Search Results for: reform

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 [...]

READ MORE

A federal appeals court panel ruled Wednesday that the date requirement for mail-in ballots for Pennsylvania voters did not violate the Civil Right Act’s Materiality Provision, reversing a lower court’s decision. This ballot debate has remained ongoing since the enactment of Act 77, a voter reform bill in Pennsylvania. Act 77 requires Pennsylvania voters to [...]

READ MORE

Saudi Arabia was elected chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) by “acclamation” on Wednesday after an unopposed bid for leadership with no dissent, despite outcry from human rights organizations ahead of the vote. Saudi Ambassador to the UN Abdulaziz Alwasil will assume the position. The CSW is dedicated to promoting gender [...]

READ MORE

A European Commission spokesman expressed regret to Reuters on Thursday over Slovakia dissolving its Special Prosecutor’s Office without safeguards to ensure the continuity of effective investigations in the country. The spokesman said that the dissolution of the office would potentially undermine the effectiveness of investigations. The office was officially dissolved on March 20 after its dissolution [...]

READ MORE

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia ruled Monday that President Zoran Milanović can only run for prime minister if he resigns from his current position as president.  President of the 15-judge court Miroslav Šumanović wrote for the court, explaining that Article 96 of the Croatian Constitution precludes a sitting president from participating in [...]

READ MORE

Under President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s leadership, the Sri Lankan civil war reached a brutal conclusion on May 18, 2009, ending a 25-year-long conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist rebel group. Rooted in longstanding grievances, including discriminatory policies against Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority, the conflict saw the [...]

READ MORE

Estonia’s Minister of Justice, Kalle Laanet, resigned on Saturday amidst corruption allegations that have surfaced in the country. Laanet announced his decision to resign following deliberations with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. He will continue to serve as Minister of Justice until the Prime Minister appoints a new candidate. Local media has brought to light two [...]

READ MORE

Civil society is facing unprecedented challenges globally due to escalating conflicts and crises. In 2023, groups that were pivotal in advocating for human rights, offering humanitarian aid and giving a voice to the marginalized encountered increasing difficulties. Their work has become more challenging due to growing repression and conflict, yet they remain beacons of hope [...]

READ MORE

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced Wednesday that Denmark plans to draft women into the country’s armed forces for the first time. Under current law, only men are required to register for the draft.  Frederiksen cited a desire to achieve “full equality between the sexes” as one of the drivers behind the proposed reform. According [...]

READ MORE