International Criminal Court judges have rejected arguments by former Ivory Coast President, Laurent Gbagbo, that they lack the jurisdiction to try him for charges of crimes against humanity. Gbagbo's charges are partly a result alleged murder and rape committed by his supporters in 2010, whilst he was clinging onto power following controversial elections. The former leader still claims that he is innocent. Gbagbo's argument was based around his claims of supposed mistreatment during his time in detention. The former Ivory Coast leader was extradited to the Hague last November.
Angry protests have broken out across China this weekend, as a group of activists raised the Japanese flag on a disputed island earlier on Sunday, rapidly escalating tensions between the two countries. Thousands of protestors are thought to have taken to the streets in dozens of cities, with sushi restaurants and other perceived Japanese-linked businesses reportedly attacked and Japanese cars left smashed and overturned . Banners held by the crowds read “Defend the Diaoyu Islands to the death,” and “Even if China is covered with graves, we must kill all Japanese” . Chinese Major General Luo Yuan, also called for a fleet of 100 boats to be sent to defend the islands, commenting , “If necessary, we could make the Diaoyu Islands a target range for China’s air force and plant mines around them.” The dispute over the contested island was heightened after a group of Japanese activists landed on the island earlier on Sunday, unfurling the Japanese flag. Days earlier, japan arrested and deported a group of Chinese activists who attempted to land on the island.
Confirming what has long been suspected, a Syrian opposition official, disclosed that British intelligence was enabling rebels to launch attacks against Assad forces, reported The Sunday Times. The Official said that Britain "know about and approve 100%" signals intelligence, using bases in Cyprus that are then passed through Turkey to the Free Syrian Army. Speaking to The Sunday Times, the official said, “British intelligence is observing things closely from Cyprus. It’s very useful because they find out a great deal,” “The British are giving the information to the Turks and the Americans and we are getting it from the Turks.”
The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) unamimously adopted a resolution endorsing Ecuador's right to grant asylum to Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange. Foreign ministers of the 12 nations met in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and agreed seven key points, highlighting the right of any sovereign country to grant asylum, the "inviolability of embassies" and the importance of protecting human rights. Addressing the media after the session, Ecuadorian foreign minister Ricardo Patino urged UK to use international law and dialogue, not force, in order to resolve the situation. Acknowledging that UK was a...
Burma has set up a commission to investigate violence in the Rakhine state, where dozens have died and thousands remain displaced. The announcement follows Burma’s recent refusal to allow an independent inquiry into the state violence. The UN have welcomed the inquiry, acknowledging the possible contributions the commission could have in restoring peace in the state. Commenting on President Thein Sein’s decision for an internal investigation, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said that the investigation would provide a more “conducive environment for a more inclusive way forward to tackle the...
Nabeel Rajab, an opposition activist and head of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, has been sentenced for three years in prison for taking part in an illegal protest against the ruling family on Thursday. As the sentence was read out in court, Rajab was heard to shout , " three years or 30, you cannot stop me ". He is also due to face charges of defamation for Twitter posts calling for the resignation of Bahrain's prime minister, Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa. The hearing has been condemned by Amnesty International who described it as " a dark day for justice in Bahrain ".
Former Algerian foreign minister Lakhdar Brahimi has been appointed the new UN-Arab League envoy for Syria, an appointment that has been hailed internationally. Brahimi, who is on the Advisory Council for the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace & Justice , succeeds Kofi Annan who resigned earlier this month from the role. The appointment of the 78-year-old Nobel Peace laureate was welcomed by the UK, US, Russia and China, who stated that they will, “support and cooperate positively with Mr Brahimi's efforts at political mediation,"
US President, Barack Obama, has signed a new piece of legislation that intends to encourage the observation of human rights in North Korea. The law, that extends until 2017, is aimed at putting pressure on North Korea to respect the issues of human rights, democracy refugee protection and freedom of information. It provides legal ground for the US government to financially support radio stations broadcasting into North Korea and the appointment of a special envoy regarding the North’s human rights issues. The act also urges the US government to demand that China halts its forcible repatriation of North Koreans, who it describes as “genuine refugees” that “face severe punishments upon their forcible return”.
According to the UN peacekeeping chief, the Syrian government and rebels have “chosen the path of war”. The recent rise in all out conflict has left military observers on the ground with no peace to monitor on the ground. As a result of the transition of the situation into a full blown war, UN officials have stated that the last of the few dozen remaining team members would quit Damascus by 24th August. Explaining the UN official’s decision, deputy UN peacekeeping chief, Edmond Mulet, said, “It is clear that both sides have chosen the path of war, open conflict and the space for political...
After 12 hours of silence, the police force minister Nathi Mthethwa confirmed that 30 miners had been killed after police tried to move 3000 striking drill operators, with the use of automatic weapons, reported Reuters. Speaking to Talk Radio 702, Mthethwa said, "A lot of people were injured and the number keeps on going up." The incident, which occurred 60 miles northwest of Johannesburg, has caused shock and outrage, with many likening it to the 1960 Sharpeville massacre.