The first permanent international court, based in The Hague, established by the Rome Statute in 2002.
President Donald Trump has announced that Hamas has agreed to a 15-point roadmap for phased disarmament and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza overseen by a US-led Board of Peace and an International Stabilization Force. Mediators and Hamas say implementation will link weapons decommissioning to Israeli pullback; Israeli officials insist no withdrawal will occur without full demilitarisation. Violence has continued on the ground.
The ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu has prompted New York City’s mayor to urge federal action, while the prime minister seeks to address the UN General Assembly. Polls show mixed public opinion on arrest calls in the US, and Netanyahu is pressing on with plans to travel to New York.
Israel has approved new legislation to try Oct. 7 attackers in a special military court, with a livestreamed tribunal, three-judge panels, and possible death sentences for genocide or related crimes. The law expands to include others charged with crimes against the Jewish people, war crimes and crimes against humanity, and bars prisoner exchanges for those convicted. Trials will be public, with remotely participating defendants and an appeals process.
Israeli settlers have been attacking Palestinians across the West Bank, displacing communities, injuring and killing civilians and vandalising property; Israeli authorities have charged at least one suspected attacker, while the ICC has been preparing arrest-warrant applications against Israeli ministers for alleged crimes including forced displacement and apartheid. (As of 24 May 2026.)
The US Treasury has listed UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese under an "International Criminal Court-related Designation Removal" after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking earlier sanctions. The Trump administration has appealed and the State Department has said it intends to restore her designation if the court reverses the injunction.
UN rights expert Francesca Albanese has challenged US sanctions that barred her from entering the US and accessing financial systems after she criticized Israel’s Gaza war. A federal judge has ruled the sanctions may infringe First Amendment protections, with implications for her work and funding. The development follows ongoing legal battles involving her husband and daughter.
Russia has named Yana Lantratova as human rights ombudswoman, succeeding Tatiana Moskalkova. Her nomination is backed by the Kremlin-aligned United Russia party. Independent observers describe her as a new, younger figure within the system. The appointment follows scrutiny over alleged involvement in transferring Ukrainian children during occupation.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said he was informed of an ICC arrest-warrant request and has ordered the immediate evacuation of the Palestinian Bedouin community Khan al-Ahmar. The ICC has not confirmed any new warrants; Israeli security bodies and courts will determine if and when the order takes effect.
The International Criminal Court has begun pretrial hearings for Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a Libyan former militia commander accused of 17 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes linked to detention centres in Mitiga prison near Tripoli between 2015 and 2020. The proceedings will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to a full trial.
Israel has intercepted the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters and detained about 430 activists. National security minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir has posted footage showing bound activists kneeling while he taunts them; the video has provoked condemnation from multiple governments, Israeli ministers and rights groups, and rapid deportations of the detainees.
Palestinian Bedouin community Khan al-Ahmar faces a looming evacuation order after Israel’s far-right finance minister Smotrich has said he is coordinating steps to expel residents, pending cabinet approval. He claims the ICC is seeking an arrest warrant, a claim denied by the ICC; residents fear demolition and displacement amid broader settlement expansion in Area C.
The Philippine civilian Truth and Reconciliation Commission has launched to document killings in Duterte’s anti-drug crackdown, which ICC warrants target Duterte ally Ronald Dela Rosa and others. The commission aims to collect testimonies, produce an evidence-based record, and steer accountability, healing, and reform.
Since late May, the EU and several Western allies have imposed travel bans, asset freezes and targeted national sanctions on Israeli settlers, settler organisations and some far-right ministers over record settlement expansion and rising settler violence in the West Bank. Britain, France, Canada, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and others are coordinating measures to disrupt financing for extremist settler groups.
France has barred Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering its territory, citing his actions toward passengers on the Global Sumud Flotilla. The decision comes amid global reaction to a video showing Ben-Gvir taunting flotilla detainees, which drew condemnation from foreign leaders and even Netanyahu’s coalition partner.
Canada has pressed Israel for an independent investigation into the mistreatment of activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla. Ottawa has also reaffirmed its opposition to Israeli settlement expansion and West Bank violence, amid reports of abuse and detentions in international waters.
Hungary has moved to rescind its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, a change driven by a new government that has submitted fast-track legislation to rejoin. Parliament has approved the measure, and it now awaits a presidential signature. The ICC had previously urged compliance after Hungary failed to arrest a wanted leader during a visit.
The International Criminal Court has charged former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity over the killings during his anti-drug crackdown. Duterte has waived attendance and remains in The Hague, with prosecutors detailing deaths that exceed thousands during 2016–2022. The court has noted health concerns but has allowed participation with adjusted sitting times.
The United States has reimposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, returning her to the ICC-related designation list after a brief removal that followed a federal judge’s injunction. The move comes as appeals processes continue to play out.
President Donald Trump has confirmed he angrily confronted Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recent phone call over Israel's strikes in Lebanon, saying he told Netanyahu to stop. Trump has insisted the pair still have a strong relationship while US-mediated talks with Iran are continuing and fighting in Lebanon remains active.
The Times of Israel reports that a defamation suit against The New York Times is being considered, following a May article alleging sexual abuse by Israeli authorities in detention. Legal experts say any suit would be difficult, with US standards on defamation and potential discovery risk. Israel's government remains tight-lipped about the process.
Germany has failed to win a rotating United Nations Security Council seat, scoring 104 votes against Portugal's 134 and Austria's 131 in the General Assembly vote on 3–4 June 2026. The result is prompting sharp criticism at home and government statements that Russia and Germany's positions on Ukraine and Israel have cost votes.
Palestinian athletes, including Rand Halawani, are detained by Israeli authorities in Jerusalem after protests; some are released with house arrest as investigations continue. The Palestinian Football Association condemns the detentions as part of a broader pattern targeting Palestinian athletes, while international observers note ongoing rights concerns.
The ICCs oversight bureau has suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan and referred him to disciplinary proceedings after finding he had committed serious misconduct. The bureau has sent the case to the Assembly of States Parties, which will hold a special session to decide whether to remove him; Khan denies wrongdoing and will challenge the decision.
President Donald Trump has intervened to stop a major Israeli strike on Iran and has publicly rebuked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for continuing heavy operations in Lebanon. The intervention has strained a once-close US–Israeli relationship and has complicated US-led negotiations for a ceasefire and a limited nuclear agreement with Tehran. Tensions have erupted during talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ahead of Israeli elections.
Kenya is weighing formal investigations into RSF crimes abroad under universal jurisdiction, following a 12-victim complaint detailing torture, sexual violence and killings around Khartoum between 2023 and 2025. The filing marks a historic use of Kenya’s legal framework and could set a precedent for accountability beyond borders.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar has unveiled "Operation Cleansing Fire," a package of constitutional, judicial and institutional reforms designed to remove Viktor Orbán’s allies, create a new anti‑corruption office and replace President Tamás Sulyok. Magyar is racing to meet EU rule‑of‑law milestones that would unlock €16.4bn in frozen funds and is preparing a September constitutional review and referendum.
Trump has announced a preliminary deal to end Iran’s war and is pursuing talks to halt hostilities in Ukraine and Lebanon. The breakthrough comes as the G7 meets in France, amid warnings over tariffs, NATO tensions and regional instability.
Bozizé is facing trial in Bangui in absentia for crimes by his security forces tied to Bossembele abuses; three former officers are in pre-trial detention. The Special Criminal Court is pursuing allegations of murder, torture and rape linked to the presidential guard and other security forces.
The Philippines’ Senate has shifted leadership ahead of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, with Sherwin Gatchalian securing the presidency of the chamber after a bloc allied with him gains a majority. The move follows months of intra-chamber discord tied to broader clashes between Duterte and Marcos and potential ICC actions.
Israel's election campaign intensifies as Netanyahu's governing coalition faces internal strains, coalition dissolution, and public scrutiny over the Gaza war and regional security. The race is set against Netanyahu's long tenure, an ICC warrant, and shifting U.S. ties, with polls suggesting potential changes in government.
The ICC's executive bureau has found that Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan engaged in a serious misconduct and a serious breach of duty and should be removed. A vote by the Assembly of States Parties on his fate is scheduled for July 24 in New York. Khan denies the allegations.
A UN independent commission has found evidence that Palestinian children have been deliberately targeted by Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank, with about 20,179 children killed in Gaza between Oct 2023 and Oct 2025, constituting roughly 30% of child fatalities. Israel rejects the report, while UNICEF notes ongoing child casualties since the ceasefire. The commission says the attacks amount to genocide and crimes against humanity.
Niger has initiated the withdrawal from the Rome Statute, becoming the third country to leave the ICC after Burundi and the Philippines. The move follows a 2023 military coup and signals growing regional tensions over international justice mechanisms amid shifting alliances with Russia and mounting security challenges in the Sahel.
Eight Utumishi Girls Academy students face 16 counts of murder over the May dormitory fire that killed 16 pupils. The case is before Kibera Law Courts, with mental assessments planned and arson suspected. Investigations continue as national debate on school safety intensifies.
EU proposals seek to extend temporary protections for Ukrainians in Europe, aiming to balance Ukraine’s defense needs with humanitarian duties. The plan could tighten rules on new arrivals while testing support for those returning home; rights groups warn of potential risks to displaced people.
De la Espriella has won the runoff by under a point and pledges to restore Colombia's ties with the United States and Israel, reversing Petro-era policies amid rising violence.
Israel has moved to recognise the Armenian genocide in a cabinet-backed proposal, a measure that still requires Knesset ratification. The move comes as Israel-Turkey ties deteriorate over Israel’s Gaza war, with commentators calling it a cynical bid to pressure Ankara. Several European and regional voices have weighed in on the implications for regional diplomacy.
The Times of Israel, Axios, Al Jazeera and other outlets report on a forthcoming White House meeting between Netanyahu and Trump, as they reaffirm shared goals on Iran. Trump has publicly asserted control over talks while Netanyahu emphasizes a strong US-Israel alliance. A NATO summit and ongoing ceasefire negotiations frame the context for possible joint actions and strategy.
Rights groups warn the US-brokered Lebanon-Israel framework agreement could block victims from pursuing accountability for war crimes, with Clause 3 and Clause 13 cited as limiting access to international courts. Lebanese officials defend sovereignty while thousands remain displaced. The debate centers on accountability, justice and the future path to peace.
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has begun in Manila. Police have deployed around the Senate as pro- and anti-Duterte demonstrators gather. Duterte denies wrongdoing and has appeared via counsel, with the outcome potentially barring her from future office and shaping the 2028 race.
Lebanese Christian village leaders have rejected Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that some southern Lebanon villages asked to be annexed by Israel. They say the claim is false and aimed at inflaming sectarian tensions. Officials emphasise safety, dignity and loyalty to Lebanon amid ongoing Israel-Hezbollah hostilities.
Colombia’s president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has suspended the transition with incumbent President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of planning a coup. Petro denies fraud and international observers have praised the vote. The new cabinet is being announced as tensions rise over governance, oil policy, and the future of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
Saudi Arabia has championed an international pledge to empower women in cybersecurity and strengthen cooperation on cyber policy at a UN Human Rights Council session. The resolution, submitted by Riyadh’s Geneva mission, builds on a 2020 crown prince initiative and aims to boost participation, skills development and safe digital environments worldwide.
The UN Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan has found that the RSF’s siege of El Fasher in Darfur, and related abuses, include killings, mass rape and deliberate starvation. The findings build on February’s report and warn that similar patterns are emerging around El Obeid as RSF forces mass around the city. Leaders say the international community must act to prevent further catastrophe.
UK Labour leader-in-waiting Andy Burnham has apologised for Labour’s initial Gaza response, saying the UK must press Israel harder and consider sanctions and a ban on settlements. He reframes Labour’s position as it readies him to lead the party, while stressing accountability for war crimes and protection of civilians.
EU discussions on curbing trade with Israeli settlements face deep division over ban, tariffs, or licensing. Several member states have already imposed or considered unilateral measures amid rising settlement activity and calls for accountability under international law. The debate follows new data on settlement expansion and international rulings.
A roundup of how AI openness debates, OpenAI leadership views, and the legal battles over social media's impact on youth are shaping tech policy and the public conversation.
The Port Sudan court has convicted RSF leader Daglo (Hemedti) and 15 other senior RSF figures of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in absentia. The ruling also targets RSF assets and seeks Interpol notices for arrest. The case centers on the June 2023 killings in El Geneina and related atrocities against the Masalit community. The verdict marks the first conviction of RSF leadership since the conflict began in 2023.
The United States has launched a broad campaign to isolate the International Criminal Court, aiming to weaken its authority and deter investigations involving American personnel. Rubio argues the ICC threatens U.S. sovereignty, while allies face pressure to withdraw or face penalties. Several ICC officials have already faced sanctions.
The ICC oversight body is set to vote on Karim Khan’s fate after allegations of misconduct toward a female aide. Khan has denied wrongdoing; the UK Bar Standards Board and US sanctions have added pressure as the Assembly of States Parties prepares for a special session at the UN on July 24.