Explainer: US Mass Incarceration and Its Disparate Racial Impacts
The US prides itself on being a nation built on freedom, justice, and individual rights. And yet the evolution of its system of mass incarceration — a system that cannot be defined without reference to shocking racial disparities — seems to directly contradict these founding principles. The US prison population dwarfs those of nearly every other [...]
After years of waiting, the Tunisian judiciary has delivered its verdict in the highly publicized case of the assassination of opposition figure Chokri Belaïd. The decision, rendered late on Tuesday night after lengthy deliberations, marks a pivotal moment in Tunisia’s quest for justice and accountability. Chokri Belaïd, a prominent left-wing political figure and vocal critic [...]
Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations, does not shy away from tough questions. Though many in a position such as his might shy away from argument, Rae seems to relish the opportunity to engage in some intellectual sparring. It was in this context that I requested an interview as Canada grapples with multiple [...]
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) indicted former Syrian Vice President Rifaat al-Assad on Tuesday, referring him to the Federal Criminal Court for trial. The OAG accused al-Assad of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity while serving as commander of the defense brigades and commander of operations in the Syrian city of [...]
Vietnam lists 2 overseas separatist groups as terrorist organizations
Vietnam announced on Thursday that it has listed two separatist Montagnard groups based in the US as terrorist organizations on Thursday. The Montagnard refers to an array of highland minorities distinct from the majority Viet population. Because of the two groups are now listed as terrorist organizations, anyone found by Vietnamese authorities to have engaged [...]
Explainer: The Philippines-China Maritime Dispute and International Law
Through 2023, tensions in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines have escalated, marked by such significant escalations as the removal of a floating barrier by the Philippines near the Scarborough Shoal and the deployment of its Coast Guard amid increased activity by the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) near Julian Felipe Reef (or [...]
Jews Must Speak Out Against Alabama's Planned Nitrogen-Gassing Executions
A lawyer-turned-death penalty abolitionist and a Jewish cantor join forces for JURIST to argue that the Jewish community has a unique obligation to voice resistance to Alabama’s plans to begin using nitrogen gas as a means of executing death row convicts. In Part 1, Stephen Cooper reflects on his great-grandmother’s death in a Nazi death [...]
The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) announced Monday it would close after ten years of service. Mali previously called upon the UN to withdraw from the country “without delay” in June. The UN began withdrawing the mission in July. MINUSMA expressed gratitude to the countries that supported their effort and thanked the [...]
UK, US and Canada sanction individuals and entities for human rights abuse
The UK, the US and Canada announced coordinated sanctions on Friday against individuals and entities linked to human rights abuse, approaching the 75th anniversary of the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UK has imposed 46 sanctions of asset freezes and travel bans. The first category of these focuses mainly on forced labour [...]
Canada Must Take a Stand Against Lobbying Efforts for Sudan's RSF Militia
The war in Sudan that broke out in April between the country’s armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia has already had a devastating impact. Thousands have been killed. Millions have been displaced. And that’s to say nothing of the massive destruction of buildings and infrastructure. In parallel with the battles on the [...]
