Evening Brief: State Department Releases Updated Human Rights Reports, Zelenskyy Rejects Russian Demand to Cede Remaining Donetsk Territory

· Guy D. McCardle

Ukrainian forces launch missiles from the middle of a sunflower field. (@DefenceU/X)

Here are tonight’s top stories: Trump seizes control of D.C.’s police in a crime crackdown, State Department sparks outrage with trimmed rights reports, US sanctions Congo militia over mineral trade, Iran hints at direct nuclear talks, Israel explores Gaza resettlement in South Sudan, and Zelenskyy rejects Russian demands ahead of the Trump-Putin summit.

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Trump Deploys National Guard, Takes Control of D.C. Police in Crime Crackdown

US President Donald Trump has deployed 800 National Guard troops and taken temporary control of the Metropolitan Police Department under a law granting him authority over Washington, D.C., in emergencies.

The move comes despite city data showing violent crime at a 30-year low following a surge in 2023.

Trump cited a “crime emergency,” framing the capital as “lawless,” while Mayor Muriel Bowser pledged cooperation but emphasized that the police chief remains in operational command.

The federal operation began Monday with 850 federal law enforcement officers making 23 arrests on charges ranging from homicide to fare evasion.

The US Park Police also removed 70 homeless encampments, with residents given options for shelter or drug treatment, but warned of fines or jail if they refused. The law permits federal control for 30 days, but the White House signaled it could seek an extension requiring congressional approval.

Bowser and Trump have a history of political clashes, including over the 2020 federal law enforcement response to protests and Trump’s push for a military parade. Critics such as Clinique Chapman of the D.C. Justice Lab called the current takeover a “power play” rather than a genuine safety measure.

Bowser acknowledged the city’s limited autonomy under the 1973 Home Rule Act leaves it vulnerable to such interventions.

Trump is the first president to invoke Section 740 to assume direct control of D.C.’s police force, marking an escalation of his law-and-order approach in his second term.

 

State Department Releases Updated Human Rights Reports with Policy Changes

The Trump administration released its 2024 human rights reports Tuesday with major changes, including removing references to LGBTQ+ discrimination, scaling back coverage of reproductive rights, and criticizing what it calls restrictions on right-wing political speech in US-allied nations.

The State Department said the revisions were meant to streamline the reports but confirmed the changes delayed their release by months.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemned the omissions, calling them a deliberate effort to downplay abuses.

The reports still highlight abuses in China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, but they also address human rights records in countries agreeing to accept migrants deported from the US under Trump’s immigration policies. While the report on El Salvador found no significant abuses, those for Eswatini, South Sudan, and Rwanda cited unlawful killings, torture, media restrictions, and lack of accountability for officials.

The administration singled out South Africa for worsening rights conditions, focusing on alleged discrimination against white Afrikaners tied to new land reform laws.

It also criticized the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Brazil for measures it says suppress right-wing voices, specifically citing the prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and related social media restrictions. These positions align with Trump’s broader immigration and free speech agenda while drawing sharp pushback from both international allies and rights advocates.

 

US Sanctions Armed Group and Companies Over Illicit Mineral Trade in Eastern Congo

The US government has sanctioned Tuesday the CODECO armed group for controlling and profiting from the coltan-rich Rubaya mining site in eastern Congo from 2022 to early 2024.

According to the State and Treasury Departments, CODECO ran illegal mining operations, collected unlawful taxes, engaged in mineral smuggling, imposed forced labor, and executed civilians in mining areas.

Sanctions also target Congolese mining firm CDMC for selling minerals sourced from Rubaya and Hong Kong-based exporters East Rise and Star Dragon for purchasing minerals from the site.

All assets in the US belonging to the group and companies are frozen, and American entities are prohibited from doing business with them.

Rubaya is now under the control of the US-sanctioned M23 rebel group.

The sanctions come as the US pushes to secure access to Congo’s critical minerals while mediating peace efforts in the conflict-torn region.

In June, the US brokered a peace deal between Congo and Rwanda aimed at ending violence and opening mineral access, with a permanent agreement between Congo and M23 slated for signing by August 18. However, both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire this week, threatening the deal’s progress.

 

Iran Signals Conditional Openness to Direct Nuclear Talks with US

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref said Tuesday that Tehran is prepared for direct negotiations with the United States if conditions are suitable, but dismissed Washington’s demand to end uranium enrichment as “a joke.”

The remarks come after the sixth round of US-Iran talks, mediated by Oman since April, was suspended in June following Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Aref emphasized that any talks must be held on equal terms to protect Iran’s interests.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also voiced support for resuming dialogue despite mutual distrust, warning against letting emotions dictate foreign policy. His comments drew a cautionary response from Revolutionary Guard commander Aziz Ghazanfari, who said public statements on diplomacy should be made with discretion.

The US maintains that Iran’s uranium enrichment poses a pathway to nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran rejects. Both Washington and Tel Aviv accuse Iran of seeking nuclear arms, while Tehran insists its program is peaceful.

The dispute over enrichment remains the central obstacle to any breakthrough in negotiations.

 

Israel, South Sudan in Talks Over Possible Gaza Resettlement Plan

Israel is in discussions with South Sudan over a proposal to resettle Palestinians from the Gaza Strip in the East African nation, according to six sources cited by the Associated Press on Tuesday.

The plan is part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for large-scale “voluntary migration” from Gaza following the 22-month war with Hamas.

Netanyahu has promoted similar proposals with other African countries, though Palestinians, rights groups, and much of the international community view such plans as forced expulsion in violation of international law.

Lobbyist Joe Szlavik, who works with South Sudan, confirmed he was briefed on the talks and said an Israeli delegation is expected to visit to explore setting up makeshift camps, likely funded by Israel. Egypt opposes the relocation efforts and has been lobbying South Sudan to reject them, citing fears of a wider refugee crisis.

The AP has also reported past outreach by Israel to Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland about accepting Palestinians.

Supporters in South Sudan see potential diplomatic and financial benefits, including closer ties to Israel and possible favor with US President Donald Trump, who floated the relocation idea earlier this year. However, critics warn that transferring Palestinians from one war-torn, hunger-stricken region to another could be dangerous, citing South Sudan’s history of conflict, famine, and fragile peace.

Civil society leader Edmund Yakani cautioned that resentment could arise due to historical tensions with Arab and Muslim populations, saying the country should not be used as a “dumping ground” or bargaining chip in international politics.

 

Council of Europe Urges Halt to Arms Transfers to Israel Over Rights Concerns

The Council of Europe on Tuesday called on its 46 member states to suspend deliveries of weapons to Israel if there is a risk they could be used to commit human rights violations.

Human rights commissioner Michael O’Flaherty urged governments to apply existing legal standards on arms transfers, press for unhindered humanitarian access, and push for the immediate release of hostages.

The statement follows Germany’s decision to block delivery of certain weapons that could be used in Gaza as part of Israel’s plan to seize Gaza City.

O’Flaherty acknowledged such national measures but stressed that “more needs to be done, and quickly.”

Several world leaders have criticized Israel’s expansion of military operations in Gaza, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended targeting remaining Hamas strongholds as the “best way to end the war.”

The Council’s call emphasizes both curbing potential rights abuses and increasing humanitarian relief to those affected by the conflict.

 

Zelenskyy Rejects Russian Demand to Cede Remaining Donetsk Territory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding Ukraine withdraw from the remaining 30 percent of the Donetsk region under Kyiv’s control as part of a proposed ceasefire.

Zelenskyy rejected the plan outright, calling it unconstitutional and warning it would serve as a launchpad for future Russian offensives. He said US-led diplomatic efforts ahead of Friday’s Trump-Putin summit have not addressed Kyiv’s key demands for security guarantees or European participation in talks.

Zelenskyy learned of Russia’s position following a call with US President Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff, who relayed Moscow’s expectation for territorial concessions from both sides.

European leaders, excluded from the summit format, urged Trump to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty is protected, stressing that peace cannot be negotiated without Kyiv’s involvement.

The standoff comes as Russian forces advance toward Pokrovsk, a strategic city in Donetsk, with analysts warning the next two days could be decisive. Ukrainian commanders described the front as “difficult” amid heavy Russian pressure. Separately, a Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian military training facility killed one soldier and wounded 11.

European officials view the Alaska summit as a high-risk moment, fearing Putin could secure recognition of Russian-held territory or sanctions relief, fracturing the transatlantic alliance.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was the sole European Union leader to refuse endorsing a joint statement backing Ukraine.

 

Pakistan Launches Targeted Operation Against Militants in Bajaur, Displacing 100,000

Pakistani security forces have begun a targeted operation against militant hideouts in Bajaur, a northwestern district bordering Afghanistan and a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP).

Officials said the operation, backed by helicopters, is not large-scale but aims to strike insurgent positions while avoiding civilian casualties.

Local administrators estimate nearly 100,000 residents have fled to safer areas, with the provincial government pledging 50,000 rupees ($175) in compensation per displaced family.

Charities, including the Al-Khidmat Foundation, are distributing food to those in government shelters. Displaced residents expressed uncertainty about returning, citing destruction from a previous 2009 military offensive in the area.

The TTP, a close ally of the Afghan Taliban, has maintained sanctuaries in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover and has launched cross-border attacks into Bajaur.

Pakistan previously declared victory over militants in the district in 2010 following a major campaign, but renewed violence has forced another mass displacement.

No casualty figures from the current operation have been reported.

 

UN Probe Finds Systematic Torture by Myanmar Security Forces

United Nations investigators have uncovered extensive evidence of systematic torture by Myanmar’s security forces, according to a report released Tuesday by the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM).

The findings, covering July 2023 to June 2024, detail beatings, electric shocks, gang rape, strangulation, and mutilation (including the removal of fingernails) often leading to death. Victims included children, some detained as stand-ins for missing parents.

The IIMM identified senior-level perpetrators but withheld names due to ongoing investigations. Based on over 1,300 sources, including eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence, and documents, the report says many victims could identify their abusers by name or face, which could aid future prosecutions. Myanmar’s military-backed government has not responded to repeated U.N. requests for information or access.

The military, in power since the 2021 coup, denies atrocities and blames unrest on “terrorists.”

The IIMM is also investigating earlier abuses, including the 2017 crackdown on the Rohingya and other post-coup crimes, and is supporting cases in jurisdictions such as the UK and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

IIMM head Nicholas Koumjian warned that UN budget cuts could halt work on documenting sexual violence, crimes against children, and witness protection by year’s end, severely undermining efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.

 

Sources: News Agencies