By Kaitlyn Harries.
In December, France’s Parliament passed a restrictive immigration bill further limiting access to social welfare programs to asylum seekers. The bill was seen as a political bargaining chip between Macron and the far-right National Rally Party, but France’s Constitutional Council pulled back a third of the originally passed provisions.
Read MoreBy Thomas Carr.
Denmark recently passed a law banning the desecration of holy texts in response to widespread protests featuring the burning of the Quran. The law violates Denmark’s tradition of free speech as well as several of Denmark’s obligations under international law.
Read MoreBy Noelle Andrego.
Canada is praised for its immigration policies today, but it has an extensive history of discrimination. Chinese people faced demands from white Canadian politicians and residents urging their exclusion, subsequently enacted exclusion laws, and humiliating policies requiring registration cards. Despite these challenges, Chinese people resiliently settled in Canada and are an integral part of Canada’s cultural mosaic today.
Read MoreBy Abby Treadwell.
On November 30, 2023, Russia’s highest court held that “international LGBT organizations” will be designated as “extremist organizations.” The ruling carries the possibility of massive fines, or even prison time for violators. As LGBT activists grapple with the potential impacts of the decision, what remains clear is that Russia’s efforts to advance “traditional values” are not slowing down.
Read MoreBy Jake Babbish.
The global demand for synthetic drugs is on the rise. Mexico’s drug cartels have created a global network to meet this demand. How can countries combat this in accordance with international law?
Read MoreBy Abagail Cacovic.
Since 2016, Bolivia and Chile have been fighting in the International Court of Justice over the Silala River, a vital ecosystem to both countries. The ICJ ruled in 2022 that both parties agree to most major issues and that both are entitled to equitable and reasonable utilization of the Silala waters under customary international law.
Read MoreBy Nicholas Sturos.
The current Egyptian government has new technologies to silence political opposition and free speech. A couple of the technologies include smart cities and internet monitoring.
Read MoreBy Julia Moran.
Early 2024, Félix Tshisekedi was elected for another five years as the Democratic Republic of Congo’s President. The DRC is rich in minerals and natural resources wanted by many countries. However, the citizens have not seen much of the economic benefit. With President Tshisekedi’s promise to increase the economy, will the environment be the one who bears the cost?
Read MoreBy Caleb Siebeneck.
In 2014, Egypt passed a new constitution by referendum, which contains provisions pertaining to the right to council, rights of detainees, and right to a fair trial. Unfortunately, authorities in Egypt are using legal and nonlegal strategies to circumvent constitutional and statutory protections, and, in practice, criminal defendant rights are not being upheld under the 2014 Constitution. This article examines these provisions, the strategies officials use to circumvent (and simply ignore) these rights, and the possible effects this may have on the 2014 Constitution’s legitimacy.
Read MoreBy Madalin Sholtz.
Costa Rica is praised as the Switzerland of the south for its constitutional demilitarization, yet the reality is much different than the perception. The Costa Rican police force is well trained and equipped to handle internal conflicts and small-scale external conflicts. For large-scale external conflicts, Costa Rica allows foreign militaries to step into its shoes to provide security to its citizens.
Read MoreBy Julia Alexander.
The Salvadoran government issued a state of emergency in March 2022 in response to pervasive gang violence. However, this state of emergency has been renewed continuously for nearly eighteen months and has resulted in the suspension of many constitutional rights and arbitrary arrests, which amounts to about two percent of the Salvadoran population.
Read MoreBy Claire E. Montgomery.
Greece passed new legislation restricting the independence of reporters and distrust looms in the distance. The freedom of the press is being restricted by abusive, arbitrary uses of government power.
Read MoreBy Andrew Haftkowycz.
In response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Parliament, known as Verkhovna Rada, loosened civilian gun laws for national security interests. Ukraine’s response to civilian self-defense laws has yielded interesting results, impacting criminal activity and policy strategy, internationally.
Read MoreBy Caitlin Urisko.
On June 15, 2023, the French Senate passed the Kasbarian-Bergé Bill, which increases fines and criminal penalties for squatters. President Emmanuel Macron introduced the bill to defend against the illegal occupation of housing. However, opponents worry that the new law will have a disparate effect on the nation’s vulnerable populations without solving the root issue.
Read MoreBy William T. McAndrews III.
The people of Italy have elected the most far-right government since the Second World War. The party campaigned on extreme policies such as closing the Italy’s southern border, xenophobia, and euro-skepticism. This article discusses the potential future of Italy and southern Europe as world crises increase refugee movement to Europe.
Read MoreBy Kaitlyn Harries.
With the increased use of credit cards and digital payments, Austrians worry about their ability to use cash in light of newly proposed EU legislation capping cash payments at €7000. Austria’s chancellor declared his intention to protect the use of cash by enshrining the right in the Austrian Constitution.
Read MoreBy Thomas Carr.
A military junta ousted Niger’s democratically elected president and declared itself the country’s de facto leaders. The Economic Community of West African States has the power to intervene militarily to restore democracy. It is both legal and necessary to do so.
Read MoreBy Noelle Andrego.
Due to the illegality of homosexual activity, the lack of government protection, and the resulting inherent and systematic discriminatory norms within Jamaican society, homosexuals in Jamaica continue to be targets and victims of severe persecution. This results in many strong claims to asylum in countries such as Canada and the United States.
Read MoreBy Wesley Levise.
Research is showing that walls and fencing are fragmenting migratory pathways and degrading the environment and ecosystem in Mongolia. Despite growing concerns about the collapse of these migratory pathways, international laws and treaties aimed to prevent exploitation of these animals are falling short of preserving these lands essential for the survival of various species.
Read MoreBy Jake Babbish.
China is skirting international extradition laws and national sovereignty by carrying out secret policing operations on foreign soil.
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