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Colombia and Farc request UN to monitor any ceasefire

Jan 19, 2016

The Colombian government and Farc are planning to ask the UN Security Council to send a mission of unarmed observers to Colombia for 12 months to monitor any ceasefire and the end of their decades-long conflict. Negotiators from both sides presented the joint statement on Tuesday from peace talks taking place in Cuba.

Former Nazi medic to face trial for assisting functioning of death camp

Jan 18, 2016

A former Nazi medic will go on trial on 3,681 counts of accessory to murder, reports the BBC.

Hubert Zafke is accused of working as a medic in Auschwitz in a SS hospital and being tried for helping the death camp function.

Zafke’s lawyers argue that Mr Zafke did nothing criminal whilst working at Auschwitz.

UN accuses IS of crimes against humanity and possible genocide

Jan 18, 2016

A United Nations report published on Tuesday accused the Islamic State of acts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and possibly genocide.

“The violence suffered by civilians in Iraq remains staggering,” the report, compiled by UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said.

“The so-called ‘Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL) continues to commit systematic and widespread violence and abuses of international human rights law and humanitarian law."

"These acts may, in some instances, amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide.”

The report examined the IS' enslavement of over 3500 people, mainly women and children from the Yazidi community in 2014.

Syria peace-talk invitations on hold till opposition representatives agreed on says UN

Jan 17, 2016

The Untied Nations on Monday said it would not issue invitations to peace talks between Syria’s government and opposition until major powers driving the peace process agreed on which opposition representatives should attend.

The United Nations spokesperson Farhan Haw said,

“At this stage the UN will proceed with issuing invitations when the countries spearheading the ISSG (International Syria Support Group) process come to an understanding on who among the opposition should be invited.

EU reiterates stance of labelling Israeli products made in occupied territories

Jan 17, 2016

The European Union reinforced its position that products made on Israeli settlements in Palestinian land must be clearly labelled in Europe.

EU foreign ministers on Monday said,

“The EU and its member States are committed to ensure continued, full and effective implementation of existing EU legislations and bilateral arrangements applicable to settlements products.

The Ministers stressed that lands occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war are not part of the internationally recognised borders of Israel.

Kosovo war crimes court to be based at The Hague to help protect witnesses

Jan 16, 2016

A special court is being set up in The Hague to prosecute those accused of committing war crimes during Kosovo’s war of independence, said the Dutch government.

A statement released by the Dutch said the court will "try serious crimes allegedly committed in 1999-2000 by members of the Kosovo Liberation Army against ethnic minorities and political opponents."

“This is a sensitive issue in Kosovo,” acknowledged the statement. “Possible suspects may be seen by sections of Kosovan society as freedom fighters, and witnesses may feel threatened in Kosovo. This is why the option of trying cases outside Kosovo was explored.”

“It is important for justice to be done,” said Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders. “So we are pleased to be able to offer the court a home.”

Attackers storm Burkina Faso hotel and cafe, 20 dead

Jan 15, 2016

At least 20 people are believed to have been been killed after armed attackers stormed a hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso and attacked a nearby cafe late on Friday evening.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The hostages at the besieged Splendid Hotel included the country's labour minister and many foreign citizens.

In a statement released on Saturday morning, the interior minister said 126 people were freed from the hotel, and three gunmen were killed after state forces ended the siege.

Use of starvation in Syria is a war crime says Ban Ki Moon

Jan 15, 2016

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said on Thursday the use of starvation as a weapon of war in Syria was a "war crime" as aid reached the besieged town of Madaya this week.

"UN teams have witnessed scenes that haunt the soul," said Mr Ban.

"The elderly and children, men and women, who were little more than skin and bones: gaunt, severely malnourished, so weak they could barely walk, and utterly desperate for the slightest morsel."

"Let me be clear: The use of starvation as a weapon of war is a war crime," he said. "All sides, including the Syrian government, which has the primary responsibility to protect Syrians, are committing this and other atrocious acts prohibited under international humanitarian law."

Suicide bombs and gun attacks in Jakarta

Jan 13, 2016

A suicide bomb attack with armed gunmen in Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Thursday morning, left at least 6 people dead.

The death toll is believed to include 5 attackers who were shot dead by police.

Locals reported hearing several explosions and an exchange of fire between gunmen around a popular shopping area also home to foreign embassies.

Indonesian officials say the situation is now under control, however cautioned against making conclusions over who is responsible.

UK defence minister confident on solution from Cyprus peace-talks

Jan 13, 2016

British defence minister Philip Hammond said he was confident about peace talks in Cyprus that seek to resolve the dispute between Greek and Turkish Cypriots., reports Reuters.

Speaking to reporters in Athens, Mr Hammond said,

“I’ve made several visits to Cyprus over the last few months, meeting members of both communities, and I am optimistic that we may be on the brink of a breakthrough in resolving this dispute.”

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