International Legal News - 30 March 2026
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 23 March to 27 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.
27 March 2026
UN: Working Group completes 54th session in Vienna
The UN Working Group on Investor-State Dispute Settlement Reform met for its 54th session between 23-27 March 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Deliberations have concerned several topics, including inter alia a draft statute of a permanent appellate tribunal for international investment disputes.
For more on this story, see here.
26 March 2026
War Crimes: NGO condemns threat posed to Civilian population in Nigeria
The human rights organisation Human Rights Watch has condemned the deadly bombings in Maiduguri, in northeastern Nigeria, that has prompted concerns about the resurgence of violent attacks by Boko Haram. There have been renewed calls for protections to be strengthened.
For more on this story, see here.
25 March 2026
Blog Corner: “Neutrality at Sea in Practice: Rescue, Internment, and Warship Repairs in a Contemporary Naval Conflict”
A post by Pornomo Rovan Astri Yoga for EJIL: Talk! examines the possible renewed relevance of the law of neutrality at sea, as reflected in the 1907 Hague Convention XIII and the Second Geneva Convention of 1949, which concerns the role that neutral states have in rescue operations after naval engagements amongst other matters that arise at sea.
To read this article, see here.
24 March 2026
Rule of Law: Italian Voters reject judicial reform in constitutional referendum
It was reported that the Italian electorate voted 53% against the so-called justice reform referendum called in January by the Meloni premiership. The vote was governed by Article 138 of the Italian Constitution which requires eligible voters to vote on constitutional amendments.
The proposals would have made reforms to the governance and discipline of judges and prosecutors including greater separation of both professions, as well as reforming their oversight bodies.
For more on this story, see here.
23 March 2026
Freedom of Expression: Protests in Romania over anti-extremism law
A dispatch examines protests which have taken place in Romania following the passing of an amendment to its anti-extremism legislation.
Although pre-existing laws criminalise the creation of fascist, racist, and xenophobic organisations under Government Emergency Ordinance No. 31/2002, the new reforms expand the scope by introducing criminal liabilities for the dissemination of extremist propaganda in digital environments.
However, clarity over the definition of terms has prompted concerns about the law affecting “potentially legitimate historical discussion, academic research, or civic activity.”
For more on this story, see here.