Legal Ethics

× Clear Filters
50 Articles
Marines grab a blindfolded Japanese prisoner of war while disembarking from a submarine returned from war patrol.

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.
Lt. Gen. John Kimmons, U.S. Army, holds up a copy of the Army Field Manual, FM 2-22.3, Human Intelligence Collector Operations as he briefs reporters on the details of the manual in the Pentagon on Sept. 6, 2006.

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.
Superintendent Paul Basham, Dr Richard Stephenson, and Jane Andrews speak to the media at the Dunedin Central Police Station on May 11, 2021 in Dunedin, New Zealand.

The Méndez Principles: Emergence and Global Expansion of Non-Coercive Interviewing

Three national jurisdictions that have introduced legal and effective techniques demonstrate that change is possible and is already underway.
A guard tower is seen outside the fencing of Camp 5 at the US Military's Prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on January 26, 2017.

The Méndez Principles: Science Shows Interrogation is Too Serious for Amateurs

Probing memory requires delicacy and care, because the method can change what the subject recalls -- and they wouldn't even be aware of it.
UN Special Rapporteur for Torture Juan Mendez speaks during a press conference in Colombo on May 7, 2016.

The Méndez Principles: A New Standard for Effective Interviewing by Police and Others, While Respecting Human Rights

Former UN Rapporteur on Torture says interrogations that reject coercive and abusive methods and build rapport are necessary and achievable.
View of the former clandestine detention and torture centre -the Argentine Army Mechanics School (ESMA) Officers Casino- now turned into the Memory and Human Rights Place, during the 45 th anniversary of the military coup, in Buenos Aires on March 24, 2021.

The Méndez Principles: Leadership to Transform Interrogation via Science, Law, and Ethics

New guidance points the way to scientifically sound, lawful, human rights-compliant, and effective practices.
US psychologist James Mitchell speaks with an interviewer at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC on December 6, 2016.

Stopping Torture: Why Professional Governance Failed, and How It Can Do Better

Professionals -- psychologists, physicians, lawyers -- played key parts in enabling post-9/11 torture programs. Yet professionalism can also constrain state power. Gregg Bloche…
Stack Of Law Books In Front Of Scales Of Justice

Trump Has a “Right to Pursue Legal Challenges” to Election, But Not Without the Facts

Author of book on civil procedure discusses the Trump Campaign litigation to date, and Rule 11 sanctions for filing frivolous lawsuits.

How to Restore Ethics to the U.S. Department of State

The task demands accountability for the ethical scandals that have occurred at State during the Trump administration and a public commitment to rebuilding the infrastructure, including…
Executive Orders regarding trade lay on the Resolute desk in the Oval Office of the White House March 31, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Destroying Federal Documents During a Presidential Transition Is a Federal Crime

Destroying or stealing documents belonging to the United States government is a crime.
State Dept PM’s Marik String speaks at annual To Walk The Earth In Safety event.

A Conflict of Interest Raises Questions for State Department’s Top Lawyer

Did Marik String successfully stymy inspector general investigation into his own actions?
John Durham and William Barr

An Open Letter to Connecticut U.S. Attorney John Durham

"I urge you to comply with the Department’s longstanding policy."
1-12 of 50 items

DON'T MISS A THING. Stay up to date with Just Security curated newsletters: