Weekly News Recap (4 - 10 May 2026)
© Photo by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid via Flickr
International Justice Section
Iraq: Court Sentences Four People for Promoting Banned Baath Party Ideology
ECtHR: Finds Türkiye Violated Legality and Inhuman Treatment Guarantees in FETÖ/PDY Conviction
ECtHR: Finds Türkiye Violated Inhuman Treatment and Liberty Guarantees in Immigration Detention
KSC: Extends Deadline for Verdict in Hashim Thaçi Case to 20 July
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Retrial Commences of Ramiz Duraković for War Crimes
Australia: Two Women Charged with Slavery Linked to ISIS After Return from Syria
International Peace & Security Section
Indonesia-Japan: Sign Defence Cooperation Pact
OCHA: Allocates $98 Million in Emergency Funding for Mozambique
Chad: At Least 23 Soldiers Killed in Boko Haram Terror Attack on Military Post
US: At Least Three Killed in Military Strike on Alleged Drug Vessel in Eastern Pacific
India: Four Killed in Violence After Major Political Shift in West Bengal State Elections
UN: Demands Release of Flotilla Activists Held by Israel
International Justice Section
Iraq: Court Sentences Four People for Promoting Banned Baath Party Ideology
On 4 May 2026, the Karkh Criminal Court in Iraq sentenced four individuals to six years in prison for promoting the ideology of the prohibited Baath Party. The court stated that the individuals were convicted after it was discovered they were in possession of banned materials on their mobile phones in Kirkuk province during 2025 and 2026. Following the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, a widespread de-Baathification policy was implemented, aimed at eradicating the influence of the Baath Party and its former leader Saddam Hussein from state institutions. The policy targeted former party members, including senior officials. In recent years, such convictions have become less frequent. Individuals with de-Baathification convictions are not eligible for nomination to high-ranking positions, including ministerial roles, senior government posts, and high-level security jobs. The Accountability and Justice Commission continues to manage the process. However, the policy remains a politically sensitive issue, especially among the Sunni population. Senior Sunni politicians have advocated for the dissolution of the commission, contending that its mandate should be ended to facilitate reconciliation efforts, while supporters believe it is essential to prevent a resurgence of Baath influence in the country.
https://apnews.com/article/iraq-baath-party-arrests-3c7137c59cbe0465684111cc340b2251
ECtHR: Finds Türkiye Violated Legality and Inhuman Treatment Guarantees in FETÖ/PDY Conviction
On 5 May 2026, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered its judgment in Yasak v. Türkiye (Application No. 17389/20), reversing an earlier Chamber ruling that had found no violations, holding instead that Türkiye had breached two articles of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The case arose from the wave of prosecutions that followed the attempted coup of July 2016, in which Şaban Yasak was convicted by the Çorum Assize Court of membership of the “Fetullahist Terror Organisation/Parallel State Structure” (FETÖ/PDY), the organisation Turkish authorities hold responsible for the coup attempt, and sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment. His conviction rested entirely on activities he had carried out within the organisation’s educational branch, all of which predated the official designation of FETÖ/PDY as a terrorist organisation by at least a year and a half. The Grand Chamber found, on an 11–6 vote, a violation of Article 7 of the ECHR, the right to no punishment without law, ruling that Turkish courts had entirely failed to assess whether Yasak individually knew of the organisation’s violent objectives and deliberately chose to further them, rather than simply participating in what was then operating as a legal educational and religious movement. The Court held that guilt by association cannot substitute for an individualised assessment of criminal intent, and that the temporal gap between Yasak’s activities and the coup made that assessment all the more essential. By a 9–8 vote, the Grand Chamber also found a violation of Article 3 of the ECHR, the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment, arising from almost four years of severe overcrowding in Çorum Prison, including 14 months without an individual bed, inadequate sanitation, and severely restricted outdoor access. The Court awarded Yasak €2,800 in respect of non-pecuniary damage and €9,050 for costs and expenses.
ECtHR: Finds Türkiye Violated Inhuman Treatment and Liberty Guarantees in Immigration Detention
On 5 May 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) Second Section Chamber delivered its judgment in Z.A. and K.S. v. Türkiye (Application No. 36449/17), finding violations of Article 3 and Article 5 § 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in respect of the first applicant, a Kyrgyzstani national identified only as Z.A., who had fled Tajikistan claiming a risk of persecution on account of his religious and political opinions. The application of the second applicant, a Russian national identified as K.S., was declared inadmissible for failure to exhaust domestic remedies. The Chamber found a violation of Article 3 of the ECHR, the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment, on account of the conditions of Z.A.’s detention at the Adana Reception and Accommodation Centre, where he was held for over three months without adequate access to outdoor exercise or fresh air, in circumstances the Turkish Constitutional Court had itself found deficient in parallel proceedings concerning other detainees at the same facility during the same period. The Chamber also found two discrete violations of Article 5 § 1 of the ECHR, the right to liberty and security: first, because Z.A.’s initial three-day detention at Sakarya police headquarters had no lawful basis, as no detention order had been issued; and second, because Turkish authorities continued to hold him for 29 days after a magistrate’s court had ordered his release, without any satisfactory explanation for that delay. The Court awarded €3,900 in respect of non-pecuniary damage and €3,500 for costs and expenses.
KSC: Extends Deadline for Verdict in Hashim Thaçi Case to 20 July
On 6 May 2026, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) announced that the deadline for the verdict in the case of former Kosovo President and Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) member Hashim Thaçi, along with co-defendants Kadri Veseli, Jakup Kransiqi, and Rexhep Selimi, has been postponed to 20 July 2026. A further extension is also possible if necessary. The Trial Panel said its decision to extend the deadline by 60 days was due to the complexity of the case. The verdict was originally scheduled for 19 May 2026, and the panel added that, if a further extension is required, it will issue a formal order at the appropriate time. Thaçi and his co-defendants are accused of committing crimes against humanity and war crimes in Kosovo and Albania from March 1998 to November 1999. The prosecution alleges that the defendants are responsible for the deaths of at least 100 victims. During closing statements in February, Thaçi’s lawyers maintained his innocence, calling for an acquittal due to lack of evidence.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Retrial Commences of Ramiz Duraković for War Crimes
On 7 May 2026, the retrial of Ramiz Duraković, former commander of the 43rd Drina Brigade of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is set to commence. Duraković had previously received a three-year sentence for war crimes committed in the Čajniče area in 1993. The crimes included failing to take action against his soldiers after attacks on the Army of Republika Srpska in Pisanica and Šapići, which resulted in the death of a civilian and the burning of homes. In April 2026, the Appellate Council of the State Court overturned the first-instance verdict and ordered a new trial. Appeals were submitted by both the defence and the Prosecutor’s Office. The defence argued the conviction was based on unproven facts, while the prosecutors sought a longer sentence. The Appellate Council will determine how the case will proceed.
China: Military Court Issues Suspended Death Sentences for Two Former Defence Ministers on Corruption Charges
On 7 May 2026, China’s military court sentenced two former defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, to death with a two-year reprieve on corruption charges. Under the court’s ruling, both men will have their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment after two years, with no option for parole or reduced sentences. Wei served as China’s defence minister from 2018 to 2023, while Li held the position briefly, replacing Wei in March 2023 before his dismissal months later in October 2023. Both were found guilty of bribery, and had all personal assets seized. Investigations found that both had accepted substantial sums of money in bribes and had sought benefits for themselves and others. The sentences are part of a broader anti-corruption crackdown in China. Chinese President Xi Jinping described the campaign as a “revolutionary tempering in the fight against corruption.” However, critics have argued that the measures are being used to eliminate political rivals.
Australia: Two Women Charged with Slavery Linked to ISIS After Return from Syria
On 8 May 2026, Australian police charged two women with slavery offences after returning from Syria in connection with the Islamic State (ISIS) extremist group. The women, aged 53 and 31, had been detained in a refugee camp for over seven years and were arrested on Thursday at Melbourne airport upon their return to the country. They face crimes against humanity charges, including owning and using a slave while in Syria, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. Both women allegedly travelled to Syria in 2014 with their families. In a separate case, a 32-year-old woman was arrested in Sydney on terror-related charges linked to ISIS. Authorities reported she moved to Syria in 2015 to accompany her husband, who had already left Australia to join ISIS. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 10 years. The return of Australian women and children from Syrian camps has raised concerns over the government’s approach to managing returning citizens with ISIS connections. Officials reported that four women and nine children are planning to return from Syrian camps. The government has faced criticism for not preventing their return but has outlined that there are “very serious limits” on the actions authorities can take to prevent Australian citizens from entering the country. In the aftermath of ISIS’s territorial defeat, many relatives of fighters were detained in Syrian camps. In 2022, Australia repatriated four women and 13 children, while around 21 Australians are still in the al-Roj camp.
International Peace & Security Section
Indonesia-Japan: Sign Defence Cooperation Pact
On 4 May 2026, Indonesia and Japan signed a defence cooperation agreement in Jakarta. The deal includes collaboration in the defence sector, human development, and measures for disaster mitigation. The agreement was signed by Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and his Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who described the deal as a “crucial milestone” that will guide defence cooperation between the two nations. The ministers also discussed maritime security, joint military exercises, and advancements in defence technology. In April, Japan lifted its prohibition on overseas arms sales, as the country aims to bolster its defence industry. Koizumi stated that the agreement aims to enhance peace and stability in both nations and the wider region, amid an increasingly complex international security landscape.
OCHA: Allocates $98 Million in Emergency Funding for Mozambique
On 4 May 2026, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced it has released nearly US$98 million in emergency funding to support communities in Mozambique affected by conflict and climate-related disasters. Mozambique is currently facing numerous challenges, including violence in the northern part of the country, which has caused widespread displacement. Additionally, the southern provinces have been struck by severe flooding and cyclones, which has destroyed homes and essential services. The OCHA funding allocation includes US$83.3 million from the Eastern and Southern Africa Humanitarian Fund (ESAHF) and US$14.5 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). It will aim to provide food, safe drinking water, and healthcare. It will also provide emergency shelter, with a focus on protection for women, children, and other vulnerable groups at risk of violence. The assistance will target districts affected by conflict in Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces, as well as areas impacted by flooding in Gaza, Sofala, and Maputo provinces. The funding is part of the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which aims to raise US$534 million to assist 1.7 million people across the country.
Chad: At Least 23 Soldiers Killed in Boko Haram Terror Attack on Military Post
On 5 May 2026, the Chadian armed forces reported that at least 23 soldiers were killed and 26 others injured in a Boko Haram terrorist attack on a military post in the Lake Chad region, on the island of Barka Tolorom, Chad. In a statement, the Chadian armed forces said the attack was intercepted, with a considerable number of Boko Haram fighters killed. Boko Haram, a Nigerian-based militant group, has long operated around the Lake Chad region near the border area shared by Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno denounced the attack, labeling it a “cowardly” act, and reiterated the nation’s commitment to eliminate the threat posed by the group. In recent years, the Lake Chad region has experienced a surge in Boko Haram violence. In October 2024, around 40 Chadian soldiers were killed in a similar militant attack.
US: At Least Three Killed in Military Strike on Alleged Drug Vessel in Eastern Pacific
On 6 May 2026, the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) reported that at least three people were killed in a US military strike on a vessel suspected of transporting drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The strike comes a day after the US launched a separate attack on another suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean Sea, which killed two people. The operations are part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing campaign against alleged ‘narco-terrorists’ in Latin American waters, which began in September 2025. At least 191 people have been killed in the campaign so far. SOUTHCOM said in a statement that the strikes targeted vessels “engaged in narco-trafficking operations” moving along “known narco-trafficking routes.” However, the military has not provided evidence that the vessels were transporting drugs. Trump described the operations as part of an “armed conflict” against cartels in Latin America, aimed at reducing drug flow into the US and fatal overdoses. Critics have raised concerns over the legality of the strikes, noting the lack of evidence to support the claims of “narco-terrorists.” They warn that the strikes may amount to extrajudicial killings.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-conducts-strike-on-vessel-in-caribbean-killing-2/3927478
India: Four Killed in Violence After Major Political Shift in West Bengal State Elections
On 6 May 2026, at least four people were killed in political violence in India’s eastern state of West Bengal following state assembly election results that ended more than a decade of rule by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s regional party. Clashes erupted between rival political supporters after the results were announced, marking a significant political shift in one of India’s most influential states. The unrest spread across Kolkata and several other districts, with opposing parties accusing each other of deadly attacks. Two supporters from each side were reported killed, while police confirmed violent clashes, vandalism, and injuries, including a police officer who was shot in the leg. The elections saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party secure its first-ever victory in West Bengal, winning a decisive majority in the state assembly. The result represents a major defeat for Banerjee, a longtime critic of Modi, whose party had governed the state since 2011. Banerjee rejected the outcome, alleging electoral manipulation and claiming that more than 100 seats had been “looted”. She also refused to resign immediately after the results were announced. Amid escalating tensions, India’s Election Commission ordered state authorities to adopt “zero tolerance” towards post-election violence and to prevent reprisals or intimidation linked to the vote. Analysts described the outcome as one of the most significant political breakthroughs for Modi’s party in recent years, further expanding its dominance beyond its traditional strongholds in northern India.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/6/four-killed-in-post-election-violence-in-indias-west-bengal
UN: Demands Release of Flotilla Activists Held by Israel
On 6 May 2026, the UN called for the immediate and unconditional release of two Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel following the seizure of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Greece. UN human rights office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan urged Israeli authorities to free Spanish activist Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, while also demanding an investigation into allegations of severe mistreatment and abuse in custody. The two activists were among dozens participating in the humanitarian flotilla, which aimed to deliver aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s blockade. According to organisers, they are the only two participants still imprisoned after Israeli forces raided and seized several flotilla vessels on 30 April. Both men remain detained without charge and have reportedly been on hunger strike since their arrest. Rights group Adalah, which is representing the activists, said the two men have faced severe physical abuse amounting to torture while in Israeli custody. Israeli authorities have reportedly accused them of affiliation with a “terrorist organisation” and contact with foreign agents, despite no formal charges being filed. The UN also criticised Israel’s use of arbitrary detention and broadly defined terrorism legislation, warning that such practices are inconsistent with international human rights law. The organisation reiterated calls for an end to the blockade on Gaza and for unrestricted humanitarian aid access to the territory, where the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen amid the ongoing war. The incident follows previous Israeli raids on Gaza-bound flotillas, including an earlier Global Sumud mission in October during which activists were arrested.
Mali: At Least 30 Killed as Armed Groups Intensify Attacks
On 7 May 2026, armed fighters killed at least 30 people in coordinated attacks on villages in central Mali’s Mopti region, according to local and security sources, marking one of the deadliest assaults since a wider offensive by armed groups began in late April. Some sources reported the death toll could be as high as 50. The attacks, reportedly carried out by fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), targeted rural communities already facing severe insecurity and resource shortages amid the peak of the dry season. The violence comes just days after armed fighters stormed the Kenieroba Central Prison near Bamako and amid an escalating insurgent campaign across the country. Since late April, JNIM has coordinated operations with the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), with attacks reaching major military and political targets, including the killing of Defence Minister Sadio Camara and an attempted strike on the residence of junta leader Assimi Goita. Armed groups have also seized key northern areas including Kidal and Tessalit, while threatening to blockade roads leading to the capital. The latest attacks highlight the worsening security crisis in Mali despite repeated claims by the military government that the situation is under control. Civilians remain trapped between expanding armed group operations, military offensives, and growing intercommunal tensions over land and water resources, particularly in central regions already destabilised by years of conflict.
DRC: At Least 40 Killed in Attack by ADF Militants
On 8 May 2026, it was reported that at least 40 people were killed in attacks by an Islamic State-affiliated group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Charité Banza, head of the Ituri civil society group, and Kinos Katua, a local member, said the attacks were committed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) near the border with Uganda from Wednesday night into Thursday morning. In the Beni territory, North Kivu, 25 deaths were confirmed, while 15 were recorded in Ituri province. The assailants also looted and set fire to homes. Many residents are still unaccounted for, raising concerns that the death toll may rise. The ADF, which originated in Uganda, has been affiliated with the Islamic State group since 2019 and has long operated in the border region, regularly committing attacks against the civilian population. Amnesty International recently released a report accusing the ADF of war crimes and crimes against humanity. DRC also faces violence from other rebel groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, which has taken control of key cities in the eastern part of the country.