International Legal News - 4 September 2023
- Sep 4, 2023
- 2 min read
The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 24 August to 04 September 2023.
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.
International Criminal Court (ICC) – 24 August 2023
On 24 August, the confirmation of charges hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Maxime Jeoffroy Eli Mokom Gawaka concluded before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is for the judges to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the suspect committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, in full or in part, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase pf the proceedings: the trial.
International Court of Justice (ICJ) – 01 September 2023
On 01 September, The President of the ICJ has authorised the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), at its request to participate in the advisory proceedings on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change.
Iran – 01 September 2023
UN experts expressed grave concern over a new draft law, currently under review in the Iranian parliament, which imposes a series of new punishments on women and girls who fail to wear the headscarf (hijab). “The draft law could be described as a form of gender apartheid, as authorities appear to be governing through systemic discrimination with the intention of suppressing women and girls into total submission,” the UN experts said.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – 01 September 2023
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani, expressed alarm that at least 43 people were killed, including a policeman, and 56 injured during demonstrations on Wednesday 30 August in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN received information indicating that the death toll may be higher.
Bahrain – 01 September 2023
Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls upon Bahrain to take urgent steps to address the grievances of hundreds of prisoners now on hunger strike and ensure that prisoners are treated humanely, as required under international law. The authorities should also release anyone serving a prison term solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, starting with prominent human rights defenders Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and Abduljalil al-Singace.
European Court of Human Rights (ECrtHR) – 02 September 2023
Siofra O’Leary, President of the ECHR, has made the statement on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the entry into force of the European Convention on Human Rights on the 3rd September.
Niger – 04 September 2023
Thousands of protesters rallied in Niger’s capital Niamey to call for the withdrawal of French troops, as demanded by a junta that seized power in June. The demonstrators gathered near a base housing French soldiers on Saturday 02 September, after a call by several civic organisations hostile to the French military presence in the west African country.
