Topic: International Crimes
Why Violence in Africa Presents an Existential Threat
Advocates seeking a more open and democratic society in Africa have mostly failed to grasp the extent of the threat posed by violence.
Only in America? The Kiriakou Affair and the Public’s Right to Know
The U.S. will sentence John Kiriakou, a former CIA agent, to 30 months in jail for breaching official secrecy laws. Most European countries would have responded less harshly.
Towards Global Principles on National Security and the Right to Information: An Update
The Open Society Justice Initiative has been working to win European support for a draft set of principles that would establish guidelines for public access to information about national security issues.
Case Watch: Untangling UN Anti-Terrorism Sanctions and Human Rights
A ruling from the European Court of Human Rights considers the impact of a UN terrorism sanction list on the rights of an individual in Switzerland.
Assassinations, Disappearances, and Riots: What’s Happening in Mombasa?
Days after a controversial Muslim cleric was gunned down, violent protests have engulfed the streets of the Kenyan city of Mombasa. We asked a local human rights activist to help us understand the volatile situation.
Time for Romania to Face the Truth over Secret CIA Prison
For the sake of its future, Romania must face up to its role in enabling abuses at a secret basement prison that the CIA codenamed "Bright Light".
UK Veto on Iraq Papers a Setback for the Public’s Right to Know
The veto of a freedom of information request for details of government discussions on the 2003 invasion of Iraq favors the principle of cabinet confidentiality.
Living in a Shadow of Perpetual Suspicion
Rizwaan Sabir was treated as a terrorism suspect for downloading a document for his academic research in 2008. His story highlights concerns about how anti-terrorism powers are being used by UK police.
European Court Probes for Truth on CIA’s Secret Prison in Poland
The European Court of Human Rights is asking Poland for information on a CIA secret prison, moving far beyond anything done in the U.S. to address alleged abuses committed in the post-9/11 "war on terror".
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is Deploying a Massive New Database to Gather Biometric Information
A new U.S. Department of Homeland Security biometric database is projected to contain information on hundreds of millions of people by 2022 and represents an alarming development to scale up the agency's surveillance and information-sharing ability.
A Podcast Gives Voice to Syrians Searching for Justice in Europe International Justice
Now in its second series, “The Syria Trials” tells the human stories behind the drive to prosecute al-Assad regime officials for atrocity crimes before European courts.