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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
On October 25, 2021, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published its October Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, calling attention to the concentrations of varying levels of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, the year over year increase in the annual rate of increase, and the negative environmental impacts of these greenhouse gases and pushing for increased support of the UNFCC Paris Agreement. The Agreement, which entered into force on November 4, 2016, focuses on limiting global warming to below 2° C and recommends cooperative efforts between nations in areas such as finance, technology,...
On October 26, 2021, the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) adopted a statement (communique) on the situation in Sudan. The PSC reiterated the AU’s commitment to support the Transitional Government of Sudan. The Council, acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, condemned the Sudanese military’s seizure, and rejected the “unconstitutional change of government.” The Council decided to suspend Sudan’s participation in all AU activities, and set to “undertake a mission to Sudan to engage with all stakeholders.”
On October 27, 2021, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in Case C-204/21 R Commission v. Poland that Poland must pay the European Commission a daily penalty in the amount of €1,000,000. According to a CJEU press release, the penalty is the result of Poland’s failure to comply with an interim measures order from the Court dated July 14, 2021. On February 14, 2020, a law relating to the organization of some courts, including the Supreme Court of Poland, entered into force in Poland. The European Commission brought an action for failure to fulfill obligations...