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Case Watch: How a Decision on Danish Naturalization Law Leaves Issues Unresolved
A ruling from the European Court of Human Rights glosses over the human story of a torture survivor's long struggle with stupefying bureaucracy.
Case Watch: Europe’s Human Rights Court Delivers Mixed Ruling on Migrants Rights (Part Two)
In Khlaifia v. Italy, Europe’s top human rights tribunal found that migrants in migration “hotspot” facilities in Italy are being detained outside the law.
Case Watch: Europe’s Human Rights Court Delivers Mixed Ruling on Migrant Rights (Part One)
In Khlaifia v. Italy, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights weakened protections against mass expulsions, while finding fault with Italy’s detention policy.
Washington Must Act Now, or Risk an ICC Torture Investigation
The International Criminal Court’s findings in Afghanistan underline the need for the United States to prosecute military and CIA personnel responsible for torture.
A Victory in France in the Struggle against Racial Bias in Policing
A ruling from France’s top civil court affirmed that the police are subject to antidiscrimination laws, and set the stage for a change in policing practices.
Why Breaking the Silence Needs the Right to Keep Silent
An Israeli rights group used testimony from soldiers to bring to light abuses in Gaza and the occupied West Bank; now it is under legal pressure to expose its sources.
The European Union Embraces a Common Approach to Legal Aid
A new directive establishes minimum standards on legal aid, and caps a successful effort to standardize criminal justice procedures across member states.
Case Watch: Justice Sotomayor Highlights Impact of Biased Policing
A Supreme Court justice’s arguments make for powerful reading, given the troubled state of relations between the police and African American communities across the country.
Time for Transparency in the Machinery of Global Rights
A drive for transparency over the selection of the next UN Secretary General reflects similar efforts by civil society in the global human rights system.
Case Watch: Discrimination Dressed up as Neutrality in European Headscarf Bans
Two cases before the Court of Justice of the European Union address complaints from Muslim women dismissed by a private sector employer because of wearing a religious headscarves at work.
Legal Access for All: But Who Pays for It?
If the vision of equal access to justice for all is to become a reality, more countries around the world will need a sustainable nationwide system for legal services.
Case Watch: Italian Migrant Expulsion before the European Court of Human Rights
In the case Khalaifia v. Italy, the Grand Chamber of the ECHR will consider the due process rights and protections for migrants being subjected to deportation procedures.
Confronting Crimes against Humanity in Mexico
Mexico faces a deep national crisis of atrocity and impunity: extraordinary action is needed to address these crimes, and to strengthen the criminal justice system.
Chelsea Manning’s 35-Year Sentence: Far Beyond All Norms
In a comparable case in Israel, a young woman soldier was given three-and-a-half years in prison, while a British intelligence officer received just six months after releasing “highly sensitive” documents.
New Guidelines Seek to Humanize Africa’s Justice Systems
A push to reform pretrial detention standards in Africa could change not only policies and practices, but attitudes as well.
Scaling Up on Legal Empowerment
Basic legal services and advice should be available to all. A new Open Society initiative is trying to make that a reality in nine target countries.
Raising the Profile of Pretrial Detention in Africa
Many of the continent’s prison systems are in a state of crisis, burdened with overcrowding and an inability or unwillingness to protect the human rights of prisoners.
Finding a Silver Lining in the UK Surveillance Controversy
Amid the intense debate over the UK’s proposed Investigatory Powers Bill, members of parliament are backing stronger protections for whistleblowers.
Case Watch: UN Rights Body Challenges Police Brutality in Kyrgyzstan
A case of brutality brought to the UN Human Rights Committee supports wider efforts to end torture and abuse by police in Kyrgyzstan.
In Mexico, Many Deaths in Custody but Few Investigations
In Mexico, the problem of deaths in custody―and the failure to investigate them―is particularly acute.