With momentum building and global support on the rise, a draft treaty on crimes against humanity stands as a beacon of progress in international law. Led by a coalition of nations and backed by international civil society organizations, this treaty holds promise for enhancing accountability and prioritizing the rights of victims of profound injustices around [...]
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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 [...]
UN Security Council passes resolution demanding ceasefire in Gaza with US abstaining
The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Monday demanding an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. In addition to calling for a ceasefire, the resolution demands the “immediate and unconditional” release of hostages and a dramatic increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. It emphasizes that all parties must follow [...]
UN Secretary General António Guterres made another call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza following a trip to Egypt near Rafah on Saturday. He also made a call for Israel to allow aid delivers into the occupied territories without intervening, and for Hamas to release all hostages. Guterres met with UN humanitarian workers during his [...]
China Coast Guard accused of hostile attack on Philippines supply boat in disputed South China Sea
Philippine officials accused a Chinese Coast Guard ship on Saturday of hitting a Philippine supply boat with water cannons in the heavily disputed waters of the South China Sea, causing heavy damage to the vessel and injuring several crew members. The Philippine supply boat was allegedly blocked from passage by Chinese Coast Guard and maritime [...]
Russia and China veto US-authored UN Security Council Israel-Hamas ceasefire resolution
Russia and China vetoed a US-authored UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution Friday that called for a ceasefire in Gaza. The exact text of the UNSC Resolution is not currently available to the public; however, UN News provided a summary of its content. According to UN News, the resolution called the need for an immediate and [...]
The Cost of Revenge: A Cantor's Critique of Israel's Response to Hamas
In the wake of the deadly Hamas terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, many of Israel’s supporters, myself included, have succumbed to the understandable impulse for violent retribution. Israel is a land that I love, both culturally as a Jew — and third-generation Holocaust survivor — and spiritually as an ordained cantor. It follows that [...]
Donald Trump's Immunity Argument From the Standpoint of International Law
The fact that a person who committed an act which constitutes a crime under international law acted as Head of State or responsible Government official does not relieve him from responsibility under international law Principles of International Law Recognized in the Charter of the Nuremberg Tribunal and in the Judgment of the Tribunal (1950) (Principle [...]
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 [...]
Gambia lawmakers refer bill reversing 2015 female genital mutilation ban to national committee
Gambian lawmakers referred a bill attempting to reverse the Women’s (Amendment) Act, 2015 to the national committee for further consultation on Monday. The Women’s (Amendment) Act, 2015 bans female genital mutilation (FGM). Local activists gathered outside the National Assembly of The Gambia on Monday with protest signs to boycott the bill. FGM is a practice [...]