International Law in Brief


International Law in Brief (ILIB) is a forum that provides updates on current developments in international law from the editors of ASIL's International Legal Materials.
| By: Şeymanur Yönt : November 10, 2021 |

On November 10, 2021, the General Court of the European Union (EUGC) dismissed, in Case T-612/17, Google’s action against the Commission’s finding that “Google abused its dominant position by favouring its own comparison shopping service over competing comparison shopping services,” and upheld the fine imposed on Google. According to a EUGC press release, on June 27, 2017, the Commission found in Case AT.39740 that Google, by favoring its own comparison shopping service over competing comparison services, “abused its dominant position on the market for online general search services,” and...


| By: Şeymanur Yönt : November 10, 2021 |

On November 10, 2021, the UK Supreme Court blocked, in the Lloyd (Respondent) v. Google LLC (Appellant) Case, a $4.3 billion class action against Google. According to a UK Supreme Court press summary, the Respondent claimed that in late 2011 and early 2012, Google breached its duties as a data controller by secretly tracking and using data derived from millions of Apple iPhone users’ internet activity. The Respondent claimed “to represent everyone resident in England and Wales who owned an Apple iPhone at the relevant time and whose data were obtained by Google without their...


| By: Şeymanur Yönt : November 09, 2021 |

On November 8, 2021, Pre-trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) rendered its decision on the requests for reconsideration or for Leave to Appeal regarding the Decision regarding the applications related to the Prosecutor’s ‘Notification on status of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s article 18(2) deferral request’ of September 3, 2021. The Chamber noted that it had previously dismissed as a preliminary matter the First, Second, and Third Applicants’ requests for Leave to Appeal because of a lack of standing and that that holding applies equally in the context of the...


| By: Şeymanur Yönt : November 09, 2021 |

On November 10, 2021, the Iran Atrocities Tribunal (also known as the Aban Tribunal) began its Public Hearings in London “to investigate the killing and wounding of thousands of innocent protesters in Iran in 2019.” According to a Tribunal press release, it will assess whether the crimes allegedly committed by individuals such as the Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei and President Ebrahim Raisi constitute crimes against humanity. The Tribunal panel will hear 45 witnesses and will investigate 133 Iranian Government Officials’ roles in international crimes during the 2019 protests. The 2019...


| By: Şeymanur Yönt : November 04, 2021 |

On November 3, 2021, the UN Security Council extended the European Union-led stabilization forces’ mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina for another year in resolution 2604 (2021) (to be issued as document S/RES/2604(2021)). According to a UN press release, the resolution mandates UN member states to establish the multinational stabilization force, EUFOR-Althea, for a further twelve months. EUFOR-Althea will help to implement military aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement signed in 1995. The Council also extended its authorization to allow NATO to keep its headquarters in the country for an...


| By: Şeymanur Yönt : November 03, 2021 |

On November 2, 2021, President Biden announced that Guinea, Mali, and Ethiopia will be removed from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) as of January 1, 2022, unless they take necessary actions to meet the statutory eligibility criteria. According to an Office of the United States Trade Representative press release, the Biden Administration is “concerned by the unconstitutional change in governments in both Guinea and Mali, and by the gross violations of internationally recognized human rights being perpetrated by the Government of Ethiopia and other parties amid the widening...


| By: Şeymanur Yönt : November 02, 2021 |

On October 28, 2021, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) concluded a Cooperation Agreement with Colombia. According to an ICC press release, the agreement renewed “the commitment of the Office to Colombia’s national accountability processes.” The Office of the Prosecutor determined that Colombia actively investigates and prosecutes Rome Statute crimes, and, in light of this, the preliminary examination must be closed. The agreement is based on the complementary principle under the Rome Statute which states that the ICC only complements domestic courts’ efforts, and...


| By: Şeymanur Yönt : November 02, 2021 |

On November 1, 2021, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court rejected Mr. Ali Abd-Al-Rahman’s appeal against the Pre-Trial Chamber II decision on jurisdiction of May 17, 2021. The Abd-Al-Rahman concerns the trial of Mr. Abd-Al-Rahman for “31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed between August 2003 and at least April 2004 in Darfur, Sudan.” The Appeals Chamber’s decision addressed four grounds of appeal. According to an ICC press release, the Appeals Chamber rejected the defense’s grounds of appeal by stating that there was “no error in the...


| By: Şeymanur Yönt : November 02, 2021 |

On October 31, 2021, following the G20 Summit in Rome, G20 leaders adopted the G20 Rome Leaders’ Declaration. According to a G20 press release, the declaration is the outcome of the negotiations and events organized under the Italian G20 Presidency. The declaration addresses “today’s most pressing global challenges,” such as global health and economic crisis under various titles including health, energy and climate, and support to vulnerable countries. Among many undertakings, G20 leaders committed to advance efforts to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; to...


| By: Şeymanur Yönt : October 29, 2021 |

On October 28, 2021, the UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted a presidental statement on Sudan presented by Kenya, Council President for October. According to a UN press release, UNSC members expressed concern about the military seizure in Sudan, and urged all stakeholders to refrain from violence. The members called upon all stakeholders to fully implement the Constitutional Document and the Juba Peace Agreement in order to enable Sudan’s democratic transition. The members expressed their support for regional and subregional efforts, including African Union, as well as for the United...