© Photo by Babak Fakhamzadeh via Flickr
International Peace & Security Section
EU: Council Sanctions Target Russian Judicial Officials Over Human Rights Violations
Lebanon: One Killed and 29 Wounded in Latest Israeli Strikes on Bekaa Valley
West Africa: Militant Attacks Surge in the Niger-Benin-Nigeria Border Zone
DRC: At Least 171 Bodies Discovered in Mass Graves Near Uvira
Iran-US: Major Military Escalation Results in Death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei in US Strikes
IACtHR: Finds Brazil Responsible for Racial Discrimination and Negligence in Case of Police Killing of Black Youth
On 24 February 2026, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) announced that it had found Brazil internationally responsible for human rights violations in the case of Cley Mendes et al. (Chacina do Tapanã) v. Brazil arising from negligence and discriminatory practices in the investigation and prosecution of the torture and killing of three poor Black teenagers in the favela of Tapenã, Pará. The Court found that Brazil failed to exercise due diligence in both the criminal investigation and the related judicial proceedings. Authorities did not adequately investigate the alleged torture and extrajudicial executions, and the proceedings were marked by excessive delays despite the victims’ status as minors. The Court also emphasised that negative stereotypes and discriminatory assumptions influenced the conduct of both the police and the Public Prosecutor. In particular, the use of pejorative labels such as “thief” and “murderer,” and the unfounded presumption that the victims were responsible for the death of police officers, were deemed clear expressions of racial and socio-economic bias. Situating the case within a broader context, the Court recognised a pattern of structural discrimination and lethal police violence against young Afro-descendant men living in poverty in Brazil. It concluded that negligence and discriminatory prosecution obstructed the clarification of the facts and contributed to structural impunity in such cases. Accordingly, the Court declared Brazil responsible for violating the rights to judicial guarantees and judicial protection under the American Convention on Human Rights, as well as for breaching its obligations under the Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture. As reparations, the Court ordered Brazil to publicly acknowledge its responsibility; establish an inter-institutional dialogue mechanism in Pará to address the causes of impunity and discrimination in cases of lethal police violence; and create a system to collect and publish data on the investigation and prosecution of such cases.
https://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/comunicados/cp_12_2026_ENG.pdf
Ukraine: First War Crimes Charges Announced Over Russian Atrocities in Ukraine
On 24 February 2026, European prosecutors and Ukrainian authorities announced the first criminal charges connected to atrocities committed during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, four years after the conflict began. According to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), following coordinated investigations led by EU states, Ukraine, the ICC, and Europol, suspects have now been formally charged with grave international crimes committed in Ukraine and linked to detention facilities. The OCCRP reported that information provided by Eurojust, the agency supporting the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, revealed the existence of a central investigative database containing around 10,000 files from 17 countries, consolidated to support ongoing and future prosecutions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled mass graves and widespread devastation across the country, affirming that the conflict has left “deep scars” on Ukrainians.
Cyprus: Court Approves Extradition of Israeli National to Russia for 2009 Arctic Sea Piracy Case
On 24 February 2026, a court in Cyprus’ Larnaca District ordered the extradition of Israeli Alex Brodsky (also previously known as Alexey Kertsgur) to Russia to face charges of aggravated piracy in connection with the 2009 hijacking of the cargo ship Arctic Sea. Brodsky was detained in Cyprus in October 2025 due to an Interpol red notice issued at Russia’s request, alleging his involvement in planning and facilitating the armed seizure of a vessel in the Baltic Sea, during which its 15 crew members were assaulted and held hostage. Other suspects in the case were convicted years ago and received lengthy prison terms, while Brodsky fled after being released on bail and later acquired Israeli citizenship, serving in the Israeli Border Police and the Prison Service. Brodsky denies involvement, and his defence plans to appeal the ruling to Cyprus’ Supreme Court, arguing misidentification and concerns about fair treatment if sent to Russia. The court concluded that the man arrested in Cyprus was the same individual wanted by Russia, confirming that his 2012 name change was verified through Interpol and that his personal details matched those in the extradition request. The judges also rejected arguments concerning potential human rights risks, stating that general concerns about Russia’s withdrawal from the Council of Europe were insufficient without concrete evidence of a personal risk.
Panama: Supreme Court Ruling Triggers State Takeover of Canal Port Concessions
On 24 February 2026, the Supreme Court of Panama upheld a constitutional ruling that invalidated the extension of a major port concession held by Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings. This ruling prompted the Panamanian government to take control of two strategically significant ports along the Panama Canal. The Court determined that the renewal of the concession violated constitutional and public-interest requirements governing state assets. In response to the decision, authorities initiated the nationalisation of port operations, while the company announced its intention to pursue international arbitration, claiming that investor protections under international agreements had been infringed upon. The dispute has quickly gained international legal significance due to its implications for foreign investment security, infrastructure governance, and treaty-based arbitration mechanisms.
Poland: Six Charged Over Attempt to Smuggle Drone Manufacturing Equipment to Russia
On 25 February 2026, Polish prosecutors announced that six individuals had been charged in connection with a sanctions-law violation after allegedly trying to export equipment to Russia that could support the manufacture of combat drones. According to the Polish National Prosecutor’s Office and Internal Security Agency, the police carried out coordinated searches and arrests on 18 February 2026, detaining four Belarusian nationals and two Polish citizens. Authorities say the suspects attempted to smuggle a machine used to automate the production of integrated circuits, components that can be used in assembling combat drones, through Belarus into Russia, in breach of Poland’s sanctions rules designed to counter support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine and protect national security. Prosecutors charged them under provisions of Poland’s sanctions law and other criminal statutes; sanctions-law breaches carry a minimum three-year prison term. A court in Łódź ordered pre-trial detention for three of the suspects and imposed measures such as police supervision, bail and travel bans on the others. Authorities also seized about PLN 400,000 in cash during the investigation.
ICC: Confirmation of Charges Hearing Underway in Duterte Case
On 26 February 2026, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) continued its assessment of the confirmation of charges hearing against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The Chamber is assessing whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial on charges of crimes against humanity in connection with his “war on drugs.” Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity (murder), relating to alleged killings during his presidency and earlier tenure as mayor of Davao City. Prosecutor Edward Jeremy presented witness testimony alleging that Duterte played a central role in orchestrating anti-drug operations that resulted in thousands of deaths. According to the Prosecution, Duterte created “death lists” and publicly named individuals who were subsequently killed. Witnesses claimed that impoverished communities were disproportionately targeted because victims were less likely to report abuses. Some witnesses described extreme brutality, including children allegedly being strangled by police. Prosecutors also relied on video and other materials in which Duterte appeared to acknowledge or discuss extrajudicial killings. Duterte did not attend the hearing in person. His defence, led by Nicholas Kaufman, cited medical reasons for his absence, although the Court has previously found him fit to stand trial. The defence challenged the Prosecution’s interpretation of Duterte’s public statements, arguing they do not demonstrate intent to incite or order killings. Counsel also noted that alleged drug-related killings reportedly continued under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., raising questions about the broader scope of accountability. Following the hearing, the judges will deliberate and issue a written decision within 60 days on whether to confirm the charges and commit the case to trial.
CJEU: Finds Hungary Breached EU Law by Not Renewing Independent Radio Station’s Licence
On 26 February 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that Hungary violated EU law by refusing to renew the broadcasting license of the independent radio station Klubrádió. In February 2021, after 19 years of broadcasting, Klubrádió was forced off the air when its licence was not renewed by Hungary’s media authority due to alleged regulatory offences by the station. The Court determined that the decision lacked transparency and imposed a disproportionate restriction on media freedom. It found that Hungary’s media regulator had applied administrative requirements in a discriminatory manner, which was incompatible with EU internal market rules and principles that protect pluralism and freedom of expression. This case was part of broader rule-of-law disputes between Budapest and EU institutions concerning judicial independence and democratic standards. Hungarian authorities defended their licensing decision as a technical regulatory issue, while press freedom organisations hailed the ruling as a significant affirmation that member states must ensure fair and impartial media regulation. The ruling requires Hungary to align with EU legal standards concerning media freedom and may influence future enforcement actions related to democratic governance within the Union.
Italy: Court Places Deliveroo Under Judicial Supervision Over Labour Practices
On 26 February 2026, prosecutors in Milan obtained a court order placing Deliveroo’s Italian operations under judicial supervision amid an investigation into alleged labour exploitation involving delivery riders. This measure followed years of litigation examining whether gig-economy workers were inappropriately classified and denied protections mandated by Italian and European labour law. Judges authorised external oversight to ensure compliance with employment standards while criminal investigations continue, reflecting an increasing judicial scrutiny of multinational digital platforms operating across borders. Authorities argued that the supervision order was essential to prevent ongoing violations, while the company stated its commitment to full cooperation and maintained that its operating model complies with relevant regulations. This decision highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring labour rights and worker protections within the platform-economy across Europe.
Hong Kong: Court of Appeal Overturns Jimmy Lai’s Fraud Conviction
On 26 February 2026, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal overturned the fraud conviction of pro-democracy media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, ruling that the trial court had erred in its interpretation of contractual and regulatory requirements related to lease arrangements involving his media company. The appellate judges quashed both the conviction and accompanying prison sentence, marking a rare legal victory for Lai amid a series of prosecutions connected to his political activism. Despite the ruling, Lai remains incarcerated under separate national security convictions carrying lengthy imprisonment, meaning the decision does not result in his release.
EU: Council Sanctions Target Russian Judicial Officials Over Human Rights Violations
On 23 February 2026, the Council of the European Union imposed targeted sanctions on several Russian judges, prosecutors, and penal officials accused of involvement in politically motivated prosecutions and prison abuses. The measures, adopted under the EU’s global human-rights sanctions regime, followed findings linking judicial actors to violations including arbitrary detention and repression of dissent. Although not a court judgment itself, the decision directly responded to outcomes of domestic judicial proceedings considered incompatible with international human-rights standards. EU officials stated the sanctions aimed to reinforce accountability where domestic remedies were deemed ineffective, while Russian authorities rejected the measures as political interference.
Myanmar: Military Airstrike Kills 17 in Rakhine State
On 25 February 2026, a Myanmar military air strike on a village market in western Rakhine state killed at least 17 civilians, including women and children, and wounded 14 others, according to local media and the Arakan Army (AA). The strike hit Yoengu village in Ponnagyun township, about 33 km northeast of the state capital, Sittwe, an area under AA control since March 2024. The AA named 17 “innocent civilians”, including three children, among the dead. Witnesses described a devastating scene, with several buildings burned and bodies scattered across the market area. Local youth leader Pyae Phyo Naing said people were crying and fleeing as homes continued to burn when responders arrived. The attack comes amid intensifying violence in Myanmar’s civil war following the 2021 military coup, after which the suppression of pro-democracy protests triggered a nationwide armed resistance. According to the UN, thousands have been killed and about 3.6 million people have been displaced. Rakhine state, now largely controlled by the AA, has been heavily blockaded by the military and repeatedly targeted by air strikes. The World Food Programme previously warned that the blockade, combined with conflict and aid cuts, has driven a “dramatic rise in hunger and malnutrition” in the state.
Lebanon: One Killed and 29 Wounded in Latest Israeli Strikes on Bekaa Valley
On 26 February 2026, Israeli air strikes on Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley killed a 16-year-old Syrian boy and wounded 29 others, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, marking the latest reported violation of the November 2024 ceasefire. Lebanese media identified the victim as Hussein Mohsen al-Khalaf. At least 13 strikes were recorded across the Bekaa region, damaging civilian property including shops in the Baalbek area. The Israeli military said it targeted what it described as Hezbollah sites, including facilities linked to the group’s Radwan Force, claiming weapons and missiles were stored there. The latest strikes follow another deadly wave of attacks last week that killed at least 12 people in the Bekaa Valley and the Ein el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon. Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces have continued near-daily operations in Lebanon, and the UN says more than 300 people have been killed since the truce took effect. Lebanese authorities have repeatedly condemned the attacks as ceasefire violations and in January submitted a complaint to the UN documenting more than 2,000 Israeli breaches between October and December 2025 only. Israel also continues to occupy parts of southern Lebanon, hindering reconstruction in border villages and preventing displaced residents from returning to their homes.
West Africa: Militant Attacks Surge in the Niger-Benin-Nigeria Border Zone
On 26 February 2026, a report by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project (ACLED) revealed that militant activity connected to al Qaeda and Islamic State has reached a new and more dangerous phase in the borderlands of Benin, Niger, and Nigeria. According to the data, violent incidents involving jihadist groups in this strategic corridor rose by approximately 90% between 2024 and 2025, while the death toll more than doubled to over 1,000 fatalities. The surge is driven by two primary factions: the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP). Analysts note that these groups are no longer just launching sporadic raids but are actively cementing their presence by exploiting governance gaps and a lack of regional military coordination. In Benin, 2025 marked the deadliest year on record due to cross-border strikes, while in Niger, militant groups have demonstrated their reach with high-profile attacks near the capital, Niamey. The report also highlights a growing competition between the two groups, with jihadist groups now publicising their operations in the tri-border zone, which could lead to further escalation. As violence spreads from the arid Sahel toward coastal nations along the Atlantic, international observers warn that the militant groups are successfully weaponising local vulnerabilities to expand their territorial influence.
Hungary: Opposition Leader Warns of Crossroads Between Europe and Autocracy Ahead of Parliamentary Election
On 26 February 2026, Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar warned the country is at a decisive “crossroads” between European integration and autocratic influence ahead of the 12 April parliamentary election. Speaking on his election campaign tour, Magyar accused Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government of isolating Hungary within the EU by strengthening ties with authoritarian regimes, including Russia. He argued that this shift has compromised Hungary’s national sovereignty and economic stability, leading to the suspension of EU development funds over rule-of-law concerns. Despite US President Donald Trump’s personal endorsement of Orbán for the upcoming April election, Magyar stated that his government would seek “constructive and friendly” relations with the US, arguing that Europe must work together with the Trump administration. Magyar, whose Tisza party has surged in recent polling, positioned himself as the pro-European alternative capable of restoring democratic checks and balances and repairing relations with Brussels. While the Hungarian government dismissed his remarks, Magyar emphasised that the upcoming elections represent a choice between returning to core Western values or becoming a peripheral satellite for Eastern powers.
Pakistan-Afghanistan: Tensions Escalate into Open Warfare
On 27 February 2026, the long-simmering rivalry between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated into an “open war”, marking a historic breakdown in relations. The conflict was ignited by a series of Pakistani airstrikes targeting suspected Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) strongholds within Afghan territory, which Islamabad claims have been used as launchpads for increasingly lethal cross-border insurgencies. Islamabad has historically differentiated between the “Afghan Taliban”, whom it backed during the 1990s, and the “Pakistani Taliban” (TTP), a group it classifies as a terrorist organization for its violent campaign on Pakistani soil. In a swift retaliation, Taliban authorities deployed heavy artillery and ground forces against Pakistani border outposts, leading to casualties on both sides and the displacement of thousands of civilians near the border. The roots of this conflict trace back to the 2021 Taliban takeover of Kabul, which initially promised regional stability but instead emboldened the TTP to tear up ceasefire agreements. Despite years of mediation efforts, the Taliban’s refusal to expel TTP leadership and Pakistan’s subsequent military offensives have created an intractable security dilemma. As both nations mobilise reinforcements, international observers warn of a deepening humanitarian crisis and a broader regional conflagration.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/why-did-pakistan-announce-open-war-against-taliban
DRC: At Least 171 Bodies Discovered in Mass Graves Near Uvira
On 27 February 2026, Congolese authorities reported the discovery of two mass graves containing at least 171 bodies on the outskirts of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in areas recently vacated by the M23 rebel group. South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi said approximately 30 bodies were found in Kiromoni and 141 in Kavimvira, near the Burundian border. A local civil society network said preliminary information indicates the victims were allegedly killed by M23 fighters, reportedly on suspicion of links to the Congolese army or pro-government militias. However, the claims could not be independently verified, and both the Congolese military and M23 have previously been accused by rights groups of extrajudicial killings and abuses. The findings come amid continued instability in eastern DRC despite ongoing peace efforts. M23 seized Uvira in December after earlier capturing the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu during its 2025 offensive, which authorities say killed more than 1,500 people and displaced about 300,000. Although the group later announced a withdrawal from Uvira as a US-requested confidence-building measure, fighting across the region has persisted. Eastern DRC remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with more than seven million people displaced, according to the UN.
Iran-US: Major Military Escalation Results in Death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei in US Strikes
On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel launched “major combat operations” against Iran, carrying out strikes on cities across the country. The escalation in military action comes two days after the US-Iran talks on a nuclear programme ended without reaching an agreement. US President Donald Trump announced on social media that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in the strikes. Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history.” Iranian state TV confirmed his death and announced 40 days of mourning. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks throughout the Middle East, using ballistic missiles and drones in widespread attacks on US allies across the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. Trump warned the attacks would continue throughout the week.
Weekly News Recap (16 – 22 February 2026) © Photo by Coast Guard News via FlickrInternational Justice SectionBosnia and Herzegovina: Court Upholds War-Crimes Convictions for Abuse of PrisonersECtHR: Finds Bulgaria Failed to Investigate Racist Motive in AssaultECtHR: Finds Serbia Failed to Carry Out an Effective Investigation into 1991 Conflict-Era KillingTunisia:
Weekly News Recap (9 – 15 February 2026) © Photo by DW Akademie – Africa via Flickr International Justice Section KSC: Closing Statements Begin in Thaçi’s Trial Hong Kong: High Court Sentences Jimmy Lai to 20 Years’ Imprisonment Mali: Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence Against Former Prime Minister Moussa Mara
Weekly News Recap (2 – 8 February 2026) © Photo by Óglaigh na hÉireann via Flickr International Justice Section France: Judges Issue Criminal Summonses in Gaza Aid Blockade Investigation Libya: Death of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Ends Prospects for ICC Trial in Libya Case Switzerland: Foreign Minister Reported to ICC for
