International Legal News - 9 March 2026
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 02 March to 06 March 2026. Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates from the International Criminal Court, European Court of Human Rights, United Nations, European Union and other sources. Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please
send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration.
6 March 2026
International Courts: Judicial meeting between ECtHR and ICC
The Council of Europe reports that a delegation of eight judges from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (“ECtHR”), led by the Court’s Vice-President Arnfinn Bårdsen, made a visit to The International Criminal Court in The Hague (“ICC”) as part of efforts to promote and strengthen cooperation and dialogue between the two courts.
Bårdsen reportedly spoke about the political pressures which judges presently face in exercising their judicial functions and noting the importance of judicial solidarity and dialogue. The comments follow the waves of sanctions placed against judicial office holders in the ICC by the Trump Administration.
For more on this story, see here.
5 March 2026
European Union: EU and Albania participate in review of progress in constitutional reforms and security cooperation
The European Commission reported on the 17th Subcommittee meeting on Justice, Freedom, and Security between the EU and Albania, which took place on 3 and 4 March 2026 in Brussels. Representatives from both authorities spoke on developmental efforts in respect to the rule of law and fundamental rights, corruption, and organised crime, as well as security and home affairs.
The Commission has welcomed the continued progress which Albania has made in the implementation of justice reform, with the vetting process approaching finalisation in appeal within the constitutional deadline of June 2026.
For more on this story, see here.
4 March 2026
International Accountability: Statement issued by Co-Chairs of the Hague Group Meeting on Accountability and the Enforcement of International Law in Palestine, The Hague, 4 March 2026
Forty states convened in The Hague for the Meeting on Accountability and the Enforcement of International Law in Palestine. It was co-chaired by the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Columbia. The is said to be the largest gathering of participating states since the foundation of the group in January 2025.
The group has called for states to ensure accountability, the non-recognition of illegal settlements, and to cut complicity in support for human rights violations.
For more on this story and to read the full statement, see here.
3 March 2026
Humanitarian Law: Amnesty International calls for protection of civilians and respect for international law as Middle East conflict intensifies
Following the escalating hostilities in the Middle East following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Amnesty International has called for all parties to protect civilians and adhere to international humanitarian law. Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said:
“Civilians should not pay the price for the unlawful and reckless acts by parties to the conflict, ravaging the principles of humanity and distinction at the heart of international humanitarian law and threatening the very foundations of international peace and security. The stakes could not be higher. Across the region, civilians have already endured successive cycles of conflict and mass violations under international law. Their protection should now be the top priority. Instead, they are facing more senseless killings and repression…”
For more on this story, see here.
2 March 2026
Blog Corner: “Strait of Hormuz Shut and Vessel Destruction: Remedies Are to Be Sought in Arbitration”
G37 Chambers’ associate member Anastasia Medvedskaya has published a piece that will be of interest to legal practitioners as well as academics with a specialism in arbitral proceedings associated with maritime and shipping disputes, as well as in the insurance and the energy sectors.
She provides an overview of the effects that the US-Israeli war on Iran will likely have on global shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait connects Iran to the Gulf of Oman and through it one in five barrels of all globally traded oil passes. With reference to the principal international legal mechanisms that are engaged, she considers how the war will likely impact shipping disputes and the global insurance industry that makes international shipping and trade possible.
To read this article, see here.
For Anastasia Medvedskaya’s chambers profile, see here.