Latest news with #Strasbourg-based
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Europe's top rights court rules against France in racial profiling case
FILE PHOTO: The building of the European Court of Human Rights is seen in Strasbourg, France, September 11, 2019. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler/ File Photo PARIS (Reuters) -Europe's top human rights court ruled on Thursday that French police had carried out discriminatory checks on a Frenchman of African descent, the first such verdict in a case of racial profiling brought against France. The French government "failed to provide objective and reasonable justification" for the police carrying out three identity checks on Karim Touil within the space of 10 days in 2011 in the city centre of Besancon, the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) said in its ruling. The court ordered France to pay Touil 3,000 euros ($3,512) for violating articles 14 and 8, on discrimination and the right to a private life, of the European Human Rights Convention. However, for five other applicants in the case, also young men of African descent, the court found there was no discrimination due to lack of evidence, noting that the ID checks had mostly taken place "against a backdrop of tension". While welcoming Touil's successful claim, Lanna Hollo, a rights advocate with French organisation RECLAIM, who has been involved in the case for 13 years, said the court's reasoning risked reinforcing discrimination in certain zones. "It fails to sufficiently protect all people in all parts of the territory - especially those living in France's poorer neighbourhoods with high visible minority populations," she said. In recent years the court has issued rulings against Germany and Switzerland over discriminatory police checks. A study published on Tuesday by France's human rights watchdog found that young Black men or those perceived as Arab or North African were four times more likely to be stopped by police and 12 times more likely to undergo "extensive" checks, involving being body-searched or taken to the police station. ($1 = 0.8542 euros) (Reporting by Layli ForoudiEditing by Gareth Jones)
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Zelensky approves plans on special tribunal to prosecute Russian leaders over Ukraine
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky formally approved plans Wednesday to set up a new international court to prosecute senior Russian officials for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The special tribunal will be created through an agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe, the continent's top human rights body. Zelensky visited the Strasbourg-based organization for the first time as part of the announcement. The special tribunal aims to target senior Russian leaders for the 'crime of aggression,' which underpins the countless war crimes Ukraine accuses Russian forces of committing since the start of the war on Feb. 24, 2022. Existing international courts, including the International Criminal Court in The Hague lack jurisdiction to prosecute Russian nationals for that specific offense. Since early in the conflict, Kyiv has been pushing for the creation of a special tribunal that goes beyond prosecuting war crimes that Ukraine alleged Russian forces committed — including bombing civilian infrastructure, killing civilians, rape, taking hostages and torture. Russia denies those accusations. There are logistical details still to be resolved, including where the court will be based. The Hague has been suggested because of its existing legal infrastructure, but no final decision has been made. Russia doesn't extradite its own citizens, and whether or not Russian President Vladimir Putin will ever end up in the dock remains to be seen. Under international law, sitting heads of state and certain other top officials — often referred to as the 'troika,' including a country's head of state, head of government and foreign minister — enjoy immunity from prosecution. That means any potential indictment of Putin could only move forward if he leaves office. There is no statute of limitation on the crime of aggression. The institution will be funded by supporting countries known as the Core Group, including the Netherlands, Japan and Canada. The United States backed the project under former President Joe Biden, but President Donald Trump's administration didn't support the initiative. Quell writes for the Associated Press.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Europe's top rights court rules against France in racial profiling case
FILE PHOTO: The building of the European Court of Human Rights is seen in Strasbourg, France, September 11, 2019. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler/ File Photo PARIS - Europe's top human rights court ruled on Thursday that French police had carried out discriminatory checks on a Frenchman of African descent, the first such verdict in a case of racial profiling brought against France. The French government "failed to provide objective and reasonable justification" for the police carrying out three identity checks on Karim Touil within the space of 10 days in 2011 in the city centre of Besancon, the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) said in its ruling. The court ordered France to pay Touil 3,000 euros ($3,512) for violating articles 14 and 8, on discrimination and the right to a private life, of the European Human Rights Convention. However, for five other applicants in the case, also young men of African descent, the court found there was no discrimination due to lack of evidence, noting that the ID checks had mostly taken place "against a backdrop of tension". While welcoming Touil's successful claim, Lanna Hollo, a rights advocate with French organisation RECLAIM, who has been involved in the case for 13 years, said the court's reasoning risked reinforcing discrimination in certain zones. "It fails to sufficiently protect all people in all parts of the territory - especially those living in France's poorer neighbourhoods with high visible minority populations," she said. In recent years the court has issued rulings against Germany and Switzerland over discriminatory police checks. A study published on Tuesday by France's human rights watchdog found that young Black men or those perceived as Arab or North African were four times more likely to be stopped by police and 12 times more likely to undergo "extensive" checks, involving being body-searched or taken to the police station. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ukraine calls for special court to try Russian war leaders
Ukraine calls for special court to try Russian war leaders (Image: AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an agreement with the Council of Europe (CoE) on Wednesday to establish a special tribunal to prosecute those accused of orchestrating Russia's war in Ukraine. Ukraine argues that the tribunal is urgently needed to hold Russia's leadership accountable for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022. "We need to show clearly aggression leads to punishment and we must make it happen together, all of Europe," Zelenskyy said after signing the accord with CoE Secretary General Alain Berset. Tribunal to be set up under aegis of Europe's top rights body The creation of the tribunal comes as ceasefire talks between the two countries remain stalled, with Russian President Vladimir Putin appearing to believe that time is on his side. "Every war criminal must know there will be justice and that includes Russia," Zelenskyy said. The CoE hopes the tribunal could begin its work as early as next year. Berset said the next step in establishing the tribunal would be an expanded agreement to "allow the widest possible number of countries to join, to support, and to help manage the tribunal." Logistical details, including the tribunal's location, still need to be resolved. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued arrest warrants for Putin and other Russian officials on war crimes charges. However, it lacks the jurisdiction to prosecute them for the crime of aggression. Kyiv has long called for a dedicated tribunal, modeled on the Nuremberg trials, that would go beyond addressing alleged war crimes. The CoE said the tribunal "fills the gap" created by the "jurisdictional limitations" of the ICC. Europe backs Ukraine's bid to try Russian leaders This would be the first special tribunal established by the Strasbourg-based CoE, which promotes human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The CoE is not part of the European Union. European foreign ministers endorsed the creation of the tribunal during a meeting in Lviv, western Ukraine, on May 9. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who attended the meeting, said the "war, which violates international law, must not be allowed to remain without consequences." "Those who bear responsibility for this must also be held accountable by a legitimized court," he added. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy told the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, "It will take strong political and legal courage to make sure every Russian war criminal faces justice, including Putin." Russia does not extradite its own citizens, so whether Putin will ever face trial remains uncertain.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Zelensky approves plans to set up special tribunal to prosecute Russian leaders
Mr Zelensky visited the Strasbourg-based organisation for the first time as part of the announcement. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, and Alain Berset, secretary general of the Council of Europe, attend a press conference in Strasbourg, eastern France (Pascal Bastien/AP) The special tribunal aims to target senior Russian leaders for the 'crime of aggression', which underpins the countless war crimes Ukraine accuses Russian forces of committing since the start of the war on February 24 2022. Existing international courts, including the International Criminal Court in The Hague, lack jurisdiction to prosecute Russian nationals for that specific offence. Since early in the conflict, Kyiv has been pushing for the creation of a special tribunal that goes beyond prosecuting war crimes that Ukraine alleged Russian forces committed – including bombing civilian infrastructure, killing civilians, rape, taking hostages and torture. Russia denies those accusations. There are logistical details still to be resolved, including where the court will be based. The Hague has been suggested because of its existing legal infrastructure, but no final decision has been made. Russia does not extradite its own citizens, and whether or not Russian President Vladimir Putin will ever end up in the dock remains to be seen. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg (Pascal Bastien/AP) Under international law, sitting heads of state and certain other top officials – often referred to as the 'troika', including a country's head of state, head of government and foreign minister – enjoy immunity from prosecution. That means any potential indictment of Mr Putin could only move forward if he leaves office. There is no statute of limitation on the crime of aggression. The institution will be funded by supporting countries known as the Core Group, including the Netherlands, Japan and Canada. The United States backed the project under former president Joe Biden, but President Donald Trump's administration did not support the initiative.
