An investigation by a team of UN human rights experts has concluded that mass rape, dismembering of civilians and cannablism took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo during conflict that began in 2016 in the Kasai region. 

Stating that both government troops and rebel fighters were suspected of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, the team presented its findings to the UN Human Rights Council last week. 

“One victim told us that in May 2017 she saw a group of Kamuina Nsapu militia, some of whom sported female genitals (clitorises and vaginas) as medals,” the report said.

Photograph: Twitter @PMOIndia

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the importance of “strong and stable” relations between India and China, stating it was “an important factor for global peace and progress”.

Speaking before senior military and defence officials from around the world at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last week, Mr Modi said,

The United States announced that it has changed the name of its largest military command last week, in what officials say is a symbolic move that recognises the importance of India in the region.

"In recognition of the increasing connectivity of the Indian and Pacific Oceans today we rename the US Pacific Command to the US Indo-Pacific Command," said US Defense Secretary Mattis at a ceremony last week.

"It is our primary combatant command, it's standing watch and intimately engaged with over half of the earth's surface and its diverse populations, from Hollywood to Bollywood, from polar bears to penguins."

Almost seven months of direct rule from Madrid ended this weekend after a new Catalan cabinet was sworn in. 
 
Catalan's new leader and close ally of the previous leader, Quim Torra on Saturday sought to rebuild ties with Madrid whilst reaffirming his commitment to Catalonia's independence. 

Catalan's autonomy was suspended by Madrid after the region declared independence following a referendum last year. 

Mr Torra said he wanted to restart talks with Madrid following the swearing in of Spain's new prime minister, Pedro Sanchez. 

On Wednesday a tax was passed by the Ugandan government that would charge users 200 shillings ($0.0531) per day for use of social media applications such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.

Hungarian parliament considered legislation that would criminalise providing aid to illegal migrants on Tuesday, as well as and may make such actions punishable with a prison sentence.

This proposed bill follows the election of the right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s electoral victory in 2010. The bill further states that “foreigners who sought to enter Hungary via a third country in which they were not directly exposed to persecution would not be entitled to asylum”. Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government has similarly proposed amending the constitutions to state that an “alien population” cannot settle in Hungary.

Israel’s parliament last week considered a bill entitled "Prohibition against photographing and documenting IDF Soldiers” which sought to criminalise photographing Israel Defense Force soldiers on duty.

The bill was proposed by Robert Ilatov, chairman of the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party. It entails that any  “who filmed, photographed, and/or recorded soldiers in the course of their duties, with the intention of undermining the spirit of IDF soldiers and residents of Israel, shall be liable to five years imprisonment”. This has received sharp criticism from within Israel and from Palestinian groups who view the move as an attack on the free press.

On Friday a military court in Cameroon found seven activists guilty of “acts of terrorism, hospitality against the homeland, secession, revolution and insurrection” and could be jailed for 15 years. This follows the governments attempt to repress “a budding Anglophone secessionist movement” which is lead primarily by the North West and South West regions, reports Reuters.

Amnesty International has stated that the Rohingya armed group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) is responsible for at least one, and possible a second, massacre of up to 99 Hindus – an accusation that the militants vehemently deny.

Amnesty International issued a report on Thursday, detailing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Nigerian military and Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) as they battle against Boko Haram.

In their report, entitled “They betrayed us”, they detail the military’s illegal detention of civilians from recaptured areas in the north-east; indiscriminate killings as they burnt down homes; sexual violence and forced prostitution; and insufficient food, water and health care within displacement camps.