International Legal News - 23 June 2025
- Ned Vucijak
- Jun 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 30
The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 16 June to 20 June 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.
20 June 2025
UN Secretary General calls for de-escalation as Israel-Iran conflict intensifies
On Friday, UN Secretary General Mr. Guterres warned that the ongoing military strikes between Israel and Iran presented a global risk. “This is a moment that could shape the fate of nations…the expansion of this conflict could ignite a fire no one can control,” he warned.
Since the conflict began, Iranian officials have reported over 224 civilian deaths, and 2,500 more injured. Strikes in Israel have harmed medical centres and 24 confirmed deaths and 900 injured.
Calling for both countries to engage in diplomacy, Mr. Guterres reiterated the need for cooperation with the UN Nuclear energy watchdog, the IAEA.
19 June 2025
UN Working Group seeks for AI systems to comply with international Human Rights Standards
Following the 59th session of the Human Rights Council, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights has published responses to its call for submissions on the future procurement and deployment of AI by both sovereign states and businesses and the need for general compliance with human right standards.
The Working Group is mandated to promote, disseminate, and implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, (“UNGPs”), as introduced by the late John Ruggie.
The report has recommended that the UNGPs should be integrated into the regulation of AI, to avoid adverse consequences for human rights, discrimination privacy violations, and a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The report advocates the prohibition of AI systems that are used for mass surveillance, real-time facial recognition, and predictive policing.
19 June 2025
ICSID Tribunal entertains amicus brief on environment
An arbitral tribunal constituted under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”) which is hearing proceedings that arise out of an Energy Charter Treaty claim against Germany have allowed a collection of environmental academics to file and amicus brief in respect to Germany’s phaseout of coal-fired power production.
While ICSID proceedings which facilitate dispute resolution between foreign investors and sovereign state do contain a mechanism for third party intervenors, the acceptance of amicus briefs are subject to tribunal discretion. The use of this mechanism has become increasingly more common in recent years.
19 June 2025
Human Rights Organisations calls on EU to suspend trade agreement with Israel
A joint statement issued by over 110 organisations and trade unions has called upon the European Commission to suspend the European Union’s economic trade with the State of Israel.
The acting EU Director for Human Rights Watch, one of the organisations that has signed the letter, has stated that: “As parties to the Genocide Convention, all EU states are bound to ‘employ all reasonable means’ to stop Israeli atrocities, but, instead, many EU states have stood by, quiet and at risk of complicity”.
EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss whether Israel is in breach of the EU-Israel Association Agreement on 23 June this week, upon reception of an assessment as to whether Israel has fallen short of its obligations under Article 2 of the Agreement that requires parties to have “respect for human rights and democratic principles”.
18 June 2025
UK Justice Secretary signals desire for reform of European Convention
Shabana Mahmood, the United Kingdom’s Justice Secretary delivered a speech this week, which has called for reform of the European Convention on Human Rights, citing fears that “public confidence in the rule of law is fraying”.
While it has been signaled that government policy remains committed to the principles of the Convention, Mahmood has been reported to have said: “Commitment is not the same as complacency”.
The speech follows a letter sent by the leaders of nine European countries that has called for a change in how the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg which hears cases under the Convention, interprets its provisions.
17 June 2025
House of Commons Library: Research Briefing Update
The House of Commons Library has published a new research briefing on the current conflict between Israel and Iran.
This report, authored by Claire Mills and John Curtis, provides an in-depth examination on Iran’s nuclear programme and ongoing military action. Analysis includes an examination of recent interventions by the IAEA, the most recent rounds of talks, and the nature of the current Israeli military operation in the country.
16 June 2025
UN Report: Afghan justice system at risk under Taliban
Legal and institutional frameworks are experiencing a “deep human rights crisis” according to one UN expert in a new report. Richard Bennet, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan has delivered his findings to the 59th cession of the UN Human Rights Council, where he warned that the Taliban is “instrumentalizing the legal and justice sectors” to introduce a system that engenders persecution, and gender oppression.
The Taliban are reported to have already dismissed all judges appointed under the previous government, 270 of which were women.
The Rapporteur is urging countries to pursue measures at the ICJ and to support the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) ongoing investigations into the region. The latter has already previously issued arrest warrants against senior Taliban officials.
