international justice

The Gambia v. Myanmar and Ukraine v. Russian Federation: A Tale of Two Cases at the International Court of Justice

My thoughts on the two cases before the International Court of Justice based on the Genocide Convention - The Gambia v. Myanmar, and Ukraine v. Russian Federation.

Sudan, the International Criminal Court and Omar Al Bashir

A few thoughts on the announcement in Sudan regarding joining the International Criminal Court.

Canada and The Netherlands: New Intervention in The Gambia v Myanmar at the International Court of Justice

The Netherlands and Canada announced their intention to intervene at the International Court of Justice, in The Gambia v. Myanmar. A few reflections on this latest development in the case.

“Comfort Women”, the “Birangona” and historical war time sexual violence: Ignoring wounds of the past?

“Comfort Women”, the “Birangona” and historical war time sexual violence: Ignoring wounds of the past?

I attended the opening of the exhibition on Women & War at the Ayala Museum in the Philippines. Hearing a Lola - or grandmother who survived the ordeal of being a “Comfort Woman” - made me think of this issue more, and also look into the often forgotten '“Birangona” of Bangladesh. What hope for justice and redress?

Women in International Law: A Vanishing Act?

Women in International Law: A Vanishing Act?

A few thoughts on gender diversity in international law, sparked by the nominations for the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). I assess International courts, UN treaty bodies and mandate holders. The results are not pretty!

Human rights impact assessment in Myanmar: Facebook’s anodyne report

Facebook’s report on its activities in Myanmar is anodyne and does not address important questions raised by the UN FFM. I raise a few points after reading the report, which are worth exploring further.

Tangled skeins towards accountability: Myanmar and international justice

I examine the circumstances around the creation of an independent mechanism to consolidate evidence in Myanmar. The Human Rights Council has stepped up to its role and mandate - and with the confluence of other legal developments including at the ICC, there are reasons to feel hopeful about accountability.

A rejection of John Bolton’s assault on the ICC – and an opportunity to reflect 

This blog post relates to the blistering attack on the International Criminal Court (ICC) by John Bolton, including threats to sanction and prosecute its personnel. The court definitely is a work in progress, and is far from perfect, but is a vital institution in the fight against impunity. John Bolton's arguments must be addressed - and then rejected, using the opportunity to reflect on the court while doing so.