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24 November 2011
A Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the findings of which were presented at the IPCC’s 34th Session in Kampala, Uganda, says that the risk from extreme weather events is likely to increase if the world continues to warm. IPCC scientists also consider it “very likely” that emissions had led to an increase in daily maximum temperatures. The report further adds that emissions caused some regions to experience longer and more intense droughts.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk
24 November 2011
On 15 November 2011, the European Court of Human Rights issued its judgment in the case of Ivanţoc and Others v. Moldova and Russia, following up on the case of Ilaşcu and Others v. Moldova and Russia.
The case concerned the continued detention of two men in the unrecognised state known as the ‘Moldovan Republic of Transdnistria’ (MRT) for terrorist activities allegedly committed during the Transdniestrian armed conflict of 1991-1992, despite the 2004 Ilaşcu judgment holding that Russia and Moldova should ensure their immediate release. They were ultimately released in June 2007. The current case concerned the men’s continued detention after 8 July 2004 as well as restrictions on contact with their family.
The Court found that Russia has violated Articles 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment), 5 (right to liberty and security), 13 (right to an effective remedy) and 8 (right to respect for correspondence and private and family life). No violations were found against Moldova.
Source: http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int
23 November 2011
After the suspension of Syria from the Arab League a week earlier, yesterday a large majority of states in the Third Committee (human rights) of the UN General Assembly voted in favour of a resolution condemning the crackdown of the Syrian government on its people (122 states in favour, 13 against and 41 abstentions). The resolution was introduced by Britain, France and Germany and received strong regional support from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The resolution is not legally binding, but puts great diplomatic pressure on Syria to reassume its responsibility to protect and immediately end the grave human rights violations which have been taking place since the start of the uprising against the regime.
Source: http://www.un.org
21 November 2011
On 17 November 2011, the UN General Assembly elected the new members of the International Law Commission (ILC) for a five-year term beginning on 1 January 2012 (until 31 December 2016). The full list of new members can be found on the website of the ILC: www.un.org/law/ilc
21 November 2011
The Arab League has rejected a demand by Syria to alter its plan for ending the country’s conflict, which has reportedly left at least 3,500 dead. Since Wednesday 16 November 2011, Syria’s membership in the Arab League has been suspended.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news