The International Law and Human Rights Program prepares this update on International Justice for informational purposes only. Any opinions expressed in articles contained in this update are not necessarily endorsed by PGA or any individual/s associated with PGA; nor does PGA or any individual/s associated with PGA vouch for the accuracy of the contents of these articles.
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On October 27, 2025, Human Rights Watch and the Prevention of Crimes Against Humanity Project at Columbia Law School released a new briefing paper for UN delegations, offering recommendations on the International Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. Delegations are preparing for formal treaty negotiations in January 2026.
On October 19, 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated in an interview with Bloomberg that Canada would enforce the ICC arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu if he were to travel to Canada.
On October 27, 2025, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas stated that the international legal order is under "assault" and that the EU is exploring options to support the International Criminal Court. Kallas also noted that, despite Hungary's intended withdrawal from the ICC, it remains legally bound by the Council's decision to support the court.
On October 16, 2025, human rights lawyers filed a request with the ICC to investigate 122 European officials for crimes against humanity for their cooperation with Libya which have led to migrant deaths and abuses in the Mediterranean. The legal team submitted a 700-page brief based on six years of investigation.
On October 28, 2025, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese presented a report at the UN General Assembly accusing 63 states of complicity in the genocide in Gaza. Albanese condemned the moral and political failures of the international community and called for a new form of multilateralism that prioritizes rights and dignity for all.
On October 31, 2025, emerging evidence, satellite imagery, and survivor accounts of systematic killings in el-Fasher, Sudan, reveal patterns of ethnic violence reminiscent of past atrocities during the Darfur genocide. Despite international outrage, activists warn that accountability has been lacking, and that urgent action is needed to protect civilians.
On October 23, 2025, the International Commission of Jurists and various partner organizations urged African States to actively engage in the negotiations for the draft Crimes Against Humanity Treaty. Their statement emphasized Africa's role in shaping the treaty and ensuring that the rights of victims are upheld.
On October 17, 2025, the ICC rejected Israel’s appeal to cancel arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant, ruling that “the issue, as framed by Israel, is not subject to appeal.”
On October 22, 2025, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion instructing Israel to permit humanitarian aid into Gaza and denouncing the blocking of UN agencies' aid as a breach of international obligations.
On October 23, 2025, ICC judges rejected former Philippines president Duterte’s challenge to the Court’s jurisdiction, allowing proceedings against him to continue. The judges clarified that withdrawal from the ICC does not shield suspects from ongoing investigations.
On October 27, 2025, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine presented a new report detailing Russia's systematic targeting of Ukrainian civilians through drone attacks and war crimes, constituting crimes against humanity.
On October 6, 2025, the International Criminal Court convicted Janjaweed leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman of 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur, Sudan, between August 2003 and April 2004. Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan called the conviction a significant step toward closing the impunity gap in Darfur, praising the bravery of the thousands of victims who sought justice.
On October 13, 2025, the EU announced €10 million in funding to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The EU will also increase Ukraine's combat power with €2 billion for drones and expand the mandate of its civilian mission in Ukraine to include cyber defense and veteran support.
On October 7, 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed that she had been reported to the International Criminal Court for alleged complicity in genocide in Gaza. Two ministers have also been reported to the court.
On October 8, 2025, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that civil society organizations and human rights defenders in Myanmar are calling for accountability and an end to decades of impunity amid a worsening crisis in the country. At the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva and a high-level conference on the situation of the Rohingyas at the UN General Assembly in New York, three distinguished human rights defenders from Myanmar urged the international community to take concrete steps to pursue justice and restore peace, dignity, and human rights.
On October 9, 2025, the UN Human Rights Chief condemned the ongoing killings and injuries to civilians in El Fasher, Sudan. He urged the RSF and all parties to the conflict to draw lessons from the recent ICC conviction of Ali Kushayb for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and UN Member States to take immediate action to protect civilians and prevent further atrocities.
On October 9, 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution addressing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan following recent deadly earthquakes. The resolution calls for increased humanitarian relief, condemns the Taliban's gender-based restrictions against women and girls, calls on the EU to recognize gender apartheid as a crime against humanity, and urges the international community to hold the Taliban accountable.
On October 6, 2025, the UN Human Rights Council extended its mandate to gather evidence on war crimes in Sri Lanka for a minimum of two more years. Despite the efforts of successive Sri Lankan governments to block accountability, the resolution offers victims and their families hope that justice will be delivered.
On October 8, 2025, legal scholars emphasized the importance of labelling Israel's mass atrocities against Palestinians as genocide, given the associated legal and political implications. Legal scholars believe this term accurately describes the Israeli campaign, with some Israeli supporters admitting the country has committed war crimes in Gaza.
On October 10, 2025, ICC judges rejected former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's request for release from detention, citing flight risk concerns. Duterte is accused of crimes against humanity for his deadly anti-drugs crackdowns. The judges stated that Duterte has the necessary political contacts to help him abscond and could pose a threat to witnesses.
On October 14, 2025, ICC appeals judges disqualified chief prosecutor Karim Khan from the war crimes case against former Philippines President Duterte due to a potential conflict of interest. The defense claimed Khan's previous involvement in communications with victims of Duterte's drug war constituted a conflict of interest.
On October 14, 2025, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that the International Court of Justice genocide case against Israel will continue despite the Gaza ceasefire. The ICJ has issued three provisional measures, ordering Israel to prevent genocidal acts and to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, Israel has largely failed to comply.
