanzania: Deadly Protests Break Out Amid Disputed Presidential Election
On 30 October 2025, hundreds of Tanzanians protested for a second day following a contested election, with Amnesty International reporting two deaths so far, though the total number of casualties remains unclear. The unrest followed the barring of opposition presidential candidates. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu remains imprisoned on treason charges after calling for electoral reform, while Luhaga Mpina, the candidate for the second-largest opposition party, was barred from running. This left incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan, whose party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has ruled the country since independence in 1961, facing only minor-party challengers. The government responded by shutting down the internet, imposing a curfew, and deploying the military, with roadblocks across the country restricting movement of nonessential workers. With protests still ongoing, early results indicated a strong lead for President Hassan, who secured 96.99% of votes in eight out of 272 constituencies counted by Thursday morning. International observers, including the European Parliament, criticised the election as “neither free nor fair” and called for the protection of human rights. Amnesty International also urged investigations into the use of force against protesters.
https://apnews.com/article/tanzania-election-samia-suluhu-protests-f3727b56c50c256d2d083632594aa5e6
Iran: Denounces US Nuclear Testing Call
On 31 October 2025, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned US President Donald Trump’s instruction to the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing, calling the move “regressive and irresponsible” and a “serious threat to international peace and security.” Araghchi, posting on social media, called the US the world’s “most dangerous proliferation risk” and accused the nation of hypocrisy for demonizing Iran’s nuclear program while escalating the global nuclear arms race. The US decision to resume testing, which the US last conducted in 1992, was announced by Trump to ensure the arsenal “functions properly” and to match the capabilities of rivals like Russia and China. Expert Trevor Findlay, however, clarified that the testing likely refers to un-warheaded missile launches, not actual nuclear explosions. Analysts warn that this development risks undermining the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and other non-proliferation agreements, potentially triggering a new arms race and adding a new layer of tension to the fraught relationship between Tehran and Washington.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/31/iran-condemns-trumps-call-to-resume-us-nuclear-testing
China: Summit with US Reveals Decisive Power Shift
On 31 October 2025, a summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC meeting in South Korea highlighted a visible shift in the global balance of power. Analysts noted that Xi entered the talks in a significantly stronger bargaining position than in 2019, successfully securing a rare concession: a partial rollback of US technology-related export controls. This leverage was built by China’s strategic efforts to fortify its economy, including “weaponizing” its control over rare-earth metals and significantly reducing its reliance on US agricultural products like soybeans. While Xi emphasized the two nations were now on “equal status,” the resulting trade truce largely restored pre-April status quo trade relations. Experts concluded that China has increased its global stature, successfully utilizing a transactional approach to deal-making, suggesting the US era of unilateral containment is over.
ICJ: President Highlights Role of Domestic Courts in Enforcing International Law
On 31 October 2025, H.E. Judge Iwasawa Yuji, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), addressed the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee in New York, highlighting the increasing significance of domestic institutions in the application and enforcement of international law. He emphasized that while States are obligated under Article 94 of the UN Charter to comply with ICJ judgments, the actual enforcement largely relies on domestic legal systems. Judge Iwasawa referenced landmark cases, including Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mexico v. United States of America) and Jurisdictional Immunities of the State (Germany v. Italy), to illustrate how national courts interpret and implement ICJ rulings. He also emphasised the “principle of consistent interpretation,” urging domestic courts to align national legal frameworks with international norms. In discussing the 2025 ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change, he stressed the need for national judiciaries, legislatures, and executives to translate the Court’s findings into concrete action, thereby reinforcing the role of international law in addressing global challenges.
https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/press-releases/0/000-20251031-sta-01-00-en.pdf
Weekly News Recap (5 – 11 January 2026) © Photo by Kurdishstruggle via FlickrInternational Justice SectionNigeria: Former Justice Minister Granted Bail in Graft Case Bosnia and Herzegovina: New War Crimes Charge Against Bosnian-Serb Commander Currently Serving Genocide Sentence Somalia: Investigation Launched into Yemeni Separatist Leader’s Flight via Mogadishu AirportICJ: Myanmar
Weekly News Recap (29 December 2025 – 4 January 2026) © Photo by Taymaz Valley via Flickr International Justice Section ECtHR: Six-Week Deadline Set for Third-Party Intervention in Kavala v. Türkiye (No. 2) IRMCT: Rejects Kayishema’s Request to Revoke Referral to Rwanda Syria: Authorities Open Criminal Investigation into Assad-Era Mass
Weekly News Recap (15 – 21 December 2025) © Photo by Transparency International EU Office via Flickr International Justice Section ICC: Appeals Chamber Rejects Israel’s Attempt to Pause Palestine Investigations ICC: Extension Granted for Ali Kushayb’s Appeal Filing in Sudan Case France: Court Sentences Roger Lumbala to 30 Years for
