The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 7 to 14 October 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 – 14 October 2024
In response to the wounding of a UN peacekeeper in Lebanon by gunfire amid Israel’s military operations on Sunday in Lebanon, the UN Secretary-General issued a stark warning that attacks on UN personnel in conflict zones may constitute war crimes under international law. On Saturday, an IDF armoured vehicle deliberately breached the entrance door of a UN position, while on Friday two UNIFIL peacekeepers were injured when an Israeli tank fired on a UN observation tower.
Venezuela – 14 October 2024
The abrupt cancellation of Venezuelan passports has raised international alarm, being viewed as a tool of political repression against dissenters and opposition figures. This move has left many Venezuelans, particularly those critical of the government, stranded or unable to travel, deepening their vulnerability. Such tactics have drawn widespread condemnation, with concerns over the growing authoritarianism in Venezuela.
Brazil – 13 October 2024
BHP is set to face a trial in London involving 620,000 claimants over the 2015 Mariana dam collapse in Brazil, one of the worst environmental disasters in recent history. The trial seeks to hold the mining giant accountable for damages, with the case being one of the largest ever heard in an English court (both in terms of number of claimants and value sought). The disaster, which resulted in significant loss of life and environmental devastation, has drawn global attention to corporate responsibility in cross-jurisdictional cases.
Lebanon – 13 October 2024
In a rapidly escalating situation, Israeli tanks entered southern Lebanon, sparking fears of further conflict between Hezbollah and Israel amid rising tensions in Gaza. UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, is closely monitoring the situation as the region risks being drawn into wider hostilities.
Tunisia – 11 October 2024
The European Union’s migrant deal with Tunisia has come under scrutiny following allegations of human rights violations against migrants in Tunisia. Despite funding agreements aimed at stemming migration, reports of abuse and inhumane treatment have drawn international criticism, with some calling for the International Criminal Court to investigate. This situation underscores the ethical and legal dilemmas of outsourcing migration control to non-EU states with questionable human rights records.
Lebanon – 10 October 2024
Israel's warnings for civilians to evacuate in southern Lebanon amid its military operations have been criticized as misleading and inadequate. Human rights groups argue that the warnings, as required by international humanitarian law, are not sufficient to protect civilians, given the lack of safe evacuation routes and ongoing hostilities. This situation raises concerns over potential violations of international humanitarian law by failing to ensure the protection of non-combatants in conflict zones.
Sri Lanka – 10 October 2024
A recent UN Human Rights Council resolution has reaffirmed the need for continued international scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s human rights record, particularly in relation to accountability for wartime atrocities. The resolution highlights the ongoing challenges in securing justice for victims of the civil war and urges Sri Lanka to engage more fully with international mechanisms. This underscores the persistent need for international oversight in ensuring compliance with human rights obligations in post-conflict settings.