Egor Repinskiy
@repinskiy.bsky.social
Writes on international law, justice, and governance
Tomorrow the ICC’s twenty-fourth Assembly of States Parties opens in The Hague. This year, political pressure on the Court and the continued non-execution of ICC arrest warrants are expected to receive unusually strong attention in the discussions.
November 30, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Tomorrow the ICC’s twenty-fourth Assembly of States Parties opens in The Hague. This year, political pressure on the Court and the continued non-execution of ICC arrest warrants are expected to receive unusually strong attention in the discussions.
The UN Human Rights Council has held a special session on Sudan and adopted a resolution asking its Independent Fact-Finding Mission to urgently investigate alleged atrocities by the RSF in and around El Fasher, including mass killings and widespread sexual violence.
November 14, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The UN Human Rights Council has held a special session on Sudan and adopted a resolution asking its Independent Fact-Finding Mission to urgently investigate alleged atrocities by the RSF in and around El Fasher, including mass killings and widespread sexual violence.
Prof. Phoebe Okowa has been elected by an absolute majority in both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council to serve as a judge of the ICJ, following the resignation of Judge Yusuf. Congratulations to Prof. Okowa and to Kenya.
November 13, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Prof. Phoebe Okowa has been elected by an absolute majority in both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council to serve as a judge of the ICJ, following the resignation of Judge Yusuf. Congratulations to Prof. Okowa and to Kenya.
ICC President Tomoko Akane: "Attacks against the Court and its officials have persisted, posing a serious threat to the administration of justice and the global fight against impunity."
November 12, 2025 at 10:07 PM
ICC President Tomoko Akane: "Attacks against the Court and its officials have persisted, posing a serious threat to the administration of justice and the global fight against impunity."
My new piece for @voelkerrechtsblog.org, "Dead Letter with Teeth?", explores Article 61(8) of the Rome Statute, a clause never yet invoked but still shaping prosecutorial discretion before the ICC.
voelkerrechtsblog.org/dead-letter-...
voelkerrechtsblog.org/dead-letter-...
Dead Letter with Teeth?
voelkerrechtsblog.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:21 PM
My new piece for @voelkerrechtsblog.org, "Dead Letter with Teeth?", explores Article 61(8) of the Rome Statute, a clause never yet invoked but still shaping prosecutorial discretion before the ICC.
voelkerrechtsblog.org/dead-letter-...
voelkerrechtsblog.org/dead-letter-...
Today the ICC Prosecutor’s Office expressed its “profound alarm and deepest concern” over atrocities in El-Fasher, said they may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, and is preserving evidence as part of its ongoing investigation.
November 3, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Today the ICC Prosecutor’s Office expressed its “profound alarm and deepest concern” over atrocities in El-Fasher, said they may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, and is preserving evidence as part of its ongoing investigation.
If you look closely, the Trump administration never called the events in Nigeria a "genocide of Christians" or any genocide. It spoke of 'killings, a term that, unlike "genocide," does not trigger duties under the Genocide Convention.
November 2, 2025 at 6:05 PM
If you look closely, the Trump administration never called the events in Nigeria a "genocide of Christians" or any genocide. It spoke of 'killings, a term that, unlike "genocide," does not trigger duties under the Genocide Convention.
Rapid Support Forces say they have taken El Fasher, the last major city in Darfur held by the Sudanese army. Its capture means RSF now control most of the region. Living conditions for civilians are likely to worsen.
October 27, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Rapid Support Forces say they have taken El Fasher, the last major city in Darfur held by the Sudanese army. Its capture means RSF now control most of the region. Living conditions for civilians are likely to worsen.
Eighty years ago, humanity sought to bring order to international relations after the devastation of war. Today, in an increasingly fractured world, we must once again unite around the UN Charter and its principles of peace, equality and respect for sovereignty. #UNDay
October 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Eighty years ago, humanity sought to bring order to international relations after the devastation of war. Today, in an increasingly fractured world, we must once again unite around the UN Charter and its principles of peace, equality and respect for sovereignty. #UNDay
EU’s 19th Russia package itself carries no serious consequences for Putin’s regime. Yet by giving a green light to sanctioning major foreign enablers, it may (a) encourage similar actions by other states and (b) serve as a deterrent for those enablers.
October 23, 2025 at 10:21 AM
EU’s 19th Russia package itself carries no serious consequences for Putin’s regime. Yet by giving a green light to sanctioning major foreign enablers, it may (a) encourage similar actions by other states and (b) serve as a deterrent for those enablers.
ICJ addressed allegations of “abuse of process,” while critics failed to present a single piece of verifiable evidence to support such claims. Worth reading Part I B(4) before criticising the Court.
October 23, 2025 at 7:06 AM
ICJ addressed allegations of “abuse of process,” while critics failed to present a single piece of verifiable evidence to support such claims. Worth reading Part I B(4) before criticising the Court.
The ICJ advisory opinion found that by obstructing UN humanitarian missions Israel impedes the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, that is, the right to develop economically and culturally without external interference.
October 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM
The ICJ advisory opinion found that by obstructing UN humanitarian missions Israel impedes the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, that is, the right to develop economically and culturally without external interference.
The ICJ advisory opinion found that Israel has inadequately supplied Gaza’s population with essential goods and reminded Israel of its obligation to allow and support humanitarian relief.
October 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM
The ICJ advisory opinion found that Israel has inadequately supplied Gaza’s population with essential goods and reminded Israel of its obligation to allow and support humanitarian relief.
ICJ advisory opinion unambiguously states that Israel can no longer invoke “security” to suspend all humanitarian activities in Gaza.
October 22, 2025 at 4:04 PM
ICJ advisory opinion unambiguously states that Israel can no longer invoke “security” to suspend all humanitarian activities in Gaza.
Congratulations to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. I trust Japan will continue to play an active role on the global stage, building on its many contributions to international justice and the rule of law.
BREAKING: Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female leader, a historic event made possible by a coalition between the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party. 👉 ebx.sh/IsDzAl
October 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Congratulations to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. I trust Japan will continue to play an active role on the global stage, building on its many contributions to international justice and the rule of law.
The Malagasy people are entitled to seek change in their own country. Yet believing that a military takeover can bring stability is a dangerous misconception. You cannot defend democracy by dismantling it.
October 18, 2025 at 6:26 AM
The Malagasy people are entitled to seek change in their own country. Yet believing that a military takeover can bring stability is a dangerous misconception. You cannot defend democracy by dismantling it.
A ceasefire is no amnesty. Investigations into the conduct of Israel and Hamas continue in international and domestic courts. Wartime crimes leave lasting scars and demand accountability everywhere and always.
October 11, 2025 at 9:39 PM
A ceasefire is no amnesty. Investigations into the conduct of Israel and Hamas continue in international and domestic courts. Wartime crimes leave lasting scars and demand accountability everywhere and always.
Today the UN created an independent mechanism on Afghanistan to investigate crimes, including those against women and girls, preserve evidence, and support accountability. There are certainly significant barriers to implementation, but it is undeniably a step forward.
October 6, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Today the UN created an independent mechanism on Afghanistan to investigate crimes, including those against women and girls, preserve evidence, and support accountability. There are certainly significant barriers to implementation, but it is undeniably a step forward.
Just finished watching the ICC's judgment in the Abd-Al-Rahman case. He was found guilty on 27 out of 31 counts, under Articles 7 (crimes against humanity) and 8 (war crimes) of the Rome Statute. Abd-Al-Rahman was a militia leader during the conflict in Darfur, Sudan.
October 6, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Just finished watching the ICC's judgment in the Abd-Al-Rahman case. He was found guilty on 27 out of 31 counts, under Articles 7 (crimes against humanity) and 8 (war crimes) of the Rome Statute. Abd-Al-Rahman was a militia leader during the conflict in Darfur, Sudan.
Interestingly, the 50k homes that Vice Minister told the UNGA80 would be completed ahead of schedule were first pledged by Kim Jong Un at the 8th Party Congress (2021). Whether North Korea can realistically deliver 10,000 new homes per year given its resource constraints remains an open question.
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
His Excellency Kim Son Gyong spoke at the General Debate of the 80th Session of the General Assembly
gadebate.un.org
September 30, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Interestingly, the 50k homes that Vice Minister told the UNGA80 would be completed ahead of schedule were first pledged by Kim Jong Un at the 8th Party Congress (2021). Whether North Korea can realistically deliver 10,000 new homes per year given its resource constraints remains an open question.
Over 123M people were forcibly displaced in 2024 due to conflict, persecution and rights violations, more than 50% higher than in 2020. Sadly, it seems unlikely this trend will reverse amid global instability. The near-term goal should be to limit its scale.
September 23, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Over 123M people were forcibly displaced in 2024 due to conflict, persecution and rights violations, more than 50% higher than in 2020. Sadly, it seems unlikely this trend will reverse amid global instability. The near-term goal should be to limit its scale.
At the UN, the US backs expanding Kenya’s MSS in Haiti, authorized in 2023 (UNSC 2699), into a "Gang Suppression Force" of about 5,500. That is about twice the planned MSS size and well above current deployments; any gains are likely short term.
September 22, 2025 at 9:09 PM
At the UN, the US backs expanding Kenya’s MSS in Haiti, authorized in 2023 (UNSC 2699), into a "Gang Suppression Force" of about 5,500. That is about twice the planned MSS size and well above current deployments; any gains are likely short term.
We are witnessing an emerging consensus: 142 of 164 UNGA members voted in favor of a two-state solution with the State of Palestine living alongside Israel and condemned Hamas. The US and Israel were in the minority. Hopefully, this consensus will grow stronger.
September 13, 2025 at 5:55 PM
We are witnessing an emerging consensus: 142 of 164 UNGA members voted in favor of a two-state solution with the State of Palestine living alongside Israel and condemned Hamas. The US and Israel were in the minority. Hopefully, this consensus will grow stronger.
The strike on Doha is not only an unacceptable breach of international law and Qatari sovereignty, but also an affront to U.S. authority in the Middle East. If no action follows, it turns the unacceptable into the tolerated.
September 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The strike on Doha is not only an unacceptable breach of international law and Qatari sovereignty, but also an affront to U.S. authority in the Middle East. If no action follows, it turns the unacceptable into the tolerated.
Lukashenko likely views Moscow’s position as weakening and seeks ties with Beijing and Washington. It is a high-risk strategy and definitely not a good sign for his regime. He still carries international legal responsibility, which his weakening rule tries to avoid.
September 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Lukashenko likely views Moscow’s position as weakening and seeks ties with Beijing and Washington. It is a high-risk strategy and definitely not a good sign for his regime. He still carries international legal responsibility, which his weakening rule tries to avoid.