International Legal News - 14 April 2025
- Ned Vucijak
- Apr 14
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 06 April to 13 April 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.
13 April 2025
US and El Salvador responsible for disappearances of Venezuelan deportees
According to Human Rights Watch, the governments of the United States and El Salvador have subjected more than 200 Venezuelan nationals to forced disappearances and arbitrary detention. In a dramatic escalation of immigration practices, authorities removed 238 Venezuelans from US detention on March 15, 2025, transferring them directly to El Salvador’s Center for Confinement of Terrorism, a facility notorious for its abusive conditions.
Immediately following the transfer, the Venezuelan nationals were held incommunicado. Neither US nor Salvadoran officials have disclosed comprehensive details regarding the detainees, despite pressure from affected families and advocacy groups. HRW called the move “a grave violation of international human rights law”.
According to Amnesty International, these removals occurred despite a court order prohibiting deportations and included individuals targeted for superficial reasons, such as tattoos or their origin from the Venezuelan state of Aragua. Amnesty described the removals as expulsions, not deportations, as they occurred without formal removal orders and due process.
13 April 2025
Israel evacuation orders suspected of violating international law according to OHCHR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed concern over the compatibility of recent Israeli evacuation orders with international humanitarian law, citing fears over the permanent displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
According to the statement, while Israel “can lawfully order the temporary evacuations of civilians in certain areas under strict conditions,” the nature and scope of such orders is a concern on whether the country has intentions on forcibly transferring civilians out of Gaza, breaching the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute.
The OHCHR also raised concerns about the targeting and killing of Palestinian journalists, citing the deaths of more than 200 journalists in Gaza since October 2023. According to Article 79 of the Geneva Conventions (1949) – Additional Protocol I, journalists working in areas of armed conflict must be considered civilians and, therefore, protected.
12 April 2025
Greek Coast Guard says migrant smugglers fired at patrolling vessel in Lesvos
According to Greek authorities, suspected smugglers disembarking migrants from a Turkish fishing boat on the south coast of Lesvos, in the eastern Aegean, fired towards an approaching Coast Guard vessel. Authorities found 25 migrants on the beach of Aghios Fokas who were transported to the Kara Tepe identification center.
The Coast Guard crew responded forcing the Turkish fishing boat to sail towards the Turkish coast. The Coast Guard followed the vessel until it reached Turkish territorial waters and alerted Turkish authorities. No injuries have been reported.
10 April 2025
Public hearings on provisional measures in Sudan v United Arab Emirates take place in The Hague
The oral hearings on the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by Sudan in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in Sudan (Sudan v. United Arab Emirates) took place at the Peace Palace.
Sudan has accused the UAE of violating the Genocide Convention by supporting paramilitary forces in its Darfur region. “A genocide is being committed against the ethnic group of the Masalit in the west of our country,” Sudan’s acting justice minister, Muawia Osman, told the Court. He alleged that a genocide was being carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces “with the support and complicity of the United Arab Emirates.” Pending a final judgment in the case, the ICJ was being asked to indicate provisional measures ordering the UAE to “take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts” that could contribute to genocide.
During the hearing, the UAE argued: “We [the UAE] should not be here today. There is clearly no basis for the Court’s jurisdiction in this case. The UAE’s reservation to Article IX of the Genocide Convention is a legitimate exercise of state sovereignty. The country participates today out of respect for the Court and the principles of international law and justice, even as it firmly maintains a consistent position on jurisdiction.”
6 April 2025
UNICEF urges Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza
UNICEF urged Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza to avoid placing the lives of 1 million children at risk – citing the country’s obligations under international law. UNICEF warned that children receiving malnutrition treatment are “at serious risk” following displacement orders and bombardments since Israel resumed its military operations in Gaza, whereas the repairment of waterpoints and wells has entirely stopped.
Under Article 23 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), each high contracting party, in this case a state, is under an obligation to allow free passage of medical supplies, essentials, and items for religious worship intended for civilians. The obligation is conditional upon all aid not being diverted and that its distribution does not befit the enemy’s military.