© Photo by Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan via Wikimedia Commons
International Peace & Security Section
Guatemala: President Declares State of Emergency Following Prison Riots
Nigeria: Over 160 Missing after Mass Kidnapping at Kaduna State Churches
Lebanon: Two Killed in Israeli Airstrikes Targeting Syria-Lebanon Border Crossings
Greenland: Trump Pauses Tariffs After Reaching Strategic ‘Framework’ with NATO
West Bank: Israeli Minister Approves Gun Licences for 18 Illegal Settlements
Greece: 24 Aid Workers Acquitted of Migrant-Smuggling Charges
On 16 January 2026, 24 aid workers were acquitted of migrant smuggling charges in Lesbos, Greece. The defendants were arrested seven years ago on charges including involvement in a criminal organisation facilitating the illegal entry of migrants and money laundering, offences carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison. Many European Union countries, including Greece, are implementing stricter migration regulations amid the growing influence of right-wing political parties throughout the region. The defendants worked for the Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) on the island of Lesbos, a non-profit organisation dedicated to search-and-rescue efforts. The defendants aided asylum-seekers in danger of drowning between 2015 and 2018, during which thousands of migrants crossed the waters from Turkey to Greece. Among the defendants were former Syrian migrant Sara Mardini, who returned to Lesbos to help other refugees, and Sean Binder, an Irish-German human rights activist. Both were arrested in 2018 and spent over 100 days in pre-trial detention. The court dismissed all charges, with the presiding judge Vassilis Papathanassiou stating that the defendants’ intention was “not to commit criminal acts but to provide humanitarian aid.” Earlier, Prosecutor Dimitris Smyrnis had recommended their acquittal, noting that “no independent basis establishing the criminal liability of the defendants has been demonstrated” Defence lawyer Zacharias Kesses outlined that the ruling was received with “bittersweet relief.” Kesses noted that while the charges were baseless, prolonged delays within the Greek judicial system dragged out the case, resulting in hundreds of people withdrawing from humanitarian aid activity. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, welcomed the ruling and urged Greece and other European countries to protect human rights defenders and aid workers.
https://www.reuters.com/world/greek-court-acquits-aid-workers-migrant-smuggling-charges-2026-01-16/
IACtHR: Declares Honduras Responsible for Discriminatory Arrests and Failure to Investigate the Death of a Trans Woman
On 19 January 2026, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) announced its judgement in the case Leonela Zelaya and another vs. Honduras, finding the State of Honduras internationally responsible for the unlawful and discriminatory arrest of Leonela Zelaya, as well as for its failure to investigate and punish her death. In the judgement dated 2 October 2025, the Court held that Zelaya – a trans woman, sex worker, HIV-positive, and living in poverty – was unlawfully arrested on three occasions between January and September 2004 on the basis of ambiguous and excessively discretionary regulations, without adequate or objective justification. The IACtHR further found that Honduras committed grave shortcomings in the investigation into Zelaya’s death. These included failures to properly identify the victim, document the crime scene where her body was found, gather relevant testimonies, and explore hypotheses related to gender-based violence against trans women and Zelaya’s gender identity as a possible motive. The State also failed to conduct the investigation within a reasonable time. The Court concluded that by disregarding Zelaya’s gender identity and expression during her arrests and throughout the investigation into her death, Honduras violated her rights to recognition before the law, private life and personal liberty, a name, freedom of expression, equality, and non-discrimination. Additionally, the Court ruled that the unjustified delay and inadequate investigation violated the personal integrity of Thalía Rodríguez, Zelaya’s life partner, considering both the discriminatory context faced by trans women in the pursuit of justice and the psychological suffering caused by the lack of clarification of the facts. As reparations, the IACtHR ordered Honduras to reopen the investigation into Zelaya’s death to identify and hold those responsible accountable, publicly acknowledge its international responsibility, and reform its regulations to ensure that deprivation of liberty occurs only in circumstances clearly and previously established by law.
Russia: Court Sentences Journalist for Publishing “Fake News” About the Armed Forces
On 19 January 2026, the Sovetsky District Court in Makhachkala, the capital of Russia’s Dagestan region, sentenced journalist and women’s rights defender Svetlana Anokhina to five years’ imprisonment for allegedly disseminating “false news” about the Russian armed forces. The court convicted Anokhina in absentia under Part 1 of Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which was introduced following the invasion of Ukraine to criminalise public statements deemed to discredit the military. The prosecution alleged that Anokhina’s reporting and public commentary amounted to the intentional spread of false information, while the defence denied wrongdoing and challenged the application of the law. The sentencing imposed a custodial penalty at the upper end of the available range. This judgment forms part of a broader pattern of criminal proceedings brought against journalists, activists, and civil society actors under wartime legislation. The court’s ruling took immediate effect, subject to appeal under domestic law. The case raised issues concerning freedom of expression, proportionality of criminal sanctions, and judicial independence within the domestic legal system.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/01/20/five-year-sentence-for-speaking-out-against-war-on-ukraine
Kosovo: Former Prison Guard Pleads Not Guilty to War Crimes Charges
On 20 January 2026, Boban Tonic, a former prison guard accused of participating in the systematic physical and psychological abuse of ethnic Albanian detainees during the 1998-1999 Kosovo conflict, pleaded not guilty before the Pristina Basic Court. According to the indictment, Tonic, who served at prisons in Pristina and Lipjan/Ljipjane, subjected Albanian inmates to torture and inhuman treatment through various means, including repeated beatings, kicking, starvation, and suffocation, causing serious injury, fear, and suffering. Tonic’s defence argued that the charges lack specificity and that the indictment does not clearly describe the alleged prohibited conduct. An objection to the indictment may be submitted within 20 days. The case forms part of ongoing efforts in Kosovo to address allegations of wartime atrocities and to hold individuals accountable for violations committed during the 1998-1999 conflict.
https://balkaninsight.com/2026/01/20/ex-prison-guard-pleads-not-guilty-to-kosovo-war-crime-charges/
Switzerland: Former Syrian Vice President Rifaat al-Assad Dies Before Facing War Crimes Trial
On 21 January 2026, it was reported Rifaat al-Assad, former Syrian vice-president and uncle of former President Bashar al-Assad, also known as the “Butcher of Hama,” had died at the age of 88 without standing trial for crimes committed during the 1982 Hama crackdown. His death brought an end to criminal proceedings initiated in Switzerland in 2024 under the principle of universal jurisdiction for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Swiss prosecutors had opened an investigation following complaints submitted by TRIAL International, alleging al-Assad’s involvement in commanding forces responsible for mass killings, arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearances during the military operation in Hama, which lasted approximately one month and resulted in the deaths of between 10,000 and 40,000 civilians. The proceedings, however, remained pending for years due to procedural delays, including disputes concerning the accused’s fitness to stand trial, prompting questions raised by the United Nations in 2018 regarding possible political interference. Al-Assad’s death definitively closes the case and precludes any judicial determination of responsibility for the alleged crimes.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/12/switzerland-to-try-syrias-rifaat-al-assad-for-war-crimes
ECtHR: Rules Slovakia Violated Obligation to Prevent Inhuman or Degrading Treatment in Domestic Violence Case
On 21 January 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the case J.S. v. Slovakia found that the Slovak authorities had failed to comply with their positive obligations under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment, in their handling of domestic violence proceedings. The case concerned J.S., who had reported repeated acts of domestic violence committed by her former partner, T., to the Slovak authorities. Criminal proceedings were initiated against T.; however, the investigation and subsequent judicial proceedings progressed slowly and without a context-sensitive assessment of the risks and impact of the violence. Despite extensive testimonial, medical, and expert evidence documenting prolonged and severe domestic abuse, the domestic courts acquitted the perpetrator on three occasions, with the proceedings extending over more than eight years. While the Court acknowledged that the authorities’ failure to conduct a context-sensitive assessment of the case, combined with the excessive length of the proceedings, amounted to a lack of diligence incompatible with Article 3, it declined to recognise the discriminatory dimension of that failure. The Court held that J.S. had not substantiated her complaint under Article 14, noting that she relied on general references to international reports and failed to provide statistical or other evidence demonstrating institutional discrimination or systematic patterns of differential treatment toward women victims of domestic violence. It further emphasised the absence of proof of discriminatory intent on the part of the authorities or of attempts to dissuade her from seeking protection or testifying. Under Article 41, the Court awarded the applicant €16,000 in respect of non-pecuniary damage and €2,500 for costs and expenses.
Ukraine: National on Trial for War Crimes While Serving with Russian Forces
On 21 January 2026, it was reported a Ukrainian national from the Donetsk region is being tried in absentia at the Trostianets district court for war crimes, which he allegedly committed while fighting alongside Russian troops in northern Ukraine during the 2022 invasion. Prosecutors allege that Mykhailo Bakhmanov took part in the simulated execution of a civilian and committed acts of looting and coercion against residents of a village in the Okhtyrka area of Sumy region. These events occurred during the Russian occupation that followed the initial military advance in March 2022. The prosecution maintains that the unit to which Bakhmanov belonged exercised control over the village for several weeks and that the alleged abuses took place on 19 March 2022, when armed personnel confronted local civilians, including elderly residents and a teenage family member, whose identities have been withheld for security reasons. The proceedings reflect Ukraine’s reliance on its national courts to address suspected breaches of international humanitarian law, including through trials conducted in the absence of the accused. The case forms part of broader efforts by Ukrainian authorities to record, investigate, and prosecute alleged crimes committed during the ongoing armed conflict.
https://iwpr.net/global-voices/war-crimes-trial-ukrainian-serving-russian-army
Belgium: Court Holds Hearing on Whether to Pursue Prosecution Over Patrice Lumumba Assassination
On 21 January 2026, it was reported that the Brussels Court of First Instance, sitting as the chambre du conseil, held a closed-door hearing to determine whether criminal proceedings should advance against the last surviving former Belgian official alleged to have been involved in the 1961 assassination of Patrice Émery Lumumba, the first democratically elected prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The hearing concerned a long-running investigation into allegations that the former official participated in acts of unlawful detention and transfer that contributed to Lumumba’s killing during the period following Congolese independence from Belgian colonial rule. The chambre du conseil, which is responsible under Belgian law for deciding whether investigative files should be referred for trial, examined submissions from the prosecution and from civil parties representing Lumumba’s family on whether the evidentiary record justified proceeding with judicial action. The hearing did not result in an immediate public ruling, with the court indicating that a decision is expected on 17 March 2026. Lumumba’s family described the hearing as a step toward “justice and truth.”
https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/01/21/the-need-for-progress-on-justice-and-reparations
ICC: Rejects Defence Application Appeal in Ali Kushayb Case
On 21 January 2026, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a decision on a Defence application under Regulation 37(2) of the Regulations of the Court in the case of The Prosecutor v. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (Ali Kushayb). The application sought appellate intervention in relation to procedural matters arising from the conduct of the proceedings in the Darfur situation. The Appeals Chamber examined whether the application met the admissibility and procedural requirements for consideration at the appellate level, and assessed the scope of its jurisdiction under the relevant regulatory framework. In its decision, the Chamber clarified the circumstances in which Regulation 37(2) could be invoked and reiterated the limits of appellate review in relation to ongoing trial proceedings. The Chamber declined to grant the relief sought, finding that the application did not satisfy the criteria for appellate intervention at that stage. The decision left the underlying proceedings before the Trial Chamber unaffected.
Japan: Court Imposes Life Sentence on Man for Assassination of Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
On 21 January 2026, the Nara District Court in Japan sentenced Tetsuya Yamagami, the man convicted of assassinating former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to life imprisonment, bringing an end to criminal proceedings arising from the 2022 killing. The court found the defendant guilty of murder and firearms offences, accepting that the attack had been premeditated and carried out using a homemade weapon. Yamagami fatally shot Abe while he was delivering a campaign speech in the western city of Nara. At the time of the shooting, Abe was no longer Japan’s Prime Minister but remained an important figure within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Defence lawyers argued for a maximum sentence of 20 years, citing hardship endured by his family due to his mother’s devotion to the Unification Church, including having donated her life savings, which allegedly contributed to Yamagami’s grudge against the organisation. The killing drew attention to links between the LDP and the Unification Church, which many consider to be a cult. In determining the sentence, the court considered the gravity of the offence, the political significance of the victim, and the impact of the crime on public order and democratic processes. The judgment rejected arguments for leniency and imposed the most severe custodial penalty available short of the death sentence. The sentencing decision represented the final judicial determination in one of the most serious political crimes in Japan’s recent history. The judgment took effect immediately, subject to the defendant’s rights under Japanese appellate procedures.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/21/ex-japanese-prime-minister-abes-killer-sentenced-to-life
ECtHR: Rules Belgium Violated Presumption of Innocence Rights in Social-Security Fraud Case
On 22 January 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered its judgment in the case Kaya v. Belgium, finding that aspects of the domestic criminal proceedings against the applicant violated rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The applicant was found guilty of social-security fraud, and the Court determined that there was a lack of adherence to the principles of judicial impartiality and presumption of innocence under Article 6. Judge A.B. participated in proceedings at both the criminal court and the Court of Cassation, which may have raised doubts about his impartiality and thus called into question the fairness of the applicant’s appeal. Additionally, prosecutor D.M. made public statements during the criminal process that may have conveyed a premature assessment of guilt and prejudiced the applicant’s right to a fair trial. In its judgment, the Court held that the cumulative effect of the impugned statements, and their public dissemination, created the appearance that the applicant had been treated as guilty before a final determination by a competent court. The Court further assessed whether the domestic judicial authorities had adequately counterbalanced these effects during the proceedings. Concluding that the presumption of innocence had been breached, the Court found a violation of Article 6. The judgment clarified that public authorities must exercise restraint in communications relating to ongoing criminal cases and reaffirmed the importance of institutional neutrality. The Court’s ruling gave rise to an obligation on Belgium to take appropriate measures to address the violation in accordance with the Convention framework.
DRC: Army Re-Enters Uvira After M23 Rebels’ Withdrawal
On 19 January 2026, it was reported that Congolese government forces and allied Wazalendo militias re-entered the strategic town of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), just over a month after it fell to Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. The withdrawal by M23 follows international pressure, including US criticism that Rwanda’s actions were undermining a US-brokered peace deal reaffirmed in Washington by Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame. Despite the return of government forces, the security situation remains volatile. Heavy fighting continues on the outskirts of Uvira, with both sides accusing each other of looting within the town. M23’s brief capture of Uvira in December marked one of its most significant advances, raising fears of wider regional spillover given Uvira’s proximity to Burundi. More broadly, the continued violence highlights the fragile state of peace efforts in eastern DRC. M23 still controls more territory than ever, including Goma and Bukavu, the provincial capitals of North and South Kivu. While African leaders have renewed calls for Doha-mediated talks between DRC and M23 to resume, the rebels’ sustained territorial gains underscore the limits of current diplomatic initiatives.
Guatemala: President Declares State of Emergency Following Prison Riots
On 19 January 2026, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo declared a 30-day state of emergency following a surge of gang-related violence triggered by coordinated prison riots and retaliatory attacks on police. The violence began over the weekend when gang-affiliated inmates took 46 prison guards and staff members hostage in three prisons in Guatemala City. The prison riots followed authorities’ move to curtail privileges enjoyed by imprisoned gang leaders, including the leader of Guatemala’s Barrio 18 gang, Aldo “El Lobo” Duppie. Security forces later regained control and freed all hostages. At least seven police officers were killed, and several others were wounded in reprisal attacks launched by suspected gang members. The state of emergency limits citizens’ rights and gives state forces special powers, such as making arrests without prior court approval. The president framed the violence as an attempt to intimidate the state into retreating from its crackdown on organised crime, declaring three days of national mourning and vowing to intensify pressure on gangs.
Nigeria: Over 160 Missing after Mass Kidnapping at Kaduna State Churches
On 20 January 2026, it was reported over 170 people were abducted by armed gangs during church services in Kurmin Wali village, Kaduna State, underscoring Nigeria’s worsening internal security challenges. Gunmen stormed two churches, including the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, seizing worshippers in one of the largest recent mass kidnappings in northern Nigeria. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria, at least 163 people remain missing, despite some children managing to escape. The attack adds pressure on the Nigerian government, which faces growing domestic and international scrutiny over its ability to protect civilians. The situation has received attention from US President Donald Trump, who has accused Abuja of failing to prevent violence against Christians. The Nigerian government strongly denies these claims, insisting the violence is criminal rather than religiously systematic. The episode highlights the persistent threat posed by heavily armed criminal gangs, many of them ideologically Islamist, across northern Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom have become endemic. These groups exploit weak state presence in rural areas, overwhelming local communities and undermining public confidence in security forces.
Lebanon: Two Killed in Israeli Airstrikes Targeting Syria-Lebanon Border Crossings
On 22 January 2026, Israel said it carried out air strikes on four crossing points along the Syria-Lebanon border, claiming they were used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons. The strikes followed a day of intense Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon that killed at least two people and wounded nearly 20 others, according to Lebanese authorities. The Israeli military said it also killed a senior Hezbollah weapons smuggler in the Sidon area, while Lebanese media reported multiple strikes on towns including Qanarit, Kfour, Jarjouh, and al-Ansar after Israeli warnings were issued. The attacks came despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreed in November 2024 to halt more than a year of hostilities, which has since been repeatedly violated. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned what he described as Israel’s “policy of systematic aggression”, accusing it of directly targeting civilians and inhabited villages. The Lebanese army said the strikes hit civilian buildings and homes in a blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and the ceasefire agreement, adding that such attacks hinder efforts to implement its terms. According to an AFP tally, more than 350 people have been killed in Lebanon since the truce came into force.
Greenland: Trump Pauses Tariffs After Reaching Strategic ‘Framework’ with NATO
On 22 January 2026, it was reported that US President Donald Trump had agreed to the formation of a “framework for a future deal” regarding Greenland and the broader Arctic region following a high-stakes meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Davos. The announcement marks a significant de-escalation of a diplomatic crisis that saw Trump threaten 10% tariffs, slated to rise to 25% by June, against eight European nations, including Denmark and the UK, unless they facilitated the US acquisition of the autonomous territory. While Trump reiterated his desire to control the mineral-rich island to counter Russian and Chinese influence, he explicitly ruled out the use of military force for the first time. NATO officials clarified that the “framework” focuses on collective security enhancements and the renegotiation of the 1951 defence pact rather than a change in Danish sovereignty. Additionally, the deal reportedly includes discussions on integrating Greenland into “The Golden Dome,” a proposed US missile defence shield. Despite the reprieve in trade tensions, Danish and Greenlandic leaders remain firm that the island is not for sale, though they have expressed a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue regarding Arctic security and strategic investments.
West Bank: Israeli Minister Approves Gun Licences for 18 Illegal Settlements
On 22 January 2026, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir approved the issuance of gun licences for residents of 18 additional illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, extending a broad armament policy promoted by the far-right government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ben-Gvir said the decision would allow settlers in these outposts to apply for personal weapon licences, presenting it as a measure to enhance self-defence and personal security. The move comes amid the continued expansion and retroactive legalisation of settlement outposts, which Israel considers necessary for security, but which are illegal under international law and widely seen as undermining prospects for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. Israeli settlers have increasingly been equipped with military-grade weapons, a trend that rights groups say has contributed to violence and the forced displacement of Palestinian communities. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 1,800 settler attacks against Palestinians were documented in 2025, affecting around 280 communities across the West Bank. In the same year, 240 Palestinians, including 55 children, were killed by Israeli forces or settlers. In 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) determined that Israel’s ongoing presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and must cease “as rapidly as possible”.
US: Trump Unveils ‘Board of Peace’ at Davos Ceremony
On 22 January 2026, US President Donald Trump officially launched the ‘Board of Peace’ at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, an initiative he claimed would replace “endless wars” with “endless deals.” Flanked by high-profile figures including tech mogul Elon Musk and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Trump described the board as a high-level mediation body designed to apply private-sector negotiation tactics to global conflicts. The ceremony featured the signing of the “Davos Declaration,” which outlines the board’s intent to mediate between world powers and reduce US military expenditures abroad. While Trump’s supporters hailed the move as a revolutionary shift toward pragmatic diplomacy, critics and diplomatic veterans expressed scepticism, warning that the board could bypass established international institutions like the UN and prioritize transactional interests over human rights and long-term stability. The launch comes amid a backdrop of heightened global volatility, with analysts suggesting the initiative marks a significant pivot in US foreign policy toward a more unilateral, business-oriented approach to international security.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/22/trump-launches-board-of-peace-at-ceremony-in-davos
Mozambique: Over 600,000 Displaced by Severe Floods
On 24 January 2026, the Mozambican government issued an appeal for international assistance following severe flooding that has displaced approximately 600,000 people and destroyed local infrastructure. The National Disaster Management Institute (INGD) stated the country is experiencing its worst flooding in decades due to torrential rains. The provinces of Gaza, Zambezia, Inhambane, and Sofala are among the hardest hit, with an estimated 40% of Gaza Province submerged. INGD deputy chairperson Gabriel Monteiro said the resources in Mozambique “were insufficient to respond to a disaster of this scale.” It is reported at least 13 people have died due to the flooding, and many more remain missing. The death toll is expected to rise. South Africa and the UK have deployed military personnel to support rescue efforts. Displaced people are facing acute shortages of shelter, as well as essentials such as water, sanitation, and food. In 2000, Mozambique also experienced severe flooding which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,000 people.
Weekly News Recap (12 – 18 January 2026) © Photo by Phillip Pessar via FlickrInternational Justice Section Austria: Rights Group Files Criminal Complaint in Austria Over Gaza War Crimes CJEU: Upholds Inclusion of Syrian Businessman on Sanctions List KSC: Closing Statements in Thaçi’s Trial Scheduled for February Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Weekly News Recap (5 – 11 January 2026) © Photo by Kurdishstruggle via Flickr International Justice Section Nigeria: 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
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
