What autocrats fear most: “challenges to their information control.” Is public shaming more effective than military strikes? #HumanRights #UpholdingIL www.justsecurity.org/146224/autho...
Authoritarians Keep Telling Us What They Fear. We Should Listen.
Research shows, more than military strikes or sanctions, authoritarians fear independent media, anti-censorship tech, and civil society.
www.justsecurity.org
July 28, 2026 at 5:25 PM
What autocrats fear most: “challenges to their information control.” Is public shaming more effective than military strikes? #HumanRights #UpholdingIL www.justsecurity.org/146224/autho...
Outcasting over? It looks like Russia may be back in the Olympics in 2028. #UpholdingIL www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
IOC moves closer to allowing Russia full Olympic return ahead of 2028 Los Angeles Games
The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee on Tuesday, paving the way for Russian athletes and teams to move closer to competing under the...
www.france24.com
July 9, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Outcasting over? It looks like Russia may be back in the Olympics in 2028. #UpholdingIL www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
A former Syrian official had been sentenced in a universal jurisdiction trial in Austria. He was convicted of torture. #CriminalLaw #UpholdingIL www.justiceinfo.net/en/161487-a-...
A former Syrian intelligence general convicted in Vienna
Khaled Al-Halabi, a former senior military intelligence officer under the al-Assad regime, thought he had found refuge in Vienna. On Monday 7 July, he was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for to...
www.justiceinfo.net
July 8, 2026 at 2:53 PM
A former Syrian official had been sentenced in a universal jurisdiction trial in Austria. He was convicted of torture. #CriminalLaw #UpholdingIL www.justiceinfo.net/en/161487-a-...
Rwanda is out of luck. An international tribunal has ruled that the UK does not need to pay Rwanda under an abandoned migration plan. #UpholdingIL #MigrationLaw www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/...
International court rejects Rwanda’s claim over UK migration deal
Rwanda's $134m claim has been thrown out, which bodes ill for other governments seeking 'return hubs'.
www.aljazeera.com
June 1, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Rwanda is out of luck. An international tribunal has ruled that the UK does not need to pay Rwanda under an abandoned migration plan. #UpholdingIL #MigrationLaw www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/...
The Netherlands is prosecuting a migrant for sexual violence in a Syrian prison. #UpholdingIL #CriminalLaw www.justiceinfo.net/en/157803-sy...
Syria: sexual violence in detention on trial in the Netherlands
A new Syrian trial began on Wednesday 8 April in The Hague. Rafiq al Q. is the most senior alleged official with close ties to Bashar al-Assad’s regime to be tried in the Netherlands, on charges of se...
www.justiceinfo.net
April 14, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The Netherlands is prosecuting a migrant for sexual violence in a Syrian prison. #UpholdingIL #CriminalLaw www.justiceinfo.net/en/157803-sy...
Ghana and Togo have decided to use arbitration to settle their maritime border dispute. #SeaLaw #UpholdingIL www.ejiltalk.org/some-prelimi...
Some Preliminary Thoughts on Ghana’s Announced Recourse to 1982 LOSC Arbitration in the Maritime Boundary Dispute with Togo
On 20 February 2026, Ghana, in a press release, formally notified the Government of Togo of its decision to submit their unresolved maritime boundary dispute to arbitration under the 1982 United Natio...
www.ejiltalk.org
March 5, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Ghana and Togo have decided to use arbitration to settle their maritime border dispute. #SeaLaw #UpholdingIL www.ejiltalk.org/some-prelimi...
The Philippines often prosecutes dissidents as “terrorists” and “subversives.” The desire to get more trade and foreign investment may lead the Philippines to enhance political rights. #UpholdingIL #HumanRights #TradeLaw #InvestmentLaw
www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianou...
www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianou...
Is Red-Tagging Undermining the Philippines’ Leadership in ASEAN? - Australian Institute of International Affairs
For years, Red-Tagging operated in a regulatory vacuum, shielded by the rhetoric of “national security”. A turning point arrived in May 2024, when the Supreme Court of the Philippines issued [...]
www.internationalaffairs.org.au
March 5, 2026 at 4:03 PM
The Philippines often prosecutes dissidents as “terrorists” and “subversives.” The desire to get more trade and foreign investment may lead the Philippines to enhance political rights. #UpholdingIL #HumanRights #TradeLaw #InvestmentLaw
www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianou...
www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianou...
The US has sanctioned top Rwandan officials for backing M23 in the DR Congo. #UpholdingIL #ArmedConflict www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/...
US sanctions Rwandan army and top officials for supporting M23 in DRC
Kinshasa welcomed the sanctions while Kigali said the US move 'unjustly' targets Rwanda.
www.aljazeera.com
March 4, 2026 at 7:32 PM
The US has sanctioned top Rwandan officials for backing M23 in the DR Congo. #UpholdingIL #ArmedConflict www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/...
States are frustrated with the European Court of Human Rights' migration rulings. Domestic courts are using them to dramatically expand migrant rights. #UpholdingIL #MigrationLaw www.ejiltalk.org/the-steering...
The Steering Committee’s ‘Preliminary Draft Text’ for the Chișinău Declaration: Nothing is Wrong with the ECtHR’s Migration Case-Law
In the past months the academic community has tried to understand what the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or ‘the Court’) could have done wrong regarding the interpretation of the European Conv...
www.ejiltalk.org
February 11, 2026 at 2:37 PM
States are frustrated with the European Court of Human Rights' migration rulings. Domestic courts are using them to dramatically expand migrant rights. #UpholdingIL #MigrationLaw www.ejiltalk.org/the-steering...
Two firms have been suing Argentina in US courts for nationalizing an oil company. Argentina argues that the court lacks jurisdiction, but the case is moving forward anyways. #UpholdingIL #InvestmentLaw www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Argentina requests suspension of 'illegitimate' discovery process for YPF case in U.S. court
Argentina's Treasury requested a New York court on Wednesday to suspend the discovery process in relation to state-owned oil company YPF's nationalization case, calling it illegitimate and intrusive.
www.reuters.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Two firms have been suing Argentina in US courts for nationalizing an oil company. Argentina argues that the court lacks jurisdiction, but the case is moving forward anyways. #UpholdingIL #InvestmentLaw www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Countermeasures? Germany says it will “strike back, even abroad” against Russian cyberattacks. But first it must pass legislation … and design a new bureaucracy … and deal with court rulings … I don’t think the Russians are scared. #UpholdingIL #UseOfForce www.ft.com/content/b1ef...
Germany will ‘strike back’ against Russian cyber attacks, minister vows
Warning comes after spate of sabotage attempts on German soil that were linked to Russia
www.ft.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Countermeasures? Germany says it will “strike back, even abroad” against Russian cyberattacks. But first it must pass legislation … and design a new bureaucracy … and deal with court rulings … I don’t think the Russians are scared. #UpholdingIL #UseOfForce www.ft.com/content/b1ef...
Does Nicolas Maduro have immunity from the jurisdiction of US courts? Adrián Agenjo reviews what international law has to say. (I doubt that US courts will care about that, though.) #UpholdingIL www.ejiltalk.org/which-immuni...
Which Immunity for Nicolás Maduro? Personal immunity, Inviolability, and the Implausible Exceptions the US Might Claim
On 3 January 2025, the US carried out a military operation on Venezuelan territory that culminated in the capture and removal of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. This operation plainly breaches Article 2(...
www.ejiltalk.org
January 26, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Does Nicolas Maduro have immunity from the jurisdiction of US courts? Adrián Agenjo reviews what international law has to say. (I doubt that US courts will care about that, though.) #UpholdingIL www.ejiltalk.org/which-immuni...
Germany has been prosecuting ISIS crimes against the Yazidi. Stephanie Egerer-Uhrig describes some of the challenges that prosecutors faced during these trials. #UpholdingIL #CriminalLaw www.justsecurity.org/128802/prose...
The Prosecution of Crimes against Humanity: a National Perspective
An international convention on prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity would be a visible step toward accountability.
www.justsecurity.org
January 20, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Germany has been prosecuting ISIS crimes against the Yazidi. Stephanie Egerer-Uhrig describes some of the challenges that prosecutors faced during these trials. #UpholdingIL #CriminalLaw www.justsecurity.org/128802/prose...
Court hearings have begun at the Intl Court of Justice in the Rohingya Genocide case. Lots of people are watching, wondering what this will mean for the Gaza case. #HumanRights #UpholdingIL f24.my/BfLL.X
'Targeted for destruction': Top UN court hears Rohingya genocide case against Myanmar
Judges at the International Court of Justice began three weeks of hearings on Monday into allegations that Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya Muslims during a 2017 crackdown. Lawyers say the…
f24.my
January 12, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Court hearings have begun at the Intl Court of Justice in the Rohingya Genocide case. Lots of people are watching, wondering what this will mean for the Gaza case. #HumanRights #UpholdingIL f24.my/BfLL.X
Does Nicolas Maduro have head of state immunity? Chimène Keitner tackles a thorny issue. #UpholdingIL www.justsecurity.org/128073/head-...
Head of State Immunity and Maduro on Trial
An international law professor answers frequently asked questions about immunity and Nicolás Maduro's arrest.
www.justsecurity.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Does Nicolas Maduro have head of state immunity? Chimène Keitner tackles a thorny issue. #UpholdingIL www.justsecurity.org/128073/head-...
The US has seized a new Venezuelan oil tanker. In recent days, it reflagged to become a Russian vessel and was escorted by a Russian submarine. #UpholdingIL #SeaLaw www.bbc.com/news/live/cw...
US says it has seized Russian-flagged tanker in Atlantic linked to Venezuelan oil - live updates
Earlier, several military aircraft were tracked over the North Atlantic heading towards the Marinera.
www.bbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:23 PM
The US has seized a new Venezuelan oil tanker. In recent days, it reflagged to become a Russian vessel and was escorted by a Russian submarine. #UpholdingIL #SeaLaw www.bbc.com/news/live/cw...
The arrest of Maduro in Venezuela raises question about use of force and official immunity. Also: is the US now an “occupying power” of Venezuela? Lots to think about. #UseOfForce #UpholdingIL #ArmedConflict www.ejiltalk.org/trumps-illeg...
Trump’s Illegal Attack on Venezuela and Its Consequences
Early on Saturday morning, 3 January, the United States attacked Venezuela. Aerial strikes were carried out in Caracas, Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua, alongside covert operations conducted by special...
www.ejiltalk.org
January 6, 2026 at 2:19 PM
The arrest of Maduro in Venezuela raises question about use of force and official immunity. Also: is the US now an “occupying power” of Venezuela? Lots to think about. #UseOfForce #UpholdingIL #ArmedConflict www.ejiltalk.org/trumps-illeg...
Lumbala update: A French court has sentenced the Congolese rebel to 30 years in prison. The DR Congo refused to cooperate in the case because it involved current govt officials. #UpholdingIL #CriminalLaw
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153708-lu...
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153708-lu...
Lumbala trial: absence fails to pay off
On December 15, a French court sentenced 67-year-old former Congolese rebel leader Roger Lumbala to 30 years in prison. This comes as armed violence is intensifying in the eastern Democratic Republic ...
www.justiceinfo.net
December 16, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Lumbala update: A French court has sentenced the Congolese rebel to 30 years in prison. The DR Congo refused to cooperate in the case because it involved current govt officials. #UpholdingIL #CriminalLaw
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153708-lu...
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153708-lu...
Lumbala trial update: everyone agrees there were crimes in the DR Congo. But who is responsible? Lumbala? Some say “Blame Bemba.” #UpholdingIL #CriminalLaw
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153518-lu...
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153518-lu...
Lumbala trial: there were crimes, but who was responsible?
The Paris Assize Court has finished hearing civil parties and witnesses in former Congolese warlord Roger Lumbala’s trial for complicity in crimes against humanity.
www.justiceinfo.net
December 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Lumbala trial update: everyone agrees there were crimes in the DR Congo. But who is responsible? Lumbala? Some say “Blame Bemba.” #UpholdingIL #CriminalLaw
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153518-lu...
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153518-lu...
The US recently refused to condemn torture in the UN General Assembly. Gabor Rona asks: what explains the US vote? My question: why is this a good use of UNGA time? #UpholdingIL #HumanRights www.justsecurity.org/126649/does-...
Does the United States Still Oppose Torture?
The U.S. voted against the UNGA's torture resolution, breaking decades of consensus and raising questions about its human rights stance.
www.justsecurity.org
December 12, 2025 at 12:00 AM
The US recently refused to condemn torture in the UN General Assembly. Gabor Rona asks: what explains the US vote? My question: why is this a good use of UNGA time? #UpholdingIL #HumanRights www.justsecurity.org/126649/does-...
The US seized a Venezuelan oil tanker destined for Iran, in violation of sanctions. Maduro called it “international piracy.” His govt denounced it as a "grave international crime". Does Hegseth need to buy some parrots? #SeaLaw #UpholdingIL bbc.com/news/article...
US seizes oil tanker off Venezuela as Caracas condemns 'act of piracy'
The move is a sharp escalation in Washington's pressure campaign against Nicolás Maduro's government.
bbc.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The US seized a Venezuelan oil tanker destined for Iran, in violation of sanctions. Maduro called it “international piracy.” His govt denounced it as a "grave international crime". Does Hegseth need to buy some parrots? #SeaLaw #UpholdingIL bbc.com/news/article...
The EU wants to give Ukraine a “reparations loan” from Russian assets frozen in the EU. But France refuses to cooperate: it is protecting Russian money, arguing that the money is immune from seizure. #BreakingIL #UpholdingIL www.ft.com/content/fe30...
France shielding €18bn Russian asset pot from EU ‘reparations loan’ push
Paris guarded names of private banks holding world’s second biggest accumulation of immobilised Russian state funds
www.ft.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The EU wants to give Ukraine a “reparations loan” from Russian assets frozen in the EU. But France refuses to cooperate: it is protecting Russian money, arguing that the money is immune from seizure. #BreakingIL #UpholdingIL www.ft.com/content/fe30...
The new High Seas Treaty will soon enter into force. Hannah Lily and Samantha Robb argue that this is an opportunity for states to create legislation to enforce deep sea mining rules. #MakingIL #UpholdingIL #SeaLaw www.ejiltalk.org/two-birds-on...
Two Birds, One Bill: How BBNJ National Legislation Can Tackle UNCLOS Deep Seabed Mining Gaps
The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) wi...
www.ejiltalk.org
December 5, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The new High Seas Treaty will soon enter into force. Hannah Lily and Samantha Robb argue that this is an opportunity for states to create legislation to enforce deep sea mining rules. #MakingIL #UpholdingIL #SeaLaw www.ejiltalk.org/two-birds-on...
All about the Lumbala trial in Paris. Claude Sengenya reviews the first week of testimony. #UpholdingIL #CriminalLaw www.justiceinfo.net/en/153103-lu...
Lumbala trial: a rebel leader in Bemba’s shadow?
The first week of witness and victim testimony in Roger Lumbala’s Paris trial looked at the facts, and at the responsibility of the former Congolese rebel leader acting under Jean-Pierre Bemba’s prote...
www.justiceinfo.net
December 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
All about the Lumbala trial in Paris. Claude Sengenya reviews the first week of testimony. #UpholdingIL #CriminalLaw www.justiceinfo.net/en/153103-lu...
My latest: “Migrants Matter: New Evidence Shows Migration Patterns Help Drive US Lawsuits for Human Rights Abuses Abroad” #UpholdingIL #HumanRights #MigrationLaw opiniojuris.org/2025/12/03/m...
Migrants Matter: New Evidence Shows Migration Patterns Help Drive US Lawsuits for Human Rights Abuses Abroad
[Leslie Johns is a Professor of Political Science and Law at UCLA. Máximo Langer is David G. Price and Dallas P. Price Professor of Law at UCLA. Margaret E. Peters is a Professor and Vice Chair of …
opiniojuris.org
December 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
My latest: “Migrants Matter: New Evidence Shows Migration Patterns Help Drive US Lawsuits for Human Rights Abuses Abroad” #UpholdingIL #HumanRights #MigrationLaw opiniojuris.org/2025/12/03/m...