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International Peace & Security Section
Ukraine: Widespread Power Cuts as Russia Continues Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure
US: Senate Passes $901 Billion Defence Bill for 2026 and Strengthens Congressional Oversight
ICC: Appeals Chamber Rejects Israel’s Attempt to Pause Palestine Investigations
On 15 December 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber confirmed a Pre-Trial Chamber decision rejecting Israel’s request to order the Prosecutor to issue a new notification under Article 18(1) of the Rome Statute in relation to the situation in Palestine following 7 October 2023. In its appeal, Israel argued that the Pre-Trial Chamber had wrongly treated the new phase of the investigation as a continuation of earlier conflicts. It argued that the Prosecutor’s notification of the conduct of the investigation into the situation in Palestine failed to properly limit the investigation to the events and parties originally referred to in 2018, and that the references contained in the notification were overly broad in both temporal and substantive terms. The Appeals Chamber found, however, that “the alleged crimes demonstrate a continuity of patterns”, even if circumstances shifted after 7 October 2023. It held that the alleged conduct occurring from that date onward remains closely linked to the crisis identified in the 2018 Referral, thereby falling within the Prosecutor’s authority to extend the investigation initiated in 2021. The Chamber further stated that Israel’s appeal failed to account for the Prosecutor’s power to investigate events occurring after the commencement of an investigation. The Appeals Chamber also dismissed Israel’s claim that the notification lacked sufficient detail, agreeing that it adequately identified the types of alleged crimes, the relevant timeframe, and the general categories of potential perpetrators. Finding no material legal error in the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision, the judges confirmed the rejection of Israel’s request, and as a result, the ICC Prosecutor’s investigation into the situation in Palestine will continue without interruption.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/CourtRecords/0902ebd180d42b7d.pdf
ICC: Extension Granted for Ali Kushayb’s Appeal Filing in Sudan Case
On 15 December 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber approved an extension for the Defence of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman to submit its appeal brief against his trial judgment, setting the new deadline at 16:00 on 30 January 2026. Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as “Ali Kushayb,” is being prosecuted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the Darfur region of Sudan, in his capacity as a military leader and commander of the Janjaweed militias during the early 2000s Darfur conflict. The Defence had requested an 85-day extension, citing several factors it said constituted “good cause” under ICC rules. These included ongoing sentencing proceedings that heavily used Defence resources, the need to translate relevant portions of the Trial Judgment into Arabic to ensure Abd-Al-Rahman could fully understand it, delays related to legal aid, public holidays, and the complexity of issues to be addressed in the appeal. The Prosecutor did not oppose an extension but proposed a shorter period. While noting that ICC rules do not automatically require full translations before filing, the Appeals Chamber granted the Defence a 24-day extension and emphasised that it could later seek to amend the grounds of appeal if some translated portions were unavailable at the time of filing.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/CourtRecords/0902ebd180d40b15.pdf
France: Court Sentences Roger Lumbala to 30 Years for Crimes Against Humanity in DRC
On 15 December 2025, the Paris Assize Court sentenced former Congolese Minister Roger Lumbala to 30 years in prison for complicity in crimes against humanity committed during the Second Congo War (1998–2003), marking a historic step against decades of impunity. Lumbala, a former political and military leader, was found responsible for atrocities carried out by his forces, including murder, torture, sexual violence, pillage, and forced displacement, particularly during the notorious military operation Effacer le Tableau in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Many of the attacks targeted ethnic minorities, including the Nande and the indigenous Bambuti communities. The case notably highlighted crimes of sexual violence, giving survivors of rape and sexual slavery a central role in the trial. The ruling also establishes an important legal precedent by recognising systematic attacks on property and livelihoods as crimes against humanity, strengthening the legal framework for future prosecutions in the DRC and beyond. Reparations for victims will be addressed in a separate phase. The conviction, achieved under France’s universal jurisdiction law, marks the first time a national court has held a senior figure accountable for crimes committed during the Second Congo War.
Hong Kong: Court Convicts Jimmy Lai of National Security Offences
On 15 December 2025, the Hong Kong High Court convicted pro-democracy media tycoon and British citizen Jimmy Lai of multiple offences under the territory’s controversial National Security Law. These charges include conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious material. The three-judge panel, which conducted the proceedings without a jury, determined that Lai’s actions, primarily his engagement with foreign officials and his advocacy for international pressure on both Beijing and Hong Kong, represented threats to national security as defined by the law. At 78 years old, Lai has been in detention since 2020, largely in solitary confinement, and he has consistently denied the charges. His conviction, which could result in a life sentence, has sparked considerable international condemnation, with governments and human rights organisations arguing that it undermines freedom of expression and judicial independence. In response, authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing have defended the ruling as lawful and based on evidence, dismissing foreign criticism. Sentencing is set for January 2026, at which point Lai’s defence will seek to mitigate the penalties.
UK: Court Rules Home Office Violated Migrants’ Rights in Detention Centres
On 15 December 2025, the UK High Court determined that the Home Office had violated human rights protections in its treatment of vulnerable migrants held in immigration detention, particularly at Brook House near Gatwick Airport. Mrs Justice Jefford concluded that systemic failings, including a failure to identify and address serious mental health issues, constituted treatment that breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) prohibition against inhuman or degrading treatment. The judgment applied international human rights law directly within a domestic context, critiquing the Home Office’s management of detention safeguards and mandating improvements in policy and practice. Rights organisations celebrated the ruling as a reaffirmation of states’ obligation to uphold international human rights standards, even in the context of immigration enforcement. Legal advocates highlighted that this decision could lead to increased challenges to immigration detention systems across Europe.
UK: Court Affirms Unlawful Detention of Tamil Asylum Seekers on Diego Garcia
On 16 December 2025, the Appeal Court for the British Indian Ocean Territory upheld a lower court’s decision, ruling that over 60 Tamil asylum seekers had been unlawfully detained for three years in Diego Garcia after being shipwrecked while attempting to reach Canada. The court dismissed an appeal from the territory’s commissioner, stating that the evidence presented to justify the detention was “highly selective” and failed to substantiate claims of lawful confinement. The judges concluded that the conditions, characterised by guarded camps and restricted freedom, constituted unlawful detention. The ruling carries significant implications for international justice, as it reinforces legal protections for asylum seekers and underscores state obligations under international human rights norms regarding arbitrary detention and the mistreatment of refugees. It may also lead to further scrutiny of immigration detention practices in overseas territories and could influence compensation claims.
IACtHR: Rules Mexico Responsible for Sexual Violence, Torture, and Death of Indigenous Woman
On 16 December 2025, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) ruled that Mexico is internationally responsible for the sexual assault, torture, and death of Ernestina Ascencio Rosario, a 73-year-old monolingual Nahuatl woman, in 2007, and for denying her family equal access to justice. In the case Ascencio Rosario et al. v. Mexico, the Court determined that the abuses and lack of timely medical care directly caused her death. Ascencio Rosario was raped by members of the Mexican Army during a military operation near her home in Tetlalzinga, Veracruz, linked to anti-narcotics efforts. The attack was classified as torture, intended to intimidate, humiliate, and control the victim. She was transported by her family for nearly 10 hours to the Regional Hospital of Río Blanco, where she died before receiving surgery. The Court noted the hospital lacked Nahuatl interpreters, further impeding access to care. The IACtHR also found Mexico’s investigation inadequate, prematurely closed, and affected by gender, ethnic, and age-based biases. These failures hindered the victim’s children from accessing justice on equal terms and violated their rights to truth and personal integrity. Mexico was found to have breached multiple rights under the American Convention on Human Rights, the Belém do Pará Convention, and the Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture. The Court ordered comprehensive reparations, including a thorough criminal investigation, medical and psychological support for the family, public acknowledgment of state responsibility, training for officials, and the creation of a National Registry of Indigenous Interpreters for health and justice services. The ruling highlights Mexico’s accountability for systemic violence against indigenous women and establishes a major precedent for victims’ rights and access to justice in the Americas.
CJEU: Refugee’s Appeal Against Frontex Referred Back to General Court for Re-Examination
On 18 December 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered a significant ruling in the case of Alaa Hamoudi v. Frontex, remanding the matter back to the EU General Court for further consideration. The CJEU determined that Frontex’s alleged involvement in the forced expulsion of refugees from Greece to Turkey in 2020 was not adequately assessed. The Luxembourg-based court concluded that the evidence presented by Hamoudi, who testified that Greek authorities, potentially with indirect involvement from Frontex, compelled him and 21 others into a life raft and subsequently abandoned them, was sufficiently detailed to warrant thorough examination. This judgment may reduce the burden of proof for migrants pursuing accountability from European agencies involved in border operations. Human rights advocates have praised the decision as a potential precedent that could increase legal scrutiny of border enforcement practices and strengthen the protection of fundamental rights under EU law, particularly the right to effective judicial protection.
https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2025-12/cp250159en.pdf
CJEU: Rules Denmark’s Public Housing Law May Constitute Discrimination
On 18 December 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued a ruling indicating that Denmark’s 2018 “ghetto law,” which mandates reductions in public housing in neighbourhoods with significant non-Western immigrant populations, may indeed constitute ethnic discrimination and potentially violate EU anti-discrimination laws. The CJEU’s preliminary interpretation suggested that these classifications could disproportionately disadvantage residents based on their ethnic origin, thereby indirectly infringing upon EU equality protections and human rights standards. While the CJEU did not invalidate the law itself, its binding interpretation requires Denmark’s Eastern High Court to reconsider the law’s legality. Rights organisations and residents have greeted the ruling as a significant step forward for anti-discrimination enforcement and for aligning domestic laws with broader human rights norms established in the EU and international frameworks.
https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2025-12/cp250164en.pdf
ICC: Arrests Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri for Alleged War Crimes in Libya
On 18 December 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed that former Libyan official Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri was arrested in Germany on 16 December 2025, where he remains in custody pending the conclusion of national proceedings. El Hishri is accused of having directly committed, ordered, or coordinated crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape, and other forms of sexual violence, during his tenure as a senior official at Mitiga Prison from February 2015 to early 2020. Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC issued a sealed arrest warrant for El Hishri on 10 July 2025 as part of the Court’s investigations into the situation in Libya, which have been ongoing since 2011. On 12 May 2025, Libya recognised the ICC’s jurisdiction over crimes committed on its territory for the period from 2011 to 2027. At present, eight other public arrest warrants related to the Libya investigations remain pending.
Australia: 15 Killed in Antisemitic Attack at Bondi Beach
On 14 December 2025, 15 people were killed and nearly 30 wounded in a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, in what authorities described as a targeted antisemitic terrorist attack. Gunmen opened fire from an elevated footbridge as members of Sydney’s Jewish community gathered to mark the first night of Hanukkah. Eyewitnesses described prolonged, indiscriminate shooting that sent families and beachgoers fleeing. Police said one suspected attacker was killed and another arrested in a critical condition, while officers searched for a possible third assailant and safely removed an improvised explosive device from a nearby vehicle. Video footage of the attack showed an unarmed man disarm one of the gunmen. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened an emergency national security meeting, calling the attack “an act of evil antisemitism” and vowing to eradicate extremist violence. Gun attacks in public spaces are rare in Australia. After the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, the country introduced gun law reforms. However, the attack has increased concerns in Australia about domestic terrorism, antisemitism, and gun violence.
Chile: Ultra-Conservative José Antonio Kast’s Election Victory Marks Sharpest Rightward Shift Since Dictatorship
On 15 December 2025, it was reported that far-right candidate José Antonio Kast secured a resounding victory in Chile’s presidential runoff on Sunday, signalling a historic end to the country’s recent leftist leadership. Winning 58% of the vote, the 59-year-old Republican Party leader defeated the governing coalition’s candidate, former Labour Minister Jeannette Jara, who conceded shortly after polls closed. Kast’s campaign capitalised on deep-seated public anxiety regarding rising crime and irregular migration, promising a Trump-inspired “iron fist” approach that includes the construction of border walls and the mass expulsion of undocumented migrants. While the president-elect is an admirer of former dictator Augusto Pinochet and holds staunchly conservative views on social issues, he used his victory speech to call for national unity and a “government for all” in a bid to calm a polarised nation. International right-wing leaders, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Argentine President Javier Milei, hailed the result as a turning point for the region. Despite his decisive mandate, Kast will assume office on 11 March 2026, facing a fractured Congress where he must build consensus to pass his drastic security reforms and economic agenda.
Ukraine: Widespread Power Cuts as Russia Continues Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure
On 17 December 2025, the UN warned that Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis is worsening as repeated Russian attacks on energy infrastructure leave thousands without electricity, heat or the ability to cook for days at a time. According to UN Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale, around half of Kherson’s population, more than 30,000 people, have been without power for several days, while cities such as Odessa face outages lasting more than a week. Schmale stated local authorities can cope with short-term blackouts, but prolonged cuts pose severe risks, especially during winter. UN agencies are prioritising the provision of generators and fuel to schools and health centres to ensure civilians have safe places to gather during extended outages. During a visit to frontline Kherson, Schmale met residents who described the devastation impacts of the war, including neighbourhoods almost entirely destroyed, constant fear of attacks, and the loss of family members. The UN warned that sustained damage to energy infrastructure is compounding humanitarian needs, leaving civilians increasingly vulnerable as the conflict continues.
Somalia: US Air Strikes Surge to Unprecedented Levels as Trump Expands Military Operations
On 17 December 2025, it was reported that there had been a sharp escalation in US air strikes in Somalia since US President Donald Trump’s return to office. According to data from the New America Foundation, the US has carried out at least 111 air strikes since January 2025, exceeding the combined total under the administrations of George W Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The strikes are conducted in support of Somalia’s federal government, which has been fighting armed groups for more than a decade, and primarily target al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate waging an insurgency against the state since 2007, as well as ISIL-Somalia. The escalation follows a policy shift under President Donald Trump, after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth lifted Biden-era restrictions that required White House approval for strikes outside formal war zones, giving US Africa Command broader authority to launch attacks. While Washington frames the campaign as military backing for Somali government forces facing setbacks on the ground, the surge has raised concerns over civilian casualties, with investigative reports documenting the deaths of civilians, including children, during recent operations. The intensified air war has also coincided with heightened political pressure on Somali communities in the US, as Trump has received criticism for racist verbal attacks against immigrants in Minnesota and announced a major immigration crackdown targeting undocumented Somalis, prompting condemnation both in Somalia and within the diaspora.
US: Senate Passes $901 Billion Defence Bill for 2026 and Strengthens Congressional Oversight
On 17 December 2025, the US Senate passed a US$901 billion defence bill for the 2026 fiscal year, combining priorities backed by President Donald Trump with provisions designed to preserve congressional oversight of military power. The National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA), which still needs to be signed by Trump, reflects efforts by Democratic lawmakers, with support from some Republicans, to limit how quickly the administration can scale back US military commitments in Europe. The bill requires the Pentagon to maintain at least 76,000 troops in Europe unless NATO allies are consulted and a reduction is deemed in the US national interest and prevents troop levels in South Korea from falling below 28,500. Congress also reinforced support for Ukraine, authorising US$800 million over the next two years plus additional funding to manufacture weapons for Kyiv. The NDAA provides US$1 billion for security cooperation with Taiwan and US$600 million for Israel. It strengthens reporting requirements on US military operations, increasing congressional oversight following unbriefed strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, and requiring detailed reports and video footage. The bill also revokes previous authorisations for the Iraq (2003) and Gulf (1991) wars, ensuring that future military action requires explicit congressional approval, and permanently lifts certain sanctions on Syria. Other provisions reflect the administration’s America First agenda, including cuts to climate-related defence programmes and the removal of diversity and inclusion offices within the Pentagon.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/17/us-senate-passes-901bn-defence-bill
DRC: Government Labels M23 Withdrawal from Uvira a “Distraction” as Rebels Remain
On 17 December 2025, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) dismissed an announcement by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group that it was to withdraw from the strategic city of Uvira, labelling the move a “non-event, a diversion, a distraction” to ease international pressure. The rebel group, part of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), claimed it was initiating a unilateral pullout as a trust-building measure following a request from the US and the mediation efforts in Doha. However, Congolese officials and residents reported that fighters remained visible in the city, with government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya demanding verifiable proof of a full retreat. The scepticism follows a week of intense violence in South Kivu that killed dozens and displaced over 200,000 people, coming just days after a US-brokered peace deal was signed in Washington. Washington has joined Kinshasa in criticising the offensive, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning Rwanda of potential sanctions for violating the accord. As the humanitarian crisis deepens near the Burundi border, the international community continues to call for a genuine ceasefire and the deployment of a neutral monitoring force to prevent further regional escalation.
US: Announces Arms Sales Worth Over $10 Billion to Taiwan
On 18 November 2025, the US announced arms sales to Taiwan worth more than US$10 billion, including medium-range missiles, artillery systems, drones, and military software. The US State Department said the sales aim to support Taiwan’s self-defence and maintain regional stability, but China sharply condemned the decision, warning it violates bilateral agreements, undermines sovereignty, and increases the risk of military confrontation in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s defence ministry welcomed the announcement, describing the package as a necessary deterrent amid intensifying Chinese military pressure. The deal comes as Taipei debates a significant increase in defence spending, with the government seeking to raise military expenditure to 3.3% of GDP in 2026 and 5% by 2030. These plans follow calls by US President Donald Trump for Taiwan to spend up to 10% of its GDP on defence, a demand that has drawn pushback from the opposition KMT party and sections of the public. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te last month announced a special US$40 billion budget for arms purchases but has struggled to secure legislative approval for the military spending plan.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/18/us-announces-more-than-10bn-of-arms-sales-to-taiwan
Weekly News Recap (21 – 27 September 2026) © Photo by United Nations Photo via FlickrInternational Justice SectionICJ: Colombia Withdraws Intervention in South Africa v. Israel Genocide CaseECtHR: Finds No Violation of Article 5(1) in UK’s Delayed Prisoner ReleasesUK: Rwandan Man Appears in Court Charged with Genocide OffencesSwitzerland: Appeals Court
Weekly News Recap (14 – 20 September 2026) © Photo by Naval Surface Warriors via Flickr International Justice Section Bangladesh: Tribunal Sentences Seven Former Awami League Members to Death El Salvador: Court Imposes Jurisdiction’s First Life Sentence for Femicide El Salvador: Supreme Court Upholds Sentences for Former Military Officials Over
Weekly News Recap (7 – 13 September 2026) © Photo by spoilt.exile via Flickr International Justice Section ECtHR: Finds Azerbaijan Violated Article 3 in Excessive Police Force and Inadequate Medical Treatment Case ECtHR: Finds No Violation of Article 8 in the Netherlands’ Refusal of Family Reunification for Children from Polygamous
