The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 08 to 15 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.
Ecuador - 14 July 2024
An Ecuadorian court convicted and sentenced several gang members for the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio who was shot dead in Quito on 9 August 2023, a few days before election day. The court found the defendants guilty of orchestrating the murder to influence the country's political landscape. This case underscores the severe impact of gang violence on Ecuadorian politics.
Pakistan - 14 July 2024
The Pakistan Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in relation to the country’s marriage laws. Khan had been convicted of failing to disclose the existence of his third marriage while holding public office. The court's decision highlights ongoing political turmoil and legal battles involving the former prime minister.
United States - 14 July 2024
Meta has lifted the suspension of former President Donald Trump’s accounts ahead of the Republican Convention. The Oversight Board had criticized the indefinite nature of the suspension which prompted Meta to review and set a two-year suspension period starting 7 January 2021.
The current decision comes amid preparations for the upcoming election, sparking discussions on the role of social media in political campaigns. Trump’s accounts were previously suspended following the Capitol riot in January 2021.
Guatemala - 10 July 2024
Amnesty International denounced the recent conviction of former prosecutor Virginia Laparra. Laparra was convicted on charges perceived as politically motivated, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by judicial figures in Guatemala. Amnesty International calls for her immediate release and an end to the persecution of judicial officials.
United Kingdom - 10 July 2024
Geoffrey Robertson KC argued that the Labour Party's first moral test is its stance on the ICC's investigation into Israeli actions in Gaza. The article suggested that supporting the investigation would reflect a commitment to human rights and international law and highlights the political implications of this stance for Labour.
South Sudan - 10 July 2024
Amnesty International urges South Sudan to mark its independence anniversary with commitments to human rights. The organisation highlights ongoing abuses and calls for reforms to protect freedoms and ensure justice. The anniversary presents an opportunity for the country to address its human rights record.
Bhutan - 10 July 2024
A man who served 30 years in a Bhutanese prison for distributing political pamphlets has said that political detainees like him are surviving on meager rations and are reduced to using rice sacks for clothing and bedding. Human Rights Watch called for urgent reforms in Bhutan’s justice system and prison conditions, and highlighted the overcrowding, poor sanitation, and lack of fair trials.
Gender and Human Rights - 10 July 2024
Amnesty International reported that global tech systems are exacerbating gender inequalities, highlighting how biased algorithms and data collection practices disproportionately harm marginalized groups, including women and LGBTI people. It calls for urgent reforms to address these systemic issues and promote gender equality in technology.
China - 10 July 2024
Human Rights Watch urged the EU to add Xinjiang aluminium to its forced labour database. The call comes amid reports of forced labour practices in the region’s aluminium production. Adding Xinjiang aluminium to the database would strengthen efforts to combat forced labour and uphold human rights.
Human Rights Council - 10 July 2024
The UN Human Rights Council has made significant progress towards a treaty ensuring free education for all. This move is aimed at addressing global educational inequalities and guaranteeing access to education as a fundamental right. The treaty's development marks a major step forward in international human rights law.
Saudi Arabia - 9 July 2024
Saudi Arabian authorities sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for her tweets critical of the government. Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism tribunal, the Specialized Criminal Court, convicted Asaad al-Ghamdi, 47, a Saudi teacher, of several criminal offenses related solely to his peaceful expression online.
Human Rights Watch condemned the sentence as a blatant violation of freedom of expression as part of a broader transnational crackdown on dissent in the kingdom and abroad. Al-Ghamdi is the brother of Mohammed al-Ghamdi, a retired Saudi teacher, who was sentenced to death in July 2023 based solely on his posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, and YouTube activity.
Ukraine - 8 July 2024
An analysis by Bellingcat identified a Russian missile used in an attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv. The attack, which resulted in significant casualties, has been widely condemned by international organisations.
Bellingcat identified a Russian launched Kh-101 cruise missile being the weapon that struck a children’s hospital in Kyiv, debunking claims from pro-Russian accounts and actors that denied responsibility and sought to shift the blame for the incident on to Ukraine. The identification of the missile type contributes to ongoing investigation into war crimes committed during the conflict.