United Nations (UN)
1,271 Articles

The New U.S. “Caesar” Sanctions on Syria Are Illegal
The new U.S. sanctions on Syria, which came into effect last month, are likely to bring the suffering of the Syrian people to new heights.

Mexico’s Priorities as an Elected Member to the Security Council for 2021-2022
In this essay for Just Security, the Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations and Mexico’s Legal Adviser outline the government’s priorities when it becomes…

IACHR Condemns Guantánamo Abuses in First “War on Terror” Decision
On May 27, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued a long-awaited decision in which it held the United States internationally responsible for the torture and…

National Security at the United Nations This Week (June 26-July 2)
(Editor’s Note: This is the latest in Just Security’s weekly series keeping readers up to date on developments at the United Nations at the intersection of national security,…

Less Lethal than Firearms, But Only if Used Appropriately
Sometimes, as in the shooting of Rayshard Brooks by an Atlanta law enforcement officer, deaths involve police use of firearms. But as the killing of George Floyd has also demonstrated,…

A Rejoinder to China’s Response to UN Human Rights Experts
Over 50 U.N. experts issued a strong statement about continued repression in China. The government responded. UN Special Rapporteur replies here.

National Security at the United Nations This Week (June 19-26)
(Editor’s Note: This is the latest in Just Security’s weekly series keeping readers up to date on developments at the United Nations at the intersection of national security,…

As UN Renews Peacekeeping in Mali, Civilian Protection Requires Ongoing Push for Air Assets
The mission is missing critical military helicopters it needs in several locations to carry out its recently expanded mandate.

The United Nations Charter at 75: Between Force and Self-Defense — Part Two
A more complete view of the UN Charter explains why there are no unwritten exceptions to the prohibition of force.

The United Nations Charter at 75: Between Force and Self-Defense — Part One
As we celebrate the Charter’s seventy-fifth birthday, a deep dive into its negotiating history shows that the right of self-defense under Article 51 is triggered by an act of…

National Security at the United Nations This Week (June 12-19)
(Editor’s Note: This is the latest in Just Security’s weekly series keeping readers up to date on developments at the United Nations at the intersection of national security,…

New UN Handbook on Sexual Violence in Conflict Helps, But Still Falls Short
It omits a key type of violation and fails to account for the power structures that enable multiple forms of sexual violence and abuse.