Weekly update: 10 April – 17 April 2023
The following media round up on international and foreign policy issues from around the world for the period of 10 April to 17 April 2023.
Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates from the International Criminal Court, European Court of Human Rights, United Nations, European Union and other sources. Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration.
SUDAN - 16 APRIL 2023
The Independent, ‘Sudan: More than 50 civilians killed amid fighting between army and paramilitaries’
At least 56 people have died in Sudan after the military and a powerful paramilitary group battled for control of the nation for a second day on Sunday, 16 April, according to a doctor’s group. Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate said around 600 people were wounded and that it believed there were dozens of additional deaths among the rival forces. Tensions have delayed a deal with political parties to get the country back to its transition to democracy, which was hindered by a military coup in October 2021.’
See here: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/sudan-deaths-army-paramilitary-fighting-b2320618.html
SUDAN - 16 APRIL 2023
Sky News, ‘Sudan: Why has violence erupted, who are the RSF and where are the army and paramilitary fighting?’
‘Violent clashes in Sudan erupted out of escalating tensions and a long-running tussle for power. Sky News looks at what you need to know about why and where the clashes are happening.’
MYANMAR - 11 APRIL 2023
Reuters, ‘At least 40 killed in Myanmar military air attacks’
‘Witnesses and news reports say air raids by fighter aircraft and attack helicopters hit the Sagaing area, which is known for its opposition to military rule.’
See here: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/11/dozens-killed-and-wounded-in-myanmar-military-air-attacks
USA (UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY) - 13 APRIL 2023
UN Press Release, ’Codifying Draft Articles on Crimes against Humanity into International Convention Entirely in Hands of Member States, Senior Legal Officer Tells Sixth Committee’
'Sierra Leone’s delegate underscored: “We know serious political opposition to reparations for colonialism and slavery remains among the countries that benefited the most from both.” Spotlighting the intertemporal principle, he noted numerous States have appealed to the non-retroactive application of international law to deny that they have a legal obligation to provide reparations. However, racial discrimination rooted in colonialism and slavery that occurred after each had been outlawed cannot be subject to the intertemporal bar.’
ISRAEL/PALESTINE/USA - 14 APRIL 2023
Al Jazeera, ‘Congress members urge probe into use of US weapons by Israel’
‘In letter to Biden, 14 Democrats call for ensuring that ‘US taxpayer funds’ to Israel do not support rights abuses.’
RUSSIA/UKRAINE - 16 APRIL 2023
Deutsche Welle, 'Russia: Wagner chief calls for end of Ukraine war in blog post’
‘Yevgeny Prigozhin said the 'ideal option' would be the end of Russia's war in Ukraine’
CHINA/TAIWAN - 14 APRIL 2023
POLITICO, ‘Germany’s Baerbock warns China that war over Taiwan would be a ‘horror scenario’’
‘A unilateral and violent change in the status quo would not be acceptable to us as Europeans,’ the foreign minister says.’
See here: https://www.politico.eu/article/taiwan-china-war-germany-annalena-baerbock-horror-scenario/
NIGERIA - 14 APRIL 2023
Amnesty International, ‘Nigeria: Nine years after Chibok girls’ abducted, authorities failing to protect children’
‘Nine years after Boko Haram abducted 276 students from a girls’ school in Chibok, 98 girls are still being held by Boko Haram and a slew of abductions have taken place since, revealing the utter failure of the Nigerian authorities to learn from the heartbreak of Chibok and, ultimately, to protect children, Amnesty International said today.’
MEXICO/USA - 13 APRIL 2023
Reuters, ‘US, Mexico agree to ramp up fight against fentanyl and arms trafficking’
‘Mexico and the United States on Thursday agreed to ramp up the fight against fentanyl trafficking, as well as Mexico's Sinaloa and CJNG drug cartels and their supply chains, in joint bid to reduce consumption of the powerful opioid. The deal came after a meeting of officials from both countries in Washington.
Both countries have in recent weeks asked China to help curb the shipment of precursor chemicals coming from the Asian country, in order to prevent production of the synthetic drug responsible for thousands of deaths in the United States.’
SYRIA - 14 APRIL 2023
Al Jazeera, ‘Arab nations discuss Syria return to Arab League in Saudi Arabia’
‘Discussions in Jeddah will include Syria’s suspension from the Arab League following a crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011. Delegates from nine Arab nations are meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss the possibility of normalising relations with Syria and its return to the Arab League. Ministers and top officials from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – along with those of Egypt, Iraq and Jordan were to meet on Friday at Saudi Arabia’s request.’
FIJI - 16 APRIL 2023
Fiji Village, ‘Fiji government reaffirms support for the Indo-Pacific Strategy’
See here: https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Fiji-government-reaffirms-support-for-the-Indo-Pacific-Strategy-8f5r4x/