International Law in Brief

Photo by FCDO / Russell Watkins (CC BY 2.0)

The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted a resolution directing an independent fact-finding mission to investigate reports of human rights violations including mass killings in El Fasher, North Darfur. The Council’s held its 38th special session to address the concerns over crimes against humanity and the potential risk of genocide in Sudan.

In its resolution (A/HRC/S-38/L.1), the Council condemned RSF and allied forces for killings, torture, executions, and widespread sexual and gender-based violence. UN experts reported...

On March 26, 2025, Germany’s federal government, the states, and the leading municipal associations signed an administrative agreement creating a new arbitral tribunal for Nazi-looted art. The agreement states the foundation for transforming the former Advisory Commission into a legally binding dispute-resolution body and strengthens Germany’s implementation of the Washington Principles.

Beginning December 1, 2025, victims of Nazi persecution and their heirs may unilaterally initiate proceedings before the tribunal, provided the cultural heritage institution has issued a standing...

A recent UN report reveals that Myanmar’s junta violence has disproportionately harmed persons with disabilities. At least 117 persons with disabilities were killed—wheelchairs, prosthetics, hearing aids often left or destroyed during attacks. Many are unable to flee quickly, and evacuation efforts are often physically inaccessible. As a result, persons with disabilities are frequently left behind during military operations, exposing them to a heightened risk of torture, ill-treatment, and lethal violence if discovered.

Under Article 11 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons...

Photo by Patrick Gruban (CC BY-SA 4.0)

On November 6, 2025, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2799, removing two Syrian officials from the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions list. The delisted individuals included Syria’s transitional President, Ahmed al-Sharaa and the Interior Minister, Anas Hasan Khattab.

The resolution reaffirmed the Security Council’s respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity of the Syrian Arab Republic and noted the Council’s intention to support Syria’s long-term reconstruction,...