15 April 2014

SHARES News Items Overview: 16 March 2014-15 April 2014

This is our News Items Overview of 16 March 2014-15 April 2014, a summary of recent news relating to shared responsibility.

• US Navy Seals took over an oil tanker that was seized by Libyan rebels. Reportedly, the seizure, which took place in international waters, was authorised by President Obama and requested by the Libyan and Cypriot governments. The tanker, run by an Egyptian-based company, was authorised to temporarily sail under the North Korean flag. Individuals attempted to buy oil.
• The German government requested federal prosecutors to investigate if German companies violated the law by exporting materials to Syria during the 1980s and early 1990s that may have enabled the country to develop a chemical weapons programme. Reportedly, Russia, France and China were also involved in providing materials.
• Meeting at the Nuclear Security Summit, the G7 adopted a declaration which states that Russia’s actions in recent weeks were not consistent with the ‘shared beliefs and shared responsibilities’. In response, ‘individually and collectively we have imposed a variety of sanctions against Russia and those individuals and entities responsible.’
• Japan announced to turn over weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium to the US. The announcement is a success in President Obama’s push to secure the world’s most dangerous materials.
• A senior US military official confirmed sending 150 special troops and aircrafts to Uganda to search for the fugitive warlord, Joseph Kony. The US forces are authorised to give information, advice and assistance to the 5000-strong AU force that is tracking Kony and his LRA.
• The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution, intending to launch an international inquiry into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed by the Sri Lankan government as well as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam during the country’s 25-year civil war.
• David Jason Karp has recently published Responsibility for Human Rights: Transnational Corporations in Imperfect States with CUP.
• On 1 April, NATO ordered military commanders to draft plans in order to reinforce the defenses in Eastern Europe. The alliance also decided to suspend ‘all practical civilian and military cooperation’ with Russia.
• Rwanda reportedly barred the French ambassador from the commemoration, marking the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide on 7 April. Kagame said in March that both France and Belgium had a ‘direct role in the political preparation of genocide and participation in its execution’.
• Human Rights Watch sent a letter to the US Secretary of State, urging the US to not resume military aid to Egypt unless the military-backed government ceases alleged human rights abuses and ensures that violators are held accountable.
• The New York Times reported that Britain increasingly invoked its power to strip people of their citizenship and considers legislation that would increase this power. The stripping of citizenship has been linked to recent drone killings.
• The UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council launched joint talks to mobilise new and existing multi-stakeholder development partnerships.