The U.S. Department of Justice announced last week that it had filed a constitutional challenge to Arizona’s new immigration law, S.B. 1070 (discussed earlier on this blog here and here), seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against its enforcement. The suit was filed on behalf of the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State, which
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ECHR Upholds Denial of Right to Marry to Same-Sex Couples
On June 24, the European Court of Human Rights issued its decision in Schalk and Kopf v. Austria (App. No. 30141/04), concerning the right of same-sex couples to marry. (See the press release and judgment). Although the Court – for the first time – recognized that same-sex relationships fall within the purview of the Convention’s protection of ‘family life’, the Court
Read moreNews Clips – May 23, 2010
Protests continue in Thailand as Asian Centre for Human Rights decries international community’s silence and the EU Parliament and Human Rights Watch express concern over violence, emergency provisions, and censorship. The BBC has provided a detailed overview of the situation. Human Rights Watch urges new British government to reform counterterrorism strategies and investigate British agents’ complicity in torture and rendition. [HRW] Related cases decided by the
Read moreU.N. Experts Express "Serious Doubts" Regarding Arizona Law's Compatibility with Human Rights Obligations
Yesterday, several U.N. rapporteurs and independent experts issued a joint statement calling into question whether the new Arizona law targeting undocumented migrants (discussed here and here) is compatible with the United States’ human rights treaty obligations. The experts warn of the possibility of racial profiling, suppression of minority groups’ cultures, and unjustified use of detention. The statement also notes, in reference to Arizona House
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Protests and celebrations commemorate International Workers’ Day around the world. [NPR, AP] For information on international labor standards and agreements, visit the International Labour Organization’s website. Omar Khadr boycotted the second day of his Military Commission evidentiary hearings yesterday when he was required to wear sensory deprivation equipment while being transported to the courthouse [Impunity Watch] the Extraordinary Chambers in the
Read moreArizona Modifies Some Provisions of Immigration Law
In the face of heated criticism and constitutional challenges, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law House Bill 2162, which supersedes Senate Bill 1070 (discussed earlier on this blog here). The Governor’s issued a statement upon signing HB 2162, which asserts that the bill: defines and clarifies even further the proper implementation and enforcement of the law. These changes specifically answer legal questions raised
Read moreArizona Passes Law Targeting Undocumented Migrants
Today, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law what the New York Times is characterizing as the country’s toughest immigration law. Although immigration falls within the federal legislature’s province, Arizona has acted in the face of what it sees as the failure of Washington to address the issues raised by a large, undocumented immigrant population. While states cannot assume the
Read moreNew Human Rights Watch Reports on Possible War Crimes in Gaza War and Segregation of HIV-Positive Inmates in U.S.
Among other recent reports published by Human Rights Watch, now available on its website are a report the Gaza War and conditions of detention for HIV-positive prisoners in the United States. The first, entitled Turning a Blind Eye: Impunity for Laws-of-War Violations during the Gaza War, details the allegedly inadequate investigations on the part of the relevant authorities of violations
Read moreThis Week at the ECHR
The European Court of Human Rights issued Chamber judgments in a diverse group of cases this week, finding: Russia responsible for violating, inter alia, article 6.2 (presumption of innocence) for a politician’s public comments about a defendant who had been criminally charged with rape and was pending trial at the time (Kuzmin v. Russia); Moldova responsible for violating article 2
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