Human Rights
973 Articles
Extraterritorial Counterterrorism: Policymaking v. Law
The Biden administration's counterterrorism policy review is a crucial moment to evaluate the role of law versus policy and an opportunity to narrow the scope of the “ongoing…
OAS Panel Catalogues Colombia’s Rights Abuses, as President Duque Doubles Down
The report and his defiance underline the need for an effective US policy rooted in defending human rights, democracy, and the peace accords.
Mexico’s Invisible Human Rights Crisis Intensifies
Standard US policy tropes drown out spiraling systemic abuses, including recent killings of activists and paramilitary violence.
An Appeal to President Biden: Change Course on Haiti Now
The brazen assassination of serving President Moïse reinforces the need for the US to back Haitians in crafting their own future.
Series: Launching the `Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering’ (Méndez Principles)
This series traces the origins of the "Méndez Principles" and makes the scientific, legal, and ethical case for replacing coercive interrogation with rapport-based methods.
The Méndez Principles: The Case for US Legislation on Law Enforcement Interviews
Americans are increasingly interested not only in reallocating police resources, but also making policing more effective and more ethical.
Duque’s War in Colombia: High Stakes For UN, OAS, and Biden Administration as Human Rights Crisis Spins Out of Control
Amid widespread protests, continued US support for Duque will further erode implementation of the peace accords and spur deeper conflict.
The Méndez Principles: A Focus on the Exclusionary Rule
To eliminate interrogation abuses, consistently bar all information gained via torture or cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment.
The Méndez Principles: Sharpening the View on Interrogation and Utilitarianism
Philosopher-jurist Jeremy Bentham's “ticking bomb scenario,” often cited to justify torture, has spawned wild misconceptions.
Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: Don’t Let the Light of Education Be Extinguished
Educational reforms in Myanmar were derailed first by COVID, then by the coup. A local teacher explains the consequences, and how the international community can support education…
The Méndez Principles: Building Rapport and Trust in Interrogations to Elicit Reliable Information
The demonstrated effectiveness of evidence-based methods strengthens the argument against torture and ill-treatment.
The Méndez Principles: The Need to Update the Army Field Manual on Interrogation for the 21st Century
Defense Secretary Austin should convene an expert panel to ensure that methods used are informed by current science.