International Legal News - 16 March 2026
- Mar 16
- 3 min read
The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 09 March to 13 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.
13 March 2026
Trade: “Protecting the GCC in times of trouble: legal remedies in English law and international law”
A helpful guide has been produced by Farrer & Co on legal remedies in English law and international law, following the increased risk on trade in the Gulf region following the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
This guide will be of particular assistance to those who anticipate themselves to be affected by commercial proceedings emanating from recent developments in the region.
To read this guide, see here.
12 March 2026
Civil Fraud: UK Government publishes Fraud Strategy 2026-2029
It is reported by CMS that the UK Government has published a fraud strategy that examines how fraud prevention is being developed in the jurisdiction. The report includes three pillars: known as the “Disrupt”, “Safeguard”, and “Respond” pillars.
The report comes part and parcel with a number of key announcements including an online crime centre, calls for evidence, and new collaborative efforts with the City of London to create a new “Report Fraud” service.
For more on this story, see here.
11 March 2026
International Criminal Law: Mass Arrest in El Salvador linked to possible crimes against humanity
It is reported by the Guardian Newspaper that the draconian mass incarceration policy under El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, may have led to crimes against humanity, following input by legal experts. It is said that as much as 1.4% of the population has been jailed without due process constituting an allegedly significant breach of human rights and the rule of law.
El Salvador has been in a so-called state of exception since 2022, when Bukele reportedly suspended constitutional rights in the country in a response to the gangs operating in the country.
For more on this story, see here.
10 March 2026
Blog Corner: “The Legality of Iran’s Closure of the Strait of Hormuz”
A blog post on EJIL: Talk! by Alexander Lott, will be of interest to academics and practitioners with an interest in shipping law and the law of the sea. He considers the recent news that Iran has announced its intention to close the strait of Hormuz which is of central importance to the oil industry.
Lott provides an analysis which considers the Traffic Separation Scheme (“TSS”) in the Strait of Hormuz which was adopted in 1973 and revised in 1979 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that has previously been used by Iran to arrest foreign tankers.
To read this article, see here.
9 March 2026
FCDO: Statement by UK Representative at UN condemns treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan
The Rt Honourable Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister of State at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, has issued a statement concerning the continued restrictions that are currently being placed on women and girls in Afghanistan. She has stated:
“[T]he United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the women and girls of Afghanistan, who deserve full, meaningful, and equal participation in all areas of life.”
To read the full statement, see here.