Human Rights
Just Security’s expert authors offer in-depth analysis on critical human rights challenges, including those related to armed conflict, emerging technologies, abuses by authoritarian governments, repression of human rights advocates and independent media, human rights litigation, racial justice, gender equality, and more.
3,053 Articles

The Just Security Podcast: A Syrian War Crimes Verdict in a Dutch Court
A Dutch court recently convicted a man of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Syrian civil war.

Multiple Threats Converge to Heighten Disinformation Risks to This Year’s US Elections
Both the private sector and government will have to work more seriously to help safeguard American democracy from falsehoods.

Here’s What You Need to Know About the Pentagon’s New Civilian Harm Policy
In December 2023, the Department of Defense (DOD) quietly released its Instruction on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR DOD-I), which was mandated by Section 936 of the…

As Senate Considers New Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Human Rights Focus Would Strengthen US Policy
As government forces battle armed groups in Burkina Faso, civilians face daily abuses, even death, amid a range of violations of their security and their property. At least 6,201…

Not Reassuring: NSM-20 and the Limits of Law-of-War Assurances in the Transfer of U.S. Arms
Analysis of how Biden's National Security Memorandum (NSM-20) may operate in regulating the transfer of U.S. arms amid concerns of international humanitarian law violations.

How Israel Took the Terrorists’ Bait
To thwart Hamas’s strategy, Israel must commit to protect civilians. And Biden must defend human rights and international law with action.

A Welcome US Course Adjustment – But Now the Western Balkans Needs a Full Policy Recalibration
Recent warnings to Bosnian separatists and other obstructionists are helpful, but deeper changes are needed. The upcoming Biden-Scholz meeting is a chance.

As Low- and Middle-Income Countries Grapple with the Megatrend of Aging, Development Finance Institutions Are Key
By 2050, almost 80 percent of people 60 and over will live in these countries, requiring sustained engagement to reduce economic risks.

The Just Security Podcast: Russia’s Political Prisoners and Their Lawyers: Vladimir Kara-Murza’s Case Highlights the Risks
In Russia and other repressive countries, the situation is often dire for the lawyers trying to defend political prisoners.

National Security at the United Nations This Week (Jan. 29-Feb. 2)
ICJ issues judgment in 2017 Ukraine-Russia case, UN officials emphasize importance of UNRWA funding in Gaza, ICC Prosecutor speaks on Sudan, and more.

The Biden Administration Must Use Civil Rights Enforcement to Push Back Against Texas’s Racist Invocation of Invasion
Texas Governor Greg Abbott's invocation of "invasion" is based in the white supremacist "great replacement" conspiracy theory.

Why the ICJ Ruling Misses the Mark: Mitigating Civilian Harm With An Enemy Engaged in Human Shielding
Former CENTCOM Commander General (ret.) Joseph Votel and Professor Claire Finkelstein critically analyze South Africa's positions before the International Court of Justice in…