WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

German police arrest Rwanda genocide suspect accused of ordering killings
Rwandan genocide memorial in Nyamata (Fanny Schertzer) German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of complicity in genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. The suspect, identified only as Innocent S. under German privacy rules, was arrested in the central German state of Hesse on Wednesday. According to Reuters,…

Argentina requests arrest of Spanish Franco-era officials

Nov 1, 2014
A judge in Argentina has requested the arrest and extradition of 20 former officials suspected of carrying out human rights abuses during the dictatorship of General Franco.

The officials are accused of being complicit in the torture of dissidents during the Spanish dictator's rule from 1939 to 1975. Former cabinet ministers José Utrera Molina, 88, and Rodolfo Martín Villa, 80 are amongst the accused.

Federal judge Maria Servini de Cubria requested the extraditions under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which can see judges try suspects of serious human rights abuses from foreign countries.

The families of the victims requested Argentina help try the officials, as an 1977 amnesty law passed in Spain blocks any legal action against the former officials.

Islamist party leader sentenced to death for war crimes in Bangladesh

Nov 1, 2014
A senior leader of Bangladesh's largest Islamist party has been sentenced to death by a special tribunal investigating charges of war crimes during the country's 1971 war of independence.

Mir Quasem Ali from Jamaat-e-Islami faced 14 charges in Chittagong including letting loose a "reign of terror". He was found guilty of 8 of the charges.

State prosecutor Ziad Al Mamun told reporters that "justice has been served" adding that the sentencing would break down the "culture of impunity" in the country.

However Ali's defence lawyer Mizanur Rahman said "we didn't get proper judgement."

Israel closes cargo and pedestrian borders into Gaza

Nov 1, 2014
Israel closed its crossing into the Gaza Strip on Sunday in response to a rocket attack from Gaza.

The pedestrian and cargo entrances to Gaza were shut in response to a rocket fired into Israel that caused no damage on Friday, said a spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Ministry.

Human-rights organisations criticised the Israeli government’s closure of cargo borders as an attack on the civilian population in Gaza, reports the Wall Street Journal.

UK Supreme Court to rule on extradition of genocide suspects

Nov 1, 2014
The Supreme Court will decide this week on whether five men accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide will be extradited from Britain, to face charges in Rwanda.

The suspects were all arrested in May 2013, after having lived in the United Kingdom for more than a decade.

Though they were to be extradited to Rwanda, the men all appealed against the decision, citing that they would not be granted a fair trial in the country. A decision was due in October 2013, but the complexity of the trial has led to several delays.

Boko Haram denies negotiations to release abducted school girls

Oct 31, 2014
The leader of the Nigerian militant Boko Haram, claimed that deals to free the 200 kidnapped school girls were untrue, reports the Telegraph.

In a video released on Saturday, Abubakar Shekau, said, “The issue of the girls is long forgotten because I have long ago married them off. In this war there is no going back.”

Islamic State militants execute 85 Albu Nimr tribe members

Oct 31, 2014
Islamic State militants executed a further 85 members of the Albu Nimr tribe in Iraq on Saturday, reports Reuters.

The tribal chief said that 50 members of the tribe had been killed with a further 35 bodies found in a mass grave.

Sheikh Naeem al-Ga’oud said that requests to the Iraqi central government for arms to had been repeatedly ignored.

The Albu Nimr tribe fought back for several weeks against Islamic State militant advances on their village in Anbar.

Burkina Faso sees third leader in 24 hours

Oct 31, 2014
A second military officer has assumed power in Burkina Faso, after the former president resigned on Friday amidst mass protests.

Colonel Isaac Zida, who is the third person to claim leadership of the country within 24 hours, called on the international community to recognise his authority.

Speaking to crowds in the capital city Ouagadougou, Zida said that the military had taken control to “prevent a state of anarchy that would be detrimental to the goal of democratic change.”

“I will assume the duties of head of this transition and head of state to guarantee the continuity of the state,” he added.

Burkina Faso president resigns amid protests

Oct 30, 2014
The President of Burkina Faso resigned on Friday after days of unrest that saw protesters set fire to the parliament building, reports the New York Times.

Campaore announced his resignation, after the military announced that they had decided to take the side of the protestors.

The recent protests against Campaore came after the former president tried to change legislation that would allow him to extend his term in power.

Blaise Campaore initially seized power of Burkina Faso in 1987 in a coup that saw the former president killed under suspicious circumstances.

Militants committing war crimes in Libya says Amnesty International

Oct 30, 2014
All sides in Libya’s most recent conflict have committed serious rights abuses, some of which amount to war crimes, found Amnesty International’s latest report.

The report, “Rule of the gun: Abductions, torture and other abuses in western Libya,” found that armed groups had summarily killed, tortured or ill-treated detainees in their custody whilst targeting civilians based on their origins or perceived political allegiances.

“Leaders of militias and armed groups in Libya have a duty to put an end to violations of international humanitarian law and to make clear to their subordinates that such crimes will not be tolerated. A failure to do so could result in prosecution of commanders by the International Criminal Court,” said the Amnesty press release.

Sweden formally recognises Palestine

Oct 29, 2014
Sweden formally recognised the state of Palestine on Thursday, becoming the first European Union member to do so, reports AFP.

The decision, which came ahead of schedule, has been criticised by Israel.

“Some will claim that today’s decision comes too early. I’m rather afraid it’s too late,” Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom wrote in the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter.

“The past year, we’ve seen how the peace negotiations once again have halted, how decisions on new settlements on occupied Palestinian land have obstructed a two-state solution and how violence has returned to Gaza.”

Argentina requests arrest of Spanish Franco-era officials
Islamist party leader sentenced to death for war crimes in Bangladesh
Israel closes cargo and pedestrian borders into Gaza
UK Supreme Court to rule on extradition of genocide suspects
Boko Haram denies negotiations to release abducted school girls
Islamic State militants execute 85 Albu Nimr tribe members
Burkina Faso sees third leader in 24 hours
Burkina Faso president resigns amid protests
Militants committing war crimes in Libya says Amnesty International
Sweden formally recognises Palestine