Weekly News Recap (23 - 29 March 2026)
© Photo by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid via Flickr
International Justice Section
IRMCT: Appeals Chamber Upholds Rwanda Referral of Genocide Accused Fulgence Kayishema
France: Court of Appeal Opens Investigation into Former Frontex Chief for Crimes Against Humanity
Taiwan: Court Sentences Opposition Leader to 17 Years for Corruption
International Peace & Security Section
Cuba: Aid Flotilla Arrives Amid Deepening US Energy Blockade and Humanitarian Crisis
UN: Warns of Escalation in Sudan as Deadly Hospital Strike Highlights Surge in Drone Attacks
UN: Warns of Surge in Settler Violence in West Bank Amid Continued Israeli Settlement Expansion
Ukraine: President Zelenskyy Reveals US Security Guarantees Linked to Ceding Donbas to Russia
Lebanon-Iran: Four Million Displaced as US-Israeli Military Campaign Continues
G7: Ministers Meet to Address Widening Rifts Over US-Iran War
Djibouti: At Least Nine Dead and 45 Missing in Migrant Boat Shipwreck
International Justice Section
China: Court Sentences Human Rights Lawyer Xie Yang to Five Years for Inciting Subversion Following Secret Trial
On 23 March 2026, the Changsha Intermediate People’s Court in Hunan province sentenced human rights lawyer Xie Yang to five years’ imprisonment on a charge of inciting subversion of state power and ordered the confiscation of 100,000 yuan, equivalent to approximately US$14,500. The proceedings were conducted in secret: Xie’s trial took place in October 2025, and his family were informed only after the hearing had concluded and were denied access throughout. The court cited a series of WeChat posts as the basis for the conviction. Xie, aged 54, has practised law since 2011 and has represented clients in politically sensitive cases involving religious persecution and land rights disputes. He was first detained during the Chinese authorities’ nationwide crackdown on human rights lawyers in July 2015, known as the “709 crackdown”, during which he was subjected to enforced disappearance and torture before being convicted of inciting subversion and imprisoned until 2017. He was detained again in January 2022 after advocating for the release of a teacher who had been committed to a psychiatric facility for criticising censorship in education. His pre-trial detention was extended 13 times over a period of more than four years, with his lawyers barred from participating in his hearings. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued an opinion classifying Xie’s detention as arbitrary and calling for his immediate release.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/23/china-prominent-rights-lawyer-sentenced-to-5-years
India: Court Sentences Kashmiri Separatist Leader Aasiya Andrabi to Life Imprisonment Under Anti-Terror Law
On 24 March 2026, Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court at Karkardooma, New Delhi, sentenced Aasiya Andrabi, founder and chief of the Kashmiri women’s separatist organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat, to life imprisonment, and her two associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, to thirty years’ imprisonment each. The sentences followed the court’s conviction of all three defendants on 14 January 2026 on charges brought under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, including waging war against the state, promoting enmity between communities, and conspiracy to commit terrorist acts. Andrabi, who has been in custody since her arrest in 2018, attended the sentencing proceedings by video link from prison. The NIA had sought life imprisonment for Andrabi on the basis that she had used social media and public gatherings to challenge the authority of the Indian state and advocate for Kashmir’s right to self-determination. Pakistan’s Foreign Office condemned the sentences, describing the verdict as a grave miscarriage of justice and calling on the UN and international human rights organisations to take notice of the case. India’s government has not publicly commented on the ruling.
https://nia.gov.in/secure-pdf/view/23f38b46eef7a0f636cad8e1a1d7aad0
ECtHR: Finds Romania Violated Right to Family Life by Failing to Reason Refusal of Hague Convention Child Return Order
On 24 March 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered its judgment in Badea v. Romania (Application no. 24011/23), finding a violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the right to respect for private and family life. The case concerned a Romanian father’s application for the return of his daughter X to Switzerland under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. X, then aged fifteen, had refused to return after a holiday in Romania in 2021, telling a court-appointed psychologist that her father had subjected her to inappropriate physical contact, used cannabis, and prevented her from washing herself; the psychologist concluded that her presentation indicated symptoms consistent with emotional abuse or trauma. The Romanian courts refused the return application, relying on the grave risk exception under Article 13(b) of the Hague Convention and X’s own objection. However, the ECtHR found a violation on procedural grounds, holding that the domestic courts had failed to engage critically with the evidence before them, had not examined the serious allegations against the father with sufficient rigour, and had not conducted the balancing exercise required when relying on a child’s objection. The proceedings had also lasted approximately fifteen months, incompatible with the duty of expeditiousness in Hague Convention cases. As X had by then reached the age of majority, the Court stated that its ruling imposed no obligation on Romania to order her return.
IRMCT: Appeals Chamber Upholds Rwanda Referral of Genocide Accused Fulgence Kayishema
On 24 March 2026, the Appeals Chamber of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), sitting at Arusha, Tanzania, and presided over by Judge Carmel Agius, dismissed in its entirety the appeal brought by Fulgence Kayishema against two Trial Chamber decisions issued on 29 October 2025 and 24 December 2025, both of which had denied his requests for revocation of the referral of his case to Rwanda and for the assignment of remunerated defence counsel at the Mechanism’s expense. Kayishema was indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 2001 on charges of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and extermination as a crime against humanity arising from the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and was referred to the High Court of Rwanda for trial in 2012; he was arrested in South Africa in May 2023 after more than two decades as a fugitive. The Appeals Chamber rejected his submission that the Mechanism’s Statute does not reflect a preference for referral of core crimes cases to national jurisdictions, finding that Articles 1(3) and 6(1) of the Statute establish an indisputable preference for domestic trial. It further found that denial of remunerated counsel had not violated the principle of equality of arms, which does not require material equality of resources between the parties, and that the Trial Chamber had conducted an adequate contemporary assessment of fair trial conditions in Rwanda rather than relying exclusively on findings made at the time of the original 2012 referral decision.
France: Court of Appeal Opens Investigation into Former Frontex Chief for Crimes Against Humanity
On 24 March 2026, it was reported that the Paris Court of Appeal opened an investigation into Fabrice Leggeri, former head of the EU border agency, Frontex, over accusations of involvement in crimes against humanity. Leggeri was chief of the agency from 2015 to 2022 before he resigned and is now a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) with the French far-right National Rally party. Frontex is accused of mistreating migrants on external EU borders at the height of Europe’s migrant crisis, under Leggeri’s leadership. If prosecutors seek to charge Leggeri, they will need to request a waiver of his MEP immunity, requiring a parliamentary vote. In the ruling dated 18 March, the court opened the investigation following an appeal by the French Human Rights League (LDH) and the migrant rights group Utopia 56 against an earlier decision to throw out their complaint. The rights groups alleged that Leggeri urged Frontex agents to assist Libyan and Greek authorities in intercepting migrant boats to prevent them from entering the EU. The appeals court ruled that there were grounds to open a judicial investigation. LDH filed the initial complaint in 2024, and the investigation is expected to take some time.
Israel: Judge Closes Investigation into Custodial Death of Palestinian Teenager Despite Autopsy Evidence of Starvation
On 25 March 2026, an Israeli judicial supervision order closing the investigation into the custodial death of seventeen-year-old Palestinian detainee Walid Ahmad was recently unsealed, having been issued by Judge Ehud Kaplan in December 2025; the precise date of the original order has not been made public as the remainder of the decision remains sealed. Ahmad was arrested in September 2024 at his home in the occupied West Bank town of Silwad on allegations of throwing stones at soldiers and spent six months in Israel’s Megiddo prison before collapsing in March 2025; Palestinian officials said he was the first Palestinian minor to die in Israeli detention. An autopsy concluded that starvation was likely the leading cause of death, based on findings of extreme malnutrition, inflammation of the colon, and scabies, with the attending Israeli doctor noting that Ahmad had been complaining to prison authorities about inadequate food for months. Judge Kaplan’s order acknowledged that Ahmad had apparently been starved but found that the autopsy did not establish a causal connection between his physical condition and his death sufficient to support a finding that death had resulted from a crime, and on that basis ordered the investigation closed. The ruling was unsealed following a successful application by the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz to lift the gag order on the case. Israel’s prison service has stated that it operates according to the law and provides all prisoners with basic rights.
Taiwan: Court Sentences Opposition Leader to 17 Years for Corruption
On 26 March 2026, the Taipei District Court found Ko Wen-je, former Taipei mayor and opposition leader, guilty on corruption charges, including bribery, embezzlement, and breach of trust, sentencing him to 17 years in prison. During his 2018-2022 term as mayor, prosecutors claimed he accepted T$17.1 million (US$535,000) in bribes, in addition to the embezzlement of millions in political donations. Prosecutors had sought a combined sentence of over 28 years imprisonment. Ko is the founder of the Taiwan People’s Party who finished third in the 2024 presidential election. The ruling bars him from running in the 2028 presidential election, as Taiwan’s election law prohibits candidates facing a pending sentence of 10 years or more from running. His sentence also includes six years’ loss of civil rights. Ko has consistently denied any wrongdoing and accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of political persecution. Ko had been detained for over a year before being released on bail in September 2025. Nine other defendants were also sentenced, while two were acquitted. Ko is also facing six additional investigations.
International Peace & Security Section
Cuba: Aid Flotilla Arrives Amid Deepening US Energy Blockade and Humanitarian Crisis
On 24 March 2026, the first vessel of an international aid flotilla arrived in Havana carrying food, medicine, and solar panels, as activists sought to highlight the worsening humanitarian situation caused by a US-imposed energy blockade. The boat, part of the “Nuestra América” convoy that departed from Mexico, is one of three ships expected to reach the island in a symbolic show of solidarity. Organisers described the delivery as a “drop in an ocean of need”, stressing that the initiative aims primarily to draw attention to what they call an escalating economic and energy crisis. Since January, Cuba has reportedly received no oil shipments after the US blocked fuel exports, particularly from Venezuela, and pressured other countries to halt supplies. As a result, the island, which produces only about 40% of its fuel needs, has faced severe shortages, soaring prices, and widespread electricity outages, including recent nationwide blackouts. The situation has paralysed transport systems and deepened economic hardship, with many Cubans struggling to access basic services. The latest developments come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Havana, with US officials increasing pressure on the Cuban government and openly raising the prospect of regime change. US President Donald Trump recently stated that the US could “take” Cuba and install a government more aligned with its interests, underscoring the growing intensity of US rhetoric towards the island. Activists and observers have described the blockade as “mass punishment”, warning that the intensifying restrictions are exacerbating an already fragile humanitarian situation.
UN: Warns of Escalation in Sudan as Deadly Hospital Strike Highlights Surge in Drone Attacks
On 24 March 2026, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate de-escalation in Sudan and urged warring parties to agree to a ceasefire, following a series of deadly attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure. He reiterated calls for a return to negotiations and a comprehensive political process, warning of the worsening humanitarian consequences of the conflict. His statement came days after a major strike on the Teaching Hospital in Al Deain, the capital of East Darfur, which killed at least 70 people and injured 146, according to the UN. The attack, which hit the hospital late at night, killed patients, family members, and medical staff, including a doctor and two nurses. The facility served more than two million people across the region and has since been forced out of operation, leaving many without access to essential care. The World Health Organisation noted that attacks on healthcare have killed more than 2,000 people since the war began in April 2023, highlighting the sustained targeting of medical infrastructure. UN officials also warned of a sharp increase in drone strikes against civilians in 2026. More than 500 civilians were killed in such attacks between January and mid-March alone, particularly in the Kordofan region. While responsibility for the Al Deain strike remains unclear, both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces are known to use drones extensively. The UN further cautioned that the growing use of drone warfare is increasing the risk of escalation and regional spillover, pointing to recent cross-border strikes, including a deadly attack in Chad. Officials warned that repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and could amount to war crimes.
UN: Warns of Surge in Settler Violence in West Bank Amid Continued Israeli Settlement Expansion
On 25 March 2026, a senior UN official warned that violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has reached an “alarming rate”, with daily attacks causing casualties, destruction of property, and displacement across multiple communities. Speaking to the UN Security Council, Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov highlighted a sharp escalation in settler-related attacks, often occurring in the presence of Israeli forces. This trend has intensified in recent weeks, with coordinated assaults reported across villages near Nablus, including Jalud, Qaryut, and al-Funduqmiya, where homes, vehicles, and agricultural land were set on fire. In Jalud alone, large groups of masked settlers carried out overnight raids, injuring residents and causing widespread damage in what observers described as organised retaliatory violence. The UN also reported that at least six Palestinians have been killed by settlers since early March, amid a broader surge linked to the regional tensions. Since the start of 2026, seven Palestinians have been killed by settlers and 18 by Israeli forces, with most of the killings occurring in recent weeks. Alongside the violence, Israeli authorities have advanced or approved more than 6,000 new settlement housing units between December and March, further entrenching control over the occupied territory. The UN warned that continued settlement expansion is fuelling tensions, restricting Palestinian access to land, and undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state. Palestinians are also facing a wider pattern of repression, including home demolitions, land seizures, and movement restrictions, as well as mass arrests. The UN raised serious concerns over the detention of Palestinians, including children, with reports of torture, ill-treatment, and deaths in custody described as “deeply disturbing”.
Ukraine: President Zelenskyy Reveals US Security Guarantees Linked to Ceding Donbas to Russia
On 25 March 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that the US is conditioning post-war security guarantees on Ukraine ceding the entire eastern Donbas region to Russia. In an interview with Reuters, Zelenskyy explained that the Trump administration is applying significant pressure on Kyiv to facilitate a swift conclusion to the four-year conflict, as Washington’s strategic focus shifts toward its own war with Iran. While a security document was reportedly near completion in January, recent high-level talks in Miami indicate that the US will only finalise these protections once Ukraine agrees to a full military withdrawal from the occupied territories. Zelenskyy warned that surrendering the Donbas would hand Russia a “fortress belt” of heavily fortified cities, compromising the long-term security of both Ukraine and Europe. He expressed gratitude that the supply of Patriot missile defence systems has continued despite the conflict in the Gulf, but noted that current deliveries remain insufficient to meet Ukraine’s defensive needs. Amid concerns that Russia is betting on the US losing interest in the war, the Ukrainian leader maintained that a trilateral summit between himself, President Trump, and Vladimir Putin remains the only viable path to settling territorial disputes and securing a lasting peace deal.
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260325-us-ties-ukraine-security-guarantees-to-donbas-withdrawal
Lebanon-Iran: Four Million Displaced as US-Israeli Military Campaign Continues
On 26 March 2026, the humanitarian toll of the expanding conflict reached a critical milestone, with more than four million people forced from their homes across Iran and Lebanon. Following the start of US-Israeli strikes on 28 February, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that 3.2 million people, over 3% of Iran’s population, have been internally displaced. The offensive has caused widespread destruction to Iranian civilian infrastructure, damaging over 85,000 sites, including healthcare facilities, schools, and residential units in Tehran. While border crossings into neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Turkey remain largely stable, aid agencies are bracing for a potential refugee crisis as the violence persists. Simultaneously, Lebanon is facing its own catastrophe, with nearly one in five residents, roughly 18% of the population, displaced in just two weeks. The Israeli military has issued sweeping evacuation orders covering 14% of Lebanese territory, aiming to establish a “buffer zone” south of the Litani River. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), over one million Lebanese have been registered as displaced, with many forced to sleep in streets or vehicles as collective shelters reach capacity. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has condemned the targeted destruction of key bridges along the Litani River, characterising the strikes as a strategic attempt to sever the south from the rest of the country and solidify a de facto Israeli occupation.
G7: Ministers Meet to Address Widening Rifts Over US-Iran War
On 26 March 2026, foreign ministers from the G7 began a two-day summit at the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey outside Paris, aiming to reconcile deep strategic divisions regarding the ongoing war against Iran. The meeting, hosted under France’s rotating presidency, comes as US President Donald Trump warned he is prepared to “unleash hell” if Tehran rejects a deal to end the conflict. While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to join the delegation of leading industrialised democracies on the second day, European allies remain hesitant to offer full support for the military campaign. German officials have been particularly critical, with Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil labelling the administration’s Middle East strategy as “misguided policies” that are actively damaging the German economy. Beyond the immediate crisis in Iran, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasised the need to address global imbalances and urged Israel to refrain from seizing territory in southern Lebanon. In an effort to broaden the summit’s influence, France has also invited representatives from India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine to discuss the overlapping crises in Gaza and Eastern Europe. The diplomatic push is expected to continue into the following week, with a secondary G7 meeting scheduled to address the “convergence” of energy volatility and rising inflation triggered by the war.
Djibouti: At Least Nine Dead and 45 Missing in Migrant Boat Shipwreck
On 26 March 2026, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported that at least nine people had died and a further 45 were missing following a migrant boat shipwreck off the coast of Djibouti. The migrants were attempting to reach Yemen by crossing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. It is estimated the boat was carrying more than 300 people, all Ethiopian nationals. So far, the bodies of three women and six men have been recovered, while over 120 survivors were rescued. IOM teams are providing support to the survivors at the IOM’s Migrant Response Centre in Obock. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing. The incident is the first recorded shipwreck on the route in 2026, which has become one of the deadliest migration corridors, with thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa attempting each year to reach Djibouti and cross the Gulf of Aden towards Gulf countries. According to the IOM, more than 900 migrants died or went missing along the route in 2025, as thousands continue to attempt the crossing in pursuit of safety, stability, and economic opportunities.
https://www.iom.int/news/nine-dead-45-missing-first-shipwreck-2026-djibouti
Philippines-France: Sign Visiting Forces Military Agreement
On 27 March 2026, it was reported that the Philippines and France signed a visiting forces agreement allowing the two nations to deploy military personnel in each other’s territory and conduct joint military exercises. The announcement comes amid rising tension with China in the South China Sea, as Manila seeks to strengthen defence ties with other countries. Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and French Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) on Thursday in Paris. During the meeting, both nations advocated for “the peaceful resolution of disputes” and reaffirmed support for a rules-based international order. They also stressed the importance of improving supply chain resilience during times of crisis. France becomes the first EU member state to sign a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines, who already has such agreements in place with the US, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada.