Search: extraterritorial sanctions
07 Aug Fifteen Years After Sri Lanka’s Civil War Ended, a Different Approach to Transitional Justice is Needed
...especially at the U.N. Human Rights Council. The international community has minimally stepped in to fill the accountability vacuum, for example through attempts at bringing universal and extraterritorial jurisdiction cases; the establishment of the U.N.’s Sri Lanka Accountability Project; and the sanctioning of alleged perpetrators. Accountability measures at the international level should be amplified, particularly because many victims justifiably do not trust the Sri Lankan government to address rights violations. However, for long-term change in Sri Lanka, genuine, victim and people-centered TJ processes are needed in-country. For this to occur,...
14 Oct Book Symposium on ‘Nuremberg’s Citizen Prosecutor’: The Captains of Industry in the Dock – Ferencz’s Forgotten Nuremberg Legacy
...Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of claims against the company but on different grounds: because the alleged conduct, which occurred in Nigeria, did not “touch and concern” the United States with sufficient force to displace the presumption against the extraterritorial application of a U.S. statute. The Court did not opine on the justiciability of claims against corporations, leaving the question for another day. This lopsided circuit split on the question of whether foreign corporations are immune from civil suits under the ATS led the Supreme Court to grant certiorari in Jesner, the...
20 Feb Why Aren’t We Talking About Sri Lanka Anymore? “Sri Lanka Solution” Followers Face Justice, but Not Sri Lanka
...Torture, and the ICC statute’s article 14, which allows ICC members to make referrals and immediately prompt a preliminary examination. Instead, States have either lacked the political will or otherwise missed rare opportunities to exercise jurisdiction over Sri Lankan perpetrators. Yes, some have imposed sanctions, but sanctions aren’t enough; in the words of the latest UN report, sanctions “remain limited in scope and cannot in themselves substitute for criminal prosecutions and trials” (para. 55). The UN continues to keep silent on whether there are reasonable grounds to believe genocide occurred,...01 Feb Events and Announcements: 1 February 2026
...will shed light on ELI’s eponymous project, which explores and addresses the legal complexities of constraining assets in response to reprehensible state conduct. Confirmed Speakers include: Sir Geoffrey Vos (ELI First Vice-President; Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales),Philippa Webb (Professor, University of Oxford), Burkhard Hess (Professor, University of Vienna), Oxana Gisca(President of the Conference of the Parties to CETS 198 (COP CETS 198), Council of Europe), Michael Stelzer(Head of Unit, Financial Sector Stability and Security, Enforcement and Sanctions – Sanctions, European Commission), and...
17 Sep Uniting for Peace in Gaza: A Test for the General Assembly
...have caused harm, such as by leading to deaths at distribution points. To my knowledge, there is no direct precedent of this nature. However, the essence of the plea is in line with earlier resolutions and with the UN’s work to mitigate humanitarian suffering, even when caused indirectly. A striking example is the case of the UN comprehensive sanctions on Iraq in the 1990s. Comprehensive sanctions were blamed for causing widespread humanitarian harm, particularly to children. In response, the Assembly urged exemptions and adjustments, and its continued pressure contributed to...
06 Apr When International Law Fails to Protect: Humanitarian Intervention and the Iranian Repression
...further executions. Several states, including members of the European Union, imposed targeted sanctions on Iranian officials and institutions allegedly responsible for the crackdown. These measures included asset freezes, travel bans, and financial restrictions. Sanctions serve both expressive and instrumental functions: they publicly condemn unlawful conduct and raise the economic and political costs of repression. However, they do not immediately halt ongoing violence, nor do they resolve the underlying structural problem of enforcement when atrocity crimes are alleged. A politically significant development occurred on January 13, 2026, when the President of...
22 Jun Symposium on the Global Sumud Flotilla: The Gaza Blockade as an Instrument of Genocide – International Law, Global Sumud Flotilla, and Normalization of Illegality
...method of warfare. In every relevant respect, Israel’s conduct is incompatible with international law. Israel’s practice of attacking freedom flotillas at ever greater distances is best understood as part of a broader strategy of “testing the limits.” Israel has carried out numerous operations both on the high seas and within the maritime zones of various states in the region, including their exclusive economic zones. Notably, none of these actions has resulted in meaningful sanctions. Consequently, Israel has repeatedly expanded the boundaries of what it can do without incurring consequences. Having...
03 Nov Binding Caution: The ICC’s Amended Code of Judicial Ethics and a Bench Under Pressure
...their obligations and assist those responsible for assessing complaints. Any guidance should remain interpretive and should not lower the thresholds established by the Statute and Rules. Restraint Under External Pressure The amendment also addresses judges whose public exposure is partly imposed on them. In its statement of 19 August 2026, the Court reported that nine of its eighteen judges were under United States sanctions, including its President. Judge Kimberly Prost described losing access to Google and Amazon accounts in a Guardian interview. Protective guidance should account for disruption of communication...
11 Oct Rethinking International Law After Gaza BILC 2024: Summary and Declaration
...governments and corporations to cease military collaborations. Advocate for Trade Sanctions: Advocate for trade sanctions against Israel and all businesses that support Israel’s occupation. Pressure governments to implement these sanctions and target companies complicit in violating Palestinian rights. Suspend Israel from International Events: Campaign for the suspension of Israel from international sports and cultural events. Encourage cultural institutions and workers to boycott collaborations with Israeli entities to undermine the normalisation of apartheid. Boycott Israeli Academic Institutions: Advocate for a comprehensive boycott of Israeli academic institutions. Support Palestinian educators and students by...
21 Jul Double Standards in International Law: Critical Reflections for an Academic Lens for Teaching and Research
...Law Much of my reflection revolves around critical questions to consider when engaging with the topic of double standards in international law. I acknowledge that much of my thinking was shaped by the rich discussions we had. Do ‘Double Standards’ Exist in International Law? Absolutely, and countless examples highlight this issue. Intervention in Conflicts: Western leaders have been quick to condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The international community has rallied robust support for Ukraine, including economic sanctions against Russia and significant military aid. However, this stands in stark contrast to...