New Evidence of Russia’s War Crimes in Ukraine

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21 October 2023

New Evidence of Russia's War Crimes in Ukraine — © Yevhen Nosenko - A playground lies in ruins near in the village of Groza in eastern Ukraine.

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Commission of Inquiry finds further evidence of war crimes in Ukraine, including rape, torture and deportation of children

A new UN report has found continued evidence of war crimes and human rights violations committed by Russian authorities in Ukraine, including torture, rape and the deportation of children.

The report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, published on Friday, follows a study issued in March.

It documents additional indiscriminate attacks with explosive weapons, resulting in deaths, injuries and the destruction and damage of civilian objects.

For example, 24 people, mostly women and children, were killed in an attack on a multistorey block of residential apartments in Uman, a city in the Cherkasy region, in April, and part of the building became uninhabitable. Commissioners spoke with residents during their recent visit to the country.

New evidence, same torture pattern

Their investigations also confirmed previous findings that Russian authorities used torture in a widespread and systematic way in various types of detention facilities.

New evidence collected in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions found Russian authorities used the same pattern of torture in areas under their control, mainly against men suspected of passing information to the Ukrainian authorities or supporting the Ukrainian armed forces.

The commissioners said their interviews with victims and witnesses revealed “a profound disregard towards human dignity by Russian authorities”. Witnesses reported situations in which torture had been committed so brutally that the victim died.

Lasting traumatic impacts

Recent investigations in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions showed that rape and other sexual violence were often committed together with additional acts of violence, including severe beatings, strangling, suffocating, slashing, shooting next to the head of the victim, and wilful killing.

In one instance, a 75-year-old woman who stayed alone to protect her property, was raped and tortured by a Russian soldier who hit her on the face, chest, and ribs, and strangled her, while interrogating her.

The soldier ordered the woman to undress and when she refused, he ripped off her clothes, cut her abdomen with a small sharp object and raped her several times. The woman also suffered several broken ribs and teeth.

Such traumatic experiences have severe and long-term consequences for the physical and mental health of the victims, the report said.

Unlawful child deportations

The Commissioners investigated further accounts of Ukrainian children being transferred to Russia or to Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine. They concluded that the transfer of 31 children to Russia in May 2022 was an unlawful deportation, thus a war crime.

Their report also contains three cases where investigations showed that Ukrainian authorities committed violations of human rights against persons accused of collaboration with Russia.

They underlined the importance of accountability “with full respect and care for the rights of the victims.”

The UN Human Rights Council established the Independent Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine in March 2022, shortly after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. The mandate was extended in April for an additional year.

The three Commissioners are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work.

Nazila Ghanea, Upholding Religious Freedom Must Be A Key Priority in Sweden

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20 October 2023

Nazila Ghanea speech on religious hatred. at UN

In a statement at the end of her 10-day visit to Sweden, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Nazila Ghanea, called on the country to strengthen its engagement and dialogue with faith communities to combat religious or belief intolerance. Ghanea highlighted the numerous challenges faced by Sweden both nationally and globally, particularly in light of the burning of the Holy Qur’an.

Ghanea emphasized the need for vigilance regarding religious or belief intolerance and discrimination within society, stating that societal harassment, discrimination, and threats must not go unnoticed. She acknowledged that Sweden’s historical homogeneity and secular model have shaped the understanding of religion as an individual and private matter. However, with significant changes in societal structures, including recent migration, religiosity has become more diverse within Swedish society.

The UN expert stressed the importance of not underestimating the dynamism and range of issues that arise from this diversity. She warned that complacency by authorities at different levels could lead to oversight, delays in access to justice, blind spots, and distrust. Ghanea called for disaggregated and regular data collection to gain insight into the actual enjoyment of rights, emphasizing that this should be voluntary and based on self-definition.

During her visit, Nazila Ghanea held meetings with government officials, agencies, members of parliament, the Supreme Administrative Court, prosecutors, police authorities, civil society organizations, representatives of religious or belief communities, faith-based actors, and academics. She also met with representatives of local authorities, the judiciary, and the police in Malmö, as well as the Swedish Institute for Human Rights in Lund.

Ghanea highlighted that recent challenges have prompted authorities to recognize that faith communities can be part of the solution. She emphasized the importance of ongoing outreach and dialogue as channels for exchange, learning, and trust-building, stating that these efforts should not be set up episodically after crises. The UN expert suggested that the legitimacy and representation of these fora can be enhanced when they are rooted in the community and established by faith communities and civil society themselves.

Dr. Nazila Ghanea, a professor of International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford, will present a full report on her visit to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in March 2024. She took up the mandate as the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief on August 1, 2022. Dr. Ghanea has extensive research and publication experience in international human rights law, including freedom of religion or belief, and has served as a consultant to numerous agencies.

The Special Rapporteurs, part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, are independent experts who address specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They work on a voluntary basis and are not UN staff members. Independent from any government or organization, they serve in their individual capacity.

Baha’is Advocate at the OSCE for Interreligious Collaboration and Education

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20 October 2023

Photo credit: BIC - Sina Varaei Baha'i International Community at the OSCE

At the 2023 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, the Baha’i International Community (BIC) emphasized the importance of freedom of conscience, religion, or belief, interreligious collaboration, and education in fostering a flourishing society. The conference, organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship and supported by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), focused on human rights and fundamental freedoms within the OSCE region.

Sina Varaei, a representative from the Brussels Office of the BIC, delivered a compelling statement highlighting key elements and lines of action. The BIC EU Office represents the worldwide Baha’i community to the European Institutions.

“The first point relates to freedom of conscience, religion or belief, and its importance to the flourishing of a society. Human beings are not only economic and social creatures, they are endowed with free will and it is through ensuring freedom of religion or belief that they can express their innate capacity to search for meaning and truth,” Varaei said.

He underscored the significance of interreligious endeavors, stating that it is crucial to go beyond merely coexisting and engaging in occasional dialogue. He asked, “How can we nurture deep bonds of friendship and cordial collaboration between religious communities?” Varaei stressed that these aspirations for more peaceful surroundings cannot be realized unless they are pursued jointly by faith communities.

Varaei also highlighted the power of narratives and the need to avoid “othering” parts of the population or specific religious groups. This “othering” can subtly affect language, tone, and attitudes adopted in policy-making. He pointed out that religious leaders have a powerful role but merely making condemnations or appeals for mutual tolerance is not enough.

“We need to think: what narratives are helpful, and which ones do not foster true friendship among different religious group? How can we move from repeatedly highlighting differences in doctrines, rituals or legal codes to gaining a deeper understanding of what unites different religions and aspirations?” he asked.

Finally, Varaei emphasized the role of education in promoting freedom of conscience. He called for efforts at the educational level to appreciate religious diversity as a wealth, engage with members of other beliefs with humility, and eradicate conceptions that can give the impression of superiority over other believers.

“In brief, educational systems must foster recognition that different religious communities have valuable insights to gain from each other,” he concluded.

Varaei’s presentation at the conference underscores the Baha’i International Community’s commitment to promoting interreligious dialogue, collaboration, and education as vital steps towards fostering a more peaceful and inclusive society.

A perfect day in Mechelen: itinerary and recommended activities

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NewsdeskTET

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20 October 2023

A perfect day in Mechelen: itinerary and recommended activities

Mechelen, located in Belgium, is a charming medieval town brimming with history and culture. If you are looking to spend a perfect day in this city, here is an itinerary and recommended activities that will allow you to experience the best of Mechelen.

In the morning, start your day by going to the Grand Place of Mechelen, also called Grote Markt. This square is the heart of the city and is surrounded by magnificent historic buildings. Take the time to admire the Town Hall, a superb Gothic building dating from the 14th century. You can also visit the Tour Saint-Rombaut, which offers a panoramic view of the city from its top.

Next, head to Saint-Rombaut Cathedral, another architectural gem of Mechelen. This Gothic cathedral is famous for its imposing spire and houses many artistic treasures inside. Be sure to visit the Chapel of Saint-Rombaut, where you can see the tomb of Margaret of Austria, an important figure in Belgian history.

After exploring the historic center of Mechelen, take a lunch break at one of the town’s many restaurants. You can taste traditional Belgian dishes such as mussels and fries, stoemp (mashed potatoes and vegetables) or even waffles.

In the afternoon, continue your discovery of Mechelen by going to the Hof van Busleyden Museum. This museum is housed in a Renaissance building and houses a collection of works of art and historical objects related to the history of the city. You can learn more about the history of Mechelen and its role in Flemish culture.

Next, take a stroll along the canals of Mechelen. The city is crossed by several picturesque canals which offer magnificent views of historic buildings. You can also take a boat cruise to discover Mechelen in a different way.

At the end of the afternoon, go to the Botanical Garden of Mechelen. This garden is a true haven of peace in the heart of the city. You can stroll among the flowers and exotic plants, as well as enjoy a moment of relaxation in one of the many shaded corners of the garden.

To end this perfect day in Mechelen, don’t miss a visit to the Toy Museum. This museum traces the history of toys through the centuries and presents an impressive collection of old toys. Whether you are nostalgic or simply curious, this museum will amaze you.

In conclusion, Mechelen is a city that deserves to be discovered during a day visit. Its rich historical heritage, fascinating museums and charming canals make it an ideal destination for history and culture lovers. Follow this route and enjoy a perfect day in Mechelen.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

MEP Maxette Pirbakas Calls for Urgent Action on Water Crisis in French Overseas Departments

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20 October 2023

[^1^]: Caribbean Currents: Water scarcity a dire problem for the islands – The Philadelphia Tribune
[^2^]: Climate change puts pressure on failing Caribbean water supplies – DW
[^3^]: Drinking water on French side – St Martin / St Maarten Forum – Tripadvisor

On October 18th, 2023, at the European Parliament, MEP Maxette Pirbakas delivered a powerful speech highlighting the escalating water crisis in the French overseas departments, particularly in Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Mayotte.

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Maxette Pirbakas says it is unacceptable in 2023

“Mr. Chairman, Commissioner, the water crisis is reaching fever pitch in our five French overseas departments, especially in Martinique and Guadeloupe,” Maxette Pirbakas began her address. She pointed out that in Guadeloupe, it has been estimated for years that over a quarter of the population lacks access to drinking water.

“This is unacceptable. We are in two-thousand and twenty-three,” she stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

a close up of a metal faucet with water dripping from it - Maxette Pirbakas denounces water crisis French over seas departments — Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

Pirbakas further highlighted the dire situation in Mayotte, where there is a total absence of water. She expressed her concern that this severe problem seems to be largely overlooked. “Commissioner, I would remind you that we are talking about a European territory that should benefit from European solidarity like any other region of the Union,” she asserted.

She attributed the crisis to decades of under-investment in water infrastructure, stating, “Today, we are paying the price of decades of under-investment in water infrastructure on French streets.” She criticized the effectiveness of cohesion funds in addressing this issue, describing them as merely “a sprinkling of money.”

In her call to action, Maxette Pirbakas implored, “I’m calling for a real comprehensive plan to be put in place, led by the Commission in Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Mayotte.” She stressed that the health and livability of these territories are at stake.

Her demand includes renovating sanitation and distribution infrastructures, creating new treatment plants, and putting an end to the “pierced hosepipe” – a metaphorical reference to the ineffective and leaky water supply system.

Maxette Pirbakas‘ impassioned speech underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and effective solutions to address the water crisis in these French overseas departments. It calls for immediate attention and action from the European Union, reminding us that these territories, though distant, remain an integral part of the Union and deserve the same level of care and solidarity.

Potable water crisis threatens the quality of life

The picturesque French islands in the Caribbean, known for their stunning beaches and vibrant cultures, are facing a severe crisis that threatens the quality of life for their inhabitants: a scarcity of potable water. Despite being surrounded by vast expanses of ocean, the islands are grappling with increasing water shortages, a problem exacerbated by climate change and infrastructural challenges.

In recent decades, the islands have been experiencing longer periods of drought due to global warming and changing weather patterns[^1^]. These environmental changes have led to a rise in temperature and a decrease in rainfall, which have in turn strained the islands’ water resources[^2^]. This scarcity of water is not only a problem for the daily life of the inhabitants, but it also poses significant challenges for the islands’ agricultural sectors and could potentially impact their tourism industries.

Furthermore, the infrastructural systems that support the islands’ water supplies are compromised. Economic challenges have hindered the maintenance and development of these systems, leading to further problems in the provision of potable water[^1^]. For instance, on the French side of St. Martin, the tap water’s high chlorine content makes it unsuitable for drinking[^3^].

The water crisis in the French Caribbean islands is a complex issue with no easy solutions. It requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses both the environmental factors contributing to water scarcity and the infrastructural challenges that hinder the provision of potable water. As these islands continue to grapple with this crisis, it is clear that concerted efforts on a local, national, and international level will be necessary to ensure a sustainable and secure water future for their inhabitants.

Société Générale Bank of Lebanon and the History Of Terrors of Iranian Madness

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Guest Author

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20 October 2023

brown and white concrete building — Photo by Clara Rayes on Unsplash

As Hezbollah-backed protesters stormed the U.S. Embassy in Beirut in support of Hamas, Americans may not realize these two terrorist organizations (not acknowledged by the United Nations, which lavishes millions on them) have received hundreds of millions of dollars of U.S. financial aid in the last three years alone.

The sins of Hezbollah and its coterie of Lebanese bankers – including Bank of Lebanon governor Riad Salameh and Antoun Sehnaoui, chief executive of Société Générale Bank of Lebanon (SGBL) – have recently been exposed in courtrooms in both Lebanon and the United States.

Now Americans are relearning that their generosity has its own reward.

But there is a long global history of state-sponsored and private ‘terror financing’. And what is the end result?

Well, forty years ago this month, the then-newly formed Hezbollah inflicted the worst attack on the U.S. military since the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. A truck bomb exploded at a barracks in Beirut which killed 220 U.S. Marines and 21 other service personnel deployed in a multinational peacekeeping operation. A second truck bomb killed 58 French soldiers.

The Lebanese Shia Muslim clerics who originally established Hezbollah adopted the model set out by Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini with the support of 1,500 Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps instructors; Khomeini himself chose the name Hezbollah.

Hamas was later established by members of the Muslim Brotherhood among others in 1987 and shortly afterwards, asserted its own intention to wage a never-ending holy war against Israel.

For most of its existence, Hamas and Iran have been strong allies. Israel says Iran provides about $100 million a year in financial aid to Hamas; the U.S. State Department reports that Iran also provides Hamas with weapons and military training. Much more comes through U.S. dollars funnelled through the UN’s Relief and Works Agency.

After the Israeli government deported 418 Hamas operatives to Lebanon in 1992, it was Hezbollah who taught them there how to build and use suicide bombs.

With an extra $50 million a year from Iran, Hamas began conducting suicide bombings against Israeli targets.

Over time, Iran developed smuggling routes to supply Hamas with more advanced weaponry.

And just this month, Hamas launched its largest attack on Israel since the 1967 war.

As Israel responds, questions linger – Like why is Iran so focused on terrorist attacks on the U.S. and Israel?

And perhaps as importantly, how have organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, unabated continued to be the beneficiaries of a near systemic funnelling of money which has bared them fruit from both state sponsors such as Iran, and even from private organizations, charities and individuals, such as Riad Salameh and Antoun Sehnaoui?

Critics of U.S. policy often blame the Eisenhower Administration’s 1953 actions to oust Iran’s Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, a long-time political opponent of Reza Khan (later Reza Shah Pahlavi) as a catalyst to the practice of terror financing. The Shah ruled Iran for 26 years until Khomeini, who had been in exile, took power after student-led protests ousted him and installed Khomeini as Ayatollah.

Khomeini and his successor Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have long condemned the U.S. as “the great satan” and vowed to bring “death to America” and “death to Israel.” Khomeini’s hatred of the U.S. prompted his acolytes to seize the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and hold 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

In one infamous speech in 2015, Khamenei stated that Iran would not give up its support of “the oppressed people of Palestine, of Yemen, the Syrian and Iraqi governments, the oppressed people of Bahrain and sincere resistance fighters in Lebanon.”

A 2005 report by the Washington Institute chronicles Iran’s financing of Hezbollah’s campaign of terror and Hezbollah’s widespread criminal operations. Even two decades ago, Iran was providing up to $200 million a year in cash and weaponry.

Iran also funds Hezbollah through purportedly private charities and front organizations. Notably, the widely banned al-Aqsa International Foundation has funnelled millions of dollars and weapons to Hamas, al Qaeda, and Hezbollah.

As Assistant Secretary of State Anthony Wayne told Congress in 2003,

“If you are funding the organization, even if there are many charitable activities going on, there is some fungibility between funds. You are strengthening the organization”.

Sadly, even today, many have not learned this lesson.

Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah reportedly cooperate on money laundering and bank fraud – One notable case, recently unravelled by Lebanese prosecutors, targeted Salameh, Sehnaoui, and also four of Lebanon’s main exchangers for “money laundering crimes resulting from currency trading operations with the intent of exposure to the national currency.”

Michel Mecattaf’s transfer taxi company was charged with illegally laundering billions of dollars as part of the Salameh-Sehnaoui scheme that supported the bankers’ lavish lifestyles but also sent millions to Hezbollah.

Sehnaoui and SGBL are today the primary defendants in an ongoing U.S. lawsuit filed by the families of victims of Hezbollah terrorism in which plaintiffs allege collusion with Hezbollah by a dozen Lebanese banks.

Plaintiff attorneys may win this case, but the victims’ families may have to wait … and wait … before seeing a single dime.

For example, families of the victims of the 1983 Beirut barracks filed a lawsuit in 2010 – seven years after a federal judge ruled that Hezbollah’s attack was ordered by Iran – and three years after U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered Iran to pay them $2.65 billion.

In 2013, U.S. District Court Judge Katherine Forrest ruled to release $1.75 billion of Iranian funds, held in a New York Citibank account, to the victims. A year later, an appeals court upheld Judge Forrest’s ruling, and in 2016 so did the U.S. Supreme Court.

In March 2023, yet another federal judge ordered Bank Markazi, Iran’s central bank, and Clearstream Banking SA to pay out $1.68 billion to the long-suffering family members.

As they await their money, the U.S. government unfroze Iranian assets, instead of compensating these and other victims of Iran-backed terrorism.

Decades ago, counterterrorism export Matthew Levitt warned that

“Should the U.S. fail to adapt the culture of our law enforcement and intelligence community, to enact appropriate laws and procedures, and to commit the necessary resources and resolve, we will find the war on terror that much harder to fight, lasting that much longer in duration, and exacting that much higher and tragic a cost in human life.”

The assault this month by Hamas on innocent concert-goers and babies proves that Levitt’s warnings have gone largely unheeded.

Politicians and policy wonks have continued to pretend that those who have sworn blood oaths to destroy the U.S. and Israel never really meant it and have themselves lavished billions of dollars on terrorist groups in the vain hope that money can buy peace.

But the sad truth is that money given to terrorists from near innumerable sources only buys more weapons, more propaganda, more bloodshed, and much more war.

Explainer: What is international humanitarian law?

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20 October 2023

Explainer: What is international humanitarian law?

But, what exactly are the rules of war and what happens when they are broken?

To find out more about international humanitarian law, known by its acronym IHL, UN News spoke with Eric Mongelard at the UN human rights office, OHCHR.

Here’s what you need to know:

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Rules of war

International humanitarian law is as old as war. From passages in the Bible and Quran to medieval European codes of chivalry, this ever-growing set of rules of engagement aims to limit a conflict’s effects on civilians or non-combatants.

The laws represent “the very minimum rules to preserve humanity in some of the worst situations known to mankind,” Mr. Mongelard said, noting that the rules of war apply the moment an armed conflict has begun.

A UN interpreter works during a debate on international humanitarian law.

The laws in place today are primarily based on the Geneva Conventions, the first of which predates the UN by almost 200 years.

What are the Geneva Conventions?

Following Switzerland’s declaration of “perpetual” international neutrality in 1815, a neighbouring Austrian-French war in 1859 prompted Henri Dunant, a Swiss national tending to battlefield casualties, to propose what became the International Committee for Aid to the Wounded.

That group shortly thereafter transformed into the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) followed by the First Geneva Convention, signed in 1864 by 16 European nations. Since then, a growing number of nations have adopted subsequent other Geneva Conventions.

More than 180 states have become parties to the 1949 conventions. They include 150 states party to Protocol I, which extended protection under the Geneva and Hague conventions to persons involved in wars of “self-determination” which were henceforth redefined as international conflicts and also enabled the establishment of fact-finding commissions in cases of alleged breaches of the convention.

More than 145 states are party to Protocol II, which extended human rights protections to persons involved in severe civil armed conflict that had not been covered by the 1949 accords.

A young British Red Cross worker assists drought victims at a camp in Bati, Ethiopia in 1984.

New rules of war and protocols to the Geneva Conventions have developed as battlefield weaponry and warfare have become more sophisticated and sinister.

International treaties have also emerged to ban a range of weapons triggered by 20th century conflicts, from the use of mustard gas in First World War trenches to airdropping napalm across Viet Nam. These binding conventions also oblige signatories to respect international humanitarian law.

Who is protected?

Hospitals, schools, civilians, aid workers, and safe routes to deliver emergency assistance are among people and places protected by international humanitarian law.

A protocol to the Geneva Conventions adopted in 1977 contains the “most rules” on civilian protection, Mr. Mongelard said. In general, key principles are divided into two sets of rules, with the first centred on respect for the dignity and life of a person and humane treatment. That includes prohibitions on summary executions and torture.

A boy stands inside the remains of his school in Novohryhorivka, Ukraine.

The second applies to distinction, proportionality, and precaution, he said, binding every warring party.

They cannot target civilians, must ensure operations and the weapons they choose to use would minimize or avoid civilian casualties, and must provide sufficient warning to civilian populations of an impending attack.

“Evaluating the effectiveness of a body of law is always a difficult exercise,” he said. “Anecdotal evidence shows that IHL is more often respected than not.”

Even with these laws in place, 116 aid workers died while doing their jobs in some of the world’s most dangerous places in 2022.

Since the start of the year, 62 aid workers have already been killed, 84 wounded, and 34 kidnapped, according to the UN, which cited provisional data in August from the independent research organization Humanitarian Outcomes. Since 7 October, a total of 15 UN workers have been killed in Gaza.

However, without international humanitarian law and related rules, the situation in battlefields across the world “would be far worse”, Mr. Mongelard said.

“Parties to the conflict, when they’re faced with allegations of, for example, strikes against civilians or civilian infrastructure, will always either seek to deny or seek to explain, thereby really reinforcing that they do recognize that these rules are important,” he said.

Ending impunity

“Serious violations of international humanitarian law are war crimes”, he continued. As such, all States have an obligation to criminalize those behaviours, investigate, and prosecute perpetrators.

International humanitarian law can also be violated outside of an actual war. Meanwhile, crimes against humanity have never been agreed on in a dedicated treaty of international law. At the same time, the Rome Statute provides the latest consensus of the international community on what falls within the scope. It is also the treaty that offers the most extensive list of specific acts that may constitute the crime.

The first Session of International Tribunal on War Crimes in Former Yugoslavia Opens in the Hague in 1993.

When violations occur, mechanisms have been set up, from UN tribunals for Cambodia, Rwanda, and the former Yugoslavia to such national efforts as was seen in 2020 in the DR Congo when a military court brought a war criminal to justice.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), established in 2002 by the Rome Statute, has also had jurisdiction over allegations of violations of international humanitarian law.

Global courtroom

The first permanent global criminal court established to help end impunity for perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the global international community, the ICC is an independent international organization, and is not part of the UN system.

But, the UN has a direct link. The ICC Prosecutor can open cases or investigations referred by the UN Security Council referral, by States parties to the Rome Statute, or based on information from reliable sources.

While not all 193 UN Member States recognize the ICC, the court can launch investigations and open cases related to allegations from anywhere in the world. Cases have been heard and decisions rendered on a range of violations, from using rape as a weapon of war to conscripting children as combatants.

The court is currently investigating 17 cases. Part of its work includes issuing arrest warrants for suspected perpetrators. This includes an outstanding warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin related to his country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Everyone can contribute

While international humanitarian law governs warring parties to a conflict, the general public has an important role to play, Mr. Mongelard said.

He warned that dehumanizing a group of people can send a message to armed forces in the vicinity that “some violations would be okay”.

“One thing that is important is avoiding the dehumanization of the other or the dehumanization of the enemy, avoiding hate speech, and avoiding incitement to violence,” he said. “That’s where the general public can contribute.”

A five-year-old boy holds up his cat amidst the wreckage of his home in Gaza.

As for international organizations, shortly after the Israel-Gaza conflict erupted on 7 October, the ICC opened an ongoing investigation, operating a link to provide submissions of allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression – which violate international humanitarian law.

A reminder of the warring parties’ obligations regarding the Israel-Gaza crisis was issued by the UN emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths who told the UN Security Council: “There are simple rules of war,” adding “parties to armed conflict must protect civilians.”

In the same vein, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al Mandhari talked with UN News following the strike on a Gazan hospital.

“Health care is not a target, and it should not be a target,” “WHO is calling all conflicting parties to adhere to international humanitarian law” and “protect civilians” alongside “those health care professionals who are in the field and the ambulances”.

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Madonna Gives Impassioned Call for Social Action During London Concert

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20 October 2023

During a recent concert in London, pop icon Madonna gave an impassioned speech touching on heavy current events and appealing to her fans’ sense of humanity. (READ AND LISTEN PART OF HER SPEECH BELOW)

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What the f*** is going on in the world?

Speaking bluntly and from the heart, Madonna expressed horror at ongoing violence against children in conflicts like the Israel-Palestine crisis. “What the fuck is going on in the world?” she asked, citing graphic examples of decapitated babies and other atrocities.

The iconic singer asserted forcefully that “children belong to all of us” regardless of background, referencing author James Baldwin as inspiration for this belief in universal human bonds. She also condemned the recent stabbing death of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Chicago as a hate crime, evidence of the growing darkness she hopes to combat.

Madonna’s speech stressed that despite surface differences dividing societies, we cannot “lose our humanity” or allow our spirits to be broken by tragedy. She insisted that each person has power to “turn light on in the world” through acts of generosity, unity and consciousness.

Listen to Madonna herself delivering the speech.

Asking the London crowd “are you with me?” throughout her address, Madonna underscored her belief in collective action unconstrained by politicians or laws to drive positive change. The uplifting speech ended with Madonna rejecting helplessness in favour of lighting “enough candles” to bring light and transform consciousness.

Madonna’s frank tone and skilful blend of harsh facts, rhetorical questions, and inspirational exhortations compelled her fans to see themselves as partners in creating a more just and peaceful world. The speech exemplified Madonna’s lifelong willingness to use her global platform to promote human welfare and social progress.

Transcribed Madonna’s speech:

Madonna in her instagram account — Madonna in her Instagram account

I need to talk about children and all the things that are going on in the world right now. It would be irresponsible of me not to say something. What’s happening right now between Israel and Palestine, obviously is heartbreaking, and nobody wants to see what’s happening. I turn on social media and I, I wanna vomit. I see children being kidnapped, pulled off motorcycles, babies being decapitated, in peace raves being shot and killed.

What the fuck is going on in the world? How can human beings be so cruel to one another?

And it’s just getting worse and it frightens me and I wanna paraphrase James Baldwin who’s been a great inspiration for me all my life, and that is, the children of the world belong to all of us, each and every one of them, I don’t care where they’re from, what their headdress is, what the colour of their skin is, what their religion is.

The children belong to us, and we are responsible for them.

A six-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Chicago yesterday, it was a hate crime because he was Muslim.

Now, we have to remember that we are human beings here, we cannot lose our humanity. So, our hearts can be broken but our spirit cannot. No one can break our spirit, and you might look at what’s going on in the world and say: what the fuck? What can I do? I’m just one person, I’m helpless… No, you are not!

Each and everyone of you have the power and the ability to turn light on in the world. We are all candles. We can bring light to the world. Are you with me London? And if we turn enough light on, if we light enough candles, the collective consciousness of generosity and unity will change. No politicians, no laws, no sanctions, no land given or taken.

We with our consciousness can change the fucking world. Are you with me London? And thank you for turning your lights on! that means everything to me, that means you are listening, this is not for me, this is for all of you…

UN independent experts ‘unequivocally condemn’ violence against civilians in Israel, Gaza

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20 October 2023

UN independent experts ‘unequivocally condemn’ violence against civilians in Israel, Gaza

In a news release, the experts denounced the ruthless attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians starting 7 October. They also stressed their concern for the victims of subsequent counter-terrorism measures by Israeli forces.

“We decry the scale of the brutal assault on mothers, children, babies, the elderly and ordinary citizens going about their daily lives on the Jewish Shabbat and on a Jewish religious holiday (Sukkot),” said Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Special Rapporteur on protection of human rights while countering terrorism, and Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

Acts of terrorism, no matter how horrific, absolutely do not justify the commission of serious violations of international law including war crimes, or crimes against humanity, the Human Rights Council-appointed experts noted.

Survivors ‘irreparably damaged’

The UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts – who are independent of any nation or the UN Secretariat – stressed that the “essence of terrorism” is the targeting of civilians, and terrorist attacks leave the victims’ families and survivors “irreparably damaged.”

In addition to the brutal attacks, an estimated 200 people including older persons, mothers, children and babies, and those seriously wounded, were kidnapped and taken hostage.

While recognizing the deep and decades long grievances and violations of the human rights of the Palestinian people under occupation, nothing justifies the targeting of civilians in this way, the release noted.

“Hostage taking is absolutely prohibited under international law and constitutes a war crime,” the experts said, highlighting that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) must be provided access to those taken hostage and they must receive medical care.

“No harm must come to the hostages taken and held incommunicado by Hamas. They must be released,” the experts said.

Families flee their shattered neighbourhood, Tal al-Hawa, to seek refuge in the southern Gaza strip.

No justification for violations against civilians

The UN experts also stressed their equal concern for victims of counter-terrorism measures. Acts of terrorism, no matter how horrific, absolutely do not justify carrying out serious violations of international law including war crimes, or crimes against humanity, the experts said.

Echoing the UN Secretary-General’s view, they said the evacuation order to Gazans which amounted to around 1.1. million people, the majority of them children, will have devastating consequences.

They condemned the complete siege of the enclave including the cutting off of water and electricity which “may constitute the war crime of starvation of civilians”, the news release noted.

“Schools and hospitals filled with civilians – primarily women and children – cannot constitute a legitimate military target for either State or non-State armed groups,” the experts said.

“The grievous destruction of Al-Ahli hospital underscores the humanitarian consequence of non-compliance with international humanitarian law,” they added.

International plea

The experts called on all States to fulfil their obligation to ensure respect for international humanitarian law by all parties, including those countries in a position to exercise influence over them and ensure accountability for all violations.

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and form part of what is known as its Special Procedures. The experts are mandated to monitor and report on specific thematic issues or country situations.

They serve in their individual capacity, are not UN staff and do not receive a salary.

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