International Legal News - 23 February 2026
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 16 February to 20 February 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.
20 February 2026
Trade Law: US Supreme Court strikes down Trump Administration’s tariffs
In a ruling likely to send shockwaves across the international community, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling on Friday, which held that the sweeping tariffs under the Trump Administration are unlawful, striking them down.
In a 6-3 decision, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the apex court upheld a ruling at a lower instance that held that the policy, which was pursued through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act 1977 (“IEEPA”) exceeded the President’s authority.
Responding to the Judgment, President Trump has been quoted:
“I’m ashamed of certain members of the court – absolutely ashamed – for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country”.
According to Reuters, the authority to issue taxes and tariffs, is a power granted by the U.S. Constitution to Congress (the legislative branch of government) as opposed to the President (the executive branch of government).
For more on this story, see here.
To read the judgment, see here.
19 February 2026
Rule of Law: South Korea’s former president issued with a sentence for life following martial law declaration.
The Seoul district court in South Korea, has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment with labour over his failed martial law declaration in December 2024, finding him guilty of leading an insurrection. A judge in the case, Jee Kui-youn has stated that the purpose of the declaration was:
“[…] to send troops to the national assembly to blockage the assembly hall and arrest key figures, including the assembly speaker and party leaders, thereby preventing lawmakers from gathering to deliberate or vote.”
Judge Jee is reported to have traced the law of ‘insurrection’ to English legal history and drawn parallels to the 1649 execution of King Charles I, (although the aptness of such comparisons are not explored further here).
In South Korean law, insurrection may be punished by death, life orders with labour, or without. Although the court refrained from issuing the ultimate penalty, it is reported that the sentencing court took particular note of Mr Yoon’s lack of an apology, a refusal to attend hearings and what is said to be the social costs inflicted on South Korean society.
For more on this story, see here.
18 February 2026
Humanitarian Law: EU joint-statement on protection of civilians and humanitarian operations
Following the recent and severe escalation in the conflict in Sudan, Commissioner Hadja Lahbib joined 32 countries to reiterate the EU’s full support to the people of Sudan.
“We express grave concern over the continued deadly unlawful attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian operations as heavy fighting across the Kordofan and Darfur States continues. The recent severe escalation in drone and aerial attacks including those affecting displaced civilians, health facilities, food convoys and areas near humanitarian compounds have resulted in a significant number of civilian deaths and injuries and is further disrupting humanitarian access and supply lines.”
To read the full statement, see here.
17 February 2026
Blog Corner: “Protecting civilians in good faith: A joint symposium on the updated ICRC Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention”
Following five years of research and consultations, the ICRC has published a new and updated commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 (“GC IV”). Practitioners and academics specialising in international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict will know GC IV is the cornerstone of protections for civilians which are of vital importance in urban warfare.
EJIL: Talk! is running a joint symposium over the next few weeks sharing expert contributions concerning GC IV.
To read more about the symposium, see here.
16 February 2026
Blog Corner: “Law and Media Round Up – 16 February 2026”
Debuted for the first time on G37 International News – and for practitioners and academics interested in law and media, a recent roundup from the International Forum for Responsible Media Blog has recently been published that may be of interest.
To read the Roundup, see here.