‘New’ Egypt welcomes Bashir, despite ICC arrest warrants

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir met on Sunday with Egypt’s newly elected President, Mohammed Morsi, to discuss the boosting of trade and investment. Prior to the trip, London-based Amnesty International urged Cairo to withdraw the Sudanese leader’s invitation or arrest him upon arrival. Bashir, who has two International Criminal Court arrest warrants against him for an alleged role in war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, was welcomed in Egypt by a delegation led by Vice President, Mahmoud Mekki. Defending Cairo’s decision by highlighting the fact that the UN Security Council...

Myanmar reforms continue as Suu Kyi visits US

Myanmar has continued to implement reforms in the country, as opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was due in the United States to meet with US President Barack Obama. A spokesperson for Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy party told Reuters that with the release of 514 detainees on Monday, it was hoped that all remaining political prisoners in the country had now been freed. The move comes as new Information Minister Aung Kyi appointed a new council to replace the much criticised press watchdog agency in the country. The new council will now have less control over foreign...

Khmer Rouge leader released by tribunal

A former leader of the Khmer Rouge has been released from prosecution, after she was found to be mentally unfit to stand trial. 80-year-old Ieng Thirith who reportedly suffers from Alzheimer's disease, has been released with "provisional conditions" by Cambodia's war crimes tribunal, as the court considers an appeal from prosecutors. Youk Chhang, a leading Khmer Rouge researcher and director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia said , "It is difficult for victims and indeed, all Cambodians, to accept the especially vigorous enforcement of Ieng Thirith's rights taking place at the [tribunal...

Gaza court convicts killers of Italian activist

A court in Gaza has jailed four men for the kidnapping and killing of Italian pro-Palestine activist Vittorio Arrigoni. Arrigoni was killed in March last year by hard line Islamists, after they kidnapped him and demanded the release of prisoners, held by Hamas authorities. 28-year-old Mahmoud al-Salfiti and 27-year-old Tamer al-Hasasna were convicted of murder and kidnapping and jailed for 35 years with hard labour. Another two men were given lesser sentences for the kidnapping and sheltering a fugitive. The sentence was confirmed by the lawyers of the activist from the Palestinian Center for...

NATO air strike kills civilians

A NATO airstrike in eastern Afghanistan has killed at least eight women, according to local officials. The attack, in a remote region of the Laghman,also injured at least seven women, with some of the injured reported to be as young as ten. A NATO spokesperson conceded that civilians had died after an attack on insurgents. Major Adam Wojack told the BBC that between five to eight civilians could have died and the attack was being investigated. "Unfortunately, we have become aware of possible Isaf-caused civilian casualties as a result of this strike, numbering five-eight Afghans," he said. "...

New UN envoy to Syria meets with Syrian President

On Saturday Lakhdar Brahimi, the newly appointed UN envoy to Syria held his first meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, hoping to find a political solution to the ongoing conflict. Brahimi, a veteran Algerian diplomat, had previously described the mission as “nearly impossible”, particularly since UN observers on the ground were pulled out last month after facing attacks. Speaking to reporters afterwards Brahimi said , “I repeat…. I have no plan." “we, however, will set the plan that we will follow after listening to all internal, regional and international parties, hoping that such...

Anti-Japan protests continue across China

More than 50 cities in China saw massive anti-Japan protests carry on for a second day, with the Japanese embassy and several Japanese businesses coming under attack. Protestors in Beijing pelted the Japanese embassy with eggs and bottles as riot police held back crowds from storming the building. Protestors shouted slogans such as, "Return our islands! Japanese devils get out!" and held signs that read, "For the respect of the motherland, we must go to war with Japan." The protests prompted US Defence Secretary to comment, "I am concerned that when these countries engage in provocations of...

Norway to put Rwandan genocide suspect on trial

Norwegian authorities have announced that they will try a Rwandan man for his role in the 1994 genocide, at a court in Oslo, the first time such a case will be tried in Norway. Sadi Bugingo was arrested by Norwegian authorities in 2002 in the city of Bergen after being wanted by Rwandan authorities. Prosecutor Petter Mandt stated that he wanted to show Norway would not be a haven for such criminals, commenting , "It's the first time that we are prosecuting someone for genocide… From that point of view it is a very unusual affair." Bugingo faces a maximum jail term of 21 years. He is the...

Putin critic expelled, as thousands protest again

An opposition MP and critic of President Putin, Gennady Gudkov, was expelled from the Kremlin on Friday, for allegedly breaching the rules on business affairs. Gudkov, a member of the opposition Fair Russia Party, is a former KGB colonel, and the first member of parliament to be expelled in 17 years. His expulsion leaves him at risk of arrest for previous crimes, having now lost his diplomatic immunity. The expulsion came as thousands took the streets once again, shouting "Russia without Putin". See here for more.

Egypt 'must arrest Bashir' says Amnesty

Amnesty International called on Egypt to arrest Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, when he arrives in Cairo on Sunday. Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide charges, is due to meet the new Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi during a two day visit. In a statement, Marek Marczyński of Amnesty International, said : “If Egypt welcomes Omar al-Bashir it will become a safe haven for alleged perpetrators of genocide,” “Egypt should not allow Omar al-Bashir to enter its territory, and must arrest him if he arrives.” “In his first address, President Morsy said that...

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