"Legal binding decisions"

#11073291

13 March 2024

The Peace Palace building of the International Court of Justice in the Hague. The building of the Peace Palace houses the International Court of Justice, which is the principal judicial body of the United Nations, the Permanent Court of Arbitration PCA, The Hague Academy of International Law and the Peace Palace Library. ICJ or World Court is the only international court that adjudicates general disputes between nations, and gives advisory opinions on international legal issues. It is one of the six organs of the United Nations UN. The ICJ consists of a panel of 15 judges elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council. Den Haag, The Netherlands on March 2024

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#11041278

2 March 2024

An activist is standing in front of riot police in Saix, Tarn, France, on March 1, 2024. Following the report by Michel Forst, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, activists from LVEL (La Voie Est Libre, meaning 'The Way Is Free') and other associations are attempting to get past the riot police to resupply the 'Ecureuils' (meaning 'Squirrels') who are living in the trees of the 'Crem'Arbre' ZAD (Zone To Defend) to prevent their cutting. Despite their efforts, and those of MPs like Karen Erodial, they have not succeeded. The Gendarmes Mobiles (riot police) have intervened to clear the ZAD of all opponents and are now guarding the trees to prevent the 'Ecureuils' from receiving food and water from supporters. After two days, the police have only managed to dislodge one 'Ecureuil', but new trees are being occupied by 'Ecureuils' at a new site called 'Cal'Arbre'. The collective 'La Voie est Libre' is demanding that the construction of the A69 highway be halted until all legal decisions are finalized, and the expropriations for farmers are unresolved. Opponents argue that upgrading the N126 would be sufficient for the anticipated 6,000 vehicles per day and would be much less expensive than the A69 highway, which is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 54 kilometers, destroying over 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural land.

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