WORLD NEWS

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Latest news from and about the homeland

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,…

Colombia and Farc announce truth commission for all victims of conflict

 A truth commission between the Colombian government and Farc rebel group is to be set up to address the loss of thousands of lives during the 5 decade long conflict.

A statement released by participants in the peace talks between the two groups said,
“The rights of all victims are non-negotiable. Victims must be recognised not only in their position as victims, but as citizens with rights.”
Speaking after the announcement, the Farc negotiator, Ivan Marquez, said,

Iran to enter trilateral talks with US and EU on nuclear programme

Talks on Iran’s nuclear programme will start tomorrow between Iranian, US and European Union officials, at the United Nations in Geneva, reports Reuters.
“The meeting tomorrow with the Americans will be trilateral and Helga Schmidt, the deputy of EU foreign policy chief  Catherine Ashton, will be present as well,” said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
Speaking to Reuters, a senior US official said,

Prince Zeid Al-Hussein proposed as next UN Human Rights chief

Prince Zeid Al-Hussein, Jordan's ambassador to the UN, has been proposed as the next UN Human Rights Chief in an announcement made by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on Friday.

Prince Zeid, a widely respected, long-standing diplomat, will replace the South African jurist, Navi Pillay as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The proposal will be considered by the UN General Assembly for approval. According to Reuters, UN diplomats said resistance to the proposal was unlikely, given Prince Zeid's wide respect within the diplomatic community.

Land rights activist killed in Myanmar

An opposition land rights activist in Myanmar, was shot and killed in the northern Shan state, reports Voice of America.

Sai San Tun was allegedly taken away from his house by two men before his body was found a day later.

A member of the National League for Democracy, said the murdered activist had been involved in leading villagers to campaign against military land appropriation.

Croatia spends over 3 million euros on genocide prosecution at the Hague

The Croatian government last week announced that it had spent over 3 million euros in the country’s genocide prosecution against Serbia at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, reports BalkanInsight.

Croatia first filed a genocide lawsuit against Serbia in 1999, whilst Serbia launched a counter claim alleging Croat

World leaders mark D-Day 70th anniversary

World leaders gathered in Normandy, France on Friday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

More famously known as D-Day, the landings began the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe and eventually led to the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War 2.

Both sides in CAR conflict responsible for war crimes finds preliminary UN Commission of Inquiry

Both sides of the conflict in the Central African Republic are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, found a United Nations preliminary Commission of Inquiry report.

The report stressed that, "the displacement of Muslims affected by whatever party so far is a matter of protection and the preservation of human life, not a matter of ethnic cleansing.”

China welcomes Palestinian unity government as foundation of independent statehood

The Chinese government this week welcomed the newly formed Palestinian unity government as a step towards Palestinian independence, reports Xinhua.

“We believe Palestine’s internal reconciliation will strengthen the solidarity of the Palestinian people, and promote the founding of an independent state for Palestinians and peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel,” said the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei.

Israel responds to Palestinian unity by announcing more settlements

In response to a Palestinian unity government being sworn in this week, Israel has announced the construction of almost 1,500 new homes in various settlements, in a move that has received international condemnation.

Palestinian unity government work towards two state solution welcomed by UN

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the announcement of a Palestinian unity government, in a statement released yesterday.

The Secretary-General also noted that ‘the Palestine Liberation Organisation will remain responsible for holding peace negotiations with the State of Israel, a commitment President Abbas has reaffirmed, and hopes that new opportunism for progress toward a two-state solution will emerge soon.’

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