International Law in Brief

On October 14, 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered its judgment in the Case of B.F. v. Greece. The case concerned an Iranian asylum seeker detained in Greece who complained about the unlawfulness of his detention, the lack of effective remedies, and the absence of substantive judicial review.

The Court unanimously found that Greece violated Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights due to the applicant’s degrading treatment while detained for two months and eighteen days at the Kolonos police station, a facility lacking the amenities...

On September 16, 2023, the Republic of Mali filed an application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Algeria, concerning the alleged destruction of a Malian military reconnaissance drone by Algerian Defense Forces while it was conducting a surveillance mission over Malian territory. Mali characterized this as a “premeditated destruction” of its military equipment.

Mali alleges that Algeria’s actions were intended to obstruct Mali’s ongoing military operations against armed rebel groups and that the drone’s destruction constitutes a hostile act in violation of the...

On October 9, 2025, the United States Senate passed an amendment to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) related to Iraq. The measure, SA 3337, was adopted as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It was sponsored by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Todd Young (R-IN) and described as a bipartisan initiative which was passed by a vote of 77-20.

The 2002 AUMF authorized the use of military force against Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq, while the 1991 AUMF authorized military force in the Gulf War. Over the years, the...

The Human Rights Council concluded its sixtieth regular session, adopting 35 resolutions, one decision, and one Presidential Statement.

One of the most notable outcomes was the launch of a new initiative in Afghanistan. An independent investigative mechanism was established to collect, preserve, and analyze evidence of international crimes and other serious violations of international law. It will also prepare case files to support fair and independent criminal proceedings.

The Council also made several structural changes to its mandate system. The mandates of the Special...