Saturday, November 23

International Law, Legal Battles

International Law includes rules from treaties, conventions, declarations, agreements, and customs. It involves the UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice, also called the “World Court,” the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the World Bank. For more information, see our International Law Resources page.

Israel’s Covert Decade-Long War Against the ICC
28May By Patti MohrNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Brief

Israel’s Covert Decade-Long War Against the ICC

May 28, 2024--Three years ago, the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territories. The time period included the 2014 Israel-Gaza War, in which 2,300 Palestinians were killed. The investigation would put hundreds of Israelis, including soldiers and political figures, at risk of prosecution. The ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda promised a fair process that would bring accountability and justice for Palestinians and Israelis. “In the end, our central concern must be for the victims of crimes – both Palestinian and Israel – arising from the long cycle of violence and insecurity that has caused deep suffering and despair on all sides,” said Bensouda. 'Fiercely Resisted' Inquiry The Guardian described it as a "long...
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ICC Filed Applications for Arrest Warrants for Hamas, Israeli Leaders
20May By Patti MohrNo Comments
International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Types of News: Brief

ICC Filed Applications for Arrest Warrants for Hamas, Israeli Leaders

May 20, 2024—The International Criminal Court announced they are taking the first step to provide accountability in the Israeli-Hamas war that started October 7, 2023. The prosecutors applied for arrest warrants today for three Hamas leaders and two Israeli leaders: Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri (Deif), Ismail Haniyeh, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Yoav Gallant. ICC Prosecutor Khan announces arrest warrants against Hamas and Israeli leaders. Specifically, the ICC charged the Hamas officials—Sinwar, al-Masri, and Haniyeh—with the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed October 7, 2023: Extermination; Murder; Taking hostages; Rape and sexual violence; Torture; Other inhumane acts; Cruel treatment...
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The World Court Hears Case on Israel’s Occupation of the Palestinian Territories
23Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East

The World Court Hears Case on Israel’s Occupation of the Palestinian Territories

February 23, 2024-It's day 5 of the hearings by the International Court of Justice on Israel's military occupation of the Palestinian territories. The hearings are an outcome of a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution requesting an advisory opinion. https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/2503451/sp/250345100/embedIframeJs/uiconf_id/43914941/partner_id/2503451?iframeembed=true&playerId=kplayer&entry_id=1_1pg5qd8i&flashvars[streamerType]=auto
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Mexico’s Lawsuit Against Gun Makers Moves Forward
25Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Arms Sales, Military Industry, Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Analysis, United States

Mexico’s Lawsuit Against Gun Makers Moves Forward

Appeals Court Decision Comes As U.S.-Mexico Meet On Root Causes Of Migration January 25, 2024—As President Biden faces pressure at home to stop the flow of irregular migration to the United States at the southern border, Mexico is drawing attention to one of the root causes: U.S.-made weapons in the hands of cartels. Mexico's Defense Department said this week drug cartels are armed with U.S.-made weapons intended for military use, such as grenade and rocket launchers and fully automatic machine guns. Mexico wants the weapons trafficking to stop. Furthermore, the government is demanding answers from the Biden administration.   "It is very urgent that an investigation into this be carried out," Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Bárcena said on Monday. Mexico has the third...
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EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough
19Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Europe, EU, Eurozone, International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough

European Parliament Passed Non-binding Statement on the Israel-Gaza Conflict January 19, 2024—Israel's war with Hamas and its destruction of Gaza has divided the European Union. The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a watered-down resolution calling for a ceasefire, the dismantling of Hamas, and the unconditional release of the remaining hostages. The resolution is non-binding and largely symbolic. The Parliament passed it with 312 votes in favor, 131 against, and 72 abstentions. What's noteworthy is not the vote or the individual phrases in it. It is that the resolution is too long-winded to have an impact. It thwarts itself at every turn. It calls for a permanent ceasefire and then says Israel has "a right to defend itself." It calls on all parties to "distinguish be...
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Oxfam Warns That Starvation As A Weapon Of War Is Illegal
25Oct By Patti MohrNo Comments
Foreign Aid, International Development, Human rights, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Brief

Oxfam Warns That Starvation As A Weapon Of War Is Illegal

Gazan Aid Is 2 Percent Of What It Needs Oxfam: People in line waiting for one bag of bread. People line up as early as 6 am before sunrise to get bread in Gaza city. October 25, 2023—Since October 7, people in the Gaza Strip has only received about 2 percent of the humanitarian aid that normally enters according to Oxfam International. A trickle of aid is now entering in—62 trucks, but it is not enough to prevent death by starvation and dehydration. International Humanitarian Law In a statement released today, Oxfam International warned that "International Humanitarian Law (IHL) strictly prohibits the use of starvation as a method of warfare and as the occupying power in Gaza, Israel is bound by IHL obligations to provide for the needs and protection of the population of Gaza....
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Rafah Border Crossing Opens To Limited Convoy As Bombing Continued
21Oct By Patti MohrNo Comments
Foreign Aid, International Development, Human rights, International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Types of News: Brief

Rafah Border Crossing Opens To Limited Convoy As Bombing Continued

Bombing continues as a convoy of 20 trucks crosses into Gaza from Rafah. Source: Qatari-run Al Jazeera October 21, 2023—About 20 Red Crescent trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered southern Gaza today. It is the first time the Rafah border crossing has opened since the terror attacks of October 7 and ensuring war. But United Nations and humanitarian officials say relief is just a drop of what aid is urgently needed in Gaza. "This is miniscule. It's just a drop in the ocean of what is needed for the Gaza people," Palestine Red Crescent Director Marwan Jilani said in an interview today with the Qatari-run Al Jazeera. Millions of Lives At Risk Before the Israel-Hamas War, a million people in Gaza relied upon emergency food assistance from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Pal...
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US Vetos UN Resolution On Humanitarian Aid For Gaza
20Oct By Patti MohrNo Comments
International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Types of News: Brief, UN Security Council

US Vetos UN Resolution On Humanitarian Aid For Gaza

Full Text of Security Council Resolution Offered By Brazil October 20, 2023—The same day President Biden negotiated a plan to allow 20 trucks to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza, the United States vetoed a resolution in the UN Security Council that would have called for protections for civilians, humanitarians, and UN personnel inside Gaza. The resolution would have created humanitarian corridors for distributing aid and helping civilians escape to safe zones. It also would have called for an immediate release of Israeli and American hostages held by Hamas. Fourth Resolution To Fail It was the fourth resolution related to the Israel-Hamas war to fail this week. It had the strongest chance of passing the Security Council. The veto by the United States, one of the five Permane...
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20 Years After The Iraq War, The Truth Still Suffers
29Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Geopolitics, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Analysis

20 Years After The Iraq War, The Truth Still Suffers

Iraq today has competitive elections, but it is not "free." Its democratic governance is impeded by corruption, weak institutions, and militias. Iraq Lacks Key Freedoms, and No Redemption For U.S. War Hawks March 29, 2023—In the run-up to the 2003 Iraq war, the atmosphere in Washington, D.C. was like a giant groupthink exercise. Most people knew it was an illegal war and the Bush administration's claims about chemical weapons were shaky at best. But they dared not counter the president's position. President George W. Bush had a "freedom agenda," and that agenda made him susceptible to treachery and manipulation. His administration became convinced that Iraq held weapons of mass destruction, and they became determined to make that belief become a truth that needed to be corrected....
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Timeline Of UN-Related Responses To Russia’s 2022 Invasion Of Ukraine
23Apr By Jacob DavenportNo Comments
Diplomacy, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Infographic, UN Security Council

Timeline Of UN-Related Responses To Russia’s 2022 Invasion Of Ukraine

Editor's note: The United Nations and its agencies are responding on a regular basis to the Russia-Ukraine war, condemning Russia's aggression with multiple acts and resolutions. Here is a snapshot of that action. February 24, 2022         The Russian Federation invaded Ukraine. February 26, 2022  The U.N. Security Council considered a resolution on Russia's invasion. February 28, 2022         The International Criminal Court launches an investigation concerning potential atrocities and war crimes against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Starting on March 2nd. March 2, 2022               The UN General Assembly voted 141-5 in favor of a resolution to condemn Russia’s war on Ukraine and call for an immediate end to the violence. March 7, 2022               ...
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