Civil service union starts legal action against government Rwanda bill
The FDA union is taking legal action against the government over plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, citing concerns about civil servants being ordered to break international law. [ more ]
Civil servants threaten ministers with legal action over Rwanda bill
Civil servants are threatening legal action over concerns about the government's Rwanda deportation bill and its potential breach of international law.
The FDA union has warned that civil servants could be in violation of the civil service code and open to prosecution if they ignore an urgent injunction from Strasbourg banning a deportation. [ more ]
UK's Rwanda plan fundamentally incompatible' with rights obligations
The UK government's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda may breach international law and the country's human rights obligations, according to a parliamentary report.
The government's legislation undermines protections in the Human Rights Act, contravenes parts of the European Convention on Human Rights, and does not fully address the UK's commitment to comply with international treaties. [ more ]
UK's Rwanda bill incompatible with human rights obligations'
The UK government's legislation deeming Rwanda a safe place to deport people is incompatible with human rights obligations and breaches international law.
The legislation erodes protections laid down in the Human Rights Act, contravenes parts of the European convention on human rights, and jeopardizes the UK's reputation for the rule of law and human rights. [ more ]
Lords must block dangerous' Rwanda bill, over 250 charities write
Over 250 charities and civil society bodies are calling on the House of Lords to block the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, labeling it an attack on human rights.
The bill would create a two-tiered system of human rights, with some people having access to UK courts and others not, potentially breaching international law and the Good Friday agreement. [ more ]
Rwanda flights: Britain reminded of obligation to obey ECHR orders
The UK would break international law if it ignored emergency orders from the European court of human rights (ECHR) to stop asylum seekers being flown to Rwanda.
Siofra O'Leary, the ECHR president, emphasized that member states have a clear legal obligation to comply with rule 39 measures issued by the court. [ more ]
Greece shipwreck: people smuggling suspects arrested as search continues
Greek authorities have arrested 32 people suspected of people smuggling following a shipwreck off the coast of the island of Samos.
According to the Greek coastguard, the shipwreck resulted in the death of at least 11 people, while the search for survivors continues.
The incident is the latest in a series of tragedies involving migrants and refugees attempting to cross the Aegean Sea to reach European Union member states. [ more ]
British government abused, bullied and intimidated' peers on small boats crisis law
Peers have been abused, bullied and intimidated by the government over the controversial plans to tackle the small boats crisis, it has been claimed in parliament.The charge was levelled as the House of Lords again sat into the early hours debating the Illegal Migration Bill.With proceedings having started at 2.30pm on Monday, the upper chamber eventually rose at 2am on Tuesday.
Government has abused, bullied and intimidated' on small boats law
Peers have been abused, bullied and intimidated by the Government over the controversial plans to tackle the small boats crisis, it has been claimed in Parliament.The charge was levelled as the House of Lords again sat into the early hours debating the Illegal Migration Bill.With proceedings having started at 2.30pm on Monday, the upper chamber eventually rose at 2am on Tuesday.
Small boats bill could lead to more dangerous routes and increase trafficking'
The government's new small boats bill could lead to asylum seekers taking more dangerous routes to the UK, benefit people smugglers and worsen trafficking, a parliamentary report has found.An inquiry by the cross-party Joint Committee on Human Rights said the government had not provided any evidence backing its claim that the Illegal Migration Bill would deter Channel crossings.
Illegal Migration Bill breaches UK human rights obligations, MPs and peers warn
The Illegal Migration Bill breaches a number of the UK's human rights obligations, MPs and peers have warned ministers.Most asylum seekers arriving in the UK after the flagship legislation has been passed would have their claim declared inadmissible, according to a report published by Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights.
UK to house hundreds more migrants on barges, Sunak says
The U.K. government will house hundreds more asylum-seekers on barges, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Monday, as he unveiled the latest migration figures that he said showed that his plans to crack down on small boat crossings on the English Channel are working.Two more barges will house about 1,000 migrants, Sunak said, alongside one that's set to be docked in Portland in southern England within the next two weeks.
Germany stands by Israel as its 'reason of state' DW 05/10/2024
Germany's unwavering support for Israel is deeply rooted in its history, with the term 'reason of state' symbolizing its commitment beyond just a policy goal. [ more ]
Legal pressures mount on Germany to cut aid to Israel DW 04/10/2024
Pro-Palestinian organizers pushing legal action due to unsuccessful protests against German policymakers regarding Israel stance.
Lawsuit filed against German government claims weapons exports are used for grave violations of international law, urging for a halt in deliveries. [ more ]
Europe's Gaza betrayal has broken the trust of millions of people in the global south | Shada Islam
The European Union's failure to hold Israel accountable for violations in Gaza has raised concerns about its credibility on international rules, democracy, and human rights.
Criticism over the EU's double standards in addressing conflicts and the impact on its relationships with countries in the global south, despite continued economic ties. [ more ]
Will Israel be banned from football? DW 05/17/2024
The president of the Palestinian Football Association requested FIFA to suspend Israel for various violations, including the Gaza conflict and teams in Palestinian territory. [ more ]
Britain's home secretary touts UK-Rwanda migrant deportation deal during visit to Italy
A migrant deportation deal between the UK and Rwanda is seen as a creative deterrent, although criticized for potentially violating international law. [ more ]
US, China defense leaders hold first talks in 18 months DW 04/17/2024
US and China engage in military talks to manage rising tensions. Importance of open communication and respecting international law highlighted. [ more ]
Venezuela shuts diplomatic office in Ecuador to protest Mexico embassy raid
Venezuelan President denounces police raid on Mexican embassy as 'act of barbarism' and plans to close embassy and consulates in Ecuador in protest. [ more ]
Israel is taking a lot of care' not to hit civilians, says Suella Braverman
Israel defended by former home secretary Suella Braverman, citing compliance with international law and efforts to minimize civilian casualties.
Suella Braverman emphasizes the importance of not walking away from Israel despite recent tragedies, highlighting Israel's swift acceptance of responsibility and investigation. [ more ]
Lords' latest defeat of Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Bill delays it past Easter
Peers in the House of Lords voted against the small boats bill for deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, citing concerns about international law compliance.
Lord Vernon Coaker emphasized the importance of upholding international law and criticized the exemption of ministers in the bill. [ more ]
China condemns EU Parliament's resolution on Hong Kong's shrinking freedoms
China's Foreign Ministry condemned a resolution passed by the European Parliament concerning Hong Kong's shrinking rights to free speech, even as Beijing seeks to restore economic links with the EU.The EU body overwhelmingly adopted a resolution Thursday citing the deterioration of the city's freedoms since the imposition by Beijing of a sweeping national security law in 2020.
The killing of aid workers adds to pressure on the UK government to halt arms sales to Israel
Opposition parties demand the UK government publish legal advice on Israel's actions in Gaza and consider halting arms sales if international law is breached. [ more ]
US says Chinese jet conducted unnecessarily aggressive maneuver' intercepting US spy plane over South China Sea
A Chinese fighter jet conducted an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver during an intercept of a US spy plane in international airspace over the South China Sea last week, the US military said in a statement Tuesday.The Chinese J-16 fighter cut directly in front of the nose of the US RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft on May 26, forcing the US plane to fly through the wake turbulence of the intercepting aircraft.
China's Aggressive Maneuver Against U.S. Spy Plane Highlights Escalating Tensions
A Chinese fighter jet conducted what U.S. military officials called an aggressive midair intercept of an American surveillance plane as it flew over the South China Sea on Friday, the latest in a series of incidents in the region between the two powers.U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which oversees military operations in Asia, said the incident involved a Chinese J-16 and an Air Force RC-135 surveillance plane that was flying in international airspace.
Senior Tory launches scathing attack on bill banning boycotts of Israel
A senior Conservative MP has criticized a bill banning local councils from boycotting Israel, stating that it undermines free speech and international law.
Up to 10 Tory MPs are expected to vote against the bill, causing embarrassment for its chief supporter, Michael Gove. [ more ]
Archbishop of Canterbury attacks Rishi Sunak's damaging' Rwanda plan
The Archbishop of Canterbury criticized Rishi Sunak's Rwanda deportation bill and accused the government of a pick-and-choose approach to international law.
The Archbishop argued that the bill would outsource Britain's legal and moral responsibility for refugees and asylum seekers, undermining global standing and damaging the country's reputation. [ more ]
How international law is used to cover up Israeli settler-colonialism
The framing of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a war and Israel's right to self-defense is a distortion of the reality of colonization, occupation, and apartheid.
The situation in Israel-Palestine must be understood within the context of international law, which considers colonization, occupation, and apartheid illegal. [ more ]
Human Rights Defenders Slam Israel's Planned West Bank Settlement Expansion
Netanyahu's government reportedly informed the U.S. of plans to build thousands of new Jewish-only settler homes.Member of the Knesset and leader of the far right Zionut Datit (Jewish Zionism) party, Bezalel Smotrich, visits the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah of the Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem on May 10, 2021, in Israel.Laurent Van Der Stockt / Getty Images Human rights defenders on Monday blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right apartheid government after it reportedly informed the Biden administration of plans to build thousands of new Jewish-only settler homes in the illegally occupied West Bank of Palestine.
IPWatchdog.com | Patents & Intellectual Property Law
CAFC Affirms One PTAB Ruling, Reverses Another in WeatherTech Vehicle Tray Patent Dispute
"The Board's own findings, in light of the proper application of our precedent, compel the conclusion that MacNeil's secondary-consideration evidence is of no relevance to the obviousness inquiry in this case."- CAFC In a precedential opinion issued Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) reversed a Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) judgment that affirmed patent claims in part due to the commercial success of MacNeil IP's WeatherTech vehicle floor tray.
IPWatchdog.com | Patents & Intellectual Property Law
SCOTUS Requests Response in CareDx Eligibility Petition Following Michel/ Duffy Brief
"[The] split [on patent eligibility law] produces intolerable uncertainty for businesses, with the Executive Branch issuing meritorious patents like the three patents at issue here, only to have the courts invalidate them."- Michel/Duffy brief Last week, retired U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) Chief Judge Paul Michel and law professor John F. Duffy filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of CareDx, Inc. and the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University.
IPWatchdog.com | Patents & Intellectual Property Law
CAFC Affirms District Court Denial of Attorney Fees in Oil Drilling Patent Dispute
"Industry competitors zealously advocating their positions often results in resource- and time-intensive litigation.But that alone is insufficient to make a case 'exceptional.'"U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) issued a precedential decision affirming a district court ruling that denied attorney fees to oil drilling equipment company, FMC Technologies.
Marathon through-the-night Lords sitting on small boats law disgraceful'
The Government pressing ahead with parliamentary scrutiny of controversial plans to tackle the small boats crisis into the early hours of the morning has been branded disgraceful at Westminster.There was frustration and anger as detailed debate on the Illegal Migration Bill continued through the night in the House of Lords.
Russia's former president says UK officials are legitimate military targets'
British public officials are a legitimate military target because of the UK's support for Ukraine, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has warned.Mr Medvedev, deputy chairman of Vladimir Putin's security council, claimed the UK's support for Kyiv amounted to an undeclared war against Russia.His comments came after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Ukraine had the right to project force beyond its borders into Russia to resist Mr Putin's invasion.
Belgian Aid Worker and Iranian Diplomat Freed in Prisoner Swap
Iran freed a Belgian aid worker imprisoned in Tehran for 455 days on charges of spying, in exchange for Belgium releasing a former Iranian diplomat who was convicted in 2021 of a thwarted bomb plot.The aid worker, Olivier Vandecasteele, was flown late Thursday from Tehran to Muscat, the capital of Oman, where the exchange took place, Belgium's prime minister, Alexander De Croo, said on Friday.