<p>The United Nations Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Mission for the referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) earlier this month.</p> <p>Adopting resolution 2240 (2018) by a recorded vote of 12 in favour with 3 abstentions, the Security Council&nbsp;extended the MINURSO mandate by a further 6 months, and backed the UN Secretary General’s plan to initiate negotiations for a&nbsp;“realistic, practicable and enduring political solution..which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.”</p> <p>Initially established in 1991 with proposals accepted by Morocco and the Frente Polisario movement the MINURSO was tasked with monitoring the ceasfire; overseeing exchange of political prisoners, repatriation of refugees and the eventual organisation of a free and fair referendum in which the people of Western Sahara would choose between independence and integration with Morocco. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Denmark’s foreign minister, Anders Samuelsen announced this week Denmark will suspend its exportation of weapons to Saudi Arabia following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and consistent human rights violations in Yemen.&nbsp;</p> <p>Saudi Arabia is one of the largest weapons importers and is part of a military coalition waging war in Yemen, that has engaged in human rights violations.</p> <p>“With the continued deterioration of the already terrible situation in Yemen and the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, we are now in a new situation," Samuelsen told journalists.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Spanish Foreign Minister, Josep Borrel, told reporters that Spain would not impede Scotland’s attempts to join the European Union (EU) if it gained independence from Britain.</p> <p>The announcement stands in contrast from Spain’s previous position which was to veto Scotland’s attempts to join the EU so as to dissuade Catalonian separatists.</p> <p>Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has expressed opposition to Theresa May’s Brexit deal and stressed the importance of Scotland staying within the European trading bloc.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The United States Department of Homeland Security has reportedly been gathering intelligence on a caravan of predominantly Central American migrants towards the US-Mexico border through various social media channels, as federal judge ruled that the group could attempt to claim asylum in the US.</p> <p>It is reported that approximated 3,000 asylum seekers have entered Tijuana and their hopes of asylum swells after US District Judge Jon Tiga blocked president Donald Trump’s ban on migrants claiming asylum. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The US based rental accommodation firm Airbnb announced its decision to remove Israeli settlements in the West Bank from their website, stating the settlements break international law and impede a peace solution.&nbsp;</p> <p>This move has been hailed by Palestinian groups as a positive first step whilst also being decried by Israeli organisations as an act of capitulation.</p> <p>The UN Security Council deemed settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem violate international law in its resolution 2334.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The United Nations General Assembly Third Committee has unanimously passed a resolution supporting self-determination as a fundamental human right.</p> <p>The resolution, tabled by Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN Dr Maleeha Lodhi, was passed by the UNGA’s Third Committee which deals with social humanitarian and cultural issues.</p> <p>Tweeting after the vote whish aw a record number of 83 countries cosponsoring it, Dr Lodhi said,</p>

<p>The new government of the Maldives will rejoin the Commonwealth, two years after the country’s former president pulled out in protest of the group raising concerns over the country’s democracy and human rights.</p> <p>In a statement on Monday, President Ibramih Mohamed Solih’s office said the decision to participate in the Commonwealth of Nations again had been taking into account the education and cultural advantages.</p>

<p>A group of bipartisan US Congressional representatives introduced a bill into the Senate and House of Representatives demanding a sterner response from the Trump administration over China’s human rights record.&nbsp;</p> <p>The bill proposes targeted sanctions on the Chinese government, the ruling party and officials such as Xinjiang party secretary Chen Quanguo who are “credibly alleged to be responsible for human rights abuses in Xinjiang and elsewhere”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A sitting Member of Parliament, accused by the UN of carrying out war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Central African Republic’s Muslim community, has been detained and extradited to the Hague, reports <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-18/alfred-yekatom-handed-to-interna…">ABC news.</a></p> <p>Alfred Yekatom, also a&nbsp;former militia leader, was wanted for the murder, deportation and torture, enforced disappearance and mutilation.</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are facing increasing pressure from the West to agree to a ceasefire in Yemen to prevent the country from plunging into mass famine. This has led to the halt of the Saudi led coalition’s offensive against the Houthis in the port city of Hodeidah.</p> <p>The offensive on this strategic port was relaunched last month in an effort to cut off Houthi ruled areas from their main supply route.</p> <p>Western allies including the US and the UK are pressing for a ceasefire in Yemen and are encouraging 'both sides' to participate in political talks.</p>