Human Rights Watch Briefing Note for the Twenty-First Session of the International Criminal Court Assembly of States Parties
Human Rights Watch , 22 Nov 2022
The states parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) will meet from December 5-10, 2022, in The Hague for the annual session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP). The Assembly session takes place at a moment of renewed attention on the role of the court. The expansion of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022 has generated a strong response from the international community, including through the swift activation of several mechanisms that could contribute to delivering justice for victims of serious international crimes.
Belgrade Trial for Massacre of Bosniaks Stalled for One Year
Balkan Transitional Justice, 22 Nov 2022
A fifth consecutive hearing was postponed in the trial of Visnja Acimovic, who is alleged to be a female Bosnian Serb Army ex-soldier who was involved in shooting 37 Bosniak men near Vlasenica in 1992.
Iran: Swift action by UN Human Rights Council essential after latest horrifying protester killings
Amnesty International , 22 Nov 2022
UN Human Rights Council member states must urgently establish an investigative and accountability mechanism on Iran to address the alarming spike in unlawful killings and other human rights violations, Amnesty International said today, following a week in which the Iranian security forces shot dead at least 60 protesters, mourners and bystanders, including children.
India: Government should promptly adopt and act on the recommendations made at UN Rights Review
Amnesty International , 21 Nov 2022
The Indian government should promptly adopt and act on the recommendations that United Nations member states made at the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review process on November 10, 2022, six international human rights groups said today. The recommendations cover a range of key concerns including the protection of minority communities and vulnerable groups, tackling gender-based violence, upholding civil society freedoms, protecting human rights defenders, and ending torture in custody.
U.S. Justice Dept. names war crimes expert as special counsel for Trump probes
Reuters, 20 Nov 2022
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday named Jack Smith, a war crimes prosecutor, to serve as special counsel to oversee Justice Department investigations related to Donald Trump including the former president’s handling of sensitive documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Garland’s announcement came three days after Trump, a Republican, announced he would run for president again in 2024. Garland said Trump’s candidacy, as well as Democratic President Biden’s stated intention to run for re-election, made the appointment of a special counsel necessary.
Leaked execution videos strengthen case for Syrian war crimes prosecutions
Arab News, 20 Nov 2022
“Arrest, pursue and kill.” The orders were spelled out unambiguously in the official document that had once belonged to a branch of Syrian military intelligence in the city of Deraa in early 2012. Those orders and a series of videos that showed an attempted cover-up of executions were leaked to researchers working for a non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C.
A Step Closer Towards A Treaty On Crimes Against Humanity
Forbes, 19 Nov 2022
On October 18, 2022, the Sixth Committee, the primary forum for the consideration of legal questions in the U.N. General Assembly, approved a resolution on “Crimes against humanity” without a vote. The resolution offers a space for a substantive exchange of views on all aspects of the draft articles on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity and a consideration of the International Law Commission’s recommendation for the convention on the basis of the draft articles.
Biden Administration’s attempt to grant immunity to Mohammed Bin Salman is a deep betrayal
Amnesty International, 18 Nov 2022
Responding to the USA government’s legal submission calling on a US Court to grant Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman immunity from a lawsuit filed by murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée, Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said: “The US government should hang its head in shame. This is nothing more than a sickening, total, deep betrayal. First the evidence of the Crown Prince’s involvement in Jamal Khashoggi’s murder was disregarded by President Trump, then President Biden’s fist bump – it all suggests shady deals made throughout.
