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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)…

Charles Taylor appeal commences at The Hague

Former Liberian president Charles Taylor has appealed last year’s verdict at The Hague, which saw him sentenced to 50 years in prison for aiding and abetting rebels in Sierra Leone during the country’s brutal civil war.

His legal representatives appealed on more than 40 grounds, saying that the verdict was based on "uncorroborated hearsay evidence".

Prosecutor-General criticises France over genocide suspects

Rwandan Prosecutor-General Martin Ngoga has slammed France, criticising the country for not doing enough to bring genocide suspects in its territory to justice and stated that Rwanda is willing to consider legal action against France.

In an interview earlier this week, Ngoga stated,

US criticises Sudan, South Sudan for oil export delay

The US criticised the prolonged delay in oil exportation by South Sudan and Sudan on Tuesday, arguing that it undermines the peace process. Oil export has been delayed since the two states were unable to come to an agreement on how to withdraw their armies from the disputed border territories.

In a statement the spokesperson for the US State Department Victoria Nuland said:

Former UN envoy suspects war crimes in Sudan

The former head of the United Nations 2003 mission in Sudan has stated that aerial and ground attacks by Sudan's government forces in a border conflict with rebels may amount to war crimes.

South African courts finds Nigerian militant guilty

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,"

Cleric sentenced for crimes against humanity - Bangladesh

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.

Senegal to hold trial of former Chad dictator

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.

Burma breaks Kachin truce

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.

Austrians vote to retain military conscription

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.

 

UN rights chief calls again for Syrian war crimes probe

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,"