United Nations (UN)
1,271 Articles

Universal Jurisdiction — the Most Difficult Path to Achieve Justice for Sri Lanka
The record shows that, if this is the only feasible route to accountability for now, countries will require additional support at the UN level to achieve accountability.

Emblematic Cases Expose the Long Road to Justice in Sri Lanka
For more than a decade, in one atrocity case after another, justice is delayed, denied, or even reversed, as the government pursues impunity.

National Security Last Week at the United Nations (Feb. 12-19)
Munich Security Conference Held Virtually, Biden Emphasizes Alliances The annual Munich Security Conference began on Friday with world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden,…

Tamils – and Justice – Can’t Wait: The Need for Decisive UN Action on Sri Lanka
The credibility of the Human Rights Council and the UN system, given its “grave failure” in the past, depends on accountability for Sri Lanka’s atrocities.

A US Return to Human Rights Requires Consistency and Self-Restraint in National Security
This week's Egypt arms sales announcement illustrates the failure to practice the values that offer the US its principle source of competitive advantage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

UN Human Rights Council: A Near-Term Approach for U.S. Re-Entry
The council is much more than its flaws. A strategic US re-engagement could include membership, China, a critical review, and a programmatic agenda.