International Human Rights

UK court rules that Julian Assange can be extradited to the US

After Washington won an appeal in the English court, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is a step closer to facing criminal charges in the US for one of the largest ever leaks of classified information. Assange was arrested in connection with the 2010 and 2011 release of highly classified US military records and diplomatic cables revealing wrongdoing and double-dealing of the United States with officials in other countries. To read more, click here and here.

UK Government accuses Israel of violation of International Law

According to the latest Conflict, Stability, and Security Fund (CSSF) report, Israeli settlement expansion and demolitions of Palestinian structures violate international law for all but the most exceptional circumstances. According to the yearly report, Israel jeopardises the stability and effectiveness of a negotiated two-state solution. To read more, click here and here.

UNHRC sets up probe to look into the Ethiopian Crisis

Despite Ethiopia’s objections, the United Nations Human Rights Council voted on December 17 to create a panel of experts to report on violations of human rights during Ethiopia’s war. The panel has been asked to investigate possible war crimes in Ethiopia.  Western observers viewed Ethiopia’s Human Rights Commission and the United Nations Human Rights Office as insufficient, while Ethiopian officials have objected to the west’s “neocolonialist mentality.” To read more, click here and here.

International Trade Law

Australia and the UK sign a Free Trade Agreement 

The United Kingdom (UK) and Australia have signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which would lift tariffs on almost all the Australian goods being exported and at the same time cut the import duty for UK exports of products such as cars, cosmetics, and alcohol. This agreement is said to be the UK’s first historic agreement since they left the European Union (EU) as the trade between the two countries amounts to $26.79 Billion which may increase further. To read more, click here and here.