Search: extraterritorial sanctions

07 Mar Bomb Iran? Not Yet

...sufficient number of centrifuge machines to acquire large-scale production capacity, it will kick out the IAEA inspectors and begin rapid production of weapons-grade uranium. In light of the threat that an Iranian nuclear weapons program would pose, the United States must not allow this scenario to unfold. In the near term, it makes sense to pursue negotiated solutions, and to work through the U.N. Security Council to continue application of sanctions. If, however, Iran continues to expand its uranium enrichment capacity, the United States should launch a preemptive strike to...

07 Mar Are the Security Council Resolutions Against Iran “Illegal”?

I think we have talked about this before on this blog, but I don’t think we ever came to a resolution on Iran’s argument that Security Council sanctions against its nuclear program are “illegal.” Iran’s foreign minister is apparently arguing here that the UNSC resolutions are “politically motivated and unprincipled resolutions” which violate international law, rules and regulations. It “ignores Iran’s legal and inalienable rights guaranteed by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the nuclear safeguards regime.” I don’t exactly understand the argument fully or maybe there is no real argument....

29 Jun Kristof: “If Only Mugabe Were White”

...and his aides in the International Criminal Court. Led by the Southern African Development Community, the world will also impose sanctions against Mr. Mugabe’s circle and cut off all military supplies and spare parts. Mozambique, South Africa and Congo will also cut off the electricity they provide to Zimbabwe. So, whatever happened to the Responsibility to Protect? Or even the less robust 1990s versions of humanitarian intervention? Surely widespread deprivation, starvation, torture and political murder — whether or not tantamount to genocide — qualify as the kinds of mass atrocities...

09 Jun Speech That Outrages Modesty or Ridicules Immodesty

I have long found it curious that those who favor constitutional comparativism often fail to appreciate the particular cultural distinctives that imbue different legal systems. It is rare that comparative scholars will outline those differences, many of whom wish to deny that they exist or diminish their importance. It was therefore of great interest to me today when I came across a fascinating line of Indian Supreme Court cases that impose criminal sanctions on sexually suggestive speech. Article 509 of the Indian Penal Code provides that “whoever, intending to insult...

02 Apr The Use of Statutory Construction in Defining Torture

Here is a key excerpt from pages 36-39 of the March 2003 “Torture” Memorandum: Section 2340 defines the act of torture as an: act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control…. The key statutory phrase in the definition of torture is the statement that acts amount to torture if they cause “severe physical or mental pain or suffering.”...

04 Apr Crisis Watch — April Report

...reportedly arrested after week of protests, including senior figure Alexander Kozulin. EU and U.S. declared would target sanctions at those responsible for electoral violations and post-election crackdown. UN Special Rapporteur Adrian Severin led UN call for immediate investigation into deteriorating rights situation. Russia congratulated Lukaschenko. Central African Republic: Refugees fleeing unrest in north claimed attacked by government troops: 7,000 have fled to Chad since January, with 50,000 more internally displaced. Government confirmed existence of rebellion in northwest for first time 13 March; accused former President Patasse and MLDC party of...