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Latest news from and about the homeland

Photograph: Screenshot/ BLA video A fresh wave of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances has been documented across Balochistan this month, as Baloch rights groups recorded the recovery of several bodies of men who had earlier been forcibly taken, and appealed once more to international institutions that have largely ignored the province. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)…

UK embassy closes due to threats in Cairo

The British Embassy in Cairo was closed to the public due to concerns over suspected militant plans to target foreign embassies in Egypt, reports Reuters.

“The decision to suspend public services at the embassy has been taken for security reasons and is in the best interests of our staff,” said an embassy spokesman.

The US embassy, released a statement on Friday, warning staff to not stray far from their homes.

Israel accused of conducting airstrikes in Syria

The Syrian armed forces general command accused Israel of conducting two airstrikes near Damascus, in a statement made on Sunday.

Israeli officials refused to confirm or deny responsibility for the airstrikes, and, in a statement made last week, pledged to continue to deal with regional threats, reports the New York Times.

US to keep 1,000 extra troops in Afghanistan

The United States will keep a further 1,000 additional soldiers in Afghanistan next year, the US defence secretary announced on Saturday.

Chuck Hagel said that additional forces were required to do unexpected delays in signing security pacts with Afghanistan.

“The recent wave of Taliban attacks has made it clear that the international community must not waver in its support for a stable, secure and prosperous Afghanistan,” said Hagel.

Kenyatta decision marks a 'dark day' for justice says ICC prosecutor

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has labelled the decision to withdraw charges against Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta a “dark day for international criminal justice.”

In an interview with Voice of America, Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said,
“There are several reasons why we had to withdraw the charges in this case and one of them is lack of cooperation of the government of Kenya, [and] another one is intimidation of witnesses for them not to be able to come forward to give us their evidence.”
She went on to add,
“The fact that we are confronted with these challenges is really the reason why the charges are being withdrawn and no other reason. Not because we do not want to do justice in this case.”
Bensouda pledged that the court would continue to strive towards justice for those killed, saying,
“We will not forget the victims. We will keep trying. I will be receiving information, we will be assessing that information, and we will know what further steps we are going to try based on the information that we will receive.”
Human Rights Watch also reacted to the court's decision, saying it “sets back efforts to end the country’s entrenched culture of impunity.”

Commemorations held in South Africa honouring Nelson Mandela one year after his death

Commemorations were held across South Africa on Friday, to remember and honour anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela, who died one year ago after a long period of illness, at the age of 95.

Official ceremonies and a number of different remembrance events are set to continue over the weekend in South Africa. Mandela was elected as South Africa’s first black president in 1994 after spending 27 years in prison as a result of his role in the struggle against apartheid. Despite their political differences, various groups across South Africa and around the world paid tribute to him on Friday. 

In a written statement, President Barack Obama and the First Lady, Michelle Obama, stated,
“One year ago the world lost a leader whose struggle and sacrifices inspired us to stand up for our fundamental principles, whose example reminded us of the enduring need for compassion, understanding, and reconciliation, and whose vision saw the promise of a better world.”

Israeli president backtracks on Armenian genocide recognition

Israel's president Reuven Rivlin has decided not to renew his signature on a petition calling on the Israeli government to officially recognise the killing of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide, reports the Times of Israel.

According to Israel’s Channel 10 News anonymous Foreign Ministry officials welcomed the president’s “statesmanship,” with the move apparently made in light of the country’s strained relationship with Turkey.

Uruguay will resettle Guantanamo detainees

Uruguay will take in six Guantanamo Bay detainees on humanitarian grounds and resettle them in the country, according to President Jose Mujica.

Newspaper reports in the country say the detainees, who have been held in the US facility for years without trial, are due to arrive on Tuesday.

A total of 172 men remain in the facility, with over half cleared for release but unable to leave, due to instability in their country.

‘Suspend deportations to Libya’ says HRW, amid fears of ISIS expansion

Human Rights Watch has called for the suspension of forcible deportations to Libya amid fears of the deteriorating human rights situation in the country.

“The armed conflicts and lawlessness in Libya are giving rise to indiscriminate violence and widespread human rights abuses,” warned Human Rights Watch. It went on to say “anyone forcibly returned to any part of Libya would be exposed to a real risk of serious harm, which would constitute what is known as refoulement under international law.”

The non-governmental organisation’s statement comes as the European Union coordinator for anti-terrorism Gilles de Kerchove stated that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) could expand in to Libya. The north-eastern city of Derna is thought to be under the control of Islamist militias, some of whom have pledged allegiance to the group.

De Kerchove echoed fears raised by the commander of the US army’s Africa Command, who said that ISIS “has begun its efforts over in the east out there.” General David Rodriguez told reporters that “it’s mainly about people coming for training and logistics support right now.” 

US, South African hostages killed in rescue attempt

An American journalist and South African teacher have been killed in Yemen, after US and Yemeni security forces launched a rescue attempt to free hostages being held by al-Qaeda militants.

US Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed the deaths of Luke Somers and Pierre Korkie, who were being detained by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

The bid to free the hostages also saw 10 militants killed in the raid. The operation was approved following “compelling indication that Luke's life was in immediate danger,” said the Secretary of State.

US President Barack Obama condemned “the barbaric murder of Luke Somers at the hands of Al-Qa'ida terrorists”, adding that “the United States will spare no effort to use all of its military, intelligence, and diplomatic capabilities to bring Americans home safely, wherever they are located.” 

“Terrorists who seek to harm our citizens will feel the long arm of American justice,” continued Obama in a statement released on Saturday.

Indian army camp attacked in Kashmir ahead of Modi visit

An Indiam army camp was attacked in Kashmir on Friday, killing 8 army personnel and 5 police officers, ahead of a visit by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in two days and elections on December 9.

Four militants launched a pre-dawn attack on the army camp, which is situated in Uri, within the Baramulla district, Kashmir, resulting in a gun battle between the two sides, reports Reuters.

Five militants were killed by Indian troops during the battle, according to Indian news reports.

"Six terrorists entered the Mahura Army camp in Rampur area of Uri at 3 in the morning. We have killed all six of them, and in the encounter eight of our soldiers and five policemen lost their lives too," a spokesperson of the Indian army told The Hindu.