Namibia

More countries intervene in genocide case against Israel

Hungary, Namibia, Fiji and the United States each filed declarations of intervention to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case against Israel in relation to the situation in the Gaza Strip. The interventions illuminate the legal issues the court will be facing at trial. One key issue is what constitutes the mens rea, or the mental threshold, of the crime of genocide. According to Namibia, the court may infer the required genocidal intent based on the scale, systematic nature, intensity, duration, and repetition of acts listed in the Genocide Convention. On the other hand, Hungary, Fiji and the US asked the court to maintain a high threshold in inferring genocidal intent from the surrounding circumstances. (Photo: ICJ)

Hague Group demands UN action on Gaza ‘genocide’

A coalition of independent UN human rights experts called on additional states to join the Hague Group, warning that the credibility of the international legal system is at risk due to inaction over Israel's ongoing violations in the occupied Palestinian territories. Earlier this year, delegates from nine nations (including South Africa, Malaysia, Colombia and Bolivia) formed the Hague Group, responding to the failure of the broader international community to halt Israel's military actions and crimes against Palestinians in the occupied territories, including that of "genocide." (Photo: Hague Group)

Planet Watch

Podcast: climate change and the global struggle

In Episode 81 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg takes stock of the fast-mounting manifestations of devastating climate destabilization—from Oregon to Siberia, from Germany to Henan. In Angola, traditional pastoralists are joining the ranks of “climate refugees” as their communal lands… Read morePodcast: climate change and the global struggle

Africa

Angola: drought threatens traditional pastoralists

Millions of people in southern Angola are facing an existential threat as drought continues to ravage the region, Amnesty International said July 22. The organization highlighted how the creation of commercial cattle ranches on communal lands has driven pastoralist communities from their… Read moreAngola: drought threatens traditional pastoralists

Africa

Germany acknowledges Namibia genocide

The Federal Republic of Germany on May 28 formally recognized the crimes committed by its colonial troops in what is now Namibia as “genocide.” From 1904 to 1908, German colonial forces carried out a genocide against indigenous peoples in what was then German… Read moreGermany acknowledges Namibia genocide

North Africa

‘Abraham Accords’ betray Palestinians …and now Sahrawis

President Donald Trump announced Dec. 10 that Morocco and Israel have agreed to normalize relations, adding that the US will formally recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the occupied territory of Western Sahara. Trump’s official proclamation states that “as of today, the United States recognizes… Read more‘Abraham Accords’ betray Palestinians …and now Sahrawis

Africa

Fracking threat to southern Africa elephant refuge

Reports indicating that a Canadian oil and gas firm is planning to start hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in one of Africa’s most critical remaining elephant habitats areas along the Namibia-Botswana border is raising alarm among global environmentalists. In August, Vancouver-based Reconnaissance… Read moreFracking threat to southern Africa elephant refuge

Africa

China gets naval base in Djibouti —and Namibia?

As China establishes its first foreign military base at Djibouti, rumors have Beijing seeking a second base in Namibia—where Chinese uranium interests face labor unrest.

Planet Watch

NDAA provision would allow mining on Apache land

Lawmakers have slipped a provision into the new National Defense Authorization Act that would allow a massive copper mine on public lands that are sacred to the Apache.