Monday 31 August 2015

Post summer update

The Folkrättscentrum is back after the summer vacation! This is our first post after the break, which coincides with the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Whilst we've been away, here's a few things that happened that might be of interest:
  • The Security Council passed a resolution establishing for one year a Joint Investigative Mechanism of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which would identify “to the greatest extent feasible” individuals, entities, groups or Governments perpetrating, organizing, sponsoring or otherwise involved in the use of chemicals as weapons in Syria.
  • In related news, UNESCO’sDirector-General Irina Bokova condemned the destruction of the temple of Palmyra is a war crime. The Security Council was also briefed on the use of sexual violence in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria (background to which can be found here).
  • The Swedish government have published a new strategy on terrorism
  • A peace accord has been signed in South Sudan. There have been reports that violence continues after the ceasefire, however.
  • The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights published a report on impunity and accountability in Darfur for 2014 based on information received from the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur 
  • Controversies and fresh allegations continue regarding accusations of sexual abuse by members of the UN peace mission in the Central African Republic. The Security Council had earlier in the month released a press statement on the sexual exploitation and abuse in CAR.
  • Serbia and Kosovo signed agreements furthering the normalisation of relations on energy, telecoms,establishment of the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities and the Freedom of Movement/Mitrovica Bridge. 

/ Sally
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