Weekly News Recap (30 March - 5 April 2026)
© Photo by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid via Flickr
International Justice Section
ECtHR: Rules Russia Violated Right to Fair Trial in Conviction Based on Testimony of Absent Witness
KSC: Judge Orders Continued Detention of Former Kosovo President Thaçi on Obstruction Charges
ECtHR: Finds Georgia Failed to Effectively Investigate Case of Child Sexual Abuse
ECtHR: Finds Ukraine’s Prison Authorities Coerced Prisoners into Withdrawing Complaints to the ECtHR
International Peace & Security Section
Tunisia: At least 19 Dead in Migrant Boat Shipwreck
Afghanistan-Pakistan: At Least 45 Killed in Heavy Rains and Severe Flooding
Haiti: Over 70 Killed in Gang Attack in Artibonite
ICC: Member States Vote to Advance Disciplinary Proceedings Against Prosecutor Karim Khan
Pakistan-Afghanistan: Begin Talks in China to End Cross-Border Fighting
DRC: At Least 43 Killed in ADF Attack in Ituri Amid Escalating Rebel Violence
Burkina Faso: HRW Reports Over 1,800 Civilians Killed by Army and Jihadists
Iran: IRGC Launches Plan to Recruit Minors to Defend Homeland Amid Heightened Tensions
NATO: US Threatens Withdrawal as Iran Conflict Triggers Potential Transatlantic Alliance Crisis
International Justice Section
ECtHR: Rules Denmark Breached Prohibition of Inhuman Treatment in Prolonged Restraint of Psychiatric Patient
On 31 March 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issued a ruling in the case of Makki v. Denmark, determining that the prolonged mechanical restraint of a psychiatric patient violated Article 3 of the Convention, which prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment. The applicant had been confined to a bed for over 11 days while awaiting transfer to a high-security psychiatric facility. Although Danish authorities contended that the restraint was necessary for safety reasons, the Court concluded that the duration and conditions of the restraint, along with the delay in transferring him, surpassed what was deemed strictly necessary. The Court emphasised that even within medical contexts, coercive measures must be proportionate and subject to stringent safeguards and found that it had not been sufficiently shown that the applicant’s human dignity had been respected or that he had been protected from pain and suffering.
ECtHR: Rules Russia Violated Right to Fair Trial in Conviction Based on Testimony of Absent Witness
On 31 March 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled in the case of Kerimov v. Russia, determining that a criminal conviction based primarily on the testimony of an absent witness violated Article 6 §§ 1 and 3 (d) of the Convention, covering the right to a fair trial and the right to examine witnesses. The Court concluded that the applicant was unable to effectively challenge the evidence presented against him, thereby compromising the adversarial nature of the proceedings as well as the principle of equality of arms. It emphasised that reliance on testimony from witnesses who cannot be cross-examined must be accompanied by adequate safeguards, which were notably absent in this instance. This judgment reinforces established jurisprudence regarding fair trial rights while highlighting the critical importance of procedural protections in criminal proceedings.
KSC: Judge Orders Continued Detention of Former Kosovo President Thaçi on Obstruction Charges
On 2 April 2026, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) Single Trial Judge, Judge Christopher Gosnell, issued the Eighth Decision on the Review of Detention of Hashim Thaçi in The Specialist Prosecutor v. Hashim Thaçi and Others, ordering the former President of Kosovo’s continued detention on the grounds that a real risk of obstructing the proceedings and committing further offences persists. This case is distinct from the main proceedings against Thaçi in Case 06, in which he faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during and after the Kosovo war. Case 12 concerns charges, confirmed in November 2024, of attempting to obstruct official persons in the performance of their duties, violating the secrecy of proceedings, and contempt of court, arising from allegations that he orchestrated a sustained campaign of witness intimidation in his own war crimes trial. The judge found that while the risk of obstruction has diminished since the prosecution closed its case and defence witnesses have been identified, it remains real given the leadership role alleged against Thaçi in those efforts and a pervasive climate of witness intimidation in Kosovo against those connected to the KSC. Three co-accused have been released after the court found their continued detention disproportionate. Defence witnesses in Case 12 are expected to testify by 28 April 2026.
ECtHR: Finds Georgia Failed to Effectively Investigate Case of Child Sexual Abuse
On 30 March 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered a unanimous judgment in X v. Georgia, finding violations of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment, and Article 8 of the same instrument, the right to respect for private and family life, arising from the Georgian authorities’ failure to conduct an effective criminal investigation into a child’s allegations of sexual abuse by her stepfather. The applicant, X, born in 2005, disclosed in May 2021 that her stepfather had abused her when she was 13. Evidence supporting her account, including witness statements and a psychological assessment, was gathered, but the investigation stalled and no further steps had been taken since July 2021. The domestic court refused to grant X victim status on the basis that she had suffered no harm, a conclusion the Court found incompatible with the available evidence. An unjustified gynaecological examination was conducted, and a question put to her during the interview was worded in a manner the Court found likely to have caused her additional distress. Georgia was ordered to pay €10,000 in non-pecuniary damages. The judgment highlights that investigations into child sexual abuse should be conducted with rigour and sensitivity, and condemns investigative conduct that compounds rather than addresses the harm suffered by survivors.
ECtHR: Finds Russia Violated Historian’s Right to a Fair Trial in Appeal that Quadrupled His Sentence
On 31 March 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered a unanimous Chamber judgment in Yuriy Dmitriyev v. Russia, finding violations of Article 5 §3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the right to liberty and security, and Article 6 §§1 and 3(c) of the same instrument, the right to a fair trial and the right to legal assistance of one’s own choosing. Yuriy Dmitriyev is a Russian historian who uncovered mass graves of Stalin-era victims at Sandarmokh in Karelia; he was arrested in December 2016 after an anonymous letter reported that he had been taking nude photographs of his 11-year-old adopted daughter. Initially acquitted in 2018, finding the photographs were taken to document her physical development for custody officials, then re-arrested on a sexual assault charge, he was convicted and sentenced to three and a half years. On the first violation, the Court found that courts had extended his pre-trial detention using standardised formulae without individualised reasoning and without considering alternatives such as house arrest. On the second, the appeal at which his sentence was raised to 13 years was conducted with a court-appointed replacement lawyer who had three days to review 19 volumes of material, while Dmitriyev participated by video link despite a 30% hearing loss. The Court found no violation of Article 18, declining to establish political motivation. The case carries wider significance both for its procedural holdings and for its subject: Dmitriyev is the historian who located Sandarmokh, one of the largest known Stalin-era mass grave sites in Karelia, and his prosecution has drawn sustained international interest, though the Court declined to find that political motivation was established. The judgment sets an important precedent on the right to chosen counsel in the context of pandemic-related restrictions, where mandatory isolation prevents a lawyer from attending a decisive appellate hearing.
ECtHR: Finds Ukraine’s Prison Authorities Coerced Prisoners into Withdrawing Complaints to the ECtHR
On 2 April 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered a judgment in Ukrayinskyy and Others v. Ukraine, finding violations of Article 34 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the right of individual petition, in respect of 40 of the 42 applicants, and violations of Article 3, the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment, and Article 13, the right to an effective remedy, in respect of all 42. The applicants were prisoners at Zhovti Vody Correctional Colony No. 26, where documented conditions included damp, vermin-infested dormitories, winter temperatures of three to five degrees Celsius, daily interruptions to both water and electricity supply, toilets with partitions reaching only to mid-thigh, and food served in unsanitary conditions, with individual detention periods ranging from 18 to 72 months. The Article 34 violation arose from events following communication of the applications to the Government in March 2020: prison officials organised questioning sessions attended by committees of up to six senior officials, conducted without the applicants’ lawyers present, after which four gave written statements and six gave oral statements indicating they had no complaints. Several subsequently submitted handwritten accounts describing coercion, threats of disciplinary action, and deception. The Court found the questioning amounted to undue interference with the right of individual petition, a finding that is significant because it identifies a pattern of state-organised obstruction of access to the ECtHR in a country where inadequate prison conditions represent a structural problem and no effective domestic remedy exists.
Russia: Court Sentences German Artist to Eight and a Half Years in Absentia for Satirical Floats Mocking Putin
On 2 April 2026, a Moscow district court sentenced German artist Jacques Tilly to eight and a half years in prison in absentia, convicting him on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military and insulting religious feelings. Tilly, aged 62, is the lead designer of carnival floats for Düsseldorf’s Rosenmontag parade and has produced satirical works depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin for many years. The charges related principally to floats that portrayed Putin bathed in blood in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and, in a separate work, engaged in sexual activity with Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church. The court additionally imposed a fine of approximately €2,000 and a four-year work ban. Tilly was not informed of the proceedings by the Russian judiciary and was represented only by a court-appointed lawyer. Tilly said there was no justification for such a harsh punishment for expressing satirical criticism. The verdict has no immediate practical consequences in Germany, where extradition to Russia is not available.
International Peace & Security Section
Tunisia: At least 19 Dead in Migrant Boat Shipwreck
On 30 March 2026, it was reported that at least 19 people had died and approximately 20 others remain missing following a migrant boat shipwreck off the coast of Sfax in Tunisia. Monitoring group Alarm Phone, which tracks distress signals from migrants at sea, reported the tragedy and noted that approximately 60 people had set off from Sfax in an effort to reach the Italian coast. So far, only 16 survivors have been rescued, with 19 bodies recovered. The monitoring group had earlier reported that 56 migrants who departed from Tunisia were experiencing difficulties in the central Mediterranean. It is believed that adverse weather conditions played a part in the sinking. Furthermore, Alarm Phone expressed concerns that some migrants may have encountered violence or been forcibly returned during the incident; these claims have not yet been confirmed. Migrant crossings from Tunisia continue to rise, with thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa left stranded and undertaking dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean towards Europe. This tragedy comes just days after another migrant shipwreck where 22 migrants died off the Greek island of Crete, after a boat sank that departed Libya, according to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).
Afghanistan-Pakistan: At Least 45 Killed in Heavy Rains and Severe Flooding
On 30 March 2026, it was reported that heavy rain and severe flooding over the last five days resulted in the deaths of at least 45 people and injured 74 others in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Authorities reported the floods caused buildings to collapse, leading to the casualties, and warned of the risk of further bad weather. In Afghanistan, most of the deaths occurred in the provinces of Parwan, Maidan Wardak, Daykundi, and Logar, located in the central and eastern part of the country. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that torrential rain, flash floods, and landslides wiped out 130 homes. In total, approximately 1,140 families have been impacted across the regions. In Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an estimated 17 people, including 14 children, were killed, while a further 25 injured after heavy rainfall caused structural damage to houses, with roofs and walls collapsing. The UN has identified both Afghanistan and Pakistan as nation’s most at risk from climate change and extreme weather. In November, a report released by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) outlined that earthquakes, floods, and drought destroyed 8,000 homes in Afghanistan in 2025. The report emphasised that public services were strained “beyond their limits”.
Israel: New Law Permits Death Penalty for Palestinians Convicted of Deadly Attacks in Military Courts
On 30 March 2026, Israeli lawmakers enacted legislation that broadens the jurisdiction of military courts to permit the imposition of the death penalty in specific cases involving Palestinians charged with serious security offences. The law stipulates that anyone convicted of committing deadly attacks classified as “acts of terrorism” could be executed by hanging within 90 days, with a possible postponement of up to 180 days. Critics have described the legislation as discriminatory, noting it effectively applies only to Palestinians, as Jewish Israelis would rarely meet the law’s requirement that the attack was intended to “negate the existence of the state of Israel.” Legal experts and human rights organisations have expressed concerns that the law may contradict international humanitarian law and jeopardise fair trial guarantees, particularly in occupied territories where military courts operate. Critics argue that the legislation could heighten tensions and weaken judicial safeguards, while supporters claim it enhances deterrence in response to security threats. The development has attracted international scrutiny and may lead to legal challenges in both domestic and international forums assessing compliance with international legal obligations.
Haiti: Over 70 Killed in Gang Attack in Artibonite
On 31 March 2026, at least 70 people were killed and around 30 injured in a gang attack in Haiti’s Artibonite region, according to the rights group Defenseurs Plus, significantly more than official estimates of around 16 deaths. The assault began in the early hours of 30 March near Petite-Rivière, where armed gang members reportedly stormed rural communities, set homes on fire, and continued attacks into the following day. The violence displaced thousands, with up to 6,000 people forced to flee, while the UN said more than 2,000 had already left the area amid rising insecurity. Rights groups criticised the lack of an effective security response, as police arrived after the attackers had fled. The attack has been linked to the Gran Grif gang and is believed to have been carried out in retaliation for clashes with rival groups. The incident comes amid a broader deterioration of security in Haiti, where increasingly powerful armed gangs have expanded their control beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, into strategic regions such as Artibonite, a key agricultural hub. According to the UN, nearly 20,000 people have been killed since 2021, while more than 1.4 million have been displaced, underscoring a deepening humanitarian crisis and the limited capacity of state authorities to contain the violence.
ICC: Member States Vote to Advance Disciplinary Proceedings Against Prosecutor Karim Khan
On 1 April 2026, member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) reached a consensus to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct. In a vote by a core group of member states, 15 voted in favour of moving forward with the process, two abstained, while four voted against. Khan is currently on leave pending the inquiry. This decision is particularly noteworthy given prior determinations by ICC judges, which indicated that the evidence available did not meet the necessary threshold to support formal charges, thereby suggesting that the matter should be managed through institutional governance mechanisms. Observers have pointed out that these proceedings could have significant ramifications for the credibility and functioning of the ICC, especially at a time when the Court is engaged in several high-profile investigations. The outcome of these proceedings may also influence future approaches to accountability within international judicial institutions.
Pakistan-Afghanistan: Begin Talks in China to End Cross-Border Fighting
On 2 April 2026, Pakistan and Afghanistan confirmed they had begun talks in China aimed at ending months of cross-border conflict, marking the most serious escalation between the two neighbours since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Officials from both sides are holding preliminary “working-level” discussions with the stated goal of securing a ceasefire and reducing tensions along the border. The talks come after months of violence that has killed dozens on both sides and disrupted trade and cross-border movement since October. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harbouring fighters from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, a claim Kabul denies, insisting the issue is an internal Pakistani matter. Islamabad has called for “verifiable action” against armed groups, while Afghan officials say they aim to address security concerns alongside improving trade and neighbourly relations. The negotiations are being mediated by China, which has stepped up diplomatic efforts to broker a settlement between the two countries. The latest initiative follows a series of failed attempts to de-escalate tensions, including a temporary truce during Ramadan and previous diplomatic outreach by regional actors. The talks take place against a backdrop of continued instability, with sporadic clashes still reported along the border following the collapse of the ceasefire. Tensions escalated sharply after Pakistani air strikes on a rehabilitation centre in Kabul last month, which Afghan officials said killed more than 400 civilians, while Islamabad maintained it had targeted militant infrastructure. The incident drew international condemnation and underscored the fragility of efforts to reach a durable agreement.
DRC: At Least 43 Killed in ADF Attack in Ituri Amid Escalating Rebel Violence
On 2 April 2026, at least 43 people were killed in an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to the army. The assault took place in the village of Bafwakoa in Ituri province, where dozens of homes were set on fire and civilians were reportedly killed with machetes or burned inside their houses. Local officials said the death toll could rise as search operations continue. The ADF, a rebel group originally from Uganda that has pledged allegiance to ISIL (ISIS), was blamed for the attack. Two people were also reported abducted during the attack, which targeted civilians rather than engaging directly with security forces. The attack comes amid a broader surge in violence in eastern DRC, where the ADF has intensified assaults on civilians in Ituri and neighbouring North Kivu in recent months, despite ongoing joint military operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces launched in 2021. The Congolese army, already stretched by multiple conflicts, including the presence of the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group, has struggled to contain the ADF. According to recent data, the group has been responsible for a significant share of attacks on civilians in the region, including previous mass casualty attacks in the area, underscoring the persistent insecurity and fragility of stabilisation efforts in eastern DRC.
Burkina Faso: HRW Reports Over 1,800 Civilians Killed by Army and Jihadists
On 2 April 2026, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a comprehensive report documenting the killing of at least 1,837 civilians across 11 regions of the country between January 2023 and August 2025. The findings implicate the national military, the Al Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), and the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP) – a group of civilian volunteers recruited to aid in the fight against jihadists. According to the report, these killings occurred across 57 documented incidents and included dozens of children. HRW highlighted a broad crackdown by the ruling junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, which has fostered an atmosphere of terror and severely restricted information regarding the conflict’s true toll. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, HRW has urged for immediate international intervention and impartial investigations to hold senior leaders on all sides accountable for the atrocities committed. HRW has called for the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to initiate a preliminary investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all parties involved in the violence since September 2022.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/02/burkina-faso-crimes-against-humanity-by-all-sides
Iran: IRGC Launches Plan to Recruit Minors to Defend Homeland Amid Heightened Tensions
On 3 April 2026, reports emerged that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had launched an intensive campaign to recruit children into its paramilitary wing, the Basij, to bolster national defence. This plan forms part of IRGC efforts to “defend the homeland” amid ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. The recruitment campaign reportedly targets boys and girls aged 12 and over, encouraging them to join as “volunteer fighters”, taking part in roles including intelligence tasks, patrols, identity checks, and logistical support. These recruitment efforts emphasise patriotic duty and the defence of the Islamic Republic, often utilising propaganda that glorifies martyrdom to appeal to younger demographics. International observers and legal experts have condemned the mobilisation, noting that the recruitment and use of children under the age of 15 in hostilities is classified as a war crime under the Geneva Conventions. Despite these warnings, Tehran has continued to expand the recruitment campaign. Human rights organisations have called for immediate international intervention, arguing that the deployment of minors into military structures places a generation of Iranian children at extreme risk. The IRGC has yet to scale back the campaign, maintaining that the participation of young volunteers is part of defending the nation.
NATO: US Threatens Withdrawal as Iran Conflict Triggers Potential Transatlantic Alliance Crisis
On 3 April 2026, it was reported the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is facing its most severe internal crisis in its 76-year history, as US President Donald Trump said he is considering withdrawing from the bloc. The crisis stems from European allies’ refusal to deploy their navies to the Strait of Hormuz to assist the US-Israeli air war against Iran, which began on 28 February. Enraged by this lack of support, Trump questioned the core mission of the mutual defence pact, asserting that NATO cannot be a “one-way street” and asking rhetorically if he should exit the alliance. While European officials argue they have not received specific requests for assets for a mission to open the Strait of Hormuz, and are wary of the war’s strategic direction, the friction has led to unprecedented concerns that the US may not defend Europe if attacked. Analysts describe the current state of the alliance as the weakest since its founding, noting that the mutual defence agreement – the “basic fabric” of European security – is no longer a given. To mitigate the fallout, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is scheduled to visit Washington next week in an attempt to stabilise the relationship. Despite legal hurdles to a formal US exit, diplomats warn that the president’s role as commander-in-chief allows him to effectively paralyse the alliance by opting out of its collective defence obligations.