United Nations

A war memorial at Jaffna University before it was demolished, in Jaffna. The memorial is a statue of hands reaching toward the sky coming out of a pile of rubble.

UN Human Rights Council Outlines Sri Lanka Abuses, But Demurs on Action

It’s not the robust independent mechanism victims campaigned for, or the referral to the ICC that they deserve, but it is a potential path to justice.

Mar. 26, 2021 Kate Cronin-Furman

Supporters of the Yemeni Huthi rebels take to the streets of the capital Sanaa to protest against the blockade imposed on their country by the Saudi coalition, on February 26, 2021. An overpass and the street leading into it are packed with protestors. Side streets are lined with cars and buses blocking the way.

Biden Says He Wants to End the Yemen War: These Should Be His Next Steps

A fair and just UN-led peace process requires the Saudis to end the blockade and the Security Council to replace an outdated resolution on the war.

Mar. 25, 2021 Hassan El-Tayyab

A wide view of the Trusteeship Council Chamber during a joint open briefing by the Chairs of Security Council committees engaged in countering the financing of terrorism, as well as by the President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), on their respective roles. The room appears to be full and a large projection screen shows a member sitting at the panel in the front of the room.

Protecting Civil Society in Global Counterterrorism: FATF Leads the Way, UN Should Follow

Through the work of advocates, FATF has improved its engagement with and protection of civil society. UN counterterrorism bodies could learn from FATF's approach.

Mar. 23, 2021 Vanja Skoric and Fiona de Londras

Libya's new interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah speaks after being sworn in on March 15, 2021 in the eastern coastal city of Tobruk. Multiple flags of Libya stand behind him.

National Security This Week at the United Nations (March 12-19)

Libya swears in an interim PM; UN officials decry violence against protestors in Myanmar; and some EU countries resume AstraZeneca vaccinations after EU, WHO rule the vaccine safe.…

Mar. 19, 2021 Sruthi Venkatachalam

Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapakse and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, neither who wear face masks, are surrounded by others, many who wear face masks, as they leave the new cabinet swearing-in ceremony at the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth in the ancient hill capital of Kandy, some 116 km from Colombo on August 12, 2020.

When War Criminals Run the Government: Not Too Late for the International Community to Vet Sri Lankan Officials

Developing such a list of individuals would signal to survivors some measure of recognition of the atrocities they have suffered.

Mar. 16, 2021 Sondra Anton and Tyler Giannini

People pay tribute by laying flowers and lighting candles next to dried blood at the spot where Chit Min Thu, 25, was killed in clashes on March 11, 2021 in Yangon, Myanmar. Bricks are laid among the flowers and a few people wear or carry hard hats. Everyone wears face maks.

National Security Last Week at the United Nations (March 5-12)

Military in Myanmar Continues Mistreatment of Peaceful Protesters On March 8, 2021, hundreds of peaceful protesters were trapped by security forces for several hours in Sanchaung.…

Mar. 12, 2021 Josh Asabor

A wide view of the Security Council meeting on peace and security in Africa, with a focus on countering terrorism and extremism in Africa.

How Can Member States Improve the UN’s Global Counterterrorism Strategy?

The United Nations secretary-general made public last week his report on the Activities of the United Nations system in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism…

Mar. 9, 2021 Jordan Street and Nicholas Miller

People gather at a candle-light vigil on March 04, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand, for anti-coup protesters who have been killed in Myanmar following the military coup on February 1st. They carry flowers, candles, and flags and banners.

National Security This Week at the United Nations (Feb 26-March 5)

Myanmar coup may be on Security Council agenda; ICC opens investigation on Palestine; COVAX delivers vaccine in Africa; and more in the weekly roundup.

Mar. 5, 2021 Sruthi Venkatachalam

Sri Lanka Army Commander Shavendra Silva reviewing troops headed to Mali as U.N. peacekeepers on Nov. 6, 2019, at the at the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) Headquarters at Boyagane, Sri Lanka.

UN Should Suspend Sri Lanka from Peacekeeping Over Human Rights Abuses

The government has failed in its international obligations to investigate and prosecute crimes, and has promoted alleged war criminals to high levels.

Mar. 5, 2021 Yasmin Sooka

A police personnel wearing a face mask crosses a street on foot as military personnel on motorcycles ride in lines toward him as they take part in a rehearsal for the Independence Day Parade in Colombo on February 3, 2021.

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s Abuses to the UN in Reviews and Strategic Litigation

The Human Rights Council should build on the documentation and advocacy NGOs have done over the years to encourage accountability for gross violations.

Mar. 4, 2021 Rupert Skilbeck

Leaders of the Associations of Families of the Disappeared of the North-East in Sri Lanka leave a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena in Jaffna, June 12, 2017.

Heeding Victims’ Voices: The Struggle of Tamil Families of the Disappeared in Sri Lanka

Their experience shows that overdue answers--and justice for all victims--requires international action to break the seal that protects the military.

Mar. 3, 2021 Dharsha Jegatheeswaran

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and Diplomats take part in the Global Counterterrorism Forum in Istanbul on June 7, 2012. They sit at tables arranged in a large horseshoe in a large opulent room.

Revitalize US Multilateral Engagement on Counterterrorism and Violent Extremism as Well

The multilateral landscape is replete with counterterrorism and CVE platforms, many of them developed under the leadership of the Obama-Biden administration.

Mar. 3, 2021 Eric Rosand