Opinio Juris » weekday news wrap w44/12

Weekday News Wrap: Friday, November 2, 2012

by Jessica Dorsey

An Israeli censor has allowed the publication of an interview with the commando who killed the PLO’s Abu Jihad in 1988.
International human rights groups have welcomed China’s decision to introduce a new organ donation system that will no longer rely on organs of executed prisoners.
Sri Lanka has been pressed at the UN to prosecute war crimes. Jurist highlights the International Commission of Jurists’ report about the abuses.
Foreign Policy offers a piece detailing the dire situation facing Syrian refugees as winter approaches.
The World Bank has pledged $80 million in loans to Burma for the first time in 25 years.
Amnesty International has condemned what appears to be a summary execution of Syrian government soldiers by rebel fighters in an online video.

November 2nd, 2012 - 8:00 AM EDT | Comments Off http://opiniojuris.org/2012/11/02/weekday-news-wrap-friday-november-2-2012/ |

by Jessica Dorsey

The United Nations is resisting calls by the African Union to end the arms embargo against Somalia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking France’s backing over Iran.
EU sanctions on natural gas exports have unintentionally strangled Iranian liquefied petroleum gas exports.
As spending cuts have stopped insecticide spraying in Greece, years after the disease has been wiped out, cases of malaria have been confirmed.
The 1996 Hague Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (also known as the 1996 Hague Convention) comes into force today.
Afghanistan has announced that its presidential elections will take place on April 5, 2014. Under the constitution, Incumbent President Karzai cannot be re-elected.
In Libya, the Parliament has approved its first cabinet, almost four months after it was elected.
In the next round of their legal battle, Ecuador will sue Chevron in Argentina to enforce the $19 billion damages award.

November 1st, 2012 - 8:00 AM EDT | Comments Off http://opiniojuris.org/2012/11/01/weekday-news-wrap-thursday-november-1-2012/ |

by Jessica Dorsey

Syrian airstrikes have resumed and 18 people have been found dead in the capital. Additionally, there are reports that a senior Syrian Air Force Commander was assassinated in Damascus.
A former Chinese diplomat turned academic has argued that the dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands is a time bomb planted by the US that may go off unless the US does more to encourage negotiations between China and Japan.
In related news, the US and Japan will hold a joint military exercise in November, a move likely to upset China amid the row over the disputed islands.
The EU may send 200 troops to Mali to help train the military to contain the threat of Islamists in Northern Mali.
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has indicated that he does not want EU membership negotiations to stretch beyond 2023, the 100th anniversary of the republic.
The European Court of Human Rights issued its decision yesterday in P. and S. v. Poland, (judgment here) finding Poland responsible for the inhumane and degrading treatment of a 14-year-old rape victim whom the authorities tried to stop having an abortion.
EJIL: Talk! features an analysis of Scotland’s referendum for independence and the EU.
Foreign Policy covers a story about the Swiss army preparing for potential fallout from the euro crisis.

October 31st, 2012 - 8:00 AM EDT | Comments Off http://opiniojuris.org/2012/10/31/weekday-news-wrap-wednesday-october-31-2012/ |

by Jessica Dorsey

International observers have criticized last weekend’s elections in Ukraine citing systematic problems in the political and electoral system.
US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is in Algeria, discussing how to tackle the growing presence of Islamist rebels in Northern Mali.
Japan is seeking an exemption on US oil sanctions against Iran.
Germany’s Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble tells the UK: “EU needs you.”
Presseurope covers the latest turmoil in Europe as Strasbourg’s capital status has been called into question, with MEPs favoring a centralization of power only in Brussels.
The UN Arab League’s envoy regrets that the truce in Syria was not successful.
Tajikistan takes one step closer to membership of the WTO.

October 30th, 2012 - 8:00 AM EDT | Comments Off http://opiniojuris.org/2012/10/30/weekday-news-wrap-tuesday-october-30-2012/ |

by Jessica Dorsey

The Israeli Air Force has struck back at rocket installations in Gaza.
Ethnic violence in Myanmar has displaced over 22,000 people according to UN estimates.
Nigeria also experienced violence between different religious groups after a car bomb on a church, followed by reprisal attacks, killed at least seven people.
Authorities in Indonesia have arrested 11 suspects, allegedly planning terrorist attacks on the US embassy and consulate, as well as on a shopping mall near the Australian embassy.
The Syrian ceasefire so far has not been honored. In related analysis, Foreign Policy offers a piece analyzing whether ceasefires ever work.
Iran has said it gathered intelligence photos of Israel during its drone surveillance last month, including pictures of restricted Israeli areas.
Iran also claims that it has developed much more advanced drone technology than the Iranian drone launched by Hezbollah and shot down by Israeli forces earlier this month.
EU governments are set to debate spending cuts of 50 billion euro later this week.
A recent poll showed that an overwhelming majority of Catalans would like a referendum on independence from Spain.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is going ahead with his plan of seeking upgraded observer status for Palestine in the UN General Assembly next month.

October 29th, 2012 - 8:00 AM EDT | Comments Off http://opiniojuris.org/2012/10/29/weekday-news-wrap-monday-october-29-2012/ |

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