ILJ Online is the online component of Fordham International Law Journal.
Canada's medical assistance in dying law (MAiD) will soon expand eligibility to individuals whose sole medical condition is mental illness. Volume XLV staff member Darcy Diaz analyzes the intersection between social vulnerability and medical care. This post highlights the risk that Canadians may turn to MAiD due to insufficient support structures rather than as an act of self-determination.
Read MoreJapan plans to dispose of accumulated radioactive waste water by dumping it into the Pacific Ocean. The potential devastation to humans and marine life are extreme. Volume XLVI staff editor Julia Wanamaker argues that alternative methods of disposal exist that are proven to be safer.
Read MoreJamaica, one of the islands of the Caribbean and member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has decidedly little power over the cases that reach the highest level of appeal, thus raising concerns about its sovereignty. Although members of the Jamaican parliament advocated for implementing the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the court of highest appeal, parliament has yet to ratify the CCJ to serve that function. Instead, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) in the United Kingdom remains Jamaica's court of highest appeal. Although there have been renewed calls for Jamaica to ratify the CCJ, Volume XLVI staff member Tasha Brown argues that ratifying the CCJ may not be Jamaica's best option. This post explores an alternative route for Jamaica to exercise its sovereignty in judicial proceedings at the highest level of appeal.
Read MoreUnlike in the United States, non-reviewable sentences are extinct in all 46 member states of the Council of Europe. This is thanks to the European Court of Human Rights's decision in Vinter v. United Kingdom. Volume XLVI staff editor Sophia Lattanzio argues that the United States has much to learn from its European counterparts in terms of sentence review, as current sentence review schemes in the United States fall far short of European standards, fueling the United States's mass incarceration crisis.
Read MoreAt the beginning of the war in Ukraine, many fashion companies announced the suspension or cessation of operations in Russia. This includes Inditex (Zara, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius, Oysho), Hennes & Mauritz (H&M, COS, & Other Stories, Arket), and LVMH (Christian Dior, Fendi, Louis Vuitton). Brook Powers looks at the effect of those sanctions.
Read MoreLate last year, Germany handed over 20 Benin Bronzes from its museums to Nigeria. This act follows a trend of repatriating artifacts. With the law on the side of former colonial powers, public pressure has been relied on to return artifacts. However, Volume XLVI staff editor Margaret Myaskovskaya argues that relying on public pressure is a lengthy process that benefits former colonial powers. This post explores an alternative means of displaying artifacts that would allow everyone to appreciate the history and culture of the world.
Read MoreVolume XLVI staff member Jacob Popeck explains George Santos, a member of the United States House of Representatives, is under investigation by Brazilian authorities and facing a potential felony sentence, which is something that hasn't been seen in modern times.
Read MoreIn its latest effort to promote peace in Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom's parliament is aiming to pass the Legacy and Reconciliation Bill. The proposed bill would severely limit the ability of Northern Ireland's police and judiciary to investigate and punish those responsible for decades of unsolved violence, paramilitary terrorism, and extrajudicial killings. Volume XLVI staff member Matthew Berkowitz argues that the proposed bill, as it stands, may violate several of the United Kingdom's positive obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights. This post explores the implications of the proposed bill, and whether it will actually help to undue decades of sectarian tension.
Read MoreThe United Nations Security Council is responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. But as Volume XLV Blake Elwood writes, the permanent member veto power is an obvious impediment to the purported purpose of the Security Council. Allowing states to put their interests ahead of the international community, the veto power is invaluable to those who wield it. Therefore, as this post discusses, the veto ensures its own perpetuance, given any proposed reforms are unlikely to survive a veto by permanent member states.
Read MoreThe United Nations announced that the World Population has now reached a historic milestone of 8 billion people. Kayla Towler analyzes the the correlation between international development and the future progression of world population. This post explores the global challenges to sustainable development and the United Nation’s call-to-action to promote global peace and protection.
Read MoreLafarge S.A., a French-based cement manufacturer, was fined almost $800 million dollars by the United States Department of Justice. Lafarge pleaded guilty to providing material support and resources to the Islamic State (ISIS) and al–Nusrah Front (ANF). This is the first time the material support or resources provision of the Antiterrorism Act (ATA) has been used for prosecuting a private corporation. Ryan Green argues that the DOJ using this provision the signifies the aggressive pursuit of non-compliant successor entities.
Read MoreIran's wave of protests following the murder of Mahsa Amini coincides with the reckoning in the U.S. following the Dobbs decision. Volume XLV staff editor Emma Bellows argues that when the abortion debate in the U.S. is viewed in the context of the hijab debates in Iran, the notion that there is an international stripping of female bodily autonomy becomes eerily clear.
Read MoreAmerica has a gun violence problem unparalleled by any other developed country. Thailand, like the United States, is home to millions of guns, and has one of the highest gun homicide rates in Southeast Asia. Clara Abramson argues that a public health approach to gun violence may help both countries.
Read MoreAmid violence against protests surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran, Rachel Blume argues that sanctions against the Iranian government impact the most vulnerable members of the community.
Read MoreThere is a civil war raging in Ethiopia destabilizing what has been one of Africa’s more stable countries for decades. Harry Solomon explains how the conflict has displaced millions, killed over half a million people, and has created a number of humanitarian crises.
Read MoreDoes traditional recycling really work? Julia Becket argues that to curb waste, enactment of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, which makes producers and manufacturers responsible for a product when it is no longer in use, may be the solution.
Read MoreOver two years ago, the murder of George Floyd sparked massive worldwide protests due to systemic racism and police violence against black communities. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of black activists around the world, the international community has taken concrete measures to hold administrations accountable in order to dismantle systemic racism in law enforcement. Elizabeth Garrison argues while there is still significant progress needed, mechanisms established by the United Nations are promising signs that the international community will continue to address global systemic racism.
Read MoreTurkey’s Parliament passed new legislation on October 13th, criminalizing the spread of “fake information,” and giving the government authority to jail journalists and social media users for up to three years for violations. Taryn Gallagher argues it is unclear whether the new legislation combats fake news or dissent against the current Turkey regime.
Read MoreAs more bodies are exhumed from mass graves following a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, it is right to ask whether Russia is committing a genocide. Liam Turner argues that Russia is intentionally killing, maiming, targeting, deporting, and separating Ukrainian families, in a war justified by delegitimizing Ukrainian identity
Read MoreRussia, a member of the United Nations Security Council, wields incredible power on the international stage. After its invasion of Ukraine, many have called into question the legitimacy and appropriateness of Russia’s standing, however, Volume XLV staff editor Benjamin Weisbrot argues that simply stripping Russia of its position in the United Nations is not likely feasible. This post explores an alternative possibility of reducing Russia’s international influence and power.
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