The India branch of Amnesty International (AI) temporarily closed its office Wednesday after the organization was accused of sedition and anti-India sentiments. The accusations arose after AI promoted a human rights seminar in Kashmir, focusing on alleged human rights abuses carried out by the Indian security forces. AI responded to the accusations by stating that [...]
An Oklahoma County judge upheld a controversial voter identification law this week, allowing the law to be in place Thursday while early voting commenced for a primary run-off. The Oklahoma law requires citizens to provide valid photo ID before voting. A brief filed by the plaintiff in the suit alleged that the photo ID requirement [...]
Afghan security forces are occupying schools as part of military operations, contrary to several international declarations, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported Wednesday. The report details why such military seizures push civilians into the front lines, risks the lives of children and perpetuate a failing educational system in the nation. HRW also claims the Taliban is [...]
JURIST Guest Columnist Maya Manian of the University of San Francisco School of Law discusses the history of abortion laws, and how Whole Woman’s Health has impacted women’s constitutional right to access abortion care… As numerous commentators have noted, the Supreme Court’s 5-to-3 decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt was a resounding victory for [...]
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein expressed his concerns Wednesday regarding Indian and Pakistani authorities refusing to allow the Human Rights Council access to Kashmir. The High Commissioner emphasized the importance of access to the region after recent allegations of excessive force, state sponsorship of violence, as well as the number [...]
Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton announced Wednesday that the governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea plan to close the controversial Manus Island detention center. Since 2012 Australia has sent asylum seekers to offshore detention centers where they have been subjected to inhumane treatment. Human rights groups have brought light to the physical and sexual [...]
JURIST Guest Columnist Brad Abramson discusses the new ABA amendment… At its recent annual convention the American Bar Association (ABA) adopted a resolution amending Rule 8.4 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the code of ethics that governs attorney behavior. The amendment adds a new subsection to the attorney misconduct rule which, if [...]
JURIST Guest Columnist Fredrick Vars of the University of Alabama School of Law, proposes a compromise federal approach to the problem of guns and terrorism… Just over two months ago we witnessed the worst mass shooting in US history, which, with 49 killed, was also the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11. There [...]
The Navajo Nation on Tuesday filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) alleging that water flowing from a punctured mine in Colorado was toxic and “damaged the Nation’s environment, people, and economy.” Specifically, the 48-page complaint alleges that the toxic wastewater contaminated the San Juan River, a river on which the Nation has a [...]
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced her resignation Tuesday following a conviction on perjury and obstruction charges. Kane was convicted Monday on nine criminal charges, including two felony perjury charges that each carry seven-year prison terms. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf called the situation “unfortunate” but stated that “er decision to resign is the right one, [...]
