International Legal News - 6 October 2025

The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 29 September to 03 October 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.

Guernica 37 International Legal News

3 October 2025

Egypt proposes arbitration with Ethiopia over Nile dam

Arbitral proceedings with Ethiopia have been suggested by the Egyptians in respect to an ongoing dispute concerning a dam.

Built between 2011-2023, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (“GERD”), is a hydro-electric dam which is situated on a tributary of the Nile River in the Benishangul-Gumuz region of Ethiopia. It has been a source of consternation between the two nations.

Egypt maintains that the dam represents a possible risk to water security in the region.

For more on this story, see here.

2 October 2025

Captain of Moscovite “Shadow Fleet” faces French prosecution

The captain of an oil tanker detained off of the Atlantic coast that has been linked to Russia will go on trial in February of next year over the crew’s alleged refusal to cooperate, according to Stéphane Kellenberger, a French prosecutor.

French President Emmanuel Macron has alleged that the tanker belongs to a Russian “shadow-fleet” of uncertain ownership that are being used to evade western sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine. Macron has not ruled out the possibility that the tanker was linked to recent reports of drones which were found to be flying over Denmark last week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced the tanker’s detention as an act of piracy, emphasising that there is “no reason whatsoever for seizing the tanker in neutral waters”.

Stéphane Kellenberger, has reportedly said that two Chinese crew members, the captain and the chief mate, were released and the chief mate is without charge.

For more on this story, see here.

1 October 2025

British PM to change how international law is used in asylum cases

In an interview with the BBC, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom announced his intentions to look at how Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (“ECHR”) is interpreted.

Article 3 provides protection to persons in member states of the Council of Europe against torture, and inhuman or degrading treatment.

However, the PM has signalled that application of this norm may be subject to change in light of what was described as mass migration.

The PM was quoted as saying: "we need to look at again at the interpretation of some of these provisions, not tear them down" and: "I believe that those genuinely fleeing persecution should be afforded asylum and that is a compassionate act."

The news was followed by an announcement by the British Conservative party who signalled two days after this interview was reported that if they formed the next government, they would leave the ECHR in its entirety.

For more on these stories, see here and here.

1 October 2025

Russia withdraws from European Convention for the Prevention of Torture

It has been reported that the Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed Russia’s withdrawal from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture.

The Convention serves as an international mechanism that authorises regular visits by international experts to locked-down facilities. In 2024, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) issued a a reprimand of Russia for its lack of cooperation.

Russia remains a party to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), which requires the submission of periodic reports. However, the 2002 Optional Protocol (OPCAT) which mandates inspections was never signed by Russia.

The move represents Russia’s further divergence from international legal norms recognised by the international community.

For more on this story, see here.

30 September 2025

UN General Assembly holds High-Level Conference on situation of Rohingya Muslims and minorities in Myanmar

Following the adoption of a resolution by the General Assembly on 25 March 2025, a high-level conference concerning Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar has taken place.

A number of countries have issued statements in this regard. Of note, are the statements of the UK and the US who announced $36 million and $60 million of funding respectively to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

To read the resolution passed earlier this year, see here.

To read the UK’s statement, see here.

To read the US’s statement, see here.

29 September 2025

Blog Corner: On protest repression in Indonesia as torture under International Law

A post on Opinio Juris by Debora N. Gunawan concerns the recent response of the Indonesian Government to the protests which took place in August 2025. The post argues that the crackdown undertaken by the Government of Indonesia satisfies the four defining elements of torture while also breaching Indonesia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

To read the article, see here.