The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 24 June to 1 July 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.
Lebanon - 1 July 2024
Civil society organisations are urging the United Nations Human Rights Council to establish an international fact-finding mission into the 4 August 2020 Beirut port explosion. Despite the significant loss of life and extensive damage caused by the blast, the Lebanese investigation has been obstructed and stalled since December 2021. This call aims to ensure accountability and justice for the victims, as domestic efforts have been continuously hindered by Lebanese authorities.
Israel / Palestine - 30 June 2024
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted the UK's request to submit observations on its jurisdiction in the Palestine Situation. The UK had requested to provide written amicus curiae observations on ‘whether the Court can exercise jurisdiction over Israeli nationals, in circumstances where Palestine cannot exercise criminal jurisdiction over Israeli nationals pursuant to the Oslo Accords’. The UK will address the jurisdictional challenges posed by these accords as the ICC considers arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and three members of Hamas.
Kenya - 28 June 2024
On June 25, 2024, Kenyan security forces shot directly into crowds of protesters opposing the Finance Bill 2024, resulting in over 30 deaths. Civil society groups reported that the police used excessive force, including shooting at fleeing protesters, and called for an independent investigation into the killings. The protests were sparked by proposed tax increases, and the president's deployment of the military has been criticised for lacking parliamentary approval.
Gaza - 26 June 2024
Bellingcat reported on the destruction and damage of cultural heritage sites in destruction in Gaza, particularly impacting cultural and archaeological sites, underscoring the broader implications of conflict on heritage. Advanced tools, including satellite imagery, have facilitated detailed assessments of the damage, revealing extensive destruction in specific neighborhoods within Gaza including to mosques, museums and cemeteries. These analyses not only highlight the physical losses but also raise concerns about the irreversible damage to historical legacies, further complicating the socio-political landscape of the war. The report concludes that some sites appeared to have been deliberately targeted.
Syria - 26 June 2024
A Paris court has upheld the validity of an international arrest warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for alleged complicity in war crimes during the Syrian civil war. The court rejected arguments that Assad has absolute immunity as a serving head of state, marking a historic legal decision. The warrant includes charges related to a 2013 chemical attack on opposition-held Damascus suburbs, with over 1,000 casualties.
Georgia - 26 June 2024
Human rights defenders in Georgia are experiencing escalating threats and violence, exacerbated by government rhetoric and the adoption of restrictive laws similar to Russia's "Foreign Agents Law”, according to a recent FIDH report. This deterioration has led to physical assaults on activists, damage to property, and targeted intimidation, prompting widespread protests met with police violence. The Human Rights Center and international organizations urged Georgian authorities to ensure thorough investigations and protect the rights and safety of civil rights advocates.
Mali - 26 June 2024
Trial Chamber X of the International Criminal Court (ICC) convicted Mr Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud of some of the charges brought against him of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between 2 April 2012 & 29 January 2013 in Timbuktu, northern Mali.
Thailand - 26 June 2024
Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the killing of Malay Muslim human rights defender Roning Dolah, who was shot in Pattani province, Thailand. Roning, known for supporting torture victims, was killed on the eve of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. His death highlights the dangers faced by activists in Thailand’s insurgency-prone southern border region, and Amnesty International urges Thai authorities to ensure justice and prevent further chilling effects on human rights work.
International Criminal Court (Ukraine) - 25 June 2024
Pre-Trial Chamber II of the ICC issued two further arrest warrants in the Situation in Ukraine - against Mr Shoigu and Mr Gerasimov - who were senior Russian officials at the time of the alleged conduct (respectively, Defence Minister, and Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defence). Notably, these Ukraine warrants are not only for war crimes but for crimes against humanity. The charges concern (1) The war crime of directing attacks at civilian objects (article 8(2)(b)(ii) of the Rome Statute); (2) The war crime of causing excessive incidental harm to civilians or damage to civilian objects (article 8(2)(b)(iv) of the Rome Statute), and (3) the crime against humanity of inhumane acts under article 7(1)(k) of the Rome Statute.
Myanmar - 25 June 2024
Amnesty International has urged Myanmar's military to follow through on their promise to investigate the shooting of senior monk Bhaddanta Muninda Bhivamsa. Despite an apology and a pledge for an investigation, Amnesty remains sceptical due to the military's poor human rights record. The monk's death exemplifies ongoing violence in Myanmar since the 2021 coup, with Amnesty calling for thorough, independent inquiries into such incidents and for the perpetrators to face justice.
Australia - 25 June 2024
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, is a free man in Australia, bringing an end to his lengthy legal proceedings in relation to the US Espionage Act. In order to benefit from a plea deal before a US judge, however, he pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Obtain and Disclose National Defense Information. The revised charging document filed 25 June 2024 concerned his activities as a co-conspirator with Chelsea Manning to publish leaked US documents classified as top secret, secret, and confidential. The proceedings took place in a courtroom in the Northern Mariana Islands.
European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) - 25 June 2024
In Ukraine v. Russia (re Crimea) judgment issued on 25 June 2024, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found unanimously that Russia was guilty of human rights violations of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and international humanitarian law since 2014 in Crimea. The Grand Chamber found violations including ill-treatment, intimidation, disappearances, forced Russian citizenship, and suppression of Ukrainian media and press.
Russia - 25 June 2024
On 25 June 2024, the UK de-listed Aleksei Nikolaevich Filippovskii from its Russia sanctions list (without providing specific reasons). Filippovskii was initially sanctioned on 22 February 2024 due to his role as Deputy General Director of Alrosa, a government-affiliated business in the Russian extractives sector.
International Criminal Court - 25 June 2024
Dutch lawmakers, led by Kati Piri, have called for an investigation into allegations of Israeli espionage and intimidation against the International Criminal Court (ICC) staff in The Hague. The calls for investigation come after reports of a nine-year campaign of harassment by Israel, which includes threats to ICC prosecutors, including Karim Khan KC, in response to their investigations in Palestinian territories. Dutch MPs are urging their government to take a firm stance, demand explanations from the Israeli ambassador, and ensure the protection of ICC personnel in compliance with international law.
Haiti - 24 June 2024
Canada imposed sanctions on three Haitian gang leaders, Luckson Elan, Gabriel Jean-Pierre, and Ferdens Tilus, in response to escalating gang violence in Haiti. These individuals are accused of activities that undermine peace and security and contribute to human rights violations. Canada will continue to work with international partners and Haitian authorities to address the crisis through sanctions and other measures.
United States - 24 June 2024
The US Supreme Court has agreed to review the legality of state bans on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. The case, US v. Skrmetti, focuses on a Tennessee law that prohibits healthcare providers from offering gender-affirming treatments to minors. This decision could have widespread implications, as nearly half of US states have enacted or proposed similar bans, creating significant legal uncertainty and affecting many transgender youths and their families.