The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 22 to 29 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.
Venezuela - 28 July 2024
Venezuela’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, won six more years as president in national elections that were widely dubbed as failing to meet international standards for free and fair elections. Venezuela had revoked invitations to EU election monitors and invited Chinese and Russian monitors in their place. There are concerns that previous strong-arm tactics, including torture and lethal force, might be deployed by Maduro’s government in response to political unrest following accusations of voter fraud and manipulation. Edmundo González, the opposition’s presidential candidate, and María Corina Machado, the leader of the opposition who had been barred from running for presidential office, decried the results.
Thailand - 28 July 2024
A Thai court has sentenced rights activist Arnon Nampa to an additional four years in prison following his conviction for royal defamation under the country’s strict lèse-majesté laws. Nampa, a prominent figure in Thailand’s pro-democracy movement, has been a vocal critic of the monarchy. His legal team plans to appeal the conviction, arguing that it stifles free speech and political dissent.
Sudan - 28 July 2024
Human Rights Watch reports widespread sexual violence in the Sudanese capital, attributing the atrocities to armed groups involved in the ongoing conflict. Survivors and witnesses describe brutal attacks, including rape, often committed with impunity. The organization urges immediate action to protect civilians and hold perpetrators accountable.
Sri Lanka - 28 July 2024
Sri Lankan authorities are increasingly targeting religious minorities, with incidents of harassment, violence, and discriminatory policies rising. In several cases Muslims and Christians faced attacks due to their faith, emphasising the need for the Sri Lankan government to protect religious freedoms and end persecution.
Lebanon - 27 July 2024
A rocket From Lebanon killed at least 12 people in the Israeli-Controlled Golan Heights. The strike hit a football pitch in Majdal Shams, one of four towns in the Golan Heights where about 25,000 members of the Arabic-speaking Druze religious and ethnic group live. Israeli authorities blamed Hezbollah, which denied responsibility. This was the deadliest single attack from across Israel’s northern border in months of hostilities.
Cambodia - 27 July 2024
A UN expert has urged Cambodia to implement a national action plan to protect the rights of indigenous peoples. The call comes amid increasing reports of land dispossession and cultural erasure faced by indigenous communities. The expert emphasized the need for legal reforms and enforcement of existing protections.
Gaza - 28 July 2024
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that an Israeli Defense Forces strike on a school resulted in the deaths of 30 individuals. The incident has drawn international condemnation and calls for a ceasefire. Israeli officials state that the strike targeted militants using the school as a base, a claim contested by local sources.
Bangladesh - 28 July 2024
Authorities in Bangladesh forcibly removed three student leaders from a hospital amid ongoing protests. The students were seeking medical treatment after being injured in clashes with police during demonstrations. Their removal has been widely criticized as an attempt to intimidate and suppress the protest movement.
Sudan - 28 July 2024
A rights group reports that at least 25 people were killed in attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, Sudan. The attacks are part of a broader pattern of violence and human rights abuses committed by the RSF in the region. The group calls for an independent investigation and accountability for the perpetrators.
Uganda - 28 July 2024
A rights organization is calling for the unconditional release of Ugandan anti-corruption protesters who have been detained. The protesters were arrested during demonstrations against government corruption and mismanagement. The organization condemns the arrests as a violation of the right to peaceful assembly and expression.
DRC - 28 July 2024
The US government imposed sanctions on an armed group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a smuggling organization in Guatemala. The sanctions target individuals and entities involved in human rights abuses and illicit activities. The measures are part of a broader effort to combat corruption and promote accountability.
United Kingdom - 28 July 2024
An Iranian national was extradited from the UK to the US to face charges related to export control violations. The individual is accused of attempting to export restricted technology to Iran, circumventing international sanctions. The extradition underscores ongoing efforts to enforce export controls and prevent the proliferation of sensitive technologies.
Australia and Japan - 28 July 2024
Australia and Japan imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The sanctions target individuals responsible for attacks on Palestinian communities and property. The measures aim to pressure Israel to address settler violence and uphold human rights standards.
Ukraine - 28 July 2024
Amnesty International is calling for investigations into the use of anti-personnel mines in Ukraine, left behind after Russian occupation. The mines pose a significant danger to civilians and could constitute war crimes under international law. The organization stresses the importance of accountability and demining efforts to protect civilian lives.
United Kingdom - 28 July 2024
The UK government has ended its contract with the Bibby Stockholm barge, which was being used to house asylum seekers. The decision follows reports of poor living conditions and safety concerns aboard the vessel.
Burkina Faso - 26 July 2024
A disturbing video emerged showing soldiers in Burkina Faso disemboweling a deceased individual. Human Rights Watch has condemned the act as a severe violation of human rights and called for an immediate investigation. The incident reflects broader concerns about abuses by security forces in the country.
Uruguay - 26 July 2024
An arbitration tribunal found Uruguay liable in a treaty dispute with an airline company investor in a dispute centring around alleged breaches of the bilateral investment treaty between Uruguay and the investor’s home country. Uruguay is expected to pay substantial damages as part of the ruling.
United Kingdom - 26 July 2024
Britain decided to drop its challenge to the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants issued for Israeli leaders, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The possible warrants relate to alleged war crimes committed during military operations in Gaza.
Indonesia - 25 July 2024
A prominent human rights lawyer in West Papua, Indonesia, was shot and injured in a targeted attack. The lawyer, Yan Christian Warinussy, is known for defending indigenous rights and speaking out against abuses, survived the attack and is recovering in the hospital.
United Arab Emirates – 22 July 2024
On 22 July, a UAE court found 57 individuals from Bangladesh guilty of organising protests against their own government and sentence three of them to life imprisonment. The protests, conducted within the UAE, were deemed illegal under Emirati law, which prohibits unauthorized political demonstrations. The Criminal Chamber of the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal, a court of three judges that may act as a court of first instance for crimes punishable by life imprisonment. The court issued a sentence of life imprisonment against three of the 57 defendants after finding them guilty of inciting protests. The court sentenced one of the defendants, who was in the UAE illegally, to 11 years in prison, and the rest of the defendants to 10 years.