Weekly update: 27 May - 02 June 2020
The following media round up of international legal and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period 27 May - 02 June 2020. The Guernica Group 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 Nenad Vucijak for consideration.
International Criminal Court (ICC) – 28 May 2020
On 28 May 2020, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided to dismiss the request of the Defence for Mr Gbagbo for reconsideration of its judgment granting him and Mr Blé Goudé conditional release. The Appeals Chamber however decided to review the conditions of release. This decision does not concern the appeal against the decision acquitting Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé.
United States – 28 May 2020
On 28 May 2020, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet condemned the killing of George Floyd, an African American man whose death in police custody on 25 May was captured on video and has led to serious ongoing protests in Minneapolis, across the US and worldwide.
International Court of Justice (ICJ) – 29 May 2020
On 29 May 2020, it was decided that public hearings on the question of the Court’s jurisdiction in the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) will open on Tuesday 30 June 2020 at 2 p.m. at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the Court.
Hong Kong – 29 May 2020
On 29 May 2020, the EU expressed its grave concern at the steps taken by China on 28 May, which are not in conformity with its international commitments (Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984) and the Hong Kong Basic Law. This risks to seriously undermine the ‘One Country Two Systems’ principle and the high degree of autonomy of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong.
Syria – 29 May 2020
Rami Makhlouf, one of the richest men in Syria, is relinquishing his assets to his charity Ramak Humanitarian, newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported. His shares in several banks and insurance companies will not be transferable or sellable, Makhlouf said.
Poland – 02 June 2020
The European Court of Human Rights has communicated the applications in the case of Sobczynska and Others v. Poland to the Government of Poland. The applications concern the Polish President’s refusal to appoint the 6 applicants to vacant judicial posts in various courts in Poland.
United States/Mexico – 02 June 2020
The United States government should initiate an internal investigation into the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” program, Human Rights Watch said on 02 June after submitting a formal complaint to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The department should be held accountable for its failure to protect asylum seekers under the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program from routine targeting in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
Libya – 02 June 2020
Russia and Turkey are again taking the lead in efforts to find a solution to Libya’s near decade-long crisis – and hoping in the process to carve out spheres of influence for themselves in the oil-rich North African nation.
Ethiopia – 02 June 2020
Ethiopia must end culture of impunity to heal from decades of human rights violations.
United States – 02 June 2020
President Donald Trump has threatened to send in the military to quell growing civil unrest in the US over the death of George Floyd in police custody. He said that if cities and states failed to control the protests and “defend their residents” he would deploy the army and “quickly solve the problem for them.”