International Legal News - 21 April 2025
- Ned Vucijak
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 13 April to 20 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.
17 April 2025
Iran files an application against Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and the UK constituting an appeal against a decision by the ICAO Council
Iran instituted proceedings against Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom before the International Court of Justice. According to Iran, its Application “constitutes an appeal against a decision rendered by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization” on 17 March 2025, in proceedings initiated jointly by the above-mentioned States against Iran on 8 January 2024.
Iran states that the proceedings before the ICAO Council “concern a disagreement relating to the interpretation and application of the Chicago Convention with respect to the erroneous shooting down of a civil aircraft in flight – Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (‘Flight PS752’) by Iran’s military on 8 January 2020”. The subject-matter of the dispute referred to the Court is “Iran’s appeal against the validity and correctness of the Decision of the ICAO Council rendered on 17 March 2025 in relation to the preliminary objections” raised by Iran to the competence of the ICAO Council, which were rejected.
16 April 2025
Greece finalises marine spatial planning and releases official map
Greece has completed its marine spatial planning (MSP), as announced by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment and Energy, which also released the corresponding official map. The Foreign Ministry stated that the extension of Greek territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles is an “inalienable right” of the country, deriving from the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, “[i]t is a right that Greece reserves for its exercise when and as it deems it in its national interest, based on the rules deriving from international Law.”
It is the first time that the ultimate potential limits of the Greek continental shelf are being delineated. It should be recalled that the continental shelf of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea is a constant point of friction between Greece and Turkey since the middle of the 1990s. In November of last year, the European Commission published a map delineating Greece’s maritime zones, recognizing the full legal effect of all islands – including Kastellorizo in the southeastern Aegean. In response, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement declaring that it would take “all necessary measures to protect our rights in the Aegean and Cyprus.
16 April 2025
Mexico recovers over 2,000 cultural heritage pieces from abroad in first six months of new administration
According to the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico has recovered 2,042 pieces of its cultural heritage from abroad during the first six months of the current government administration.
The intensified efforts are a result of strengthened cooperation between the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and the Secretariat of Culture, operating through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). This collaboration was highlighted during a recent event at the National Museum of Anthropology, where a piece of significant historical and archaeological importance, featuring Olmec characteristics, was formally handed over after being recovered by the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles.
During the ceremony, Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente stated that the recovery of 2,042 archaeological pieces in the initial months of this administration, facilitated by the Legal Counsel’s Office, represents a substantial achievement. “This constitutes a good effort that also highlights the potential we have to continue bringing back to their place of origin, from where they should never have left, pieces that form part of the national heritage,” de la Fuente remarked.
15 April 2025
Amnesty International: Mozambican security forces used force in a widespread crackdown on protests following last October’s election
In a report, Amnesty International documented security forces firing lethal weapons, tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters and bystanders, including children. Authorities also conducted mass arbitrary arrests and targeted journalists, including by intimidating them and confiscating their equipment, while internet access was restricted at key moments.
“The Mozambican security forces’ deadly crackdown was a shameful overreaction to post-election protests,” said Khanyo Farise, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. “Instead of listening to people’s grievances and allowing them to voice their concerns, the FRELIMO-led government unleashed a wave of violence on demonstrations resulting in serious injuries, unlawful deaths and a slew of other human rights violations.”