DRC ratifies Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) ratified Friday the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The DRC’s ratification of the Optional Protocol, which will enter into force on May 26, 2024, represents a significant step toward strengthening the prevention of torture and ill-treatment in [...]
Lebanon’s Council of Ministers has taken steps towards accepting International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction within their territory Friday by instructing their Foreign Affairs Ministry to submit a declaration to the ICC, allowing the court to investigate and prosecute crimes occurring within Lebanese territory since October 7, 2023. While Lebanon is still not a ratifying member [...]
The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General made a call to Haitian authorities to “expedite the full implementation of the transitional governance arrangements” following the official installation of a Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) and the official resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Thursday. The establishment of the TPC comes as a response to rampant gang [...]
The Hong Kong Legislative Council unanimously passed the Safeguarding National Security Bill recently. Both the Chinese National People’s Congress Standing Committee and the Hong Kong government have stressed that this enactment is a constitutional duty conferred on the government under Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, which serves as Hong Kong’s mini-constitution. The [...]
Russia vetoes UN resolution to prevent nuclear arms race in outer space
Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution sponsored by the US and Japan on Wednesday, which called on all nations to contribute to the peaceful use of outer space and to prevent a dangerous nuclear arms race. Furthermore, the resolution would have urged all nations “to refrain from actions contrary to that objective and to [...]
UN Resolution Seeks to Recognise Bosnian Genocide and Close the Darkest Chapter in Bosnian History
In recognition of the grave events that unfolded in Srebrenica in 1995, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday held a briefing on a resolution that calls for the acknowledgment of the genocide that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the dedication of July 11th as The International Day of Reflection and Remembrance [...]
The US vetoed Palestine’s application for full membership in the UN on Thursday. The veto came as the UN Security Council considered a resolution put forward by Algeria that would have granted Palestine full UN membership. The resolution received 12 votes in favor, more than the required 9, but the US used its veto to [...]
Belgium police intervene at far-right event over concerns about public safety
Belgian police intervened at the National Conservatism Conference (NatCon) on Tuesday, following an order prohibiting the event. The order, issued by the mayor of the Brussels municipality of Saint-Joose-ten-Noode Emir Kir, was aimed at preventing public disorder. The conference, set for April 16 and 17, faced disruption on its first day due to the police [...]
Canada imposes additional sanctions on Belarus officials over ongoing human rights violations
Canada announced on Monday that it would impose additional sanctions on 21 Belarus officials under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations. These sanctions come in response to the ongoing human rights violations occurring in Belarus since the 2020 presidential election. According to Global Affairs Canada’s statement, the sanctions serve as a response to the systematic [...]
Dr. Ganna Yudkivska is a force to be reckoned with in the world of international law and human rights. Her impressive career trajectory originated in a newly independent Ukraine and has since spanned continents and venerable institutions. She is a partner at Equity Law Firm, Vice-Chair of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, [...]
