The form e r head of the United Nations 2003 mission in S udan h as stated that aerial and ground atta c ks by Sudan's government forc es in a border conflict with rebels may amount to war crim es. Mukesh Kapila, who took a 10-day tour of the South Kordofan and and Blue Nile area, told Re uters , "What's happened over the last two odd years ... is basically exactly the same tactics as Darfur except in the interim period the technology of war has improved" "This is the world's biggest human rights disaster... The tactics they are using point towards war crimes and crimes against humanity being...
A court in Johannesburg has convicted Nigerian militant Henry Okah of 13 terrorism counts, over a car bombing in Abuja in 2010. Okah pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied being the leader of the militant group Mend, which claimed responsibility at the time. Johannesburg High Court Judge Neels Claassen said "I have come to the conclusion that the state proved beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused," South African prosecutor Shaun Abrahams told AP that Okah is likely to face life imprisonment. He said South Africa worked closely with foreign law enforcement agencies "to make...
A Bangladeshi court sentenced a Muslim cleric, Abul Kalam Azad, to death for crimes against humanity, committed during the war of independence in 1971. The cleric, believed to be in Pakistan, was found guilty in absentia. The prosecution asserted he had shot dead six Hindus and raped Hindu women during the war. The trial has drawn criticism however, with some saying the court is not endorsed by the UN and the charges brought against the cleric are politically motivated.
Former dictator of Chad, Hissene Habre is to face a trial for crimes against humanity in Senegal next month, announced Senegal's justice minister. Justice Minister Aminata Toure made the announcement this week after Senegal’s parliament voted to host the special tribunal, authorised by the African Union. The initiative has been hailed as a step forward in African countries taking the lead in prosecuting war criminals from the continent, with Belgium offering to help finance the cost of this trial. Habre faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, from when he ruled Chad in 1982...
A ceasefire between Kachin rebels and the Burmese government has been broken after Burma's army launched attacks on Kachin positions near Laiza, the capital of the Kachin state, controlles by the rebels. The Kachin Independence Army claimed that the the ceasefire announced by the government on Friday was never adhered to and that the Burmese Army continued with attacks. The rebel group has been fighting for more autonomy from the central government for ethnic Kachins. Kachins have had de-facto rule over the state for over 50 years and the government is now attempting to retake territory from...
Austrians voted in favour of keeping military conscription in a national referendum this Sunday. Bringing out over half of voters across the country, over sixty percent voted for it despite no obvious threat of attack from any neighbours. Voters cited the country's ethos of community service as one the key reasons why they favoured it. Other European countries that continue to retain compulsory military service include Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Greece.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has once again called for a war crimes investigation into Syria, urging the Security Council to act. Speaking to reporters, Pillay said , "I firmly believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed, are being committed and should be investigated," "I have urged the Security Council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court for investigation of war crimes and crimes against humanity on the part of all parties engaged in this conflict," Pillay went on to say that victims in Syria " see the...
Two men have been arrested over the killings of three Kurdish activists in Paris earlier this month. French media reported that both men were born in Turkey and one was the driver for one of the women. Le Point reported that one of the arrested was the last person to see the women before their deaths. The three women, all activists linked to the PKK, were found on January 10 at an office, linked to the Kurdish movement.
The Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos has warned Farc not to return to violence once its unilateral ceasefire expires on Sunday. The rebel group declared the ceasefire in November, ahead of peace talks, although the Colombian government refused to reciprocate the move and continued attacks on rebel positions. The president said the army was prepared for any upsurge in violence but urged Farc not to commit any "terrorist attacks".
India's Supreme Courty ruled on Friday, that the country has the jurisdiction to try two Italian marines charged with the deaths of two fishermen, however, a special feveral court must be set up as the Kerala state courts do not have the authority to adjudicate in the case. In February 2012, two fishermen were killed off the coast of Kerala by members of a military security team who allege they mistook the fishermen for pirates. The case has cause a rift in Indian-Italian relations with Indian officials arguing the killings took place in a "contiguous zone" where Indian law applies. Last year...