civil society
152 Articles
To Avert Climate Crisis, Democracies Need to Protect Civic Space
During COP28, the international community must protect space for the public to participate in the collective effort to fight climate change.
Time to Enumerate the Slave Trade as a Distinct Provision in the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty
While the Draft Articles include a provision for enslavement, the slave trade and enslavement are distinct international crimes that should be enumerated as crimes against humanity.
Draft Crimes Against Humanity Treaty: Toward a Gender Progressive, Survivor-Centric, Intersectional Approach
Civil society is calling on States to apply a gender-competent, survivor-centric, and intersectional lens to a new convention on crimes against humanity.
Continued Positive Momentum on Crimes Against Humanity Treaty
An update on the U.N. General Assembly's Sixth Committee session in October, and what to expect for a proposed crimes against humanity treaty.
New Rule of Law Index: Spread of Authoritarianism Slows But Justice Systems Are Failing
Annual index reveals new global trends in reversing authoritarianism but concerns about civil and justice systems. See also U.S. rankings.
Baby on Board! How Kleptocrats and Associates Use Family Members to Evade Sanctions
In many countries, it is possible for young children -- even babies -- to be corporate shareholders, offering a workaround for their parents.
Openings for Biden in the Inaugural US-Central Asia Summit at UNGA
Russia and China notwithstanding, serious ties should balance interests in regional cooperation, civil society, and security assistance.
Dollars Deployed: How the Weaponization of the U.S. Financial System Contributed to Afghanistan’s Collapse
The collapse of the Afghan government to the Taliban and subsequent U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 marked the failure of two decades of fighting to root…
The Overlooked but Potent Artist in the Fight Against Autocracy
Defenders of democracy should push back against autocrats by empowering artists, who cultivate open discourse.
Broader Lessons About Resilience from Maui’s Fires
As Maui heals from the fires, communities can lay the foundations for social and infrastructure resilience in the face of future disasters.
Ukraine Shows that Military Aid Transparency Is Possible
While the administration deserves credit for transparency on aid to Ukraine, the approach casts a stark light on the opacity of broader security cooperation programming and begs…
From ‘Island of Democracy’ to ‘Consolidated Authoritarian Regime’: The Need to Reverse Kyrgyzstan’s Slide
Effects of internal corruption and opaque institutions spill beyond borders, even to the war in Ukraine. Cases show the risks and the hope.