HRW releases report detailing S. Sudan Government offensive and resulting human rights violations: On 21 July 2015, Human Rights Watch released a 42-page report finding South Sudanese government forces deliberately committed war crimes against civilians in April and June 2015. The report, which is based on hundreds of interviews with survivors and witnesses, documents accounts of killings, rapes and burning and pillaging of civilian property by government forces. In wake of the findings of the report, Human Rights Watch has urged the U.N. Security Council to sanction those responsible for the crimes, including the commanders of the offensive, and impose an arms embargo on the parties involved in the attacks. It is estimated that more than 100,000 people have been displaced by the conflict in South Sudan since May 2015. (Human Rights Watch).
Aid Workers in CAR experience increasing violence; UN coordinator condemns attacks: Humanitarian Coordinator Marc Vandenberghe issued a statement today, 22 July 2015, condemning the attacks against humanitarian officials in the Central African Republic. Vandenberghe urgently appealed to all the parties involved in the conflict in the Central African Republic to refrain from attacking civilians and humanitarian workers. The Humanitarian Coordinator stressed the “upsurge in armed attacks . . . threatens the continuity of humanitarian activities in the country.” The U.N. estimates more than 450,000 people are currently displaced in the Central African Republic. (UN News Centre).
International Courts and Leaders commemorate International Justice Day: International leaders met for a regional conference this week to commemorate the Day of International Justice, 22 July 2015. At the opening of the conference, ICC Presiding Judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi stressed the “crucial and complementary role” of national and international courts in deterring violations of international law and demanded justice for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. At the ICTY, Presiding Judge Theodor Meron marked the anniversary of the adoption of the Tribunal’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, and paid tribute to those who have advocated for justice. (For additional information on this topic, please click here) (ICC, ICTY).
ECCC Judge says Thailand, Vietnam declined repeated efforts to share evidence: On Monday, 20 July 2015, Mark Harmon, an international judge at the ECCC, criticized Thailand and Vietnam for failing to respond and provide evidence to the Extraordinary Chambers. Harmon said the governments, since 2013, have repeatedly ignored his requests for access to evidence that could “determine the truth” of the atrocities committed in the 1970s by the Khmer Rouge. (Reuters).
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