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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Chad
On 27 July 2026, Chad announced plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, the fourth African country since 2025 to begin the withdrawal process, following Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
On 17 July 2026, the Day of International Criminal Justice, the ICC President reaffirmed the Court's essential role in upholding the international rule of law, defending judicial independence, and pursuing accountability for victims of the world's gravest crimes. The Global Initiative Against Impunity (GIAI) marked the day by highlighting its impact across 28 priority country situations. More than 100 organizations and individuals from civil society urged the US administration to refrain from undermining the ICC's independence and functioning.
On 21 July 2026, Amnesty International called for an investigation into Pakistani air strikes on a Kabul drug rehabilitation center that killed at least 269 civilians in March, concluding that the strikes violated international humanitarian law and could amount to a war crime.
On 29 July 2026, Amnesty International found that armed groups in Mali's Gao region summarily killed at least 19 Malian soldiers following an ambush on 18 July, which would amount to war crimes, and called for an independent and impartial investigation.
On 30 July 2026, Amnesty International reported that India's continued arms exports to Israel could risk complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza, documenting at least 2,596 shipments of weapons and ammunition sent to Israeli military suppliers since 7 October 2023.
On 16 July 2026, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously confirmed all charges against Mr. Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri and committed him to trial, finding substantial grounds to believe he is responsible for 17 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
On 24 July 2026, States Parties to the International Criminal Court voted to dismiss Prosecutor Karim Khan, following disciplinary proceedings related to sexual misconduct allegations. On 27 July 2026, Reuters reported that the ICC faces a challenging search for a new prosecutor amid ongoing pressure.
On 23 July 2026, ICC Trial Chamber IV terminated the proceedings against Mr. Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain and vacated his arrest warrant, after authorizing the Prosecution to withdraw charges.
On 13 July 2026, the U.S. State Department launched a "whole-of-government" campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court, framing it as a threat to American sovereignty. On 14 July 2026, the European Union rejected this claim and reaffirmed its support for the Court's independence. Amnesty International condemned the campaign as "reprehensible," warning that it undermines the global fight against impunity. The UN Spokesperson reiterated that the ICC remains "a critical cog" in the global justice system.
On 2 July 2026, Human Rights Watch warned that the decision by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from the Rome Statute betrays victims, noting that all three military juntas face increasing international condemnation for atrocities committed by their security forces.
On 3 July 2026, human rights and press freedom organizations warned that the US-brokered Lebanon-Israel agreement betrays victims of war crimes in Lebanon, denying accountability for civilians killed in Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon amid a persistent vacuum of justice.
On 8 July 2026, the ICC's Deputy Prosecutor told the BBC that the Court had achieved a breakthrough in its investigation into the el-Fasher and el-Geneina massacres, finding evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Rapid Support Forces.
On 9 July 2026, Amnesty International called for Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon that killed 24 civilians, including 12 children, to be investigated as war crimes, and urged states to impose an immediate comprehensive arms embargo on Israel.
On 11 July 2026, thousands gathered in Srebrenica to commemorate 31 years since the Srebrenica genocide, honoring the victims of the 1995 massacre and burying 10 newly identified victims.
On 15 July 2026, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) and the Taxpayers Alliance Against Genocide (TAAG) filed a lawsuit arguing that US sanctions on the ICC violate Americans' constitutional right to engage in Palestine-related human rights advocacy.
