Spanish Congress is considering a new bill that would legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. If the bill does not pass, do those patients have a right to die using assisted suicide under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Given the breadth and subjective nature of how degrading treatment is determined by the Court, patients could have a viable argument.
Read MoreBy: Kellina Yzette Heylek.
The Federal Council of Psychology in Brazilian ruled over 18 years ago that psychiatrists cannot advertise sexual orientation reversion therapies to potential patients as a cure for homosexuality. Many professional medical associations have made statements discrediting these conversion therapies stating it is ineffective and harmful. However, in September 2017, a federal judge in Brazil has overruled this precedent and has allowed psychiatrists to again advertise these treatments.
Image credit: © 2006 Reuters. A man shows his rainbow flag during the Gay Pride parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 30, 2006. https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200w1200h/public/multimedia_images_2017/201709americas_brazil_lgbt.jpg?itok=7kN5oDSa
Read MoreBy: Kelly R. McClintock
Bulgaria, an Eastern European country formerly a part of the Soviet Bloc, did not criminalize domestic violence until 2005.[1] The lack of such basic protection for women symbolized the country’s tolerance, indifference, and even promotion of degradation of women. However, grassroots organizations working with regional and international partners in Bulgaria have made significant strides for women’s rights since 2005.
Read MoreBy: Mollie M. McSweeney.
Pollution has quickly become one of Mongolia’s largest issues. The high levels of pollution threaten the health, safety and wellness of the people that reside there. The issue of pollution is so extreme, that it can lead to even death. It is imperative that this issue be resolved in a timely manner because the people of Mongolia’s lives are at risk.
Image credit: “A woman wears a face mask in the part of the city near neighbourhoods known for burning coal for heating in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, January 26, 2017.” Eleanor Ross, How Deadly Pollution Became One of Mongolia’s Biggest Problems, Newsweek, (March 2, 2017), http://www.newsweek.com/pollution-mongolia-ulaanbaatar-deadly-kill-children-higher-beijing-562881.
Read MoreBy: Andrew Kemmer.
The Olympics are lucrative business today. The International Olympic Committee is a billion-dollar organization, and it is supposed to facilitate Olympic sports worldwide. Instead, it absolves itself of responsibility by giving away money to international federations to do with as they please. That leaves athletes to languish in poverty while IOC executives and broadcasting companies get rich off of them.
Image credit: https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-invites-olympic-winter-athletes-to-pyeongchang-2018-with-just-one-year-to-go
Read MoreBy: Brittany Jones.
The current attacks against the Rhonigya are inhumane and unjust. Myanmar’s history of ethnic conflict with the Rohingya is very complicated and requires a basic understanding of how the country was established.
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohingya_persecution_in_Myanmar
Read MoreBy: Kathryn Bristor.
This post explores the impact of ISIS’ presence in Syria, the legal principles underlying the conflict, and the devastating reality that UN members may not have the ability to intervene in the war that is raging on within the Syrian borders. Through the examination of customary international law, it is apparent that foreign involvement may prove to be more difficult than at first glance.
Read MoreBy Laura Bassett.
In 2016, the Philippines elected Rodrigo Duarte as president. He promised to take a tough stance on drugs. While Duarte was a mayor, human rights groups found evidence of government sanctioned killing of certain criminals. Today's post discusses why Duarte's actions do not constitute genocide and what can be done in the future.
Read MoreBy: Brent Lockwood
As a central international governing body, the United Nations’ leadership is necessary to successfully combat global gender inequality and violence against women. Despite continued efforts to protect the rights of women and promote equality, women continue to face economic, social, and political inequality as well as high rates of physical and sexual violence. Changes need to be made.
Read MoreBy: Chantelle Dial
Western Australia’s recent threats to close indigenous communities will be a tragic international human rights violation unless national and international steps are taken to prevent unlawful removal and to learn from the 2011 Oombulgurri removal.
Read MoreBy: Chantelle Dial
Despite how dramatically traditions and roles may have changed over the years, the current U.S. approach to why women at home and abroad should be educated often perpetuates harmful stereotypes under the guise of progress.
Read MoreBy: Ryan Brenner
Today, the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Ms. Rita Izsák, gave a presentation to MSU law students on the international human rights implications of police killings of unarmed Black men and boys through an event hosted by the Talsky Center for Human Rights.
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