WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

UN experts demand investigation following Israel’s killing of Lebanese journalists
  Three United Nations (UN) experts called for a full and independent investigation into the killing of three Lebanese journalists by Israel last week, which they described as ‘another attack on press freedom by Israeli forces.’ On March 28, Israeli forces killed Al Mayadeen reporter Fatima Ftouni, her brother and cameraman Mohamed Ftouni, and Al Manar TV reporter Ali Shoeib as they were…

Rwanda begins public inquiry into BBC 'genocide denial' documentary

Nov 19, 2014
The Rwandan government has begun a commission into a BBC documentary that it accuses of  genocide denial and violating media ethics this week.

The commission, led by the former Prosecutor-General Martin Ngoga,begun hearing testimonies this week with Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) chairperson Fred Muvunyi calling for the prosecution of those involved in the documentary.

"The documentary lacks in basic journalistic standards, it violated many principles and laws and this is why we request that in your final recommendations, you mention the need to take a legal action since there are criminal elements," said Muvunyi.

Putin backs deeper ties with North Korea

Nov 18, 2014
Russian president Vladmir Putin has called for stronger ties with North Korea, after meeting with a special envoy of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

Speaking during a televised ceremony where Putin received the new North Korean ambassador's credentials, the Russian President said,
"We maintain friendly relations with one of our neighbours, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.”

"A further deepening of political ties and trade and economic cooperation is definitely in the interests of the peoples of both countries and ensuring regional stability and security."
The meeting between the two countries comes as the United Nations passed a resolution on Tuesday calling for North Korea to be referred to the International Criminal Court. North Korea responded angrily to the vote, warning that more nuclear tests may be carried out in response.

UN resolution calls for North Korea to be referred to ICC

Nov 18, 2014

The United Nations General Assembly committee that oversees human rights issues has passed a resolution calling for the UN Security Council to refer North Korea to the International Criminal Court on Tuesday, as North Korea warned of further nuclear tests in response.

The resolution acknowledged findings from an earlier UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses in the country, stating there were "reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed ... pursuant to policies established at the highest level of the State for decades."

It goes on to call for a referral to the International Criminal Court “and consideration of the scope for effective targeted sanctions against those who appear to be most responsible" for the violations.

The non-binding vote was passed with 111 countries in favour and 19 against, with 55 abstentions.

Amongst those who voted against the resolution were North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

Bomb blast kills 5 in Iraqi Kurdish capital

Nov 18, 2014
At least five people have been killed after a suicide bomber detonated a car packed with explosives in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the Erbil governor, Hamza Hamid, said the attack happened "right in front of the main entrance of the building of Erbil governorate”. The bomber had reportedly attempted to enter the citadel grounds.

The Iraqi Kurdish Health Ministry stated that at least 22 people were injured in the blast.

See footage of the aftermath of the attack from Kurdistan TV below.

UN human rights experts say Bosnia genocide convict should not to be released

Nov 18, 2014
A team of UN human rights experts have expressed concern over the possible release of Milorad Trbic, who was found guilty of committing genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina by a Bosnian court in 2009.

The ruling and sentence of 30 years in prison was recently overturned by Bosnia's constitutional court. A retrial is expected to take place.

“The release of convicted criminals undermines efforts made by the Bosnian State Court and the international community to achieve justice, especially in light of the wider failure by the Government to adopt and implement a comprehensive transitional justice strategy,” the experts said in a joint statement published by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

“Each decision has led to a prisoner’s release pending retrial and retrials have led to much lower sentences,” the experts said, adding, “There is a grave risk that the convicted criminal will flee to another jurisdiction, as happened recently in the case of war criminal Novak Ðukic."

FARC militants defend capture of Colombian general

Nov 18, 2014
The FARC militants in Colombia defended the kidnapping of a Colombian general and his two companions during peace negotiations, reports the BBC.

In a statement, the militant group said that Colombians were captured because “they were military personnel" moving in a “war zone.”

The FARC statement criticised the government saying that “even in the middle of a peace process,” government forces had “the right to kill and tear apart” FARC militants without them having the right to respond.

UN set to vote on referring North Korea to ICC

Nov 17, 2014

The United Nations General Assembly is set to vote on a motion that will recommend North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and tried for war crimes.

The resolution, which is co-sponsored by more than 50 countries and has been drafted by the European Union and Japan, is expected to pass by a simple majority, although it is non-binding.

Michael Kirby, the retired Australian judge who headed the Commission of Inquiry into North Korea that recommended ICC prosecution told the Telegraph,

"The members of the United Nations should not, once again, turn away from the rights of the people of North Korea to have accountability for great crimes. Not now that the world has the report of the United Nations Commission. Now the world cannot say that it does not know what has been going on in North Korea."

"If the case of (North Korea) is not, objectively, a case for referral to the Prosecutor at the ICC, it is hard to imagine a case that would be."

Palestinian gunmen kill four inside Jerusalem synagogue

Nov 17, 2014
Four Israelis were killed inside a synagogue in Jerusalem on Tuesday morning local time, by two Palestinians armed with a gun and a meat clear, reports Reuters.

Eight other people are believed to have been injured. The attackers, named as Ghassan Abu Jamal and Uday Abu Jamal, are reported to be members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, were shot dead by police.

According to The Guardian, the PFLP praised the killing however, did not claim responsibility for it.

Israeli police said three of those killed held dual US and Israeli citizenship - Aryeh Kupinsky, Cary William Levine, and Mosheh Twersky. The fourth person held dual British and Israeli citizenship - Avraham Goldberg.

Spain files suit against Catalan leader over independence referendum

Nov 17, 2014
Spain's state prosecutor is to sue the Catalan leader, Artur Mas, for allegedly violating a ruling by the country's constitutional court which deemed the holding of a referendum on independence illegal, reports Reuters.

In defiance of the court ruling, Catalan's regional government held a referendum on independence on November 9, in a symbolic move described as a popular consultation. Over two million Catalans voted in the poll, with over 80% voting in favour of independence from Spain.
 
According to Reuters, if found guilty, Mas could be prevented from standing in regional elections there after.

Related articles:

Catalans vow to push ahead with referendum despite court ruling (04 Nov 2014)

Hong Kong authorities begin clearing pro-democracy protest site

Nov 17, 2014

Court bailiffs backed by police have begun clearing one of the main pro-democracy protest camps in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

The protest site in the Admiralty district saw its barricades dismantled after a high court injunction was granted. Hong Kong’s police stated that they would support the bailiffs who moved in to clear the site, warning of “resolute action” against anyone who obstructed or “violently charge[d]” the bailiffs.

The high court has also authorised the clearance of another protest site in Mong Kok, though a third camp remains at Causeway Bay.

Rwanda begins public inquiry into BBC 'genocide denial' documentary
Putin backs deeper ties with North Korea
UN resolution calls for North Korea to be referred to ICC
Bomb blast kills 5 in Iraqi Kurdish capital
UN human rights experts say Bosnia genocide convict should not to be released
FARC militants defend capture of Colombian general
UN set to vote on referring North Korea to ICC
Palestinian gunmen kill four inside Jerusalem synagogue
Spain files suit against Catalan leader over independence referendum
Hong Kong authorities begin clearing pro-democracy protest site