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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)…

At least 600 killed and tens thousands forced to flee Ethiopia

At least 600 people have been killed in Mai Kadara massacre in Ethiopia, in the Tigray region, forcing tens of thousands to cross the Tekeze River and seek shelter in Sudan.

An estimated 30,000 refugees have decided to make this journey. 

“It took twelve days to get here,” said one relieved looking refugee. “We had to live in a forest, a forest, but now we have reached Sudan.”

Rocket attacks in Kabul kills eight and leaves several wounded

A barrage of rocket attacks in residential areas in Kabulon Saturday, killed at least eight and wounded more than 30 people, according to Afghan officials. 

The interior ministry reported that over a dozen rockets were launched from a pickup truck inside the city which the regional Islamic State group confessed to organising. 

The Islamic State group has been behind other attacks that have happened recently in Kabul., including two assaults on education institutions that killed nearly 50 people. 

Reflections on Nuremberg

On the anniversary of the Nuremberg trials, UK Ambassador, Neil Bush, speaking at the OSCE Permanent Council, reiterated Britain’s aims of bringing to “impunity for the worst crimes”.

The Nuremberg trials were a series of trials held in the aftermath of the Second World War and in the wake of the Holocaust. Ambassador Bush notes that they were the “first of their kind” and marked “a reassertion of justice, human rights, and accountability”.

Thai school students join protests against government

Thousands of people joined Thai students in a protest calling for education reforms as a part of wider calls for government removal. 

High school students are seeking greater freedom and fairer treatment within an education system which currently instills obedience. Protesters have three core demands: the removal of Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister, a new constitution and reforms to the monarchy of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

This was the first major protest since the Prime Minister warned on thursday that police would use all laws against protesters, who have become the biggest challenge to the establishment. 

UN echoes calls for Egypt to release human rights activists

The United Nations has urged Egypt to release three members of an activist group arrested within days of each other as international pressure abounds. 

Reaffirming Génocidaires – Myanmar’s elections

The victory of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) at Myanmar’s elections has been heralded as evidence of support for the country’s “nascent democracy” in defiance of the half-century military dictatorship. However, Suu Kyi’s tainted status as an apologist for the military dictatorship and on-going denial of genocidal violence highlights the illusory choice present in Myanmar.

New report alleges Australian special forces involved in murder of 39 Afghan civilians

Australian special forces were allegedly involved in the murder of 39 Afghan civilians according to damning report. 

For over four years, Maj Gen Justice Paul Brereton investigated allegations that a small group within the elite Special Air Services brutally murdered Afghan civilians, allegedly slitting throats, gloating about the murders, keeping kill counts, and photographing bodies with phones and weapons they planted on them to justify their actions. 

Western Sahara independence movement ends ceasefire with Morocco

The leader of pro-independence group, Polisario Front, in the Western Sahara declared war on Morocco last week following border confrontation. 

The announcement came a day after Morocco reportedly launched a military operation in a United Nations buffer zone after accusing the pro-independence group of blocking access to Mauritania. 

Tensions in the region date back to 1975 when Morocco annexed Western Sahara, a former Spanish protectorate that was previously occupied by Mauritania. For years, the Polisario fought for independence from Morocco in an armed resistance that lasted until 1991, ending after the United Nations negotiated an armistice. 

Aung San Suu Kyi's party wins in election 'landslide'

Aung San Suu Kyi has won enough parliamentary seats to form the next government  in Myanmar while the military backed opposition has called for a new vote.

Ms Suu Kyi's party, National League for Democracy (NLD) has secured 346 seats, more than the 322 needed to secure a majority. According to Myanmar's constitution, Ms Suu Kyi's government is required to govern with military involvement. 

Afghanistan’s peace talks threatened by university attack

The Afghan Taliban denied responsibility for an attack on Kabul University earlier this month, as they called on the US to ensure that an agreement that sees American troops withdrawn from the country by netx year.

“The Islamic Emirate would like to stress to the new American president-elect and future administration that implementation of the agreement is the most reasonable and effective tool for ending the conflict between both our countries,” the group said in a statement on the results of the US presidential election.

The statement comes after at least 22 people were by gunmen who shot fire at Kabul University before provoking security forces into a gruesome, hours-long battle last week. Afghanistan’s Vice President Amrullah Salleh designated responsibility to the Taliban, but these claims were rejected and the armed group who condemned the attack.