International: Human Rights Council adopts resolution condemning “outrageous attack” by Israeli forces

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a second arrest warrant for Omar Al-Bashir, President of Sudan, for three counts of genocide, a measure which will increase the already mounting international pressure on his regime. This is the first time the ICC, which has jurisdiction over international crimes committed in Darfur, has issued an arrest warrant for genocide. The three counts of genocide under the warrant entail genocide by killing (article 6-a of the Rome Statute of the ICC 1998), genocide by causing serious bodily or mental harm (article 6-b) and genocide by deliberately inflicting on each target group conditions of life calculated to bring about the group's physical destruction (article 6-c).

The first arrest warrant for President Bashir was issued in March 2009, charging the leader with war crimes and crimes against humanity - making it the first warrant issued by the ICC for a sitting head of state.

To view further details of the arrest warrant against President Bashir, click here.

The UN International Court of Justice has issued a non-binding ruling that Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008 was not in violation of international law. This finding, which was in response to Serbia's claim that the declaration of independence was a "flagrant violation" of its territorial integrity, could have significant consequences for regions seeking greater autonomy around the world. Many western states including the US recognized the 2008 declaration of independence, with Serbia and its ally Russia rejecting it.

Following the ruling, Serbia has now submitted a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly stating that "unilateral secession cannot be an acceptable way of resolving territorial issues". The statement further calls on "all the parties involved to find a mutually accepted solution . . . through peaceful dialogue in the interest of peace, security and co-operation in the region".

To view the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ from 22 July 2010, finding the declaration of independence of Kosovo adopted in 2008 to not violate international law, please follow this link.

Spain has become the first European country to become party to a new UN Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which will provide for a complaints mechanism in relation to infringements to various rights under the Convention, including the right to adequate housing, food, water, health and education, amongst others.

The Protocol was adopted by the UN General Assembly by consensus on 10 December 2008 and was opened for ratification in September 2009. It can only come into force after 10 countries have ratified it. In addition to Spain, Ecuador and Mongolia have ratified the Protocol, whilst 32 other countries have taken the first step by signing it, therefore indicating a willingness to be bound by it. These include Kazakhstan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).Eight other EU states- Belgium, Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia- have signed the Protocol, although Ireland has not yet to date. It is hoped that Spain's declaration of commitment to realising economic and social rights will not only set an example but will also be followed by many other countries, including Ireland, and encourage them to ratify, or at the very least sign the Protocol.