Experts accuse Israel of sexual, gender-based violence in Gaza
Geneva, March 13: United Nations-backed experts on Thursday accused Israel of “the systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence” in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s mission to the UN in Geneva rejected the allegations and accused The Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which was created by the UN-backed Human Rights Council, of relying on “second-hand, single, uncorroborated sources.” Israel has refused to cooperate with the commission, accusing it and the council of being biased against it. In its report released Thursday, the commission examined the widespread destruction of Gaza, the use of heavy explosives in civilian areas and Israeli attacks on hospitals and health facilities. It said all three led to “disproportionate violence against women and children.” Israel says it took extraordinary measures to avoid harming civilians in the 15-month war, which has been paused by a fragile ceasefire. It blames civilian deaths and destruction on Hamas because the militants operate in residential areas. (AP)
ICC takes custody of former Philippine Prez
The Hague, March 13: The International Criminal Court took custody of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday on a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity for deadly anti-drugs crackdowns he oversaw while in office. Rights groups and families of victims hailed Duterte’s arrest, and the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, called it “a crucial step in our continuous work to ensure accountability for the victims of the most serious crimes under ICC jurisdiction.” Supporters of Duterte criticised the administration of current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Duterte’s political rival, for arresting and surrendering the former leader to a court whose jurisdiction his supporters dispute. (AP)
Arrests made in corruption probe linked to EU Parliament
Brussels, March 13: Belgian federal prosecutors announced Thursday the arrests of several people as part of a corruption probe linked to the European Parliament amid reports in local media that Chinese company Huawei bribed EU lawmakers. About 100 federal police officers carried out 21 searches in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal, the federal prosecutor’s office said. The suspects were arrested for questioning in “connection with their alleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,” prosecutors said. “The offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organisation.” According to an investigation by Le Soir newspaper and other media, lobbyists working for Chinese telecoms giant Huawei are suspected of bribing current or former European Parliament members to promote the company’s commercial policy in Europe.Huawei public relations representatives in London did not respond to an emailed request for comment and could not be reached by phone. (AP)