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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Iran
On 14 January 2026, Amnesty International reported unprecedented mass killings of protesters in Iran since 8 January committed by the country's security forces. The organization urges UN member states to take coordinated action, establish international justice mechanisms, and call on the Security Council to refer the situation in Iran to the International Criminal Court.
On 8 January 2026, the Executive Director of MADRE, an international human rights organization, explained that sustained ICC action is needed to secure justice for women, girls, and LGBTQI+ persons in Afghanistan who are targeted with gender persecution in Afghanistan.
On 7 January 2026, United Nations experts condemned the United States' military actions against Venezuela as a grave violation of international law and a threat to regional stability. They stressed the need for states to uphold international law to maintain a democratic and equitable international order.
On 12 January 2026, Human Rights Watch urged states to explicitly address children's concerns in the draft text of a crimes against humanity treaty during discussions at the United Nations in New York from 19 to 30 January 2026, to ensure that the convention will protect children's rights.
On 12 January 2026, the International Court of Justice opened hearings in the landmark case filed by The Gambia accusing Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya. The trial is expected to set precedents on the legal definition of genocide and state accountability. It will also be the first time that Rohingya victims will be heard by an international court.
