The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 27 August to 2 September 2024.
Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates from the International Criminal Court, European Court of Human Rights, United Nations, European Union and other sources. Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration.
Mongolia – 2 September 2024
Human Rights Watch called for Mongolia to deny entry to Russian President Vladimir Putin or arrest him if he enters the country. This follows pressure on the Mongolian government after the arrests of several activists, who had called for the country to issue an arrest warrant for Putin based on war crimes in the Ukraine conflict.
China – 2 September 2024
Taiwan's President asserted that if China seeks to reclaim Taiwan based on historical claims, it should also consider reclaiming vast territories from Russia that were ceded under the Qing dynasty. This provocative statement underscores the complexity of historical territorial disputes in the region and challenges China's selective interpretation of history.
Brazil – 31 August 2024
Brazil's government blocked access to X (formerly Twitter) after the platform failed to comply with legal requirements to curb disinformation and harmful content ahead of the upcoming elections.
Over half-a-million users joined the Bluesky platform. The shutdown has sparked a broader debate over digital sovereignty, censorship, and the power of multinational tech companies in influencing domestic politics in Brazil.
Israel – 31 August 2024
Israel has intensified efforts to undermine UNRWA, the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees, by leveraging Google search ads to promote a website that spreads misinformation about the agency's role and activities.
The website, appearing at the top of search results for UNRWA, has been criticized for spreading misleading narratives aligned with Israeli government positions.
Bangladesh – 30 August 2024
Bangladesh's interim government has signed the UN Convention on Enforced Disappearance, signalling its commitment to addressing ongoing human rights abuses. The move has been welcomed by international human rights groups, though concerns remain about the implementation and the government's ability to hold security forces accountable. This development comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Bangladesh's human rights record and the challenges for the new government in balancing international pressure with domestic security concerns.
United Kingdom – 30 August 2024
The UK has issued its first travel bans under a domestic counter-terrorism regime, targeting individuals associated with extremist activities within the country. These measures are part of the government's broader strategy to prevent terrorism by restricting the movement of individuals deemed to pose a threat to national security.
Mexico – 30 August 2024
The Mexican state of Nuevo León has passed legislation banning abortion after six weeks, joining a growing number of states in Mexico enacting restrictive abortion laws. The new law has sparked significant controversy and is expected to face legal challenges from human rights organizations, who argue that it violates women's rights to reproductive autonomy, representing a sharp reduction in the number of weeks in which women, girls, and pregnant people can access legal abortion, from 12 weeks to 6.
Hong Kong – 29 August 2024
Two journalists from Stand News have been convicted under Hong Kong's national security law, a move widely condemned as another blow to press freedom in the region.
The case has drawn international criticism, with human rights groups arguing that the convictions are part of a broader effort to silence independent media and dissenting voices in Hong Kong under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework.
Venezuela – 29 August 2024
The EU's foreign policy chief has stated that he will not recognize Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela, rejecting the results of the 2024 elections. This stance reflects the EU's ongoing criticism of the Maduro government, which it accuses of undermining democratic processes and human rights.
The EU's position adds to the international pressure on Maduro's regime, which continues to face widespread condemnation for its handling of the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.
Kenya – 28 August 2024
Open source investigations from Bellingcat have shown that a Kenyan journalist was shot by police during protests in Nakuru against the Finance Bill, raising serious concerns about the excessive use of force by law enforcement.
The incident has sparked outrage among journalists and human rights organizations, who have condemned the police's actions as a deliberate attack on press freedom and the right to protest.
Cambodia – 28 August 2024
Cambodia has intensified its crackdown on critics of a regional development project, arresting several activists and opposition figures who have spoken out against the initiative. The arrests are part of a broader pattern of repression in Cambodia, where the government has increasingly targeted dissenting voices under the guise of national development.
This development has drawn international condemnation and raised concerns about the state of human rights and freedom of expression in Cambodia.