Civil Liberties
Highlights:
Sectarian Violence and the Price of Ignoring Transitional Justice in Syria
Sharaa must pursue accountability for both perpetrators of violence against Syrian minorities since Assad's fall, and against former Assad officials complicit in war crimes.
Defending ‘Sanctuary’ Principles During the Chicago Crackdown
Local governments must exercise their constitutional power to cut off cooperation with federal authorities that undermine residents' rights.
Collection: Just Security’s Coverage of Trump Administration Executive Actions
Coverage of key developments, including in concise “What Just Happened” expert explainers, legal and policy analysis, and more. Check back frequently for updates.
How Designating Antifa as a Foreign Terrorist Organization Could Threaten Civil Liberties
If the Trump administration designates Antifa as an FTO, it could have implications extending beyond anti-fascist activists to the entire architecture of U.S. civil society.
The Supreme Court: the Last Defense Against Trump’s Military Police State
The Supreme Court must not shirk its obligation to ensure that presidents cannot conscript the military in an effort to undermine democracy.
When Sexism Endangers Lives: In Israel, Sidelining Women Comes at the Cost of Security
The October 7th massacre and unprecedented war in Gaza compel Israel to rethink its conception of security. It must include a gender-based analysis.
1,364 Articles
Distorted Laws on “Foreign Agents” Threaten Democracy: Mobilizing a Response
Civil society can share knowledge, boost public support, and build coalitions to resist the spread of autocratic "foreign agents" laws.
When Deference is No Longer Due
Reasons for historical deference to the executive branch's judgement in matters of national security and foreign affairs have been severely undermined.
Weaponizing the Espionage Act: What It Means for Whistleblowers, Reporters, and Democracy
How the Trump administration could weaponize the Espionage Act and its chilling effect to control the press and justify suppression.
Attacks on U.S. Legal Profession Reflect Global Slide in Countries It Once Aided
Political pressures like those used to silence legal professionals and undermine rule of law in Europe and Eurasia echo patterns of the autocratic playbook.
After Another Sham Election in Georgia, the Country’s Citizens Persist
Georgians will fight for their democracy, as the ruling party now becomes one of the world's many paranoid, insecure dictatorships that know their days are numbered.
The Trump Administration’s Use of State Power Against Media: Keeping Track of the Big Picture
Tracking the use of State power requires systematically identifying linkages between individual developments and broader trends. This graphic offers one method.
Could Trump Use the Uniform Code of Military Justice to Stifle the Protected Speech of Military Retirees?
The concerns expressed about the possible application of UCMJ's Article 88 to the protected speech of retired military officers aren't theoretical.
Unlocking Justice: A Policy Roadmap for Victims of Spyware
To introduce accountability for cyberattacks, Congress should make it clear that U.S. courts are the right venue for spyware cases.
Incoming DHS Intelligence Lead Promotes Unlawful Activities
The public, Congress, and the media should insist that the DHS's domestic intelligence practices be sunset, rather than expanded.
Autocracy, Corruption, and Decline: Why Hungary and Orbanism Must Never be a Model for the U.S.
Adopting Orban's model would reshape the U.S. into a country that shares Hungary's weakened checks and balances, corruption, and stumbling economy.
From War to Control: How the Recent Iran-Israel Conflict Risks Deepening the Islamic Republic’s Repression
The ceasefire may stop the bombs, but it will not reverse the repression that has long defined Islamic Republic’s internal trajectory.
How DHS’s New Social Media Vetting Policies Threaten Free Speech
A pair of cables issued by the State Department that are ostensibly intended to combat antisemitism will inevitably chill or punish First Amendment-protected speech.