This week the European Court of Human Rights published its decisions in, among others, three cases related to freedom of expression in France: Le Pen v. France, Fleury v. France and Brunet Lecomte and Lyon Mag v. France. All three deal with civil or criminal penalties imposed on individuals for published statements regarding other individuals or groups. The Court found no violation in
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DOD Publishes New Manual for Military Commissions
As reported by Human Rights First, the U.S. Department of Defense has released a new version of the handbook which establishes the procedural rules and applicable punishments in the prosecution of “alien unprivileged enemy belligerents for violations of the law of war and other offenses” before Military Commissions in Guantanamo Bay, under the Military Commissions Act. The new Manual for Military Commissions
Read moreThe Week's News
Human Rights Conditions * President Bachelet declares state of catastrophe following powerful earthquake in Chile. [Washington Post] * Interim government organized following Niger coup. [BBC] * Ceasefire signed in Sudan. [Guardian] * Waterboarding defended by former speechwriter for President George W. Bush. [New York Times] * Russia pushed for details on investigation of Chechen human rights defender’s murder in July
Read moreSpecial Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council
THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL’S SPECIAL PROCEDURES The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council serves several functions, one of which is to promote and monitor human rights worldwide through the establishment of special procedures. Special procedures are independent human rights experts who work individually or in groups to report and advise on human rights issues. They are referred to by many
Read moreInternational Criminal Law
OVERVIEW International criminal law, though not quite as comprehensively codified or as widely ratified by States as international human rights obligations, is relevant to the study and protection of international human rights because it, generally, is aimed at punishing acts which affect fundamental human rights, namely: life, liberty, and security. The codification of international criminal law can also make sense
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