International Trade Law

WTO Members pursue convergence for an IP COVID-19 response

At a meeting of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) on 13-14 October 2021, WTO members noted encouraging exchanges at recent small group discussions and bilateral meetings which helped to identify points of convergence on how to provide a common intellectual property (IP) response to COVID-19. To know more, click here.

India re-elected to UN Human Rights Council for 6th term

India was re-elected to the U.N. Human Rights Council for the 2022-24 term on 13^th October with an overwhelming majority in the General Assembly, with New Delhi’s envoy describing the election as a “robust endorsement” of the country’s strong roots in democracy, pluralism and fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. To know more about the story, click here and here.

WTO issues new edition of “Trade Profiles”

The profiles include a breakdown of exports and imports of each economy as well as their main trading partners. The cut-off point for the data included in the publication is 13 August 2021. For merchandise trade, major exports and imports are listed for both agricultural and non-agricultural products. For trade in services, a detailed breakdown is provided for transport, travel and other commercial services. Foreign Affiliate Statistics (FATS) and statistics on industrial property are also provided. The profiles are available for all WTO members and observers and for other selected economies. The data are presented in a two-page format for each economy, providing a concise overview of global trade. To read further, click here and here.

U.S. solar group seeking tariffs requested to maintain confidentiality

A U.S. solar group seeking import tariffs on panels made by Chinese companies in Southeast Asia identified its members to federal trade officials but asked to maintain public confidentiality, citing fears of retaliation by Beijing, according to a document the group filed with the Commerce Department on Wednesday. The filing by the group American Solar Manufacturers Against Chinese Circumvention (A-SMACC) is the latest development in a long-running clash between the small U.S. domestic solar manufacturing industry and a much larger contingent of U.S. solar project builders over Asian imports. To know more, click here and here.

International Criminal Law

ICC and France conclude Agreement on the Enforcement of Sentences

The International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) and the Government of the French Republic have concluded an Agreement on the Enforcement of Sentences. Under the agreement, persons convicted by the ICC may serve sentences of imprisonment in France if so, decided by the Court and accepted by the Government of the French Republic. To read further, click here and here.

ICC concludes confirmation of charges hearing in the Said case

The confirmation of charges hearing in the case of The Prosecutor v. Mahamat Said Abdel Kani concluded before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC), composed of Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala (Presiding judge), Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua and Judge Tomoko Akane. The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is for the judges to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the suspect committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, in full or in part, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings. To know more, click here.

Edited by Kirti Vardhan Singh