A panel of experts at the United Nations reported that the rising use of mercenaries and private security companies around the world often violates human rights and impedes the exercise of democracy.  Noting the recent examples of mercenary use in Libya and Côte d’Ivoire, along with long-standing allegations against private contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq, the panel recommended that the international community take action and regulate the use of mercenaries.  

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, can be extradited to Sweden to face questioning over alleged sexual abuse, London's High Court has ruled.  Assange has 14 days to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Citation: Ravi Somaiya, WikiLeaks Founder Can Be Extradited to Sweden in Sex Abuse Case, The New York Times, Nov. 2, 2011

Law enforcement officials in the United States annoucned the break up of a major drug-smuggling operation with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico.  The drug-ring had smuggled billions of dollars worth of cocaine and marijuana over the U.S-Mexican border before being shut down.

Citation: Marc Lacey, 76 Arrested as Officials Break Up Mexico-to-Arizona Drug-Smuggling Ring, The New York Times, October 31, 2011

[caption align=right ]Council of Europe Credits[/caption]

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on Thursday that Sylvère Ahorugeze, a Rwandan national currently residing in Sweden, may be extradited back to Rwanda to face charges of commiting genocide and crimes against humanity.  Mr. Ahorugeze, who is currently in police custody in Sweden, has denied the charges and argued that he would not receieve a fair trial if extradited to Rwanda.  The ECHR found that Rwanda had made sufficient improvements to its court system to allow for a fair trial and had abolished cruel and unusual forms of punishment.  The court ruled unanimously that the extradition would not violate the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Citation: Ahorugeze v. Sweden, no. 37075/09, ECHR 2011.

The International Criminal Court is negotiating a surrender agreement with Saif al-Islam, the son of ex-Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.  Saif al-Islam and an associate have been charged with crimes against humanity, and were referred to the ICC by the United Nations Security Council.  

Citation: Samia Nakhoul, Gaddafi son, intelligence chief "want to surrender", REUTERS, October 26, 2011.

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