by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva
(25 May 2024) The prosecutor and the judges of the “International Criminal Court” (ICC) are bound to observe the “Statute of Rome” and apply it uniformly, without preferences or double standards. Otherwise, they will forfeit their authority and credibility. They must resist blackmail by any country that pretends to instrumentalize the Court for geopolitical games.
by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva
(CH-S) On 25 March 2024, Russia has convened a meeting “under the Arria formula” on the impact of “Unilateral Coercive Measures” (UCMs) on the global fight against terrorism.
Individual members of the UN Security Council have the option of convening an informal meeting on important topics in accordance with the Arria formula. It owes its name to the Venezuelan ambassador Diego Arria, who initiated this type of meeting for the first time in 1992.
by Carl Baudenbacher,* Switzerland
(29 March 2024) February 24, 2024 marks two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. The European Union then imposed sanctions, which Switzerland joined. In Europe, the United Kingdom has also set up its own sanctions regime. In addition to companies and organizations, the sanctions list includes individuals accused of supporting, financing or carrying out actions that undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or of profiting from such actions. Sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes.
by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva
(23 February 2024) When eight billion human beings have to live on a common planet, it is necessary to establish rules of the game, a certain modus vivendi to avoid chaos and violence. Coherent rules enable a peaceful local, regional and international development based on cooperation rather than confrontation. These rules have to be observed in good faith. Cheating is not allowed.1 Double standards destroy the trust that we place on the institutions that administer the rules.
by German Foreign Policy*
(25 January 2024) (Edit. CH-S) The human cost and the horror the German war of aggression of 1941 meant for the Russian civilian population is quickly forgotten in our days. Today, once more the enemy is officially called Russia.
The mass killing of the civilian population of Leningrad (St. Petersburg) by a starvation blockade, which was calculated ice-cold by the German political leadership at the time, was one of the sad highlights of German “master race” behaviour.
by John J. Mearsheimer,* USA
(18 January 2024) (Ed.) South Africa has filed a lawsuit against Israel for genocide against the Palestinians at the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The renowned political scientist from the USA, John J. Mearsheimer, clearly explains the content of this document and its significance, in particular the likely impact on the United States.