Latest news
28 October 2012
The New York Times reports that the Sudanese government accused Israel of an attack that destroyed a weapons factory in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Israel denied nor confirmed the accusations, but senior Israeli officials spoke about Sudan’s role in what they said was a weapons route leading from Iran via the Sinai desert to the Palestinian militant groups in Gaza and Lebanon.
Source: The New York Times | Official Silence in Israel Over Sudan’s Accusations of Air Attack
19 October 2012
After two years of difficult proceedings, a German Court in Hamburg held 10 Somali nationals responsible for extortionate kidnapping and attacking sea transportation under German criminal law. The Somalis had hijacked the German freighter Taipan in 2010, which was freed by Dutch special forces. The process raises questions as to the appropriate legal framework to address issues of modern piracy.
Source: Sky News | Germany convicts seven Somali pirates
Source: Der Spiegel | Urteil im Hamburger Piratenprozess
17 October 2012
Recent events have increased the tension between Syria and Turkey. More than a week ago, Turkey retaliated after Syria shelled a Turkish border town and killed five Turkish civilians. Days later, the Turkish parliament approved a motion allowing for military action against Syria in case it proves to be necessary. Last week, Turkish jets forced a Syrian airplane on its way from Moscow to land. Turkey claims to have found Russian munition on board this airplane. Saturday, Syria announced a ban on all Turkish aircraft entering its airspace. Yesterday, Turkey followed suit with a similar ban of Syrian aircraft in its airspace.
Source: New York Times | As Tension Escalates, Turkey Issues a Ban on All Syrian Aircraft
Source: BBC | Underlying tensions in Turkey-Syria stand-off
16 October 2012
The European Union (EU) is to impose new sanctions on Iran for its lack of cooperation in disclosing details about its nuclear program, which is suspected to be used as a cover for the development of nuclear weapons. The sanctions will likely include a ban of financial transactions between European and Iranian banks and certain trade bans. They follow earlier sanctions imposed by both the United States and the EU.
Source: BBC | EU imposes new sanctions on Iran
8 October 2012
On 5 October, the tribunal in Occidental Petroleum Corporation and Occidental Exploration and Production Company v. The Republic of Ecuador, ICSID Case No. ARB/06/11 issues its final award.
The tribunal awarded Occidental about $1.77 billion, having found both expropriation and breach of the duty of fair and equitable treatment. That sum reflected a 25% reduction on account of contributory negligence by Occidental.
The Tribunal found that “it is not any contribution by the injured party to the damage which it has suffered which will trigger a finding of contributory negligence. The contribution must be material and significant. In this regard, the Tribunal has a wide margin of discretion in apportioning fault.” (para. 670)
Source: Investment Treaty Arbitration | Occidental Petroleum Corporation and Occidental Exploration and Production Company v. The Republic of Ecuador, ICSID Case No. ARB/06/11