Search: kony 2012

...ICC positively contributed to getting the warring parties to the table but negatively affected a successful outcome of the talks. International attention and the possibility that Kony believed that engaging in negotiations could result in the removal of the arrest warrant against him may have convinced the LRA to come to the negotiating table. However, the inability of reversing the arrest warrants and distrust of the process by Kony, fueled by the fact that he did not personally attend the talks and that the LRA was treated as having illegitimate...

...the seriousness of Tom’s statement, I am very pleased to learn that the distance between us is actually narrow. [snip] More fundamentally, I am delighted to see that the HRW has given a clear and very constructive answer to my question about intermediate uses of force. I asked whether HRW would support taking out Joseph Kony with a Predator if that were possible. Tom’s answer? “We see this as a law enforcement operation, in the sense that the primary objective should be to capture Kony and others wanted by the...

A Syrian airstrike has killed at least 54 amid heavy fighting in northern Syria. At a UN Security Council meeting, Iran was attacked about the aid it is providing to Syria’s government forces. At the IAEA’s meeting in Geneva, Iran and Israel squared off about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East region. The US has lifted a ban on New Zealand naval ships visiting US ports or bases in place since 1986, after New Zealand’s decision to ban any nuclear powered ships or nuclear armed ships from...

As NATO meets over the downing of Turkey’s jet by Syria, Turkey has also written to the UN Security Council that the attack is a “serious threat to peace and security”. The EU foreign ministers have urged Turkey to exercise restraint in its responses. Meanwhile, Syria has allegedly shot at a second Turkish jet. In an interview, the Director-General of MI5 has revealed that the UK has faced 11 credible terrorist threats since 2001, and that the terror threat has been widening since the Arab Spring. Rwanda’s...

UN Development Program Chair, Helen Clark, has argued for a greater UN economic role. Preparations are underway to exhume Yasser Arafat’s body for forensic analysis. France has become the first European country to recognize the Syrian opposition coalition as the sole representative of its people. Despite the EU’s decision to suspend its ETS with respect to international aviation, the US House of Representatives has accepted a modified Senate bill protecting US airlines from the effects of the EU ETS. China’s Communist Party has concluded its conference with...

The UNGA is expected to recognize Palestine as a “non-member” state during a vote today. Following massive protests earlier this week in Cairo, the Assembly drafting the new Egyptian Constitution has vowed to publish, and vote on, a draft today. The US is considering options to intervene more strongly in the Syrian conflict, while the EU has renewed its sanctions for another three months leaving the door open for a closer involvement after March 1. China will give police in its Southern Hainan province broader powers to...

Perhaps as a good primer to our upcoming book discussion this week, a few drone-related news items: Despite Pakistan’s requests to the US to stop the program, the third drone strike in Pakistan in as many days has taken its toll on new victims; irrespective of the method of civilian or combatant counting, there are at least 27 dead. The Washington Post points out that drone strikes in Yemen raise legal questions. Canada has come out in support of the US’ use of drones. The UN Committee...

Syrian forces have intensified their attacks on the crucial Aleppo, while rebel fighters say that they are holding firm in the city they expect will become the “regime’s grave.” Russian president Vladimir Putin has ratified a stricter adoption agreement with the US, wherein foreign adoptions will be subject to tighter restrictions and families wanting to adopt will be vetted more thoroughly. An unwed couple in northern Mali was publicly stoned to death, the first reported Sharia killing since the occupation. Indonesia has challenged the European Union over...

...Blog. Of particular note in this regard is that Kadi was recently delisted by the Sanctions Committee in October 5, 2012, as noted on the Ombudspersons’ website. Another recent decision of interest is the European Court of Human Rights’ September 2012 judgement in Nada v. Switzerland. The Court found that Switzerland violated Nada’s right to family and a private life in its implementation Resolution 1267, and noted that implementation of the Resolution does not bar domestic judicial review. Life is hard for someone on a UN “blacklist”. Once an individual...

If you have not been able to keep up with the stream of posts on Opinio Juris this week, we are pleased to offer you a weekend roundup. Three topics and a symposium fought for your attention. First, the US Supreme Court hearings in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum continued to provide food for thought, particularly after the Court’s order on Monday to re-open the argument on the specific issue of extra-territoriality. Following up on discussions last week, Julian Ku pointed to the importance of Sosa. Ken Anderson...

The United Kingdom has paid $3.5 million to settle a rendition case brought by Libyan dissident Sami al Saadi. The European Court of Human Rights released its decision (.pdf) in the Al Masri v. The Republic of Macedonia case finding he was a victim of CIA rendition. The ICC Appeals Chamber dismissed a challenge from ex-Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo that the Court lacks jurisdiction over him. Progress was reported in Iran’s talks with the IAEA, though there is no news on the scheduling of a site...

Fighting rages on in Syria’s Aleppo, trapping many citizens inside the embattled city. The tens of thousands who have managed to escape have become refugees, many struggling to find shelter and food. Libya’s Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is seeking a trial in The Hague at the ICC, rather than in Lybia. His lawyers say a fair trial in his home country is impossible. Foreign Policy outlines how the Taliban financially benefits from the reopening of NATO supply routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan; estimates from 2010 show $360 million...