AITJ Weekly Digest is a flexible but effective report that focus on what is happening in the world in the areas of our interest and concern such as foreign affairs, human rights, enlargement, relations between Africa and Europe and so on. Every week, this press review intends to provide an overview of news, updates and all new developments concerning the defence of human rights, the fight against impunity and international relations in the broadest sense.
Bahrain: Statement by the Spokesperson on upholding death sentences
EEAS, 14 july 2020
On 13 July, Bahrain’s Court of Cassation confirmed in its final ruling the death verdicts for Bahraini citizens Mohammed Ramadan and Husain al Moosa, sentenced on terrorism charges. This ruling was delivered despite reported concerns on the fairness of the trial. The European Union reiterates its
Foreign Affairs Council: Remarks by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the press conference
EEAS, 14 july 2020
Check against delivery! Good afternoon to all of you. Our agenda today has been very dense and we discussed many points of current business. First, about Libya, the situation remains bad. We continue to see blatant violations of the [arms] embargo. We intend to reinforce the sanctions regime to
JCPOA: Statement by EU High Representative Josep Borrell in his capacity as Coordinator of the Joint Commission on the fifth anniversary of the Iran Deal
EEAS, 14 july
Today, on the fifth anniversary of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the preservation of the agreement is more important than ever. The JCPOA was concluded on 14 July 2015 and subsequently endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council (Resolution 2231). It is a historic multilateral
EU priorities at the United Nations and the 75th United Nations General Assembly adopted
European Council, 13 july 2020
The Council today adopted conclusions setting out the EU's priorities at the 75th General Assembly of the United Nations (September 2020 – September 2021), under the theme "Championing multilateralism and a strong and effective UN that delivers for all".
In its conclusions, the Council stresses that, as demonstrated by the outbreak of COVID-19, multilateral cooperation is more necessary than ever. Therefore, the rules-based international order – with the UN at its core – must be upheld and international solidarity and cooperation strengthened.
WTO, ICC and B20 call for action to narrow the growing trade finance gap
WTO News, 9 july 2020
The WTO, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and B20 Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement on 9 July pointing to the diminishing availability of trade finance. Warning that gaps between trade finance supply and demand could seriously impede the ability of trade to support post COVID-19 economic recovery, they are urging private and public-sector actors to work together to address shortages.
EU prepares response to China over Hong Kong
euObserver, 14 july 2020
The European Union is preparing a "coordinated" package of EU-wide and national measures in response to China's new security law on Hong Kong, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday 13th .
After a year of anti-government protests, Beijing imposed the new national security law on the former British colony on June 30.
Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Defence visits the ICC
ICC News, 09 July 2020
On 9 July 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Defence of Belgium, HE Philippe Goffin, visited the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or the "Court") to meet with the President of the Court, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji and the Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.
"Belgium reiterates its unwavering support for the International Criminal Court," Minister HE Philippe Goffin stated. "As an independent and impartial institution the Court plays an indispensable role in the fight against impunity. In times of measures being taken against the Court, we wish to stress our strong commitment to preserve the integrity and independence of the Court and its officials," he added.
New report on COVID-19 and Democracy calls for urgent measures by governments and civil society
INTERNATIONAL IDEA, 15 july 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge to democracies. A new report identifies initiatives that governments and civil society need to take to rise to this challenge.
STOCKHOLM—Democracies around the world need to adopt new initiatives to ensure the lasting protection of democracy and civil liberties threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new report, ‘Global Democracy and COVID-19: Upgrading International Support’, highlights how some governments are using the public health crisis to further curtail democratic activities and provides recommendations for policymakers and civil society to counteract the negative impacts of COVID-19 on democracy.
Rule of law in Poland: “overwhelming evidence” of breaches
EP News, 16 july 2020
The Civil Liberties Committee sees “overwhelming evidence” of rule of law breaches in Poland and asks Council and Commission to also keep an eye on fundamental rights.
The EP Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee approved on Thursday the draft interim report by chair Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES) with 52 votes for, 15 against and no abstentions, as amended at Tuesday’s voting session.
Human rights victory as Sudan abolishes death sentence for apostasy
Humanists International, 14 july 2020
Sudan’s progressive reforms are a watershed moment for a country notorious for its historic disregard for freedom of religion or belief
In March, we reported that the Sudanese transitional government planned to abolish the death penalty for the crime of “apostasy.” As Ahmed Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, commented to Humanists International at the time, “under no circumstances could the death penalty ever be applied as a sanction against conduct whose very criminalization violates internationally protected human rights.”
World Day for International Justice
Twitter, 17 july 2020
This 17July, reflect on how, especially in times of crisis and conflict, we must seek to protect the vulnerable. Peace and justice are always part of the answer.
17 July, Day of International Criminal Justice. Stay tuned for more.
World Day for International Justice, also referred as Day of International Criminal Justice or International Justice Day, is an international day celebrated throughout the world on July 17 as part of an effort to recognize the emerging system of international criminal justice. July 17 is the date of the adoption of the treaty that created the International Criminal Court. On 1 June 2010, at the Review Conference of the Rome Statute held in Kampala (Uganda), the Assembly of State Parties decided to celebrate 17 July as the Day of International Criminal Justice