Afghan Taliban reject ‘nonsense' ICC warrants
'Such nonsense announcements won't affect the strong commitment and dedication to sharia (Islamic law)" of Taliban authorities, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, adding that the Taliban government does not recognize the court.
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Saudi Gazette
an hour ago
- Saudi Gazette
US sanctions UN expert Francesca Albanese, critic of Israel's Gaza offensive
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is imposing sanctions on the UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, an outspoken critic of Israel's military offensive in Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio linked the move to her support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), some of whose judges have already been sanctioned by the US. Rubio said the US was sanctioning Albanese for directly engaging with the ICC in its efforts to prosecute American or Israeli nationals, accusing her of being unfit for service as a UN Special Rapporteur. The sanctions are likely to prevent Albanese from travelling to the US and would block any assets she has in the country. In a post on X, Albanese did not directly address the sanctions, but wrote: "[O]n this day more than ever: I stand firmly and convincingly on the side of justice, as I have always done." The message, in which the Italy-born special rapporteur reposted a thread of support for ICC, said she came from the court's founding country, where lawyers and judges had "defended justice at great cost and often with their own life". "I intend to honor that tradition," she added in the post. Albanese declined to comment to the BBC, but was quoted by Al Jazeera as describing the sanctions as "mafia style intimidation techniques". It is the latest escalation by the Trump administration as it wages a campaign against the ICC, having already sanctioned four of its judges. The US took the action after the court last year issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his then-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, accusations they reject. Rubio also accused Albanese of having "spewed unabashed antisemitism, expressed support for terrorism, and open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West". The move is likely to provoke a fierce backlash from those who argue for accountability over the civilian death toll from Israel's military offensive in Gaza. The special rapporteur has long argued that Western governments are not doing enough to support the rights of Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories. Her outspoken stance has attracted significant support among those who accuse Israeli and US leaders of weaponising accusations of antisemitism in order to silence scrutiny of their policies. Her critics have pointed to language used in the past by Albanese, including a 2014 comment when she suggested the "Jewish lobby" was influencing US government decisions when it came to Israel and the Palestinians. She is since reported to have said she regretted the remark, but rejected claims it was antisemitic. The head of Amnesty International and former UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard said she was dismayed by the decision to sanction Albanese. "Governments around the world and all actors who believe in the rule-based order and international law must do everything in their power to mitigate and block the effect of the sanctions against Francesca Albanese," she said. Rubio said Albanese had shown contempt for the US by writing "threatening letters" to several US companies, making what he called unfounded accusations and recommending the ICC pursue prosecutions of the companies and their executives. "We will not tolerate these campaigns of political and economic warfare, which threaten our national interests and sovereignty," Rubio said. Earlier this month Albanese called on dozens of multinational companies to stop doing business with Israel, warning them they risked being complicit in war crimes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. She said the companies "profited from the Israeli economy of illegal occupation, apartheid, and now genocide" in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israel rejected her report as "groundless", saying it would "join the dustbin of history". Albanese has criticised Donald Trump's plan, announced in February, to take over the Gaza Strip and displace its residents elsewhere. "It's unlawful, immoral and... completely irresponsible because it will make the regional crisis even worse," she said in February. The timing of the sanctions announcement is notable with Netanyahu currently in Washington, where he received an extended honour cordon at the Pentagon on Wednesday. Albanese has previously rejected similar claims against her, telling the BBC in October: "I don't take these remarks and the defamation they carry lightly, but at the same time, I know this is not about me, as my predecessors knew that it was not about them. "I also know these member states [making accusations of antisemitism] have done absolutely nothing to abide by international law." Her office has been approached for comment. Some 125 countries are parties to the Rome Statute that established the ICC and are protected by it, as well as bound by their membership to uphold the court's decisions. The US, like Israel, is not a member of the court. It has sided with Israel, its staunch ally, which it has armed throughout the Gaza war, against the Netanyahu arrest warrant, while many European countries have said they respect the court's independence in the case. The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. At least 57,575 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Most of Gaza's population has also been displaced multiple times. More than 90% of homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed; the healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed; and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter. — BBC
Arab News
8 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan military dismisses fears of Iran-style strikes on its nuclear sites
ISLAMABAD: Military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Wednesday there was 'absolutely no concern' within Pakistan's military establishment that Pakistan could become the 'next target' for attacks on its nuclear facilities, following last month's conflict between Israel and Iran. In June, Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran's nuclear sites after Tel Aviv claimed Tehran was close to developing nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denied. Pakistan condemned the Israeli and American strikes at the time, calling them a violation of international law. Islamabad has repeatedly assured the world that its nuclear assets are secure and intended solely for deterrence. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Chaudhry was asked if there were concerns Pakistan could be targeted next in light of recent developments in the Middle East. 'There is absolutely no concern, whatsoever, in the military, that Pakistan can become the next target,' Chaudhry responded. He said Pakistan was an established and declared nuclear power, adding that the world had never attempted a 'misadventure' against a nuclear state. 'And if such a misadventure is taken or attempted, then it will lead to horrific consequences which the world may not be able to endure,' he warned. The army spokesperson reiterated that seeking conflict with a nuclear-armed country was 'absurd, sheer stupidity and inconceivable.' His comments come amid heightened regional tensions and renewed focus on nuclear security following the Israel-Iran conflict. In early May, India and Pakistan engaged in their worst fighting in decades after Delhi blamed Islamabad for supporting an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April, an allegation Pakistan denied. The clashes included missile strikes, fighter jet operations, artillery fire and drone attacks, leaving more than 70 dead on both sides before a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10. Though the ceasefire has held, tensions remain high. India has since put a decades-old water-sharing agreement on hold, with Islamabad warning that any attempt to divert or stop its waters would be treated as an 'act of war' and met with full force.
Arab News
10 hours ago
- Arab News
US sanctions UN rights expert for Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced Washington was sanctioning the United Nations special expert on the Palestinian territories, following her criticism of Washington policy on Gaza. 'Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt (International Criminal Court) action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives,' Rubio said on social media. In a subsequent statement, he slammed the UN expert's strident criticism of the United States and said she recommended to the ICC that arrest warrants be issued targeting Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Rubio also attacked her for 'biased and malicious activities,' and accused her of having 'spewed unabashed antisemitism (and) support for terrorism.' He said she escalated her contempt for the United States by writing 'threatening letters' to several US companies, making what Rubio called unfounded accusations and recommending the ICC pursue prosecutions of the companies and their executives. 'We will not tolerate these campaigns of political and economic warfare, which threaten our national interests and sovereignty,' Rubio said. Albanese has leveled broadsides against the policies of US President Donald Trump, particularly the plan he announced in early February to take over the Gaza Strip and resettle its residents elsewhere. That proposal, short on details, faced a resounding rejection from Palestinians, Middle East leaders and the United Nations. Albanese dismissed the Trump proposal as 'utter nonsense' and an 'international crime' that will sow panic around the world. 'It's unlawful, immoral and... completely irresponsible because it will make the regional crisis even worse,' she said on February 5 during a visit to Copenhagen.
