International Law in Brief


International Law in Brief (ILIB) is a forum that provides updates on current developments in international law from the editors of ASIL's International Legal Materials.
German Court Exercises Universal Jurisdiction for Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes in Syria
| By: Alaa Hajyahia : June 18, 2025 |

On June 16, 2025, the Higher Regional Court (OLG) Frankfurt/Main sentenced former Syrian doctor Alaa M. to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and murder committed during the Assad regime’s persecution of opposition members.

The court found Alaa M. guilty of crimes against humanity in ten cases, including torture, sexual abuse, and killing two patients in his care. The defendant performed surgery without anesthesia, mutilated patients’ genital areas, and killed victims through lethal injection and deliberate medical neglect. The court emphasized that...

UN Human Rights Office Appeals for Urgent De-escalation as Israel-Iran Crisis Continues
| By: Alaa Hajyahia : June 18, 2025 |

On June 18, 2025, as the Israel-Iran crisis entered its sixth day, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif called for urgent de-escalation and diplomatic negotiations to end the ongoing missile attacks and find a way forward. Speaking to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Al-Nashif emphasized that “it is imperative that both sides fully respect international law, in particular by ensuring the protection of civilians in densely populated areas and of civilian objects.”

The escalation began when Israel targeted nuclear and military sites across Iran on June 13,...

Taliban Weaponize Afghanistan’s Justice System Against Women, UN Finds
| By: Alaa Hajyahia : June 17, 2025 |

On June 16, 2025, Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, presented a report to the 59th session of the Human Rights Council examining access to justice and protection for women and girls under Taliban rule. The report concludes that the Taliban’s transformation of Afghanistan’s legal and justice sectors “actively weaponizes the legal, judicial, and social order to oppress women and girls״ and constitutes an “institutionalized system of discrimination, oppression, and domination amounting to crimes against humanity.”

Since seizing...

Hungary Withdraws from International Criminal Court
| By: Alaa Hajyahia : June 17, 2025 |

On June 16, 2025, Human Rights Watch criticized Hungary’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), following the country’s formal notification of withdrawal earlier in June. Hungary’s withdrawal appears motivated by opposition to ICC arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Under Article 127 of the Rome Statute, Hungary’s withdrawal will take effect on June 2, 2026, one year after notification. Until that date, Hungary remains bound by Rome...

ICC Appeals Chamber Approves in absentia Hearing against Uganda Warlord Joseph Kony
| By: Alaa Hajyahia : June 13, 2025 |

On June 3, 2025, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court upheld a landmark decision allowing confirmation of charges proceedings to proceed in absentia against fugitive Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony. This ruling establishes crucial precedent for international criminal law when suspects successfully evade capture for extended periods. The Appeals Chamber confirmed that Article 61(2)(b) of the Rome Statute permits such proceedings when a suspect “cannot be found” and all reasonable steps have been taken to secure their appearance, even without a prior initial...

US Vetoes UN Security Council Gaza Ceasefire Resolution
| By: Alaa Hajyahia : June 13, 2025 |

On June 4, 2025, the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza and for the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.” The resolution received support from 14 of the Council’s 15 members but failed to pass due to the US exercising its veto power under Article 27 of the UN Charter. As reported by JURIST, US Representative Dorothy Shea defended the veto, stating that the US “would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza...

Canada Supreme Court Rejects Appeal in Climate Case
| By: Justine N. Stefanelli : May 05, 2025 |

On May 1, 2025, the Canadian Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the Government of Ontario in a youth-driven climate case in which seven youth plaintiffs brought a constitutional challenge to the Government's lack of action with respect to climate change. As reported by JURIST, the plainfiffs argued that Ontario's use of Section 16 of the 2018 Cap and Trade Cancellation Act to modify the 2016 Climate Change Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act resulted in a watering down of the requirments in the Climate Change Act and effectively subjects youth and indigenous communities to dangerous and...

Hungary Announces Withdrawal from International Criminal Court
| By: Özge Karsu : April 11, 2025 |

On April 3, 2025, Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán announced Hungary’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The announcement was made during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was visiting Hungary at the time.

The decision was made in response to the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli officials. On November 21, 2024, the Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes. As a state party to the Rome Statute,...

ECtHR Upholds Data Sharing Between Authorities
| By: Özge Karsu : April 11, 2025 |

On April 1, 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that the Netherlands’ Consumer and Market Authority (CMA) did not violate the European Convention on Human Rights by using phone-tap data originally obtained in a criminal investigation and transferred by another law enforcement body.

The case involved six limited liability companies, the applicants, that were implicated in a price-fixing scheme. Intercepted communications during unrelated criminal investigations revealed conversations about anti-competitive practices. This data was then transferred to the CMA, which...

South Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission Finds Human Rights Violations in Overseas Adoptions
| By: Özge Karsu : April 03, 2025 |

On March 26, 2025, the South Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) concluded that the government violated human rights in connection with the overseas adoption of Korean children. The Commission found systemic failures rooted in inadequate legislation, poor oversight, and inadequate administrative procedures, resulting in widespread rights violations.

The findings followed an extensive investigation that reviewed archival materials and adoption records from four major adoption agencies, along with petitions filed by 367 overseas adoptees. The investigation also included...

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