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.
Trump Withdraws US from UN Human Rights Council, UNRWA, and Orders Review of UNESCO Involvement
| By: Özge Karsu : February 04, 2025 |

On February 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), while also calling for a review of U.S. involvement in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The order stated that the UNHRC has shielded human rights abusers by allowing them to use the organization to avoid scrutiny. Established in 2006, the UNHRC is the UN’s primary body for the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. It...

ECtHR Faults Turkey Over Judges’ Lack of Legal Recourse Following Dismissals
| By: Özge Karsu : January 24, 2025 |

On January 14, 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that Turkey violated the European Convention on Human Rights by dismissing 42 judges and prosecutors without granting them access to an effective legal remedy. The court concluded that these dismissals, carried out under Turkey’s controversial Law No. 6524 (2014), violated Article 6 of the Convention, which guarantees the right to a fair trial. The court awarded each of the 42 applicants €7,800 in non-pecuniary damages, along with compensation for legal fees and costs.

The Turkish Government argued that the...

Human Rights Watch Releases World Report 2025
| By: Özge Karsu : January 23, 2025 |

Human Rights Watch (HRW) released its annual World Report 2025 on January 16, 2025, presenting on the challenges to human rights worldwide in 2024. The 546-page report, covering human rights practices in over 100 countries, drew attention to weakened democratic institutions, ongoing violations of humanitarian law, and the human toll of major global conflicts.

HRW highlighted the severe impact of the conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine and emphasized the failure of governments and international organizations to address the crises. In Gaza, HRW noted war crimes and crimes against...

ECtHR Rules Italy Violated Human Rights in Terra dei Fuochi
| By: Özge Karsu : January 20, 2025 |

On January 20, 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that Italy violated the right to life (Article 2 of the Convention) and the right to respect for private and family life (Article 8 of the Convention). The ruling was based on Italy’s prolonged failure to address widespread illegal waste dumping by organized criminal groups in the Terra dei Fuochi (Land of Pyres) region near Naples.

The Italian government argued that it had taken sufficient action to mitigate the health impacts of pollution, including intensified cancer screening efforts. However, the...

U.S. Declares Genocide in Sudan Amid Escalating Conflict
| By: Brita Jelen : January 10, 2025 |

On January 7, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken officially declared that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied militias have committed genocide amid the nation’s ongoing civil war. This marks a significant escalation in international recognition of the atrocities unfolding in Sudan since conflict erupted in April 2023 between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

This determination follows Blinken’s December...

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants Against Israeli and Hamas Officials
| By: Brita Jelen : December 12, 2024 |

On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber announced the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants cite allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the civilian population in Gaza. On the same day, the Chamber also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, commonly known as "Deif," the commander of Hamas's al-Qassam Brigades, for alleged crimes against...

ICC Finds Mongolia Violated Rome Statute by Failing to Arrest Putin
| By: Justine N. Stefanelli : October 25, 2024 |

On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber II unanimously found that Mongolia violated its obligations under the Rome Statute by failing to comply with the Court's request to arrest and surrender Vladimir Putin while he was visiting Mongolia recently. In particular, Article 87(7) of the Statute reads:

Where a State Party fails to comply with a request to cooperation by the Court contrary to the provisions of this Statute, thereby preventing the Court from exercising its functions and powers under this Statute, the Court may make a finding...

EU Court Recognizes Taliban's Discriminatory Measures Against Afghan Women as Acts of Persecution
| By: Brita Jelen : October 21, 2024 |

On October 4, 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that the Taliban's discriminatory measures against women in Afghanistan constitute "acts of persecution" justifying the recognition of refugee status. The ruling comes in response to Austria's refusal to recognize the refugee status of two Afghan women. The two women contested the denial before the Austrian Supreme Administrative Court, which subsequently sought a ruling from the CJEU. The Court's judgment recognizes that some of the restrictions...

EU Invalidates Provisions of FIFA's Player Transfer Procedure
| By: Brita Jelen : October 04, 2024 |

On October 4, 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that some provisions in FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) are contrary to EU law, finding that they restrict free movement of workers and are anti-competitive. 

 

The case was brought by Lassana Diarra, a former professional footballer who signed with Russian football...

Council of Europe Opens First Global AI Treaty for Signatures
| By: Maya Prakash : September 18, 2024 |

The Council of Europe drafted and opened the world’s first binding global treaty on AI, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law on Sep. 5, 2024. The treaty, called the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, was signed by the United States, along with the UK, the USA, Israel, Norway, Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, the Republic of Moldova and San Marino.

 

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