Rights groups urge Council of Europe to publish draft statute for Ukraine tribunal
A coalition of several human rights organizations urged the Council of Europe on Wednesday to publish a draft statute for the new Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, endorsed by the Council’s Committee of Ministers this week. The coalition of rights organizations include the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Amnesty International, [...]
UN body finds Russia responsible for downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17
The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) found that Russia failed in its obligation to uphold international air law concerning the 2014 shoot-down of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in a historic vote on Monday. The vote was particularly important as it marked the first time in the history of the ICAO, a UN [...]
US Homeland Security Department ends protected status for Afghans
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Monday announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for individuals from Afghanistan. Noem stated that the “conditions in Afghanistan” no longer warrant continuing the program, finding that it is “contrary to the national interest.” Before a TPS designation for a country expires, the secretary is required to [...]
Pope Leo XIV urges an end to worldwide conflicts in first address
On his first Sunday address from the Vatican before an audience of approximately 10,000 at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV called for “never again war” across the world and for a “lasting peace” to be brokered. The pope also made specific references to the Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine and India-Pakistan conflicts. Bishop Robert Francis Prevost was [...]
Poland accuses Russia of ordering Warsaw shopping center fire
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated on Sunday that Russia was behind the fire at the Marywilska shopping center in Warsaw last year, warning that Poland will continue investigating the matter and hold the responsible individuals accountable. Tusk stated on X: “We now know for sure that the great fire of the Marywilska shopping center [...]
CPJ urges release of journalist Veronika Orlova as Russia intensifies crackdown on dissent
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday called for the immediate release of Russian journalist Veronika Orlova, who was sentenced to 13 days of administrative detention after filming the aftermath of an anti-Putin protest in Moscow earlier this week. Orlova, a reporter for independent outlet SOTAvision, was arrested Tuesday near Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge, where [...]
International coalition endorses special tribunal for crime of aggression against Ukraine
An international coalition of states on Friday formally endorsed the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine within the Council of Europe. The endorsement came during a high-level event in Lviv attended by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, European Commissioner Michael McGrath, High Representative Kaja Kallas, and representatives from the [...]
Foreign ministers from Ukraine, the UK, and several European states on Friday announced their support for the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute Russian officials for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. The countries include at least 37 states in addition to Ukraine. These states will have the power to hold accountable Russian political [...]
An Opportunity for Justice: The New Aggression Tribunal for Ukraine
“The world no longer has a choice between force and law; if civilization is to survive, it must choose the rule of law.”—Paul Krugman Introduction The Council of Europe’s establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine represents a significant development in the international justice landscape. As nations grapple with the [...]
“Credo quia absurdum”—”I believe because it is absurd.”—Tertullian, early Christian theologian It’s conspicuous. Despite impressive technological advances, the United States remains a proud bastion of anti-reason. Though approval numbers trend downward, President Donald J. Trump remains widely-admired for “courage,” “caring” and “common sense.” In some quarters, Trump is seriously considered a divine rescuer, a deliverer [...]
