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International Justice Update - February 2025
This Update on International Justice is prepared by the International Law and Human Rights Program and provided for informational purposes only. Any opinions expressed in articles contained in this Update are not necessarily endorsed by PGA or any individual/s associated with PGA; nor does PGA or any individual/s associated with PGA vouch for the accuracy of the contents of these articles.
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United States
On February 7, 2025, over 70 countries, including France, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands, issued a joint statement reaffirming their unwavering support for the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has been sanctioned by the US for investigating alleged war crimes by Israel in the Gaza Strip.
According to Italy's justice minister, Carlo Nordio, Italy released Libyan officer Osama Elmasry Njeem due to errors and inaccuracies in the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant.
The International Criminal Court has launched an investigation into Italy's decision to deport Osama Njeem Almasri, the head of Libya's judicial police, despite the existence of an ICC warrant for Almasri's arrest. The deportation is being examined by the Court as potentially constituting an obstruction of justice under Article 70 of the Rome Statute.
On February 4, 2025, Amnesty International said that the U.S. reception of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, shows contempt for international justice.
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has welcomed the progress made in establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine within the framework of the Council of Europe.
On February 6, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court, blocking property and assets, and suspending entry into the United States of ICC officials, employees, and agents and their immediate family members.
International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan is seeking information on war crimes in eastern DRC amid renewed fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese forces.
On February 7, 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) granted the Arab League authorization to participate in advisory proceedings concerning Israel's obligations in occupied Palestinian territory.
On February 11, 2025, the Stockholm district court sentenced Lina Ishaq, a 52-year-old Swedish citizen, to 12 years in prison for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes for keeping Yazidi women and children as slaves at her home in Syria in 2015.
Despite the threats and aid cuts issued by the Trump administration, Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has stated that there is "no chance" South Africa could withdraw its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
