Democracy & Rule of Law
Rule of Law
945 Articles

To Thwart the Illegal Narcotics Trade, Expose the Dark Economy
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on the need to combat drug trafficking and corruption by confronting the powerful economics that drive them.

Stopping Torture: Why Professional Governance Failed, and How It Can Do Better
Professionals -- psychologists, physicians, lawyers -- played key parts in enabling post-9/11 torture programs. Yet professionalism can also constrain state power. Gregg Bloche…

Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: Inside Karen State
The coup has been a "nightmare" for democracy supporters across Myanmar - but for those in Karen State, protests have brought cautious hope and unity. A view from the ground.

Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: “In Accordance with the Law” – How the Military Perverts Rule of Law to Oppress Civilians
The Tatmadaw have used the concept of "law" to justify both arbitrary violence against anti-coup protestors and the coup itself. But what would true "rule of law" mean in Myanmar?

Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: Echoes of the Past, Crises of the Moment, Visions of the Future
The Feb. 1 coup opened the latest front in a historic battle for democracy and peace. Today, we launch a series on the coup, its context, and what the future may hold for Myanmar.

Belarus Jailing of Journalists for Reporting on Peaceful Protest Violates International Law
An appeal hearing in Minsk offers a chance for the court to rectify an injustice that illustrates how reporters have been targeted for abuse..

An Opportunity for Congress to Require Transparency of the Executive’s International Agreements
The newly introduced bipartisan legislation would constitute the most significant improvement in the transparency of international agreements since the enactment of the Case Act…

Congress Must Stand with Civil Society and Strengthen the Global Magnitsky Sanctions Program
Civil society coalitions have made GloMag a powerful tool to curb corruption and human rights abuses. Here's how Congress can sharpen this tool going forward.

Federal Agencies Face April Deadline on Secret JFK Files
Congress has mandated that agencies update the public on thousands of files related to the JFK assassination by April 26. Previous disclosures have been incomplete. Will agencies…

The Public Should Have Access to the Surveillance Court’s Opinions
For decades, a special court—the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, or “FISC”—has issued secret legal opinions authorizing the U.S. government to conduct sweeping…

Combating Transnational Authoritarian Kleptocracy: Cracking Down on Western Professional Enablers
Effectively battling corruption and human rights abuses requires the tools provided by the Global Magnitsky Act - including the ability to target those who aid money laundering.…

Fighting the ‘International Thief Thief’ with Global Magnitsky Sanctions
What can Global Magnitsky Act sanctions accomplish in the battle against corruption and human rights abuse? According to anti-corruption NGO The Sentry, a lot. Successful case…