Explainer Part II: The Israel-Hamas War and the International Court of Justice
The ongoing conflict engulfing Israel and Palestine continues to raise significant issues of international law and policy. My earlier contribution focused on the jurisdiction and substantive law of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Here I address the ongoing litigation before the International Court of Justice (ICJ or Court). Because the crime of genocide can be [...]
Breaking Barriers: A Global Review of Legislative Reform on Women's Rights
The plight of women’s rights in various countries reflects a complex interplay of legal, cultural and societal norms that significantly disenfranchise women and girls, threatening their human rights and dignity. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Pakistan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, and Nigeria present challenging environments where women’s rights [...]
Explainer: The Israel-Hamas War and the International Criminal Court
The current conflict engulfing Israel and Palestine raises significant issues of international law and policy. This is part one in an anticipated two-part series that will discuss some of the relevant legal questions before the International Criminal Court (ICC; Part I) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ; Part II). With both courts located in [...]
Taiwan's Leadership Faces Uncertain Future Under China's Watchful Eye
The world watched as Taiwanese voters cast their ballots to elect their new president on Saturday, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s current Vice President. The 2024 election poses a challenge for Taiwan, as the nation strives to maintain the status quo and its degree of autonomy as China escalates its military actions [...]
China introduces list of prohibited actions for officials dealing with Beijing's entrepreneurs
The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection of Beijing, China on Wednesday rolled out a list with 10 categories of wrongdoings to avoid for government officials who deal with entrepreneurs in the city to give a push to the private sector. China’s private sector contributes to more than 60 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product [...]
The US granted Mexican journalist Emilio Gutiérrez Soto asylum on Thursday after a 15-year battle. Gutiérrez Soto had to flee Mexico in 2008 after his critical reporting on the Mexican military drew negative attention from Mexican authorities. Since then, Gutiérrez Soto has fought to obtain safe asylum status in the US. Appellate Immigration Judge O’Connor [...]
Tanzania opposition leader released on bail following illegal gathering arrest
Tanzanian opposition leader and former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu was released on bail Sunday after being arrested by the Karatu District Police in his hotel room for allegedly holding an illegal gathering and obstructing police duties. According to the police statement, Lissu was held for interviewing before being released. Since returning from exile earlier this [...]
New York court rules state ethics commission unconstitutional
New York Supreme Court Justice Thomas Marcelle ruled Monday in the case Cuomo v. New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (NYSCOELIG) that NYSCOELIG violates the New York State Constitution due to its statutorily prescribed independence. NYSCOELIG was created under New York Executive Law §94 as an independent ethics watchdog. Marcelle stated [...]
Nepal’s Interim Verdict on Same-Sex Marriage—a Clarion Call for India?
The Nepal Supreme Court’s June 28 ruling requiring the government to register same-sex relationships follows an arduous struggle to achieve marriage equality in the South Asian nation. This historic order is expected to have an impact on an upcoming verdict regarding a similar plea at the Supreme Court of India. Despite India’s decriminalization of queer [...]
This article is the second in a series covering attacks on the rule of law. The rule of law is a political philosophy premised on the promise that all citizens, leaders, and institutions are accountable to the same laws, guaranteed through processes, practices, and norms that work together to support the equality of all citizens [...]
