ICL News - 20 December 2012

• At the Khmer Rouge Tribunal (ECCC) in Cambodia, Trial Chamber has rejected a request by Ieng Sary to reconsider its earlier decision of 26 Nov in which it found him fit to stand trial. 

• At the ICC, Trial Chamber II has rejected the OTP's application for the continued detention of Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui following his acquittal earlier this week.  The OTP has appealed.

• Chair of independent commission of inquiry on Syria Paulo Pinheiro told the Human Rights Council that the fighting in Syria is becoming overtly sectarian and more foreign fighters from the Middle East and Africa are joining the struggle.  The NY Times has largely confirmed this through its own investigation in Syria. 

• All members of the Security Council except the US have demanded an immediate halt to Israel's construction of new settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

• In a phone call to Paul Kagame, Obama has urged the Rwandan President to halt support for M23 rebels in eastern DRC.

• The UN has now suspended its vaccination drive in Pakistan after eight of its workers were killed over a three day period.  Taliban commanders in North Waziristan say the drive can continue when the US stops using drones to kill its comrades.  

• The US army has asked for the death penalty in the case against Robert Bales, who is accused of killing 16 civilians in Afghanistan during his fourth round of duty in March this year.