All articles tagged with #international law
China denounces the US’s widened sanctions on Iran as illegal unilateral measures and pledges to defend its interests, signaling it will shield its ties with Tehran within international law while warning that any financial partner of Iran risks isolation, as Washington pushes ahead with what it calls an 'economic D-Day' before Xi–Trump talks.
The US Southern Command says it conducted a lethal strike on a low-profile vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing two men it labels narco-traffickers as part of a year-long campaign against drug trafficking at sea. The operation, which critics say lacks publicly verifiable evidence of drug involvement, follows a broader pattern of similar strikes that have destroyed boats and resulted in dozens of casualties and ongoing search-and-rescue efforts. International bodies and humanitarian groups have questioned the legality and effectiveness of the campaign, while oversight reviews and victim-family investigations continue.
More than 100 former French and British diplomats publish an open letter urging France and the UK to jointly sanction Israel over occupation and settlements, arguing such measures are needed to uphold international law and preserve the possibility of a Palestinian state. They call for suspending trade agreements, halting arms transfers and military cooperation, banning trade with settlements, ensuring humanitarian access to Gaza, and pressuring both sides to respect rights, while noting the United States’ outsized influence.
Syria condemned an Israeli strike on the village of Beit Jinn near Damascus that wounded civilians, calling it a violation of sovereignty and international law; the attack was the second strike in about a week, with Israel saying it targeted a terrorist in the final stages of planning an imminent attack. The incident follows reports of another strike near the Turkish border and a rare U.S. rebuke, with comments about Turkey's involvement adding regional tension.
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen condemned U.S. sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, saying international courts must freely carry out their mandates and inviting Akane for talks to reaffirm support; Washington argues the ICC threatens sovereignty and aims to cripple the court, while the ICC warns that sanctions against judges, prosecutors and staff undermine the rule of law. Netanyahu welcomed the sanctions, branding the ICC a 'kangaroo court' and praising Rubio for emphasizing consequences.
The United States sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, accusing them of directing ICC investigations, arrests, or prosecutions without consent from states, as part of a campaign to curb what Washington calls a politicized court. Senator Marco Rubio framed the ICC as corrupt and urged member nations to withdraw; the move follows prior sanctions on other ICC officials and despite the US and Israel not recognizing ICC jurisdiction.
Trump said he would declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory after defeating Iran, but legal experts say sovereignty cannot be transferred by unilateral proclamation and UNCLOS norms apply; the strait sits in international waters and is currently affected by a U.S. naval blockade. Iran rejects the claim and emphasizes that the strait remains under Iranian control, while Tehran and Oman discuss management of traffic. Analysts warn the move is largely symbolic signaling rather than a feasible legal action, reflecting ongoing tensions and the broader difficulty of reopening the waterway.
Iran claims Qatar captured three Iranian pilots after two jets were downed in the early stage of the US-Iran war, with one pilot killed and Majid Kazemi’s body returned; Qatar denies any captives and says it contacted the pilots who did not respond; Iran has petitioned the ICRC, alleging violations of prisoners’ rights.
Russia’s Medvedev threatened dire consequences to Japan over its claim to the South Kuril Islands after Putin’s visit, as Tokyo reaffirmed the islands as Japanese territory; the WWII-era dispute continues to strain relations while Russia maintains control and Japan pushes for a stronger defense posture.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned Israeli settlers for besieging three Palestinian families in Qusra, calling them 'terrorists,' as UN and Palestinian authorities condemned the siege; the incident highlights ongoing settler violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank amid Israeli raids.
Eight of the world’s largest shipping associations urged the UN and IMO to oppose any compulsory tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, warning such charges would breach international navigation rights, set a dangerous precedent, and raise energy prices and inflation, harming global trade and livelihoods amid ongoing Gulf turmoil and Iran’s toll regime.
Canada said Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank is illegal under international law and urged de-escalation and civilian protection, prompting a sharp Israeli rebuttal accusing Ottawa of emboldening terror; the exchange comes amid rising West Bank violence, with the UN warning of surging settler attacks (about 190 in four months and potentially 2,000 this year) and 76 Palestinian deaths so far in 2026.
Iran’s foreign minister denounces Ukraine’s deadly Caspian Sea strike on an Iranian cargo vessel as a UN Charter violation and warns it cannot go unanswered, while Tehran summons Ukraine’s envoy and signals retaliation; Kyiv says it targeted Iranian-linked ships and a Russian warship, as Russia’s Lavrov calls for restraint and diplomacy continues with European partners.
The piece warns that Trump wants to dismantle the International Criminal Court 'brick by brick'—sanctioning officials, tightening scrutiny on nations accepting US aid, and even courting non-member powers—threatening international justice. It argues the ICC, despite flaws, serves as a crucial check on war crimes and genocide, and calls Western allies and donors to defend it against political pressure while noting past US ambivalence toward international law.
US officials warn travelers that cannabis is illegal to import or export across international borders, with Thailand’s new customs penalties up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to 500,000 baht (~$15,000). Although cannabis possession was decriminalized in 2022, importing or exporting cannabis without permission remains illegal. Experts urge travelers to research destination laws before trips, since international travel imposes strict drug laws even when cannabis is legal at home.