As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we should recognize that our history of gender inequity and oppression is now being used by our highest courts to narrowly define the contours of women’s rights going forward. We need to fight back to ensure our principles — of equality, human dignity, and respect for the [...]

The UN General Assembly Wednesday adopted a landmark resolution, led by the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, which calls on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to provide an advisory opinion on states’ obligations to address climate change. The resolution also requests the Court’s opinion on the legal consequences for states whose “acts and omissions” [...]

Kentucky lawmakers Wednesday overrode Governor Andy Beshear’s veto on Senate Bill 150, a bill to enact restrictions on the rights of transgender youth to seek gender-affirming care and to use bathrooms that align with their gender identities. The Kentucky House of Representative approved the override in a 76-23 vote, and the state’s Senate approved the [...]

The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) Wednesday expressed concern over the UK’s Illegal Migration Bill, saying the legislation didn’t comply with “core elements” of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The Bill provides for the detainment and expulsion of all those people who arrive [...]

North Carolina lawmakers Wednesday overrode Governor Roy Cooper’s veto on a bill that would allow residents to buy a handgun without a permit. Under the bill, residents no longer need a permit from the sheriff’s office which would eliminate background checks for those purchasing a gun. However, if a resident chooses to purchase a gun [...]

UN Human Rights media spokesperson Jeremy Laurence Thursday issued a statement on the situation in Afghanistan, highlighting the UN’s “alarm” at the ongoing arbitrary arrests and detentions of civil society activists and media workers in Afghanistan, in particular the targeting of those who speak out against the de facto authorities’ discriminatory policies restricting women and [...]

The US Senate repealed the authorizations for use of military force (AUMFs) against Iraq Wednesday by a vote of 66-30. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) made opening remarks addressing the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs formerly passed by Congress. He said: The United States, Iraq, the entire world has changed dramatically since 2002. These AUMFs [...]

Shoe manufacturer Adidas Wednesday reversed course and withdrew its claim against Black Lives Matter (BLM) alleging that the group’s logo violates Adidas’ trademark. Adidas filed the initial claim with the US Trademark Office on Monday. According to the BBC, a spokesperson for Adidas said, “Adidas will withdraw its opposition to the Black Lives Matter Global [...]

California Governor Gavin Newsom Tuesday signed Senate Bill No. 2, the first state-level gas price gouging penalty law in the US, into law. Newsom’s office referred to the new law as the “strongest state-level oversight and accountability measures on Big Oil in the nation.” The new law authorizes the California Energy Commission (CEC) to set [...]

A widespread or systematic attack directed against civilians is a crime against humanity—a crime against us all. The jurisprudence around the creation of this international crime began early in the 20th century and evolved through the International Military Tribunals at Nuremberg and Tokyo, and into the modern era during what is called the Age of [...]