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The Iranian government, through the power of their morality police, have oppressed women and forced hijabs on women in public spaces. For decades now, the United States has outwardly condemned these actions and called for freedom for women in Iran. However, Volume XLV staff editor Maya Rodgers argues that only condemning Iran for its morality policing is not enough. This blog post urges the United States to take action as a United Nations member state.
Read MoreAfghan "Zero Unit" veterans currently in the United States are facing an uncertain future as the two-year work permits they received after the collapse of Afghanistan's government in 2021 near expiration. Many critics have argued that because the Zero Unit fighters had allegedly engaged in war crimes and other abuses of international law during the course of their service, they are hardly deserving of life in the U.S. Volume XLVI staff editor Danny Yoo argues that most of the accusations against Zero Unit fighters are dubious at best, and at worst overlook the fighters' unwavering service to the United States as they battled al-Qaeda and Taliban forces for the better part of the last twenty years.
Read MoreThe current escalation of the longstanding Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza has shocked the conscience of the United Nations and the international community at large. Volume XLVII staff editor Jalyn Radziminski adds to the global conversation that war and genocide inherently intertwine with international disability rights conventions and that Israel is in violation of these conventions. Through a critical disability justice framework, this blog post illuminates that beyond the law, anti-war, anti-occupation, and pro-peace frameworks are the best path forward.
Read MoreThe Fashion Industry has remained notoriously under-regulated when it comes to its sustainability practices. With a new push for legislation that will require increased disclosure, the fashion industry is moving towards a more sustainable direction, however, Volume XLVI staff editor Camille Campbell contends that mere disclosure falls short of aligning with globally recognized climate objectives. Companies must make substantial efforts to curtail their emissions, and there is an imperative need for legislative action to expedite this vital transformation.
Read MoreHuman Trafficking is one of the most profitable illicit industries in the world. While more than 175 nations have ratified or acceded to the United Nations Trafficking in Persons Protocol adopted in 2000, efforts to comply have varied in format and success. Volume XLVI Staff Editor Lola Todman reviews the susceptibility of the populations of various nations to exploitation, ultimately arguing that effective anti-trafficking legislation must respond to the unique vulnerabilities of the country in which it is enacted.
Read MoreEquatorial Guinea, an oil rich country in Central Africa, has consistently killed the Abóbë of Bioko Island in an attempt to silence and deprive them of their rights to life, self determination, and preservation of their ethnic cultural identity. Volume XLV staff editor Langston Ralls Ílaróte Morrison explores Equatorial Guinea's human rights violations under customary international law and its binding treaties. This post outlines the legal obligations its entitled to respect and uphold so as to remove barriers that limit the prospects of justice and equality for Abóbë in the country.
Read MoreDecades of geopolitical tension and diplomatic futility between NATO and Russia have come to a head in the form of the war in Ukraine. Simultaneously, the rise of China as a global economic power and the expansion of non-dollar denominated currency networks has threatened to transition the global economic order from a unipolar model to a bipolar one. Volume XLVI staffer Peter Bonenfant argues the war and the resulting sanctions may pressure Russia and other non-NATO countries to accelerate development of these alternative currency and payment networks to facilitate trade and avoid sanctions with the ultimate effect of decreasing the influence of an already economically vulnerable United States. Thus, further expansion of NATO may be unwise and fear of non-Western countries growing in strength may prove to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Read MoreThe Northern Irish border has been one of the most difficult issues to resolve since Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016. A new trade deal between the UK and EU has the potential to be a long-term solution, but it is still far from certain. Volume XLVI staffer Adam Cooper analyzes the Windsor Framework and discusses the complicated issues surrounding Northern Ireland.
Read MoreThe Kafala system gives tremendous power to employers of foreign labor in the Gulf that allows for rampant exploitation of migrant workers. Workers seek higher paying jobs to send money back to their families but have to face the reality of abuse and sometimes even death. While some changes are being made, Volume XLVI staffer Anil Bhandari argues that not enough is being done by Gulf countries and migrant worker's home countries. This post explores the realities that workers face due to this sponsorship system.
Read MoreNuclear warfare is one of the most unprecedented and unregulated areas of international law. Although existing international legal frameworks can be applied to the intentional detonation of nuclear weapons, Volume XLVI staffer Emma Hazeltine argues that the mere keeping of nuclear weapons by a State could constitute an “abnormally dangerous activity” under American tort law. This post explores the application of the abnormally dangerous activity doctrine to the keeping and inadvertent use of nuclear weapons.
Read MoreThe 27th United Nations climate summit established a "loss and damage" fund which would be paid for by developed countries in order to compensate developing countries affected by climate change. In response to the disagreement on the question of which countries are responsible for climate change and how much they should pay as a result, Volume XLVI staffer Lillian Wang argues that this allocation of responsibility by country is likely unproductive as it tends to lead to comparisons and blame-shifting. This post explores an alternative solution of a global carbon tax via international tax treaties.
Read MoreThe status of indigenous fishing rights in Canada and the extent to which they should be regulated has been a contentious issue spanning centuries. With implications involving autonomy, sovereignty, rule of law, environmental conservation, and economic regulation of one of Canada’s most vital industries, it is perhaps unsurprising that commercial fishing remains a tense topic with contentious debate on all sides. Volume XLVI staffer Kristen Mitsinikos discusses the historical context of indigenous fishing rights in Canada while pointing out some of the flaws in the current approach and important considerations moving forward.
Read MoreArtists are turning to securitization as a means to reclaim their music and gain financial independence from major labels. The process involves selling assets, such as music, to a third party in exchange for cash and bonds. This idea was first seen in the sale of "Bowie Bonds" in 1997 by David Bowie. Securitization has since spread globally with companies like "Royalty Exchange" and "Music Cow" dedicating their services to the market. While there are legal and business questions that arise from this new system, Volume XLVI staffer Joon-Sung Choe argues that this is a promising development in the music industry that allows artists to have more control over their work and earn royalties without major label constraints.
Read MoreEarlier this year, crowds in Brazil supporting former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed Brazil's government buildings in an attack eerily similar to those of January 6th in the U.S. The Brazilian Supreme Court responded with strict sanctions on social media giants, which they categorized as a catalyst for the attacks. Amid rising questions of the right to 'deplatform' in the U.S., Volume XLVI staffer Frano Katalinic explores the Brazilian and U.S. legal responses to the recent wave of right-wing insurrections.
Read MoreRecent talks have indicated that a deal may soon be reached regarding the controversial Parthenon Marbles currently held at the British Museum in London. Many have heralded these negotiations as a step in the right direction for other pieces of cultural heritage to eventually be returned to their country of origin, however, Volume XLVI staffer Niko Dimitrakopoulos advocates for further developments in international law in the area of cultural repatriation to even the negotiating power between parties in such scenarios. This post explores the history of cultural property in international law while looking at what the future might hold through the lens of the prospective deal between the British Museum and the Parthenon Museum.
Read MoreThe world is facing unprecedented levels of forced displacement caused, in part, by the war in Ukraine and economic and political instability in Venezuela and Afghanistan. Last month, the Biden Administration created a new program, "Welcome Corps," to allow private individuals and organizations to sponsor the resettlement of refugees into their communities. Volume XLVI staffer Martha O'Brien argues that while the program is beneficial, it falls short of the policy changes needed to make refugees truly welcome in the U.S.
Read MoreThe flow of money into soccer’s largest leagues has increased the disparate bargaining power between players and leagues. Clubs are finding ways to tie players to them for longer and have overloaded their schedules. In this article, ILJ XLVI staffer, David Blomquist, argues that there is a need for a true global players union that can collectively bargain for the conditions of employment for soccer players worldwide.
Read MoreThe presumption against extraterritoriality assumes that the United States avoids applying U.S. statutes to foreign countries. There are situations, however, that warrant such application. Volume XLVI staffer Talia Abed discusses the presumption against extraterritoriality and the upcoming Supreme Court case that will answer important questions regarding when and how U.S. law applies abroad.
Read MoreThe effects of climate change can be seen all around the world, but many Pacific Island countries bear the brunt of these effects as the existence of their physical lands is threatened. With territory boundaries shifting and land disappearing as a result of rising sea levels, many have considered what these changes could mean for a nation's statehood status under international law. Volume XLVI staffer Madeline Barrett explores the issues these Pacific Island nations face in maintaining their legal statehood status and potential changes to be made under international law.
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