Digest – Page 70 – Harvard International Law Journal

Security Council Expresses Concern About Fiji Coup Possibility

December 2, 2006

In a statement to the press on November 29th, the Security Council joined Secretary-General Kofi Annan in expressing concern at the seemingly growing threat of a coup dâ€™Ã©tat in the island nation of Fiji. Applauding the efforts of domestic and regional figures who have attempted to mediate the mounting crisis between the Government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and military leaders, Ambassador Jorge Voto-Bernales of Peru, whose delegation presided over the Council in November, also warned that the ongoing unrest jeopardizes Fijiâ€™s place in the international community.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20782&Cr=fiji&Cr1=

Digest

ECtHR on Lawyers’ Freedom of Expression

December 1, 2006

On November 30, the European Court of Human Rights delivered a 5 to 2 decision in Veraart v. The Netherlands condemning the Netherlands for violations of the freedom of expression. The applicant was legal adviser to a family accused of incest as a result of the recovery of repressed memories through psychotherapy. The lawyer publicly criticized the psychotherapist in question, and was then sanctioned by the Disciplinary Appeals Tribunal. For more information see here.

Digest

International Chamber of Commerce Elects New Vice-Chairman

November 30, 2006

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) elected Hong Kong businessman Victor Fung as its new Vice-Chairman for a two-year term, beginning on January 1, 2007. Mr. Fung is Chairman of the Li & Fung Group of companies and has held a number of civic and professional appointments related to international trade.

For further information: http://www.iccwbo.org/iccjhde/index.html

Digest

NATO Strengthens Committment in Afghanistan at Riga Summit

November 29, 2006

At the Riga Summit on November 29, NATO Heads of State reinforced their commitment to NATO’s mission in Afghanistan. National restrictions on how, when and where forces can be used were lessened, and some member countries pledged additional assets. The Heads of State also called for broader international assistance for Afghanistan.

For more, see http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2006/11-november/e1128a.htm

Digest

ICC Opens Fifth Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute

November 29, 2006

The fifth session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, the legislative body overseeing the administration of the ICC, opened on November 23 and will last until December 1. Since the Assemblyâ€™s fourth session in January 2006, four states (Chad, Comoros, Montenegro, and Saint Kitts and Nevis) have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute. The Assembly now has 104 states parties. Issues on the Assemblyâ€™s agenda for this session include the 2007 budget, a consideration of crimes of aggression, and the election of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims.

See http://www.icc-cpi.int/press/pressreleases/209.html

Digest

ICJ to Consider Uruguay’s Request for Measures Against Argentina

November 29, 2006

ICJ will hold hearings, opening on December 18, to consider Uruguay’s request for the indication of provisional measures in the case of Uruguay v. Argentina. Uruguay requests that the Court order Argentina to â€œtake all reasonable and appropriate steps at its disposal to prevent or end the interruption of transit between Uruguay and Argentina, including the blockading of bridges and roads between the two States.â€ Uruguay states that it will withdraw the request if Argentina ends its current blockade and makes efforts to prevent future blockades.

See http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/ipresscom/ipress2006/ipresscom_2006-40_au_20061129.htm