Human Rights 

United Nations criticizes USA after it expels Haitian migrants

On Thursday, the United Nations (UN) called upon countries to refrain from expelling Haitian migrants without properly determining whether they are refugees or not. This was done after the United States of America expelled several Haitian migrants using a health law known as Title-42. After this, Mexico followed suit and deported 70 Haitian migrants as well. To read more, click here, here and here.  

Law of the Sea

ICA to hear the Ukraine vs Russia UNCLOS dispute in October

The International Court of Arbitration (ICA) is expected to hold a hearing in the Hague on October 11, 2021. The hearing is concerned with the Ukraine v. Russia dispute relating to the seizure of Ukrainian Navy Boats and capture of their crew near the Kerch Strait in November 2018. To read more, click here and here. 

Conflict and Security 

Russia urges calm between Tajikistan and Afghanistan

Russia urged both Afghanistan and Tajikistan to reduce the ongoing tension at their border. According to reports, several soldiers have been deployed by both the countries. This comes after the president of Tajikistan, Emomali Rakhmon refused to recognize the Taliban government and accused them of human rights abuses. To read more, click here and here.

International Trade Law 

USA seeks to terminate India’s pulses import restrictions

The United States of America (USA) has stated that India should terminate the restrictions placed on pulses imports. Further, it also asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to settle a date when India would end the restrictions that it has placed upon the import pulses. At the same time, Russia, Canada, the European Union (EU), Australia as well as Ukraine have also questioned the restrictions that were placed by India. India defended the same by stating that these restrictions were temporary and not prohibitive in nature. To read more, click here. 

Head of WTO rumoured to resign soon

After heading the World Trade Organization (WTO) for seven month, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the trade body is rumoured to resign soon due to lack of progress in rebooting the failing organization. The predecessor of Okonjo-Iweala, Roberto Azevedo had cited a similar reasoning while resigning from the post. To read more click here and here. 

India and Australia expected to finalise CECA by 2022

India and Australia have vowed to sign their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which is officially known as Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) by the end of 2022. Further, an interim deal will be finalised by Christmas. The negotiations for a FTA have been going on since 2011. It is expected that this agreement would double the trade between the two countries. To read more, click here and here.