International Legal News – 23 September 2024
- nenadv4
- Sep 23, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 10, 2024
The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 16 to 23 September 2024.
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.
Israel – 23 September 2024
Escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in new airstrikes targeting areas in southern Lebanon. The military actions appear to be in response to continued rocket fire and the growing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah forces along the Lebanon-Israel border.
Syria – 23 September 2024
Thousands of displaced Syrians remain stranded in deplorable conditions at the Rukban camp, with minimal access to food, water, or medical assistance. Amnesty International has called on the United States to take immediate action, urging it to facilitate the evacuation of these vulnerable individuals and ensure access to humanitarian aid.
Israel – 22 September 2024
Israeli forces conducted a raid on the offices of Al Jazeera in the West Bank, ordering a 45-day closure of the media outlet’s operations. This action, which follows long-standing tensions between Israel and the Qatar-based news organization, is framed as part of broader efforts to control the narrative of the ongoing conflict but raises significant concerns regarding press freedom and the targeting of media institutions in conflict zones.
Lebanon – 20 September 2024
Amnesty International and other groups have called for a UN investigation into the use of "exploding portable devices" in Lebanon, which caused numerous civilian deaths. The devices, reportedly used in attacks in southern Lebanon, have raised serious questions about compliance with international humanitarian law and require an impartial inquiry to establish accountability and identify responsibility for their use.
Lebanon – 20 September 2024
Bellingcat published an investigative report into Hezbollah and Israeli forces’ use of improvised explosive devices, including rigged pagers, in the ongoing conflict.
Palestine – 20 September 2024
Israel announced it had submitted a legal challenge to the International Criminal Court (ICC), arguing that it should be permitted to investigate alleged war crimes itself rather than subject its military to ICC scrutiny under the principle of complementarity. The move comes amid rising international pressure over allegations of war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.
Venezuela – 20 September 2024
Human rights abuses continue to escalate in Venezuela, prompting calls for robust international intervention at the UN Human Rights Council. Amnesty International is urging the UN to strengthen its monitoring mechanisms and pressure the Venezuelan government to address widespread violations, including unlawful detentions, torture, and suppression of dissent.
Hong Kong – 19 September 2024
The sentencing of a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong for wearing a T-shirt deemed seditious under the new national security law illustrates the intensifying crackdown on freedom of expression. The case, which saw the individual convicted of "sedition," reflects the increasing use of the legislation to stifle dissent. Critics argue that the law is being applied in a way that criminalizes ordinary acts of political expression, further undermining civil liberties in Hong Kong.
Lesotho – 18 September 2024
Allegations of torture and extrajudicial killings by Lesotho’s military have sparked calls for an urgent investigation by the authorities, with credible reports of civilians being subjected to torture and other human rights abuses at the hands of security forces. The Lesotho government is under pressure to ensure accountability and justice for victims in a country where security forces have historically operated with impunity.
