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International Law

The Libya Trial -- Victor's Justice at the ICC?

Seth Engel | Posted 01.12.2012 | World

Seth Engel

There are certain crimes -- be they war crimes or crimes against humanity -- that are illegal, no matter what your position in society or in which nation you reside.

The Latest Skirmish in Afghanistan: Hate to Say We Told You So

Daphne Eviatar | Posted 01.09.2012 | Politics

Daphne Eviatar

The U.S. government can't credibly insist that the Afghans improve their justice system and treatment of detainees if the U.S. military doesn't first get its own detention house in order.

Releasing Callixte: the Best Decision the ICC Has Ever Made

Seth Engel | Posted 12.21.2011 | World

Seth Engel

It's easy to say that dictators, tyrants or terrorists are guilty and deserve to be shot. It is important to remember, however, that we no longer live in an age where we can summarily execute those who are responsible for the gravest of atrocities.

Mike Sacks

Supreme Court Debates Again Whether Corporations Are People

HuffingtonPost.com | Mike Sacks | Posted 12.16.2011 | Politics

This article is in collaboration with The Dylan Ratigan Show's "Mad As Hell" series. WASHINGTON -- A multinational oil company will be coming to th...

The Competitive Privacy Marketplace: Regulators Competing on Privacy, Not the Companies

Christina Gagnier | Posted 01.08.2012 | Technology

Christina Gagnier

As most countries are just beginning to tackle data regulation online, an uncertain future remains for users on the World Wide Web.

High Stakes for an Administration Battle: A National Security Nightmare

Daphne Eviatar | Posted 11.16.2011 | World

Daphne Eviatar

As if we didn't have enough wars already, a battle is now reportedly taking place within the Obama administration over whether the U.S. government has the legal authority to kill low-level suspected terrorist supporters where the U.S. now has troops on the ground.

Taking Responsibility for Torture in Afghanistan

Chris Rogers | Posted 11.09.2011 | World

Chris Rogers

There are no easy solutions to the detention dilemmas of international forces in a country where torture by the host government is widespread.

Freedom Flotilla II: No to a Kinder, Gentler Siege

Nadia Hijab | Posted 07.05.2011 | World

Nadia Hijab

The Gaza flotilla is not about delivering "goods" to transform Israel's siege into a kinder, gentler blockade. Rather, it is to deliver this question: By what right does Israel besiege Gaza? And this answer: None, under international law.

It's a Matter of Respect

Andrea Lyon | Posted 08.30.2011 | Politics

Andrea Lyon

In just a few days, the state of Texas is scheduled to execute a Mexican citizen. His name is Humberto Leal Garcia. Mr. Leal is a Mexican nat...

Netanyahu's Speech and the Democrats' Dangerous Embrace of Extremism

Stephen Zunes | Posted 08.06.2011 | World

Stephen Zunes

There will always be Democrats who will sell out to corporate interests and compromise. However, when it comes to such blatant affronts to international legal norms as those exemplified by Netanyahu's speech, it is time to draw the line.

The Fallacies of the Torture Debate

Craig Martin | Posted 07.19.2011 | Politics

Craig Martin

In the famous ticking time bomb hypothetical, it is moral to torture one person in order to save the lives of thousands, that the right to life trumps the right to physical integrity and security. This is a false construct.

Abu Ghraib Torture Victims Deserve Compensation

Gabor Rona | Posted 07.13.2011 | Politics

Gabor Rona

Are Abu Ghraib torture victims entitled to compensation? Not one victim of official cruelty in U.S. custody has had access to an enforceable, effective remedy because the government has argued that allowing these claims to be heard would endanger national security.

Spanish Judge Baltasar GarzĂ³n Who Indicted Bin Laden Opposes Targeted Killing

Democracy Now! | Posted 07.12.2011 | World

Democracy Now!

"Any person who leads a terrorist organization like al Qaeda is obviously a target," Spanish judge Baltasar GarzĂ³n said. "Under the rule of law, justice should be sought by legal means.

Osama Bin Laden's Death Can't Erase 10 Years of War and Lawlessness

Vincent Warren | Posted 07.11.2011 | World

Vincent Warren

If bin Laden had been captured and tried in a fair and transparent process, the facts of the case could have been discussed, a historical record created, more information may have emerged and individuals who lost loved ones could have testified.

It's Private Sector vs. Private Sector in the Ultimate Maritime Smackdown

David Isenberg | Posted 06.21.2011 | Business

David Isenberg

Because modern piracy is largely an economic crime, and because states appear unable to stop it with any of the political, legal, or military tools, economic actors -- shipping companies -- should be given greater leeway to respond effectively.

Following International Law Helps the US in Libya

Thomas H. Lee | Posted 05.29.2011 | Politics

Thomas H. Lee

The United States, the United Kingdom, and France should stay within the bounds of the two explicit missions of protecting civilians and enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya.

Obama's Veto on Israeli Settlements Demonstrates Contempt for International Humanitarian Law

Stephen Zunes | Posted 05.25.2011 | World

Stephen Zunes

Obama's insistence that resolving the conflict over Israel's illegal settlements should be restricted to bilateral negotiations assumes symmetry in power and legality in the two sides that doesn't, in fact, exist.

Presidents Calderon and Obama: Frank Words and Actions Needed to Stem Violence in Mexico

Lisa Haugaard | Posted 05.25.2011 | World

Lisa Haugaard

Curbing organized violence involves thorny issues that will not be resolved overnight. For the U.S., it means tackling drug treatment and prevention, and halting the flow of guns and cash.

Lawyers Without Borders: It's Time to Globalize the J.D.

John Haffner | Posted 05.25.2011 | College

John Haffner

In the 1870s Christopher Columbus Langdell, Dean of Harvard Law School, introduced a major innovation in legal education: the case method. Nearly a century and a half later, another innovation is afoot.

George Bush 'Cuts and Runs' From Torture Case in Switzerland

Vincent Warren | Posted 05.25.2011 | Politics

Vincent Warren

Ducking a charge of torture is not as easy as ducking a shoe thrown at a press conference. Accordingly, the CCR has publicly released the Preliminary Bush Torture Indictment.

5.7 Million Reasons for Duvalier to Return to Haiti

Mark V. Vlasic | Posted 05.25.2011 | World

Mark V. Vlasic

Why would Duvalier, a Haitian living in France, care about a law change in Switzerland? Money -- that's why.

New START Signals a New Start on Treaties

Don Kraus | Posted 05.25.2011 | Politics

Don Kraus

Much can be learned from the successful passage of the New START treaty. Here are seven lessons for policymakers to consider as they move forward.

Spain's Courage: Holding Iraq Accountable

Allan Gerson | Posted 05.25.2011 | World

Allan Gerson

Thank goodness someone has shown humanitarian concern about the plight of 3,400 Iranians in Camp Ashraf, Iraq. In the face of Iraq's unwillingness to shoulder its international responsibilities, Spain has stepped up to the challenge.

Five Ways to Protect Corporate Executives From Catastrophic Liability

Ben Kerschberg | Posted 05.25.2011 | Business

Ben Kerschberg

Individual corporate executives and directors of multinational corporations will soon face high-stakes lawsuits for alleged human rights violations by...

New START Is About More Than Russia

Craig Martin | Posted 05.25.2011 | Politics

Craig Martin

New START is about much more than relations with Russia. It is about reestablishing U.S. leadership in the global effort to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons in the world.