Weekly News Recap (12 - 18 October 2026)
© Photo by IAEA Imagebank via Flickr
International Justice Section
China: Court Sentences Three People to Death for Involvement in Myanmar Scam Centres
US: Trial Opens for Rwandan-American Accused of Covering Up Alleged Involvement in Genocide
Colombia: Peace Tribunal Charges Former FARC Members with Crimes Against Indigenous Peoples
Cambodia: Supreme Court Rejects Opposition Activist’s Bid for Concurrent Sentences
Malaysia: Court Rejects Former Prime Minister’s Bid to Suspend 15-Year Prison Sentence
ECtHR: Finds Violation Over Inadequate Detention Conditions in Ukraine
Syria: Military Court Sentences Two to Death Over 2025 Coastal Violence
International Peace & Security Section
UN: Security Council Hears Peace Deal Under Threat as Violence Rises in Colombia
UN: Experts Urge FAO to Adhere to Human Rights and Protect Staff
Panama: UNICEF Reports Over 8,000 Children in Need of Humanitarian Assistance Following Earthquake
IMF: Warns Rising Global Debt Impacts Low-Income Nations Most Severely
UN: Security Council Renews Sanctions on Haiti for One Year
Nigeria: At Least 10 Soldiers Killed in Boko Haram Attack on Army Base
Ukraine: Resumes Strikes on Russian Oil Refinery Ending Energy Truce
Bulgaria: Requests NATO Anti-Drone Systems Following Attacks on Commercial Vessels in the Black Sea
International Justice Section
China: Court Sentences Three People to Death for Involvement in Myanmar Scam Centres
On 13 October 2026, Quanzhou Intermediate People’s Court handed down death sentences against three individuals for their involvement in a criminal network operating scam centres in Myanmar. The court confirmed the sentencing of Wei Huairen, Chen Dawei and Liao Jingfang for their association with the “Wei family criminal gang.” Wei Huairen was identified as one of the gang’s leaders and was found guilty of multiple charges, including murder. The gang’s criminal activities included telecommunications fraud, drug trafficking, and organised prostitution. It was also responsible for the murder of at least two Chinese nationals. Additionally, three other members received life sentences, while 55 others were given prison terms ranging from three years and three months to 24 years. According to the court, the network generated over US$1.8 billion and operated 14 large-scale compounds. It recruited thousands of Chinese nationals to Myanmar using deceptive offers of high wages. In July 2026, the International Organization for Migration warned that up to 300,000 people were employed in scam centres in Southeast Asia, with many trafficked foreign nationals forced to carry out online fraud from detention compounds.
US: Trial Opens for Rwandan-American Accused of Covering Up Alleged Involvement in Genocide
On 13 October 2026, a federal trial began in Boston, Massachusetts, against Eric Nshimiye, a Rwandan-born US citizen accused of perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with his alleged involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Prosecutors allege that Nshimiye lied to investigators about his activities during the genocide and gave false testimony in a 2019 trial when appearing as a character witness for another genocide suspect. They further allege that he participated in violence against Tutsi civilians in Rwanda, including killings and rape. Nshimiye denies involvement, maintaining that he was in Kigali when the violence began and subsequently fled the country. His defence argues that the case relies on unreliable eyewitness accounts, including identifications allegedly made after witnesses were repeatedly shown his photograph. Prosecutors intend to call more than a dozen witnesses, many travelling from Rwanda. Nshimiye has been held without bail since his arrest in 2024. If convicted, he could face an attempt by US authorities to revoke his citizenship.
Colombia: Peace Tribunal Charges Former FARC Members with Crimes Against Indigenous Peoples
On 14 October 2026, Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), the transitional justice tribunal established under the 2016 peace agreement, charged 10 former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) members with alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against five Indigenous peoples between 1996 and 2016. The alleged abuses include murder, torture, and forced displacement, as well as the use of landmines and destruction of ecosystems essential to Indigenous communities’ survival. JEP magistrates said FARC commanders had ordered attacks on Indigenous territories and leaders perceived to oppose the group’s interests. Three of those charged served on the former rebel group’s final secretariat, including former senator Julián Gallo. Indigenous leaders welcomed the decision as recognition that the violence targeted not only individuals but also their communities, cultures and territories. The proceedings form part of Colombia’s broader efforts to establish accountability for abuses committed during its decades-long armed conflict. Under the transitional justice framework, the JEP can impose non-custodial restorative sanctions on those who acknowledge responsibility, while those who reject the charges and are subsequently convicted may face prison sentences.
Cambodia: Supreme Court Rejects Opposition Activist’s Bid for Concurrent Sentences
On 14 October 2026, Cambodia’s Supreme Court rejected opposition activist Voeung Samnang’s request to serve two prison sentences concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of 11 years in prison. Samnang received a five-year sentence in 2022 and a six-year sentence in 2023 for separate convictions on charges of plotting to attack the state. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the cases relied on Facebook posts related to the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and criticism of the government. Samnang, a former local CNRP official, fled to Thailand in 2020 but was forcibly returned to Cambodia in 2021, despite being recognised as a refugee by the UN refugee agency. HRW has criticised the use of broadly worded plotting charges against opposition activists and social media users. The Supreme Court’s decision means Samnang must serve the sentences consecutively rather than concurrently.
Malaysia: Court Rejects Former Prime Minister’s Bid to Suspend 15-Year Prison Sentence
On 14 October 2026, Malaysia’s High Court denied former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s application seeking to suspend his 15-year custodial sentence and 11.38 billion ringgit (US$2.8 billion) fine stemming from a corruption case associated with the state-owned investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin determined that the gravity of the offences and considerations of public interest superseded his arguments for deferring the sentence pending appellate review. Najib was found guilty in December 2025 of abuse of power and money laundering. He is currently serving a separate six-year sentence for misappropriating funds. After his current prison term ends in August 2028, he is due to begin his additional 15-year prison term.
ECtHR: Finds Violation Over Inadequate Detention Conditions in Ukraine
On 15 October 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found that Ukraine had violated Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in the case of Zakutniy and Others v. Ukraine through the inadequate detention conditions experienced by eight applicants. The applicants complained of overcrowding, poor ventilation and lighting, inadequate sanitation, exposure to tobacco smoke, and insufficient access to hygiene facilities. The Court also examined whether Ukraine provided an effective domestic remedy under Article 13 (right to an effective remedy). It found no violation, concluding that civil claims for damages could now be regarded, in principle, as an effective means of obtaining compensation for people no longer detained in allegedly Convention-incompatible conditions. Applicants bringing similar complaints must therefore generally pursue this remedy before applying to the ECtHR. The Court nevertheless acknowledged that compensation awarded to the applicants had been insufficient. It awarded additional compensation to the applicants and said it could reconsider the remedy’s effectiveness if domestic practice continued to produce inadequate redress or other shortcomings.
Germany: Court Sentences Two Over Alleged Iran-Directed Assassination Plot to Kill Jewish Organisation Leader
On 15 October 2026, a German court sentenced two men to prison for their roles in a plot to kill the leader of a Jewish organisation in Germany. The court sentenced a Danish national, identified as Ali S., to eight years and six months for preparing an assassination and aggravated arson, and an Afghan national, identified as Tawab M., to four years and six months for his role in the plot. According to the court, the Danish national had been recruited by Iran’s intelligence service to carry out state-sponsored terrorist activities in Germany. Prosecutors said that, in early 2025, S. had been instructed to gather information on the President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, and the Chairman of the German-Israeli Society, Volker Beck. S. was also allegedly tasked with surveilling two Jewish grocery store owners in Berlin. Federal prosecutors brought charges against the men in May 2026. The verdicts are subject to appeal. Iran’s embassy in Germany did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Syria: Military Court Sentences Two to Death Over 2025 Coastal Violence
On 15 October 2026, a Syrian military court in Aleppo sentenced two defendants to death for their involvement in the deadly coastal violence of March 2025. The court found both men, al-Waddah Ismail and Maher Ali, guilty of offences including acts intended to “provoke civil war and sectarian fighting, as well as leading armed groups with the aim of attacking government forces.” The court also handed down a sentence to a third defendant, Maher Othman, who received a 12-year prison sentence. In separate rulings, several Defence Ministry officials also received prison sentences. Mohammed Bakour was sentenced to 20 years for intentional homicide, while Capt. Mustafa Shannan and Khaled Muhaimeed received two-year terms for involvement in torture. Mahmoud Shaheen was sentenced to two months for causing bodily harm. Meanwhile, Abdul Raouf Bakr Jan and Mohammed Louay Zarzouri were found not guilty of intentional homicide due to a lack of evidence. These verdicts form part of ongoing trials into abuses committed during the March 2025 coastal violence in Latakia and Tartus, which killed hundreds of civilians and security personnel.
International Peace & Security Section
UN: Security Council Hears Peace Deal Under Threat as Violence Rises in Colombia
On 12 October 2026, the UN Security Council was briefed on rising insecurity in Colombia almost 10 years on from the signing of the country’s historic 2016 peace deal. Miroslav Jenča, the UN Special Representative for Colombia and head of its Verification Mission in the country, stressed that the peace deal remains essential and must be fully implemented and supported with adequate funding. He also called for security policies and the peace deal to be mutually reinforcing and encouraged cooperation between Colombia’s government and the UN Verification Mission. Growing violence by armed groups continues to severely affect communities across Colombia, many of whom face child recruitment, gender-based violence, and barriers to accessing public services. Attacks on civil society and human rights defenders also remain a serious concern. Despite the challenges, some 11,000 former members of the FARC-EP guerrilla group are committed to reintegration and have taken part in reintegration initiatives across multiple job sectors. Yet many continue to face economic instability and threats to their lives. Jenča called on the international community to reaffirm its commitment to Colombia’s peace agreement at this critical juncture for the country.
UN: Experts Urge FAO to Adhere to Human Rights and Protect Staff
On 13 October 2026, a group of UN experts voiced concern over recent comments made by the Director-General of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regarding the link between human rights and FAO’s work. The statement comes after the Director-General’s remarks at a high-level event in September 2026, linking the dismissal of senior FAO officials with their engagement on human rights issues in Gaza, including famine and starvation. The UN experts reiterated that advancing human rights, including the right to food, lies at the heart of FAO’s mission and that the organisation is bound by the UN Charter enshrining these principles. FAO has a clear and necessary mandate to investigate the use of starvation as a method of warfare and assess conflict-related food insecurity through an international law lens. The experts warned recent developments could lead to a culture of fear among UN personnel and stressed that staff should be able to carry out their work without fear of reprisals. They called on FAO to adhere to the values and principles of the UN Charter, and urged UN member states to protect the UN’s reputation by ensuring FAO leadership lives up to these values.
Panama: UNICEF Reports Over 8,000 Children in Need of Humanitarian Assistance Following Earthquake
On 13 October 2026, UNICEF reported that approximately 38,000 people, including 8,300 children, required humanitarian assistance following a magnitude 7.5 earthquake that hit Panama on 9 October. The earthquake caused considerable damage to homes, schools, medical facilities, and critical water and transport infrastructure. The provinces of Veraguas, Coclé, Herrera, and Los Santos suffered significant damage. UNICEF Representative in Panama, Olga Isaza, said that thousands of children had experienced disruption to their education. Initial evaluations by the government indicated that 656 educational facilities sustained damage, leading to the suspension of classes on 12 October pending comprehensive structural safety assessments. Furthermore, at least 25 health facilities also suffered damage. UNICEF, working with the Government of Panama and humanitarian partners, has launched an emergency response by providing supplies and assessing needs related to safe water and sanitation, education, and child protection. UNICEF has appealed for US$2.5 million to finance life-saving assistance and early recovery for affected children and families.
IMF: Warns Rising Global Debt Impacts Low-Income Nations Most Severely
On 14 October 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that growing global debt is rising, hitting low-income countries the hardest. Speaking at an IMF and World Bank meeting in Bangkok, IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, called on the US and other high-income countries to take stronger action to bring global debt levels down. Georgieva stressed that national economic growth is not enough to address debt burdens and that additional fiscal measures were needed, as rising bond yields continued to disrupt financial markets. The world’s poorest countries are facing historically high levels of interest coupled with aid cuts, making it increasingly difficult to manage their finances. This is putting them in difficult positions of having to prioritise debt payments over meeting the needs of their people. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband called for a new deal on debt to better support low-income nations. Meanwhile, former Belgian Prime Minister and UN Development Programme (UNDP) administrator, Alexander De Croo, highlighted a new “Jobs for Prosperity” initiative by the agency to bolster investment in key sectors and create more jobs globally.
https://apnews.com/article/economy-imf-debt-bessent-us-china-f7f4c11e3b99c18ec6c49fdedeb95845
UN: Security Council Renews Sanctions on Haiti for One Year
On 14 October 2026, the UN Security Council renewed its sanctions on Haiti for one year. The Security Council’s sanctions regime, created in 2022, includes a travel ban, an asset freeze, and an arms embargo, and targets individuals responsible for or involved in destabilising Haiti’s peace and security. Nine individuals and two groups are currently sanctioned, with the embargo covering weapons and ammunition for armed groups, and the travel ban and asset freeze applied to people and entities contributing to gang violence and insecurity. The mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Haiti sanctions committee was also extended for 13 months. The sanctions are meant to address Haiti’s severe humanitarian, human rights, and security crisis. Armed gangs control large swathes of the country, including large parts of the capital Port-au-Prince, and sexual violence, child recruitment, killings, and kidnappings are widespread. Yet an independent fact-finding panel on Haiti, set up by the Security Council, has found that the sanctions have been violated, especially the arms embargo and asset freeze. Notably, gangs have expanded their control in recent years despite the sanctions. The Panel of Experts stressed that the networks supporting gangs, not just people on the sanctions list, must be tackled to meaningfully address the country’s dire security situation.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/10/1168598
Nigeria: At Least 10 Soldiers Killed in Boko Haram Attack on Army Base
On 15 October 2026, it was reported that at least 10 soldiers were killed and around 20 others injured in a suspected Boko Haram attack on an army base in Guzamala, Borno State, northeastern Nigeria. According to reports, the attack occurred on Tuesday night, during which militants overran troops, demolished military equipment, and ignited fires in parts of Mairari village. At least five civilians and a forest guard were also killed during the attack. Prior to the assault, the militants seized over 40 fishing boats from the nearby Tumbun Barebari village. The attack comes amid a recent escalation in violence by Islamist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), despite extensive military campaigns against the 17-year insurgency in northeastern Nigeria.
Ukraine: Resumes Strikes on Russian Oil Refinery Ending Energy Truce
On 15 October 2026, a Ukrainian drone strike started a fire at an oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region, roughly 300 kilometres southeast of Moscow. The attack came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared an end to a three-day halt on such strikes, which Kyiv had observed after US President Donald Trump announced an “energy ceasefire.” Zelenskyy said Russia ignored the arrangement and kept targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, and he criticised Washington’s stance toward Ukraine. The Kremlin argued Ukraine had never really stopped its attacks, while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the strikes a challenge to Trump. Meanwhile, Russian attacks hit 15 Ukrainian regions, killing three civilians. Ukraine claims its campaign has knocked out more than half of Russia’s refining capacity, though neither side’s claims could be independently verified.
Bulgaria: Requests NATO Anti-Drone Systems Following Attacks on Commercial Vessels in the Black Sea
On 16 October 2026, Bulgarian Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said that Bulgaria had submitted an official request to NATO for the deployment of supplementary combat aircraft and anti-drone systems to reinforce its defensive capabilities in response to multiple drone attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Black Sea. Recent drone strikes this week included two ships catching fire off Romania’s Black Sea coast, while a commercial vessel sank off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast on Tuesday following a drone attack. The request was submitted to NATO’s Secretary General and Supreme Allied Commander. Stoyanov said Bulgaria had urged NATO to bolster its defensive capabilities, including by deploying additional forces on its territory. Furthermore, he noted that Bulgaria intended to coordinate with Romania and Türkiye on a joint response. NATO said Bulgaria’s request would be examined by ambassadors from member states during the forthcoming week. Bulgaria has also called for a halt to attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea and anticipates joining NATO’s anti-drone initiative by the end of the month.