ICYMI

Gaza Ground Offensive | Killing of paramedics by the IDF

Since the end of the ceasefire deal on 18 March, Israel has continued its relentless assault on the Gaza Strip. Harrowing images have emerged from the region, showing people burned in makeshift camps, hospitals reduced to rubble, and targeted attacks on journalists reporting from a media tent. Without signs of de-escalation, the Israeli army has also announced the expansion of its ground offensive, advancing into Gaza City. Furthermore, a video has surfaced showing the killing of paramedics and emergency responders by the Israeli forces. In early April, both the UN and the Palestinian Red Crescent accused the Israeli military of executing 15 medics and emergency responders with shots fired at close range. Their bodies were later found in a mass grave. The Israeli military denied the allegations, claiming the medics were not recognisable as such and had ties to Hamas. However, the video retrieved from the phone of paramedic Refat Radwan and witness testimonies contradict the account. The footage shows an ambulance approaching the military vehicle and being stopped by the army. Following the release of the video. Israel armed forces admitted that its earlier account was inaccurate. Since Israel renewed its ground offensive in Gaza, more than 1,200 people have been killed and 251 taken hostage. Donate here to support Palestinian families.

Germany Plans to Deport Four Pro-Palestinian Activists

Last week, the German government ordered the deportation of four pro-Palestinian activists involved in protests and the occupation of universities in Berlin. Known as the #Berlin4, they are being accused of supporting a terrorist organisation – allegations made without evidence. The activists have been instructed to leave the country by 21 April or face forcible deportation. Journalist Hanno Hauenstein described the move as “unprecedented” and warned that it raises serious concerns about civil liberties in Germany. Many fear that this could mark the beginning of a broader campaign targeting and silencing critical voices in Germany. On Instagram, we have compiled a few action points for protesting against the deportation order.

On 12 April, a demonstration is taking place in Berlin against Germany’s attacks on migrants and asylum seekers. It starts at 14:00 from Leopoldplatz.

Hungary withdraws from the ICC and hosts Netanyahu

In early April, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced Hungary’s intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) during a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Budapest. The visit breaches an arrest warrant issued last fall, requiring all ICC member states to arrest Netanyahu, accused of committing war crimes in Gaza, upon entry.

During a four-day visit to the Hungarian capital, Netanyahu lauded the decision of his far-right counterpart Orbán, and called the ICC a “corrupt organisation”. To formalise the withdrawal, the Hungarian government has to pass a bill in parliament and notify the UN Secretary-General, a procedure that takes one year to come into effect. Until then, Hungary remains legally obliged to cooperate with the ongoing ICC cases and arrest Netanyahu.

While Hungary openly undermined the ICC arrest warrant, other member states like Germany and Poland have also shown reluctance to enforce the warrant, with Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz explicitly inviting Netanyahu to visit Germany.

Once the process is completed, Hungary will be the first EU member state to withdraw from the ICC.

South Sudan’s 2018 Peace Agreement Collapses

South Sudan’s fragile peace agreement, brokered in 2018 to end years of civil war between groups loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition forces aligned with Vice President Riek Machar, collapsed amid escalating tensions and violence. In late March, Machar was placed under house arrest on allegations of collaborating with the White Army, a Nuer ethnic militia, involved in recent clashes with the South Sudanese military. The arrest sparked further discontent and tension. During the civil war, Machar’s party collaborated with the militia, but denies any current links to the group. The international community expressed concerns over these developments, and the UN warned of a potential return of the conflict in South Sudan.

Amid the rising tensions, the United States announced the revocation of all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders. The Department of State argued that the primary reason for the decision was South Sudan’s failure to “accept the return of its citizens”. The revocation is part of Trump's anti-immigration turn in US politics. Under previous administrations, South Sudanese individuals were granted “temporary protection status” (TPS) as the country was deemed unsafe. The forced return to a country on the edge of a renewed civil war could potentially endanger the affected.

Earthquake in Myanmar

On 28 March, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck central Myanmar, the second-largest city, Mandalay, being its epicentre. The quake caused widespread destruction, resulting in a death toll surpassing 3,400 and a displacement of 13,000 people. Significant damage was caused to infrastructure across several regions, including the capital, Naypyidaw.

The United Nations has been mobilising international support to aid the affected as reports have emerged of the ruling military junta restricting aid deliveries, particularly to regions opposing its rule. The junta, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, overthrew the elected government of Myanmar and seized power in 2021. In 2024, an International Criminal Court Prosecutor requested an arrest warrant for the junta leader, accusing Hlaing of committing crimes against humanity against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The Rohingya minority has faced ongoing violence and persecution, which has persisted despite the earthquake. On 2 April, the junta announced a temporary ceasefire, set to last until 22 April, to ensure aid distribution. You can support the affected here.

Turkey Guilty of War Crimes in Rojava

The Permanent People’s Tribunal has found Turkey guilty of committing war crimes in Rojava, an autonomous region in northern Syria. Established in 1979, the citizen-led tribunal holds no executive power but serves as a symbolic court of conscience, whose judgments have historically influenced public discourse and policymaking. The Tribunal mainly addresses crimes against humanity that have been inadequately prosecuted – or even facilitated – by state actors.

In the case of Rojava v. Turkey, the assembly in Brussels concluded that Turkey committed crimes against humanity during its military occupation of the region. In an 80-page closing statement, the Tribunal accuses the Turkish military of using systematic torture, abductions, and ethnic cleansing of entire regions as weapons of war.

Kyiv Hit by Russian Missiles

On 6 April, Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, injuring 3 and killing 1 person. Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown, was also attacked two days previously, with 19 people, including 9 children, killed.

While attacks on Ukraine intensify, Russia stalls negotiations for a ceasefire. Zelenskyy has called on the world to keep up international pressure for a ceasefire, as these attacks show that Russia will “continue to fight and kill” despite international diplomatic efforts. Donate here.

Le Pen convicted and barred from office

French far-right leader and 3-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has been barred from running for the 2027 presidential elections and convicted of embezzlement. These charges include the misuse of an estimated 4.3 million euros of EU funds for back-home finances. In addition, Le Pen was charged with 4 years of jail time, two of which have been suspended, and two may be served in home detention, as well as a fine of 100,000 euros.

Far-right figures around the world argue that the convictions are acts of “left-wing judicial activism”. These accusations include those from Elon Musk and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was himself barred from office for abusing power.

In Paris, thousands gathered in support of Le Pen. Succeeding her as leader of the far-right National Rally party is Jordan Bardella, who, according to experts, may lack the experience to win an election.

Self-Determination for Indigenous Populations

Recent court rulings in Ecuador decided that 3 Indigenous groups part of the Waorani peoples “have the right to remain in isolation” after 20 years of contestations motivated by state initiatives of oil drilling on indigenous lands.

In 2013, both the UN and the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights introduced guidelines as “precautionary principles” that nation-states must follow when making decisions that may have future impacts on a group’s ability to live on indigenous land. Since then, Indigenous groups all over the world have experienced victories in international law that allow the continuation of Indigenous culture and practices despite pressures from dominant society. This includes granting the largest nature reserve in South America to the Naso Tribe’s land claims (Panama, 2021), and a historic “first of a kind” agreement in 2024 by the Canadian government acknowledging over 200 islands off the coast of British Columbia always belonged to the Haida nation, rather than being “given back” – a subtle yet essential difference.

20 million Trees to Be Planted in the UK

As part of the National forest drive, the UK government has announced a new forest of 25,000 hectares. This new forest is the first step of the drive, which aims to achieve 16.5 % of woodland cover by 2025 with 2 additional forests. In addition to a greener climate, the minister for nature states that this would make a positive difference in water quality, flood resilience, and wildlife, and importantly, bring nature "closer to people". Though this initiative is promising for a sustainable future, experts note that long-term financial planning is essential. As many of these trees are planted by volunteers, look into your local organizations to help.