The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 27 January to 05 February 2025. 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.

2 February 2025
China sets to file lawsuit with WTO following US’ tariffs measures
China’s Ministry of Commerce announced plans to file a claim against US at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports. In its official statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce expressed its commitment to pursuing legal recourse through the WTO while simultaneously advocating for constructive dialogue and enhanced cooperation with the USA.
China’s Ministry of Commerce characterised the tariffs as a “serious violation” of international trade rules, asserting that such actions disrupt established trade relations. The ministry also indicated that it would implement “corresponding countermeasures” to protect its rights and interests, further highlighting that tariffs do not effectively address the underlying issues related to fentanyl production and distribution, which it contends are primarily linked to domestic challenges within the USA rather than exports from China.
31 January 2025
UN High Commissioner deeply alarmed by reports of summary executions of civilians in Sudan
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said he was deeply alarmed by reports of summary executions of civilians allegedly by fighters and militia allied to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Khartoum North and reiterated his call for an immediate end to such attacks.
According to information verified by the UN Human Rights Office, at least 18 people, including one woman, were killed in seven separate incidents, attributed to SAF-affiliated fighters and militia since the SAF regained control of the area on 25 January. Many of the victims of these incidents, which took place in the vicinity the Al Jaili oil refinery, were originally from the Darfur or Kordofan regions of Sudan.
There are further disturbing allegations emanating from Khartoum North, which the UN Human Rights Office continues to corroborate. In a video circulated on 30 January 2025, men in SAF uniform and members of the Al Baraa Bin Malik Brigade in Khartoum North are observed reading out a long list of names of alleged RSF collaborators, saying "Zaili" – Arabic for “killed” - after each name.
31 January 2025
Nine countries launch legal action against Israel over Gaza war
In response to pressure from the US Congress, which has sought to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC), nine countries from the Global South—Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, and Malaysia—are forming a coalition known as The Hague Group and have unveiled "coordinated legal, economic, and diplomatic measures" aimed at holding Israel accountable for its violations of international law.
This initiative comes as both the ICC and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) face significant challenges to their authority in cases relating to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
30 January 2025
UNESCO launches initiative to preserve the Jewish documentary heritage of Ukraine
UNESCO has launched a new project aimed at preserving and promoting the documentary heritage of Jewish communities in Ukraine. The two-year initiative, funded by the EU, seeks to safeguard cultural and historical records, enhance accessibility to archival materials, and support at least ten memory institutions across the country.
This UNESCO initiative will focus on digitizing at-risk and damaged documents from 10 memory institutions, training over 50 culture professionals in preservation techniques, and supporting artistic and research endeavors that highlight the contributions of Jewish heritage to Ukrainian culture.
29 January 2025
British Palestine Committee accuses the UK of breaching international law through its continued military support to Israel
In its report, titled the British Military Collaboration Report, the Committee criticised what it calls British “military collaboration with Israel”. The report outlines that the UK is legally obligated under international law to “suspend military cooperation and trade with Israel,” and “act to prevent genocide” in light of Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and the war in Gaza.
Focusing on the British military’s willing collaboration with Israel – given that the UK is not directly involved in the Israel-Palestine conflict – the report states that the UK has nonetheless played a pivotal and “influential role” through its “validation of arms licenses”, procurement of weapons, and “British military bases”, particularly in Cyprus. The report says that the UK’s involvement in other conflicts involving Israel, mainly in Yemen and Iran, has indirectly aided and protected Israel.