Sierra Leone charged 12 individuals in connection with a failed coup attempt, according to a Wednesday statement from Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah. Among the accused is Amadu Koita, a former soldier and bodyguard to ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma. The charges encompass a range of offenses, including treason, misprision of treason, harbouring [...]
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Time is of the essence when it comes to creating a court or tribunal dedicated to adjudicating Russian aggression against Ukraine. And while much consideration has already been given to the creation of a UN General Assembly-backed tribunal, the preferred option in my opinion, I would suggest the time has come to expand our consideration [...]
Stephen Rapp, an American lawyer and diplomat, has been a leading figure in international criminal law and human rights. He was appointed as the US Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues in 2009, overseeing investigations and prosecutions of war criminals worldwide. Rapp’s commitment to justice and ending impunity was evident during his tenure, supporting [...]
Sierra Leone declares nationwide curfew after attack on military barracks in Freetown
Sierra Leonean president Julius Maada Bio declared a nationwide curfew with immediate effect on Sunday, a few hours after several unidentified gunmen attacked the Military Barracks at Wilberforce in the capital Freetown in the morning. According to a statement released by Sierra Leonean Minister of Information and Civic Education Mustapha Jambai Massaquoi, the attackers were [...]
The Beast that is Iran—Condemn, Isolate, Confront Using International Norms
Indeed, the geopolitical landscape is complex, especially when discussing Iran’s involvement in various global issues. Central to these concerns are allegations of Iran’s support for Russian aggression against Ukraine, its perceived stance on Israel, and its role as a destabilizing force in the Middle East. Firstly, Iran’s relationship with Russia has raised apprehensions, particularly regarding [...]
Russia Must Be Held Accountable for Alleged Criminal Aggression in Ukraine: Two Paths to Justice
The concept of aggression in modern international law is rooted in a complex history of war and conflict. Defined as the use of armed force by one state against another in the absence of the justification of self-defense or the authorization of the United Nations, aggression has been a recurring issue on the global stage. [...]
On August 21, 2023, Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv hosted a large international conference Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine: Justice to be Served. The conference gathered key figures behind Ukraine’s push to launch a special tribunal. The event was aimed at reinvigorating global efforts to prosecute the crime of aggression against Ukraine, [...]
The War Crimes of Hamas: Hostage-Taking in International Law
On October 7th, 2023, the State of Israel was brutally attacked by the terrorist organization known as Hamas, instigating an all-out war. In the early morning of October 7th, Hamas terrorist fighters made their way into Israel from the Gaza Strip, invading and occupying Israeli towns, cities, and military bases. This surprise attack in Israel [...]
Avoiding the Mistakes of World War II: Why Democracies Cannot Afford To Appease Putin
Editor’s note on historical context: On Sept. 30, 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain signed the Munich Agreement with Germany, France and Italy, which allowed Berlin to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia. Upon his return, Chamberlain said of the agreement: “…for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from [...]
French diplomat released amid rising political tensions in Niger
France announced Thursday the release of Stéphane Jullien, an advisor to French citizens living in Niger, who was detained by authorities last week. In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry confirmed that Jullien had been freed Wednesday. Jullien was arrested September 8th by Niger’s security forces. His role involves liaising between French diplomatic services and [...]