International Law
Just Security offers expert analysis of international law and its role in addressing global challenges. Our coverage includes litigation in international and regional tribunals, the process of international law-making, analysis of compliance and accountability for international law violations–including international criminal justice, and challenges to the international legal order.
3,788 Articles
US Can Restore Leadership on Human Rights by Promoting Accountability in Sri Lanka
The Biden administration should press the UN Human Rights Council for action and impose its own measures, including further sanctions.
Now is the Time for the Biden Administration to Commit to Upholding Reproductive Rights as Human Rights
The US has an opportunity to renew its commitment to human rights as it responds to UPR suggestions. It must seize the moment to affirm that reproductive and sexual rights are…
Escalating Attacks on Journalists in Sri Lanka Demand New Tack from Human Rights Council
The continuing impunity in the wartime killing of a revered editor and the recent escalation of rights abuses expose the government's recalcitrance.
Women, Peace, and Security: Is DOD Turning a Human Rights Corner?
The push to protect women and girls in conflict and involve women in security decision-making increases attention to human rights in military operations.
To End the Forever Wars, Rein in the Drones
In drawing down the U.S. conventional military footprint, policymakers should resist relying reflexively on drone strikes in its place. Biden has a unique opportunity to chart…
Former UN High Commissioner Pillay Says It’s Time for the Human Rights Council to Act on Sri Lanka
She notes the Sri Lankan government has made clear that it has no intention of pursuing accountability for atrocities committed during the civil war.
Changing the Calculus to Support Peace in South Sudan
If the Biden administration takes concrete steps to counter the incentive structure, the world’s youngest country may finally have a chance at peace.
A Catalogue of Suffering Behind the Calls for Action on Sri Lanka’s War Crimes
Mapping a quarter century of war shows the patterns of violations that demand meaningful and credible truth and accountability processes.
The Human Rights Council Must Establish an Accountability Mechanism for Sri Lanka’s Victims
The record is abundantly clear that the country’s domestic mechanisms lack effectiveness and credibility. This is a gap that the UN uniquely can fill.
Time to Reconsider the 14th Amendment for Trump’s Role in the Insurrection
Impeachment and conviction isn't the only way to keep Trump out of the game, writes Jim Wagstaffe. Congress should pitch 14th Amendment disqualification, too.
Avoiding Collateral Damage on the Battlefield
What are the rules on avoiding harm to civilians in armed conflict and how are they applied in an operational context? A detailed explainer on the processes, technologies, and…
Balancing the US Approach to the ICC
As the Biden administration develops a new direction in American foreign policy, the ICC is also charting a new institutional course.