International Human Rights Law (Fall 2009): Current Topics

International Human Rights Law (Fall 2009)
Professor Schnably
Current Topics & Developments

I will post links to interesting recent articles I come across in human rights law, as well as articles related to things mentioned in class. If you see an article or blog entry that you think would be appropriate for this page, please click here to suggest it.

Freedom of Expression
- “Videocracy” Ads Can’t Air on Italy State TV, Seattle Times, Aug. 27, 2009
Human Rights and Corporations
- Charles Forelle, Has the EU Violated Intel’s Human Rights?, Wall St. J., WSJ Blogs, July 22, 2009
- Kimberly Curtis, Intel, the EU, and the Growing Field of International Human Rights, Human Rights: The World Affairs Blog Network, July 23, 2009
- Commentary:
  - Hans Bader, Why Intel’s Billion Dollar Fine Violates Human Rights Convention, OpenMarket.Org, Aug. 10, 2009
  - Intel’s Human Rights (editorial), N.Y. Times, Aug. 16, 2009
Indigenous Peoples
- Kristen Gelineau, Australia Debates Whether Aboriginal Policy Racist, Seattle Times, Aug. 28, 2009
- Australia Can Do More to Improve Situation of Indigenous Peoples - UN Expert, UN News Centre, Aug. 27, 2009
International Humanitarian Law
- Unleashing the Laws of War: The Geneva Conventions at 60, Economist, Aug. 13, 2009
- UN Condemns “War Crimes” in Gaza, BBC News, Sept. 15, 2009
Official Immunity
- Bhargav Katikaneni, Ninth Circuit Rules No Ashcroft Immunity from Illegal Detention Lawsuit, Jurist: Legal News & Research, Sept. 5, 2009
Torture / Cruel, Inhuman, Degrading Treatment or Punishment
- U.S.
  - Joe Heim, Torture Songs Spur a Protest Most Vocal: Musicians Call for Release of Records on Guantanamo Detainee Treatment, Washington Post, Oct. 22, 2009
  - Obama: Justice OK to Conduct Interrogation Review, Newsmax.com, Sept. 20, 2009
  - Peter Baker, C.I.A. Chiefs Ask Obama to Stop Abuse Inquiry, The New York Times, Sept. 18, 2009 (letter here)
  - U.S. Prosecutor Named to Probe CIA Prisoner Abuses, Reuters , Aug. 24, 2009; Devlin Barrett & Pamela Hess, “Inhumane” CIA Terror Tactics Spur Criminal Probe, San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 25, 2009
  - Joby Warrick and R. Jeffrey Smith, CIA Used Gun, Drill in Interrogation: IG Report Describes Tactics Against Alleged Cole Mastermind, Washington Post, Aug. 22, 2009
  - Pam Benson, Sources: Report to Detail Alleged Abuse Inside CIA Secret Prisons, CNNPolitics.com, Aug. 24, 2009
  - David Johnston, Justice Dept. Report Advises Pursuing C.I.A. Abuse Cases, New York Times, Aug. 24, 2009
  - Commentary and Analysis:
    - Interrogation Probe Steams Those on Right and Left, Seattle Times, Aug. 26, 2009
    - Larry Cox, Obama Must Prosecute Bush-Era Torture Enablers, Christian Science Monitor, June 15, 2009
    - Jeffrey H. Smith, CIA Accountability: 6 Reasons Not to Prosecute Interrogators, Washington Post, Aug. 24, 2009
    - Physicians for Human Rights, Aiding Torture: Health Professionals’ Ethics and Human Rights Violations Revealed in the May 2004 CIA Inspector General’s Report (Aug. 2009)
    - Is Using a Minotaur to Gore Detainees a Form of Torture?, Onion News Network, Aug. 27, 2009
    - Philippe Sands, The Green Light, Vanity Fair, May 2008
    - Various Posts on the Volokh Conspiracy regarding prosecution of Bush Administration Officials
- Elsewhere
  - Islamists Amputate Limbs of 4 Somalis Accused of Theft, N.Y. Times, June 25, 2009
  - Somali Islamists Cut Off 2 Men’s Hands in Capital, Seattle Times, Sept. 9, 2009
The U.N.
- US Joins Human Rights Council as Member for 1st Time, MSNBC.com, Sept. 14, 2009
Universal Jurisdiction/Prosecution of Individuals
- Daniel Woolls, Spain Shortens Long Arm of Justice, AP News, Oct. 15, 2009
- Matti Friedman, Fearing Arrest, Israeli Cancels Britain Visit, Washington Post, October 5, 2009
- David Bosco, The Inquisition, Part II?, Washington Post, May 24, 2009
Women’s Rights
- Generally
  - David Crary, Discord Likely Over Ratifying Women’s Rights Pact, ABCNews.com, March 7, 2009
  - Afghanistan: Law Curbing Women's Rights Takes Effect, Human Rights Watch, Aug. 13, 2009
- Female Genital Mutilation
  - Marcus Oscarsson, Scandinavia Fights Female Circumcision: Sweden, Denmark and Norway Try to Stop Genital Mutilation Among Immigrants at Home and Abroad, Global Post, Sept. 19, 2009
  - Trymaine Lee, Mukasey Vacates Panel’s Decision Denying Asylum to Malian Woman, N.Y. Times, Sept. 22, 2008
  - Health Topics: Female Genital Mutilation, N.Y. Times

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