Category: MIL-OSI

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UK arms licensing system ‘indefensible’ as British-linked weapons used in Sudan

Source: Amnesty International –

‘The UK kept approving arms sales to the UAE, even when the risks were staring it in the face. This raises serious questions about the UK’s potential complicity in mass atrocities’ – Oliver Feeley-Sprague 

In response to reports that UK military equipment is being used by Rapid Support Forces accused of genocide in Sudan, Oliver Feeley-Sprague, Amnesty International UK’s Military, Security and Policing Director, said: 

“To describe the UK’s arms licensing system as ‘robust’ while UK-made components have been found in weapons used by forces responsible for the widespread killings of civilians in Sudan is frankly indefensible.  

“The UK’s own arms trade rules require it to stop the supply of weapons where there is a clear risk those weapons could be diverted to countries under arms embargo or used by end-users to commit or facilitate atrocities.  

“The UAE has been a known hub for arms diversion for years and the UK government has long been aware of weapons being routed through the Emirates to conflict zones like Sudan and Libya. Yet the UK kept approving arms sales to the UAE, even when the risks were staring it in the face. This raises serious questions about the UK’s potential complicity in mass atrocities.

“In 2022, the UK government promised to close this loophole by tightening export controls on parts like engines that could end up in military use in prohibited countries. Finding UK-made engines in Sudanese military vehicles shows exactly why those rules were needed and casts serious doubt about whether they’re being properly implemented or enforced. 

“The Government must immediately suspend all arms to the UAE. It must also prove that, in light of this evidence, it has launched a full investigation into how this equipment ended up in Sudan, notified the UK company in line with its own enhanced military end-use controls and, taken firm, immediate action to stop this from happening again.” 

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Sudan: RSF must end attacks and further suffering of civilians in El Fasher

Source: Amnesty International –

Responding to reports of violence and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacks on civilians in El Fasher, in Sudan’s North Darfur State, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said;

“The reports emerging from El Fasher are horrifying. The RSF must immediately end attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure and allow humanitarian aid into the city. They must also guarantee safe passage for civilians who are trying to flee the violence.

“The people of El Fasher have already endured the RSF’s brutal 18-month long siege of the city. Now is the time for the UN, AU, regional and other international actors to act swiftly to prevent further civilian suffering. All those responsible for the ongoing atrocities must be held individually accountable.

 The RSF must immediately end attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure and allow humanitarian aid into the city. They must also guarantee safe passage for civilians who are trying to flee the violence.

Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa

“The RSF has a history of committing massive violations in both Darfur and the rest of Sudan including ethnically targeted attacks against non-Arab communities, deliberate killings of civilians, sexual violence against women and girls, and massacres reminiscent of those that took place in Darfur two decades ago. The international community must act now to prevent the RSF from repeating these atrocities in El Fasher.”

All those responsible for the ongoing atrocities must be held individually accountable.

Tigere Chagutah

Background

The ongoing conflict in Sudan began in April 2023. It has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 12 million, making it the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary force that is fighting the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), has laid siege on El Fasher since May 2024.

On 26 October, the RSF claimed that it had taken control of parts of El Fasher, the last major city in Darfur under SAF control. On 27 October, SAF announced it had withdrawn its forces from the city.

El Fasher was home to over 1.5 million people, including hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons who fled fighting in other parts of Darfur in the early-2000s and from the ongoing conflict. It is estimated that around 260,000 civilians were trapped in the city ahead of the attacks on Sunday.

Amnesty International documented war crimes by the RSF and allied Arab militias where they jointly carried out ethnically targeted attacks against the Masalit and other non-Arab communities in West Darfur.

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Sudan: ‘Horrifying reports’ from El Fasher as RSF attacks civilians

Source: Amnesty International –

UK-approved arms sales to UAE raise questions of complicity in atrocities

‘All those responsible for the ongoing atrocities must be held individually accountable’ – Tigere Chagutah

In response to reports of violence and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacks on civilians in El Fasher, in Sudan’s North Darfur State, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said;

“The reports emerging from El Fasher are horrifying. The RSF must immediately end attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure and allow humanitarian aid into the city. They must also guarantee safe passage for civilians who are trying to flee the violence.

“The people of El Fasher have already endured the RSF’s brutal 18-month long siege of the city. Now is the time for the UN, AU, regional and other international actors to act swiftly to prevent further civilian suffering. All those responsible for the ongoing atrocities must be held individually accountable.

“The RSF has a history of committing massive violations in both Darfur and the rest of Sudan including ethnically targeted attacks against non-Arab communities, deliberate killings of civilians, sexual violence against women and girls, and massacres reminiscent of those that took place in Darfur two decades ago. The international community must act now to prevent the RSF from repeating these atrocities in El Fasher.”

UK-made arms components traced to Sudan conflict

Amnesty has responded to reports that UK military equipment is being used by Rapid Support Forces accused of genocide in Sudan.

Oliver Feeley-Sprague, Amnesty International UK’s Military, Security and Policing Director, said: 

“To describe the UK’s arms licensing system as ‘robust’ while UK-made components have been found in weapons used by forces responsible for the widespread killings of civilians in Sudan is frankly indefensible.  

“The UK’s own arms trade rules require it to stop the supply of weapons where there is a clear risk those weapons could be diverted to countries under arms embargo or used by end-users to commit or facilitate atrocities.  

“The UAE has been a known hub for arms diversion for years and the UK government has long been aware of weapons being routed through the Emirates to conflict zones like Sudan and Libya. Yet the UK kept approving arms sales to the UAE, even when the risks were staring it in the face. This raises serious questions about the UK’s potential complicity in mass atrocities.

“In 2022, the UK government promised to close this loophole by tightening export controls on parts like engines that could end up in military use in prohibited countries. Finding UK-made engines in Sudanese military vehicles shows exactly why those rules were needed and casts serious doubt about whether they’re being properly implemented or enforced. 

“The Government must immediately suspend all arms to the UAE. It must also prove that, in light of this evidence, it has launched a full investigation into how this equipment ended up in Sudan, notified the UK company in line with its own enhanced military end-use controls and, taken firm, immediate action to stop this from happening again.” 

World’s largest humanitarian crisis

The ongoing conflict in Sudan began in April 2023. It has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 12 million, making it the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The RSF, a paramilitary force that is fighting the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), has laid siege on El Fasher since May 2024.

On 26 October, the RSF claimed that it had taken control of parts of El Fasher, the last major city in Darfur under SAF control. On 27 October, SAF announced it had withdrawn its forces from the city. El Fasher was home to over 1.5 million people, including hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons who fled fighting in other parts of Darfur in the early-2000s and from the ongoing conflict. It is estimated that around 260,000 civilians were trapped in the city ahead of the attacks on Sunday.

Amnesty documented war crimes by the RSF and allied Arab militias where they jointly carried out ethnically targeted attacks against the Masalit and other non-Arab communities in West Darfur.

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Ireland: Government must do more to protect the international justice system and hold Israel accountable

Source: Amnesty International –

Upon concluding a four-day visit to Ireland in which she met with government officials, civil society organizations and human rights defenders, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, said:

“We have acknowledged the Irish government’s longstanding commitment to protecting human rights around the world and urge it to maintain a sense of utmost urgency in defending the international justice system and holding Israel accountable for its genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, its unlawful occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and its cruel system of apartheid. Now it is time to move from strong words to concrete actions.

“With international institutions under existential threat, Ireland must redouble its efforts to shield it from the mounting attacks. Specifically, Ireland should demand that the EU makes use of its Blocking Statute to nullify the extraterritorial effect of the Trump’s administration sanctions against the International Criminal Court’s officials, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Palestinian NGOs. In the interim, Ireland should also enact its own blocking statute to shield Irish people and entities, as well as those targeted by the sanctions. Such measures are desperately needed to ensure that organizations and individuals are able to contribute to defending human rights and seeking international justice without facing devastating consequences in retaliation for their work.

“The Irish government must continue to exert pressure to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement at upcoming EU meetings in light of Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, its unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory and its system of apartheid against Palestinians. Ireland should also lead by example by ensuring that its skies are closed to those subject to ICC arrest warrants, and to transshipment of arms transfers to Israel, and exhort other states to do the same. The Irish government should also ensure the prompt adoption of the Occupied Territories Bill, covering both goods and services, to bring Ireland’s actions in line with international law, and work with likeminded states to push for the adoption of a comprehensive ban on trade with settlements at the EU level.

Inaction in the face of atrocity does not equate to neutrality. The time for the Irish government to act is now.

Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns

“Concrete action from the Irish government is not only an ethical imperative, but also a legal obligation. Ireland has been one of the few governments to acknowledge that Israel’s crimes against Palestinians in Gaza constitute genocide – a position supported by extensive evidence and analysis from multiple organizations and experts, including Amnesty International. This recognition is a significant step, but it must be followed by taking all reasonably available steps to prevent and punish genocide.

“For more than two years, people in Ireland have taken to the streets to demand an end to the genocide and to call on their government to take meaningful action. These demands include addressing the historical root causes of the crisis, such as Israel’s unlawful occupation and the apartheid system it has imposed on all Palestinians.

“Recently, 16 Irish citizens were arbitrarily detained by Israeli authorities while participating in one of the most powerful and symbolic acts of humanitarian solidarity, the Global Sumud Flotilla. Alongside more than 500 international activists, they sought to break Israel’s unlawful blockade and deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza’s besieged and suffering civilians.

“It is deeply concerning that, despite public reports of ill-treatment and cruelty faced by Flotilla defenders at the hands of Israeli forces, including Irish citizens, we’ve heard from some of them that the Irish government has yet to reach out to them, investigate their experiences, and take concrete steps to hold perpetrators of serious human rights violations accountable.

“Ireland now stands at a crossroads. The government must match its principled stance with bold and tangible actions that reflect the will of its people and its obligations under international law. Inaction in the face of atrocity does not equate to neutrality. The time for the Irish government to act is now.”

During her visit to Dublin from 22 to 25 October, Erika Guevara-Rosas met with officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs & Trade the Irish Commission for Human Rights and Equality, and several civil society organizations, including the Irish Anti-Apartheid Campaign for Palestine and human rights defenders from humanitarian flotillas.

Her visit came after Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard met with Ireland’s head of state and head of government in July.

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El Salvador: Prisoners of Conscience must be released immediately

Source: Amnesty International –

Amnesty International calls on the Salvadoran authorities to immediately and unconditionally guarantee the release of community defenders José Ángel Pérez and Alejandro Henríquez, who have been unjustly imprisoned since May 2025 after participating in a peaceful protest in defense of the rights of the El Bosque community. This comes ahead of a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, at which the provisional detention order against them will be reviewed.

 “José Ángel and Alejandro should never have spent a single day in prison for peacefully exercising their right to defend the rights of their community. Their detention is arbitrary and deeply unjust. October 29 represents an opportunity for the authorities to rectify this injustice, guarantee full respect for due process, and ensure their immediate and unconditional release,” said Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International. 

 José Ángel and Alejandro should never have spent a single day in prison for peacefully exercising their right to defend the rights of their community. 

Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International. 

The organization has expressed its deep concern about the violations of their human rights and the inhumane conditions of detention to which they have been subjected. The criminal proceedings against them have been marked by unfounded accusations of “resistance” and “public disorder,” without evidence to justify their deprivation of liberty. These irregularities have seriously violated their right to the presumption of innocence, to an adequate defense, and to a fair trial.

Since their arrest, both defenders have been held incommunicado without access to the outside world, increasing the risk of torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. In addition, they have been exposed to a prison system characterized by extreme overcrowding. These types of arbitrary detentions are part of a systematic pattern of criminalization that seeks to silence those who denounce abuses, defend the rights of their communities, and demand justice.

“The criminalization of community human rights defenders not only violates the rights of those detained, but also seeks to send a message of fear and intimidation to all those who demand justice and defend the territory in El Salvador. This must end now,” concluded Ana Piquer.

The criminalization of community human rights defenders not only violates the rights of those detained, but also seeks to send a message of fear and intimidation to all those who demand justice and defend the territory in El Salvador.

Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International. 

The human rights defenders were recognized by Amnesty International as Prisoners of Conscience in July 2025, concluding that they are deprived of their liberty solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights. The October 29 hearing is decisive in determining whether they will remain in detention.  

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact [email protected].

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Ten years on from the Paris Agreement, rich countries’ pitiful climate targets fall drastically short

Source: Oxfam –

In response to the latest Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) synthesis report published today, Nafkote Dabi, Climate Lead at Oxfam, said: 

“Ten years on from the Paris Agreement, we now see revealed a damning indictment of the collective failure of global leaders to address the climate crisis. The richest and most polluting countries have betrayed the people being hit the hardest by climate disasters, particularly those in low-income countries, Indigenous people and women. 

Countries’ climate plans will reduce global emissions by just 10% by 2035, far short of what is needed. Science is clear: emissions must fall by at least 60% from 2019 levels in order to avoid climate breakdown. The EU has failed to even submit a new NDC while the US has withdrawn totally from the Paris Agreement and is slashing its already minimal climate finance.  

China’s first emissions reduction target of 7–10% from peak levels by 2035 is a step forward but still falls short of aligning with global climate goals. Brazil, host of COP30, despite being a climate leader, continues to approve new oil exploration in the heart of the Amazon — a contradiction that undermines its credibility.

The COP30 Summit next month must put humanity onto a safer path by insisting that world leaders deliver much bolder and more equitable NDCs than the inconsistent and inadequate collection that currently sit on its table. Central to any progress must be the tackling the extreme carbon pollution of the super-rich: the emissions of the 1% alone are predicted to cause 1.3 million heat-related deaths by the end of the century, and blow through the world’s remaining carbon budget.

The richest countries and richest people are locking the world into a catastrophic trajectory which COP30 must arrest.”

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the world’s highest court, has confirmed that countries have a legal obligation to reduce emissions enough to protect the universal rights to life, food, health, and a clean environment. 

Research by Oxfam International and CARE Climate Justice Centre finds that two thirds of climate finance is currently in the form of loans, increasing the debt burden on poor countries, which stands at $3.3 trillion. The $100 billion annual commitment agreed at COP15 remains unmet, and the $1.3 trillion needed for mitigation and adaptation has also not been delivered. 

Research by Oxfam International finds that the energy consumed by the wealthiest 1% – predominantly in the Global North – alone would be enough to meet the basic energy needs of people without electricity access seven times over.  

Research by the United Nations finds that emissions cuts of 42 per cent are needed by 2030 and 57 per cent by 2035 to get the world on track for 1.5°C. 

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Fusion Energy in 2025: Six Global Trends to Watch

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Construction at the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the world’s largest fusion device. (Photo: ITER).

The fusion energy landscape is evolving rapidly. Once confined to experimental research, fusion is now emerging as a strategic national priority for research and development. The IAEA World Fusion Outlook 2025 publication highlights key developments in fusion energy around the world.

1. Fusion Energy Progress is Accelerating

Fusion has entered a decisive new phase. ITER , the world’s largest fusion experiment, remains the central international endeavour driving scientific and technical progress. A total of 33 nations and thousands of engineers and scientists are collaborating to build and operate a magnetic fusion device called a tokamak, designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large scale- carbon free source of energy.  

At the same time, governments, private industry, and utilities are rolling out complementary initiatives that expand the global fusion landscape. New facilities are breaking ground, private-public initiatives are gaining momentum, and regulators are developing bespoke frameworks to keep pace. And end users are signalling growing confidence in the technology through early power purchase agreements.

2. Private Investment Surpasses US $10 Billion

Global private investment in fusion has exceeded US $10 billion, reflecting growing confidence in the sector. Funding is flowing from sovereign wealth funds, major corporations and energy users, supporting a new generation of fusion developers and technologies.

3. Fusion Set to Play Big Role in Future Electricity Mix

Fusion energy is projected to play a significant role in meeting the world’s growing demand for clean, baseload power. For the first time, the IAEA World Fusion Outlook includes global modelling of fusion energy deployment, conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The study explores how fusion could contribute to the future electricity mix under diverse policy, cost and technological assumptions.

In the lowest capital cost scenario of US $2.8K/kW in 2050, fusion’s share of electricity generation could reach up to 50% by 2100. Even in the highest cost scenario of US $11.3K/kW, fusion energy is projected to reach 10% of global electricity generation by 2100. 

The modelling also highlights fusion’s economic value: with a rise in demand for clean electricity generation, fusion could add trillions of dollars to global GDP. 

4. International Collaboration is Powering Ahead

The IAEA’s World Fusion Energy Group, established in 2024, is fostering global dialogue and alignment. More than 160 fusion facilities are now operational, under construction or planned, and international cooperation is expanding through multilateral platforms. Although there is currently no globally harmonized definition of a fusion power plant, many jurisdictions recognize the need to establish clear frameworks for fusion machines intended to produce electricity or heat for commercial use. 

5. Fusion Technology is Diversifying

Fusion is advancing through multiple parallel efforts. Building on the foundation established by large scale international collaborations such as ITER, a range of approaches such as tokamaks, stellarators, laser and inertial confinement concepts, magneto-inertial concepts, mirror machines, field reversed configurations, pinches and more, are being developed across public and private sectors. This diversity is driving innovation and strengthening the sector as it searches for pathways toward realizing fusion energy.

6. High-Temperature Superconducting Magnets Enable Smaller Fusion Devices

The 2025 edition of the IAEA World Fusion Outlook includes a special focus on high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, which could revolutionize the design of next generation fusion facilities. HTS materials could be used to design more compact and efficient fusion machines, but important design compromises and engineering trade-offs are still needed.

HTS magnets are increasingly being applied across diverse fusion concepts, including tokamaks, stellarators, and mirror machines. Projects such as SPARC and WHAM are integrating HTS coils to enhance performance and reduce size, cost, and development time. Several forthcoming designs are also evaluating HTS technologies as a core component of their systems.

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IAEA Director General to Present Annual Report and Update on Agency’s Work at UN General Assembly

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

12/2025

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will address the United Nations General Assembly to present the IAEA’s annual report for 2024, and to provide an update on the Agency’s work in harnessing nuclear science and technology to achieve their development goals and address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

The session will take place Wednesday 29 October at 15:00 EST (20:00 CET) at the Plenary meeting in the General Assembly Hall, UN Headquarters, New York.

The session will be livestreamed on UN Web TV.

Prior to the session, Director General Grossi will hold a press conference at 14:15 EST (19:15 CET) in the UN Press Briefing Room, UN Headquarters, New York.

The press conference will be livestreamed and later also available on demand here.

To attend the press conference in person, please refer to the UN Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit.

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Chatham House creates new Critical Minerals Initiative 

Source: Chatham House –

Chatham House creates new Critical Minerals Initiative 
News release
jon.wallace

The major new initiative will study the key geopolitical, economic, and sustainability dynamics shaping global mineral supply chains.

Chatham House has launched a major new research workstream to understand the intersections of the geopolitics, security, economics and global governance of mineral supply chains, mining and manufacturing. 

The Critical Minerals Initiative, situated within the Global Economics and Finance Programme, will take advantage of Chatham House’s international convening power and cross house research depth, generating policy recommendations to address the intense geopolitical competition emerging around critical minerals. The Initiative will also build networks to aid the implementation of these policies. 

The Critical Minerals Initiative…will take advantage of Chatham House’s international convening power… generating policy recommendations to address the intense geopolitical competition emerging around critical minerals.

Christopher Vandome, Senior Research Fellow and head of the new initiative says: 

‘Working in partnership with stakeholders across the value chain we will develop actionable solutions to the challenges of building resilient supply chains for critical minerals. These will reflect national security and energy considerations, environmental priorities, and commercial viability.’

‘Key areas of focus will be the geopolitics and global governance of critical minerals; The role of critical minerals in economic security strategies; And the role of critical minerals in sustainable development and growth. 

‘All workstreams will bring together high-level experts to help develop policy and insights in these areas, develop publications and hold regular events’.

For more information and to follow the initiative’s work, please visit the initiative page.

 

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Mali: Authorities must immediately release former Prime Minister Moussa Mara and stop crackdown on civil and political rights

Source: Amnesty International –

The conviction and sentencing of Mali’s former Prime Minister Moussa Mara to two years in prison, one of which is mandatory, and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs (762 euro), including 1 symbolic franc to the Malian state on charges of discrediting the state among others is a travesty of justice, Amnesty International said, as it called for authorities to immediately release him and other prisoners held solely for their political beliefs.

“Moussa Mara’s conviction and sentencing illustrate the authorities’ persistent disregard for Mali’s human rights obligations under the country’s constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civic and Political Rights to which Mali is a state party,” said Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

“Instead of muzzling critics, the authorities must stop their escalating repression of peaceful dissent and authoritarian practices, and immediately release those currently being detained solely for voicing their opinion. Authorities must uphold and ensure the human rights of everyone in the country including to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.”

Moussa Mara, who was Prime Minister from April 2014 to January 2015 and president of the opposition party Yéléma, was arrested on 1 August and accused of ‘discrediting the state’, ‘inciting a breach of public order’ and ‘opposition to legitimate authority’.

His arrest came after he posted a tweet on 4 July, expressing his solidarity with several imprisoned activists and politicians. In his tweet, referring to the “night”, he vowed to fight “by all means to make [the sun appear]”.

The authorities’ use of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and abuse of the criminal justice system to silence peaceful dissent in Mali must stop.

Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa