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Belarus using justice system to silence Lukashenko critics, say UN experts

Belarus using justice system to silence Lukashenko critics, say UN experts

By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Belarusian state institutions have worked together to repress critics of President Alexander Lukashenko's government through every stage of the justice system since 2020, including arrests, imprisonment and surveillance, U.N. experts said on Tuesday.

Alex Saab, ally of Venezuela's Maduro, to change plea in US corruption case

Alex Saab, ally of Venezuela's Maduro, to change plea in US corruption case

Sept 15 (Reuters) - A Colombian-born businessman with close ties to ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is expected on Tuesday to enter a new plea in a U.S. corruption case, as federal prosecutors prepare separately to take Maduro to trial next year.

Trump's envoy meets Lukashenko for new talks on Belarus prisoner releases

Trump's envoy meets Lukashenko for new talks on Belarus prisoner releases

By Mark Trevelyan Sept 15 (Reuters) - U.S. presidential envoy John Coale met Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday for their first talks in six months, as Washington pushes for the release of more political prisoners in return for easing sanctions.

Trump envoy Coale arrives in Belarus for new talks on prisoner releases

Trump envoy Coale arrives in Belarus for new talks on prisoner releases

Sept 15 (Reuters) - U.S. envoy John Coale, tasked by President Donald Trump with negotiating the release of political prisoners in Belarus, returned to Minsk on Tuesday for his first talks in six months with President Alexander Lukashenko.

Alex Saab, ally of Venezuela's Maduro, pleads guilty in US corruption case

Alex Saab, ally of Venezuela's Maduro, pleads guilty in US corruption case

By Luc Cohen and Jonathan Stempel Sept 15 (Reuters) - A Colombian-born businessman with close ties to ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded guilty on Tuesday in a U.S. corruption case, as federal prosecutors prepare separately to take Maduro to trial next year.

Venezuela opposition leader Machado weighs return home amid US reticence

Venezuela opposition leader Machado weighs return home amid US reticence

Sept 16 (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado faces a growing dilemma over when to return home from abroad to rally support amid reticence from the Trump administration about her homecoming, four opposition sources and two political analysts said.

Poll shows rising trust in global institutions, less comfort with US as global leader

Poll shows rising trust in global institutions, less comfort with US as global leader

By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - A new poll of over 35,000 people worldwide shows continued support for global cooperation and rising trust in international institutions, but less comfort with the United States or China taking leadership roles. In fact, many view both as a threat.

Congresista Mario Díaz-Balart Condemns Arbitrary Detentions and Harassment in Venezuela

Congresista Mario Díaz-Balart Condemns Arbitrary Detentions and Harassment in Venezuela

U.S. Republican Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart has condemned the ongoing arbitrary detentions and selective intimidation tactics against civil society in Venezuela. His statement follows the arbitrary detention of human rights defender Óscar Morales López by the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) in Maripérez, and acts of harassment by armed civilians near the U.S. diplomatic mission in Caracas. Morales López was detained after participating in a peaceful demonstration organized by the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (Clippve) and was held incommunicado for several hours before his release due to pressure from NGOs and legal groups. His daughter, student leader Itani Morales, reported that the state's repressive structure remains intact despite official narratives of institutional normalization. These incidents, including the documented siege in Valle Arriba where families of political prisoners were intimidated by armed motorcyclists, highlight a pattern of coercion against those advocating ...

Belarus' authoritarian leader meets US envoy to push for lifting sanctions

Belarus' authoritarian leader meets US envoy to push for lifting sanctions

Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko has met with a U.S. envoy to push for the lifting of the remaining U.S. sanctions against his country

Spanish Government Authorizes €84 Million in Voluntary Contributions to 124 International Entities, Including International Crisis Group

Spanish Government Authorizes €84 Million in Voluntary Contributions to 124 International Entities, Including International Crisis Group

The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved voluntary contributions totaling 83,778,707.19 euros to 124 international organizations, programs, funds, and other international entities. This decision, made on Tuesday, encompasses a wide range of beneficiaries, including humanitarian, security, and development organizations. Among the recipients is the International Crisis Group, an independent organization dedicated to preventing and resolving deadly conflicts. Other notable beneficiaries include various United Nations offices and programs such as UNHCR, UN Women, UNICEF, and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, as well as regional bodies like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union. The authorized funds will support diverse initiatives globally, from human rights and migration policies to peacekeeping and disarmament efforts.

France apologises for human rights criticism that sparked US walkout

France apologises for human rights criticism that sparked US walkout

PARIS, Sept 13 (Reuters) - France's mission to the United Nations in Geneva has said it "regrets" criticising the United States over human rights in a social media post that triggered a diplomatic dispute which has delayed the arrival of a new French ambassador in Washington.

ICSPR Issues Policy Paper on Israel's Legal Obligations and Pathways to International Accountability

ICSPR Issues Policy Paper on Israel's Legal Obligations and Pathways to International Accountability

The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) has released a policy paper detailing Israel's legal obligations as an occupying power towards civilians and infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The paper also outlines pathways to activate international legal tools to ensure accountability for alleged violations. ICSPR asserts that Israel's continued evasion of its legal and moral obligations, despite international instruments like the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and the Hague Regulations of 1907, has led to a significant gap between international legal rules and their enforcement. The paper highlights ongoing issues such as killings, widespread destruction, arbitrary detention, forcible displacement, siege, and obstruction of humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip. It stresses that systematic deprivation of food, medicine, water, and fuel, and the use of starvation as a pressure tactic, constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and collectiv...