© Photo by Koldo via Flickr
International Peace & Security Section
Türkiye: At Least 14 Killed After Migrant Boat Collides with Coast Guard Vessel
Somalia: Warns Against Potential Israeli Military Base in Somaliland
Canada: Announces C$35 Billion Arctic Defence Strategy Amid Strained US Ties
China: Rights Groups Warn ‘Ethnic Unity’ Law Threatens Minority Identities
DRC: At Least 25 Killed in Militia Attack in Djugu Territory
UK: Former Syrian Colonel Charged with Crimes Against Humanity and Torture Linked to 2011 Damascus Protests
On 9 March 2026, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that Syrian national Salem Al-Salem, a former colonel in Syrian Air Force Intelligence, had been charged in the UK with crimes against humanity and torture allegedly committed during the suppression of demonstrations in Damascus in 2011. The CPS authorised seven charges: three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, one count of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity, and three counts of torture. Prosecutors allege that Al-Salem led a unit tasked with quelling protests in the suburbs of Damascus during the early phase of the Syrian uprising. The charges are brought under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 and the Criminal Justice Act 1988, which allow UK courts to prosecute international crimes committed abroad where jurisdictional conditions are met. According to the CPS, the case follows an investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Team. Al-Salem appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 10 March 2026 and is due to appear before the Central Criminal Court on 13 March 2026. The CPS emphasised that the prosecution reflects the UK’s policy that alleged perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity should not find safe haven within its jurisdiction.
Türkiye: Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu Faces Trial in Large-Scale Corruption Case
On 9 March 2026, a court in Türkiye opened the trial of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and more than 400 co-defendants in a large corruption case concerning alleged irregularities in municipal tender processes. Prosecutors allege that the defendants participated in schemes involving bribery, fraud, and manipulation of public procurement procedures connected to Istanbul municipal contracts. The indictment forms part of a broader investigation into suspected financial misconduct within municipal administration, with prosecutors arguing that the network enabled illicit benefits and unlawful influence over contracting decisions. İmamoğlu, a leading opposition figure and member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has been detained since March 2025 and faces 142 charges. He denies the allegations and describes the proceedings as politically motivated. If convicted, he could face a total prison sentence of more than 2,000 years. The case has attracted significant national and international attention because of İmamoğlu’s prominent political role as the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the scale of the prosecution, which includes hundreds of defendants accused of participating in the alleged corruption network. The trial’s opening marks the beginning of formal judicial proceedings in a case that could have substantial implications for Turkish domestic politics and for ongoing debates about judicial independence and the rule of law in Türkiye.
US: Federal Court Blocks Rule Allowing Fast-Track Dismissals of Immigration Appeals
On 9 March 2026, the US District Court for the District of Columbia set aside a federal rule permitting immigration appeals to be dismissed without full review by the Board of Immigration Appeals. The court held that the Department of Justice had adopted the rule in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, finding that the measure had been introduced without the required notice-and-comment process. The regulation had authorised single-member Board adjudicators to summarily dismiss certain appeals filed by non-citizens challenging removal orders where procedural requirements were not satisfied. In vacating the rule, the court concluded that the Department had improperly bypassed procedural safeguards governing federal rulemaking and that the agency had not adequately justified the need to dispense with ordinary regulatory procedures. The ruling therefore invalidated the fast-track dismissal framework and restored the previous procedures governing immigration appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals. The decision represents a judicial check on executive rulemaking in the immigration system and reinforces the requirement that federal agencies comply with statutory rulemaking procedures when altering the operation of administrative adjudication processes.
UK: High Court Refuses Permission for Judicial Review of Chagos Islands Sovereignty Agreement with Mauritius
On 10 March 2026, the High Court of Justice in London refused permission for a judicial review that sought to challenge the UK government’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The claimants, including representatives of the displaced Chagossian community, contended that the government had inadequately consulted them before finalising the international agreement. In dismissing the application, the Court determined that the legal arguments presented largely reiterated issues previously addressed in earlier litigation regarding the islands’ status. The judge recognised the historic injustice faced by Chagossians following their displacement in the 1960s and 1970s but concluded that the current legal challenge did not provide sufficient grounds to proceed. This ruling allows the government’s planned sovereignty arrangement with Mauritius to advance. Lawyers for the claimants stated they intend to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
Netherlands: Appeals Court Upholds Ruling Requiring Meta to Offer Chronological News Feeds
On 10 March 2026, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal upheld a prior ruling that mandates Meta Platforms to offer Facebook and Instagram users in the Netherlands the choice to view posts in chronological order, rather than exclusively through algorithmic ranking. The case was initiated by digital rights group Bits of Freedom, which argued that the platform’s algorithmic feed harmed public debate and limited users’ ability to know which posts they were seeing, particularly ahead of a national election. In its ruling, the appellate court affirmed that large digital platforms operating within the European Union must adhere to the EU Digital Services Act. Meta has indicated it may challenge the decision. Bits of Freedom welcomed the ruling and expressed optimism it will eventually be applied throughout Europe.
US: Federal Appeals Court Upholds West Virginia Ban on Medicaid Coverage for Gender-Affirming Surgery
On 10 March 2026, the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that West Virginia may exclude gender-affirming surgeries from its Medicaid coverage. This decision overturned a lower-court ruling which had deemed the policy discriminatory against transgender individuals seeking medical care. In its judgment, the appellate court held that state authorities have discretion to determine which procedures are covered by public health insurance programmes, concluding that the exclusion does not breach federal Medicaid law. This case is part of a growing number of legal disputes across the US regarding access to gender-affirming healthcare and the extent of state authority over publicly funded medical programmes.
ICC: Prosecutor Closes Investigation into Venezuela Sanctions Allegations
On 11 March 2026, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced the closure of an investigation into whether US sanctions against Venezuela could be classified as crimes against humanity. This inquiry was initiated following a referral from the Venezuelan government, which claimed that international economic sanctions had contributed to significant humanitarian suffering and shortages of essential goods. After reviewing the available evidence, prosecutors determined that the legal criteria for crimes against humanity, particularly the element of criminal intent, had not been met. The Office noted that while the sanctions may have resulted in serious economic and social repercussions, the evidence did not demonstrate that they were imposed with the requisite intent under the Rome Statute. The decision is also unrelated to the January 2026 events in Venezuela.
ICC: Appeals Chamber Upholds Inadmissibility of Case Against Edmond Beina
On 11 March 2026, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed a Pre-Trial Chamber decision declaring the Central African Republic’s case against Edmond Beina inadmissible under Article 17(1)(a) of the Rome Statute. The ruling followed an appeal by the defence challenging the September 2025 determination that the Court could not proceed because national authorities in the Central African Republic were genuinely investigating and prosecuting the same conduct. In rejecting all five grounds of appeal, the Appeals Chamber held that the appellant had failed to demonstrate any legal or factual error in the Pre-Trial Chamber’s assessment of complementarity. The decision therefore confirmed that the proceedings before the Central African Republic’s Special Criminal Court take precedence over those before the ICC. Beina had been the subject of an ICC arrest warrant issued in December 2018 for crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in Guen between February and April 2014. After his arrest in the Central African Republic in June 2024, national authorities initiated proceedings before the Special Criminal Court and subsequently challenged the admissibility of the ICC case. The Appeals Chamber’s judgment reinforces the Rome Statute principle that the Court operates only where national jurisdictions are unwilling or unable to prosecute.
https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/CourtRecords/0902ebd180df8c60.pdf
ICC: Prosecutor Opens Investigation into Belarus Over Alleged Crimes Against Humanity
On 12 March 2026, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced the initiation of a formal investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed by Belarusian authorities. The focus of the investigation is on the deportation and persecution of political opponents. It addresses claims that Belarus compelled dissidents and activists to flee to neighbouring Lithuania following the government’s crackdown after disputed elections. Although Belarus is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, prosecutors indicated that the Court may assert jurisdiction since elements of the alleged crimes occurred on the territory of Lithuania, an ICC member state. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the development as a potential move toward accountability and justice.
Ukraine: Supreme Court Recognises Same-Sex Couple as De Facto Family
On 13 March 2026, it was reported the Supreme Court of Ukraine upheld a lower-court ruling recognising a same-sex couple as a de facto family, marking a significant development in the country’s evolving jurisprudence on equality and family rights. The decision confirmed that the couple could be treated as a family unit for certain legal purposes despite the absence of legislation formally recognising same-sex marriage or civil partnerships. The ruling comes in the context of growing scrutiny of Ukraine’s legal framework for recognising same-sex relationships, including the 2023 judgment of the European Court of Human Rights which found that Ukraine had violated the Convention by failing to provide a legal framework for such recognition. While the Supreme Court’s decision does not establish marriage equality, it represents an important judicial step toward recognising the legal rights of same-sex couples under existing Ukrainian law. Observers have characterised the judgment as a landmark development that may influence further legislative or judicial reforms concerning family recognition and equality protections in Ukraine.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/13/landmark-court-ruling-in-ukraine-a-step-toward-equality
Türkiye: At Least 14 Killed After Migrant Boat Collides with Coast Guard Vessel
On 9 March 2026, it was reported that 14 migrants died after an inflatable smuggling boat collided with a Turkish Coast Guard vessel. The incident occurred off the coast of Finike, southern Türkiye. In the early hours, the coast guard reported it dispatched two vessels to intercept the smuggling boat, but despite multiple audio and visual warnings, the boat continued at high speed and attempted to flee. The coast guard followed the boat and during the chase, after a sudden turn, the boat crashed into a coast guard vessel, causing migrants on board to fall into the sea. Rescue units rushed to the area and saved six migrants, along with a Turkish suspect believed to be involved in migrant smuggling. Later, as search efforts continued, 14 people were pronounced dead. According to officials, after the crash the boat fled towards land, where 15 migrants were apprehended and interviewed by authorities. A judicial enquiry was launched by the Finike Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office into the incident, with six suspects alleged to be involved in migrant smuggling in custody so far.
Haiti: Over 1,200 Killed in Drone Strikes by Security Forces Since 2025
On 10 March 2025, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that drone strikes carried out by Haitian security forces and private contractors have killed at least 1,243 people and injured 738 in and around Port-au-Prince since March 2025. According to the report, Haitian forces, supported by Vectus Global, a US-licensed private military firm, have used quadcopter drones equipped with explosives in anti-gang operations, frequently targeting densely populated areas of the capital. The investigation found that strikes conducted between March 2025 and January 2026 in Haiti’s West Department killed at least 60 civilians, including 17 children and 43 adults not believed to be members of criminal groups. The report also documented a sharp rise in drone attacks in recent months, with 57 incidents reported between November and late January, nearly double the number recorded from August to October. HRW said videos analysed by its investigators show explosive-laden drones targeting vehicles and individuals, some armed but not appearing to pose an imminent threat. Human rights groups and UN officials have raised concerns that the use of explosive drones in densely populated areas may violate international law. The UN human rights office previously warned that such strikes appear disproportionate and potentially unlawful, while there are no indications that the reported civilian deaths and injuries are being investigated.
Somalia: Warns Against Potential Israeli Military Base in Somaliland
On 12 March 2025, Somalia warned that its territory must not be used for foreign military operations after media reports suggested that Israel is considering establishing a military base in the breakaway region of Somaliland. Somali State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Omar said any such move risked dragging the country into “external confrontations” and further destabilising an already fragile region. The warning follows reports by US outlet Bloomberg and Sweden’s public radio Ekot that Israel is exploring the possibility of a military installation near the strategic port city of Berbera on the Gulf of Aden. Somaliland officials have said the issue has not yet been formally discussed but could be examined as part of a broader “strategic relationship” with Israel. Somalia’s federal government insisted that only authorities in Mogadishu have the legal power to approve foreign military arrangements on Somali territory, stating that any discussions outside that framework would have no legal standing. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has governed itself for more than three decades, but it remains internationally unrecognised by most countries. The issue comes amid rising regional tensions linked to the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran and growing concerns over the security of key maritime routes such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Somali officials warned that foreign military deployments in Somaliland could increase instability in the Horn of Africa and expose local populations to wider geopolitical conflicts.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/12/somalia-warns-against-any-israeli-base-plans-on-somaliland
Lebanon: Israel Expands Evacuation Orders as Strikes Hit Central Beirut
On 12 March 2025, Lebanese authorities reported that the death toll from Israel’s ongoing offensive has risen to at least 687 people, including 98 children and 52 women, with more than 1,500 others wounded since the escalation began on 2 March. The Israeli military has carried out continuous air strikes across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut, while limited ground incursions have also been reported along the border. In what officials described as the broadest evacuation order since the start of the war, Israel instructed residents across a vast area of southern Lebanon to move north of the Zahrani River, expanding displacement warnings to areas north of the Litani River and affecting dozens of towns and villages. The move marks a significant escalation in the war and comes amid intensified bombardment in southern regions. At the same time, Israeli strikes have increasingly targeted the Lebanese capital. Air raids hit central Beirut neighbourhoods including Bashoura and Zuqaq al-Blat, while a separate attack on the Ramlet al-Baida seafront killed at least 12 people in a “double-tap” strike that struck an area where displaced families had been sleeping in tents. Another drone strike killed two academics at a Lebanese University building near Beirut. The escalation has deepened Lebanon’s humanitarian crisis, with more than 800,000 people now displaced across the country and government shelters nearly full as civilians struggle to find safe refuge.
Canada: Announces C$35 Billion Arctic Defence Strategy Amid Strained US Ties
On 12 March 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a C$35 billion (US$25.7 billion) military initiative to bolster Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic, signalling a strategic shift toward defence independence. The plan aims to reduce reliance on the US at a time when bilateral relations are strained by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and controversial comments regarding the annexation of Canadian territory. With the Arctic warming nearly three times faster than the global average, Carney emphasised that the region’s growing accessibility has made it a target for “great powers” seeking to exploit its vast mineral wealth. The investment focuses on hardening Canada’s northern frontier, which comprises 25% of the global Arctic but remains largely uninhabited. Key components include C$32 billion to expand military airfields and establish four new operational support hubs. Additionally, the government will upgrade commercial airports and fast-track road construction to link the remote north with southern regions. By accelerating military spending, Canada now expects to meet NATO’s 2% GDP target five years ahead of schedule. As international interest in Arctic resources intensifies, Ottawa’s mobilisation reflects a determination to defend its borders against both environmental shifts and shifting geopolitical alliances.
China: Rights Groups Warn ‘Ethnic Unity’ Law Threatens Minority Identities
On 12 March 2026, international human rights organisations raised alarms over a new “ethnic unity” law which was approved by Chinese lawmakers. The legislation aims to promote Mandarin as the “national common language” in education, official business, and public places, and criminalises any “violent terrorist activities, ethnic separatist activities, or religious extremist activities”. The legislation mandates that parents instil a “love for the Communist Party” in their children. Human Rights Watch (HRW) contends that the bill is a cornerstone of President Xi Jinping’s broader campaign to dissolve distinct cultural and ethnic identities in favour of a singular national narrative. Critics argue the law grants Beijing unprecedented ideological control, potentially extending its reach to monitor and penalise the diaspora living beyond China’s borders. Additionally, critics contend that the vague language of the bill provides a legal veneer for entrenched repression against certain communities. By framing cultural preservation as a threat to “unity,” the state can more easily justify the surveillance and detention of those who resist assimilation. Rights advocates emphasise that the law transitions from merely discouraging dissent to legally enforcing ideological loyalty within the domestic sphere. Following the National People’s Congress approval of the new law, observers warn that it marks a significant escalation in the state’s effort to achieve total social and cultural homogeneity.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/09/28/china-draft-ethnic-unity-law-tightens-ideological-control
Afghanistan: Pakistani Airstrikes on Kabul and Kandahar Escalate Border War
On 13 March 2026, Pakistani military conducted a series of overnight airstrikes across several Afghan provinces, including the capital, Kabul, and the southern stronghold of Kandahar. In Kabul, local police confirmed that the bombardment struck residential homes, killing four civilians, including women and children, and wounding 15 others. Meanwhile, in Kandahar, the strikes targeted and set ablaze a fuel depot belonging to the private airline Kam Air near the international airport. The Taliban government in Kabul condemned the strikes as a violation of human principles, particularly during the final days of Ramadan. The conflict, which escalated into an “open war” in late February, has now resulted in nearly 100 deaths and displaced an estimated 115,000 civilians. While Pakistan claims its operations are intelligence-based and target only militant hideouts, the UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reports highlight a rising toll of civilian casualties and significant damage to infrastructure. With both nations refusing to back down and bilateral ties at a historic low, the humanitarian crisis in the region continues to deepen as border clashes intensify.
https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20260313-pakistan-airstrikes-kabul-afghanistan-four-killed
DRC: At Least 25 Killed in Militia Attack in Djugu Territory
On 13 March 2026, it was reported that at least 25 people were killed in a militia attack in Djugu territory, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Among the victims were seven children. The attack is reportedly linked to the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) militia group, who have been active in the area since 2017. Local reports indicate the victims were killed using guns and edged weapons, with the death toll likely to rise. The victims had recently returned to the area after being in displacement camps. Prior to this incident, the region had experienced over two months without violence. Locals have appealed for stronger safeguards and for authorities to provide enhanced protections for civilians and their property, as armed groups continue to target eastern DRC.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/25-people-killed-in-militia-attack-in-eastern-dr-congo/3862629
Weekly News Recap (2 – 8 March 2026) © Photo by Paul Keller via FlickrInternational Justice SectionECtHR: Finds Norway Did Not Violate Property Rights in Indigenous Grazing Rights CaseKosovo: Court Orders Pre-Trial Detention of Four Kosovo Serbs in 1998 War Crimes InvestigationUK: Supreme Court Rules Spain Cannot Claim State Immunity
Weekly News Recap (23 February – 1 March 2026) © Photo by Babak Fakhamzadeh via Flickr International Justice Section IACtHR: Finds Brazil Responsible for Racial Discrimination and Negligence in Case of Police Killing of Black Youth Ukraine: First War Crimes Charges Announced Over Russian Atrocities in Ukraine Cyprus: Court Approves
Weekly News Recap (16 – 22 February 2026) © Photo by Coast Guard News via Flickr International Justice Section Bosnia and Herzegovina: Court Upholds War-Crimes Convictions for Abuse of Prisoners ECtHR: Finds Bulgaria Failed to Investigate Racist Motive in Assault ECtHR: Finds Serbia Failed to Carry Out an Effective Investigation
