WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Baloch activists accuse state-backed death squads of new killings
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)…

Argentina requests arrest of Spanish Franco-era officials

Nov 1, 2014
A judge in Argentina has requested the arrest and extradition of 20 former officials suspected of carrying out human rights abuses during the dictatorship of General Franco.

The officials are accused of being complicit in the torture of dissidents during the Spanish dictator's rule from 1939 to 1975. Former cabinet ministers José Utrera Molina, 88, and Rodolfo Martín Villa, 80 are amongst the accused.

Federal judge Maria Servini de Cubria requested the extraditions under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which can see judges try suspects of serious human rights abuses from foreign countries.

The families of the victims requested Argentina help try the officials, as an 1977 amnesty law passed in Spain blocks any legal action against the former officials.

Pro-Russian separatists hold elections in Eastern Ukraine

Nov 1, 2014
Pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk held elections on Sunday, to directly elect presidents and parliaments.

The elections have been slammed as illegitimate by the EU, Nato and the US who have vowed not to recognise the results. "We deplore the intent of separatists in parts of eastern Ukraine to hold illegitimate so-called local 'elections' on Sunday," said the White House in a statement on Friday.

Ukraine’s president, Petro Poroshenko, referred to the elections as “the pseudo-elections that terrorists and bandits want to organise on occupied territory”.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed the elections, stating that a ceasefire agreed in September allowed for elections that were "in co-ordination with, not in line with" Ukrainian plans.

Burkina Faso sees third leader in 24 hours

Oct 31, 2014
A second military officer has assumed power in Burkina Faso, after the former president resigned on Friday amidst mass protests.

Colonel Isaac Zida, who is the third person to claim leadership of the country within 24 hours, called on the international community to recognise his authority.

Speaking to crowds in the capital city Ouagadougou, Zida said that the military had taken control to “prevent a state of anarchy that would be detrimental to the goal of democratic change.”

“I will assume the duties of head of this transition and head of state to guarantee the continuity of the state,” he added.

Boko Haram denies negotiations to release abducted school girls

Oct 31, 2014
The leader of the Nigerian militant Boko Haram, claimed that deals to free the 200 kidnapped school girls were untrue, reports the Telegraph.

In a video released on Saturday, Abubakar Shekau, said, “The issue of the girls is long forgotten because I have long ago married them off. In this war there is no going back.”

Islamic State militants execute 85 Albu Nimr tribe members

Oct 31, 2014
Islamic State militants executed a further 85 members of the Albu Nimr tribe in Iraq on Saturday, reports Reuters.

The tribal chief said that 50 members of the tribe had been killed with a further 35 bodies found in a mass grave.

Sheikh Naeem al-Ga’oud said that requests to the Iraqi central government for arms to had been repeatedly ignored.

The Albu Nimr tribe fought back for several weeks against Islamic State militant advances on their village in Anbar.

Militants committing war crimes in Libya says Amnesty International

Oct 30, 2014
All sides in Libya’s most recent conflict have committed serious rights abuses, some of which amount to war crimes, found Amnesty International’s latest report.

The report, “Rule of the gun: Abductions, torture and other abuses in western Libya,” found that armed groups had summarily killed, tortured or ill-treated detainees in their custody whilst targeting civilians based on their origins or perceived political allegiances.

“Leaders of militias and armed groups in Libya have a duty to put an end to violations of international humanitarian law and to make clear to their subordinates that such crimes will not be tolerated. A failure to do so could result in prosecution of commanders by the International Criminal Court,” said the Amnesty press release.

Burkina Faso president resigns amid protests

Oct 30, 2014
The President of Burkina Faso resigned on Friday after days of unrest that saw protesters set fire to the parliament building, reports the New York Times.

Campaore announced his resignation, after the military announced that they had decided to take the side of the protestors.

The recent protests against Campaore came after the former president tried to change legislation that would allow him to extend his term in power.

Blaise Campaore initially seized power of Burkina Faso in 1987 in a coup that saw the former president killed under suspicious circumstances.

Realisation of right to self-determination vital for international peace says UN expert

Oct 29, 2014
The realisation of the right to self-determination is fundamental in maintaining local, regional and international peace and must be seen as an important conflict prevention strategy, said the United Nations independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order.

Presenting his third report the UN General Assembly on Monday, Alfred de Zayas, said,
“Over the past decades too many conflicts have started because of the denial of the legitimate aspiration of peoples to achieve their human rights, including the right to internal or external self-determination.”
The UN expert called for a strategy to ensure that a recurring questions regarding self-determination were addressed and that a proactive role was taken by the UN to mediate existing and potential crises associated with self-determination, reports Panarmenian.net.

Sweden formally recognises Palestine

Oct 29, 2014
Sweden formally recognised the state of Palestine on Thursday, becoming the first European Union member to do so, reports AFP.

The decision, which came ahead of schedule, has been criticised by Israel.

“Some will claim that today’s decision comes too early. I’m rather afraid it’s too late,” Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom wrote in the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter.

“The past year, we’ve seen how the peace negotiations once again have halted, how decisions on new settlements on occupied Palestinian land have obstructed a two-state solution and how violence has returned to Gaza.”

Israeli police shoot journalists covering Palestinian protests

Oct 29, 2014
Protests following the funeral of a 14 year old Palestinian killed by Israeli soldiers were met with a strong  police clamp down on Monday.

Two photographers, including one working for the Associated Press (AP), were hit by rubber bullets fired by Israeli policemen at close range reports the Huffington Post.

The AP has said it will lodge complaints with the Israeli military, police and government.

A senior managing editor for international news, John Daniszewski, said the shooting was an example of “reckless disregard for the safety of journalists who were doing their job in a lawful way.”

Describing the incident, the AP photographer said he was amongst several clearly identifiable journalists before an armoured vehicle pulled up in front of them and fired directly at them.

Argentina requests arrest of Spanish Franco-era officials
Pro-Russian separatists hold elections in Eastern Ukraine
Burkina Faso sees third leader in 24 hours
Boko Haram denies negotiations to release abducted school girls
Islamic State militants execute 85 Albu Nimr tribe members
Militants committing war crimes in Libya says Amnesty International
Burkina Faso president resigns amid protests
Realisation of right to self-determination vital for international peace says UN expert
Sweden formally recognises Palestine
Israeli police shoot journalists covering Palestinian protests