JURIST

18/07/2024

An HRW report reveals that children in El Salvador are subjected to human rights violations amid a gang crackdown. Read the full article on Jurist Legal News for detailed insights and updates.

17/07/2024

The IOM estimates that over 10 million people are internally displaced in Sudan.
Read the full article on Jurist Legal News for more details and insights on this humanitarian crisis.
 »

29/05/2024

JURIST’s got to spend memorial weekend at ’s Model Constitutional Convention debating new amendments with law students around the country.

Read JP’s 3 part story about the convention at the links in our bio.

17/05/2024

At JURIST we also like to acknowledge our graduates every year. While we wish we could keep our intrepid volunteers forever, we believe that we are creating world class journalists, writers, and legal scholars and we want to see them go out and succeed after their law school careers. Let's all celebrate our 2023-2024 graduating JURIST students.

Lauren Ban - University of Pittsburgh School of Law School of Law, US
Hayley Behal - University of Pittsburgh School of Law, US
Emma Burns - Auckland Law School, University of Auckland, NZ
Mélanie Cantin - Faculty of Law - Common Law Section, University of Ottawa, CA
Jaimee Francis - Boston University School of Law, US
Tianyi Geng - Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law , US
Malaika Grafe - Maastricht University Faculty of Law, NE
Rahel Helmhart - University of Groningen, Faculty of Law, NE
Lukas Jumpelt - Maastricht University Faculty of Law, NE
Lou Kettering - University of Pittsburgh School of Law, US
Mahjabeen Khan - Vermont Law and Graduate Schoolmont Law and Graduate School, US
Abir Khlif - Université de Carthage , Faculty of Juridical, Social and Political Sciences, TN
Dandan Li - City University of Hong Kong, HK
Jiahang（Sarah） Li - Beijing Institute of Technology, CN
Jingwen L. - The Chinese University of Hong Kong 香港中文大學 - CUHK School of Law, HK
Yuqi Nie - New York University, US
Lana Osei - Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration Community Faculty of Law, GH
Qurratulain Rehman - Brunel University London, GB
Ruby Richards - Newcastle University, GB
Merle Sandhop - Maastricht University Faculty of Law, NE
Samantha Smith - University of Pittsburgh School of Law, US
Helena Tian - University College London Faculty of Law, GB
Rebekah Yeager-Malkin - University of Pittsburgh School of Law, US
Amber W. - University of Groningen Faculty of Law, NE
Aimee Woodmass - Newcastle Law School, GB
Marissa Zupancic - University of Pittsburgh School of Law, US
Ciara Dinneny - Law Society of Ireland, IE
Aynsley Genga - University of Nairobi School of Law, KE
James Joseph - Keele University School of Law, GB

We wish them all the best and thank them for their dedicated service to JURIST and the rule of law.

15/05/2024

Yesterday JURIST held our annual staff celebration and awards. Today we would like to acknowledge each and every one of these exceptional students publicly for their tireless efforts to cover the rule of law in crisis. Every year we put together an incredible staff made up of professional journalists, intrepid researchers, exceptional writers, and skilled legal analysts and we could not be more grateful for their hard work and dedication to JURIST's Mission.

Our 2024 Sutin Prize is given in recognition of Outstanding Commitment to JURIST and its Public Service Mission. This year's winners are Lauren Ban and Rebekah Yeager-Malkin both from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Our 2024 Jeannie Shawl Award for Outstanding Leadership, Innovation, Initiative and Selfless Dedication to JURIST's Mission goes to James Joseph at Keele University Law School in the UK.

Our Distinguished Alumni Award is given to the JURIST alumni who have gone above and beyond in contributing to JURIST even after leaving law school. This year it was awarded to Sambhav Sharma, a JURIST alumnus located in India.

This year's Greg Johnson Collaboration Award was given to Aimee Woodmass, a student at Newcastle Law School in the UK. It is given to the member of JURIST's staff who has best exemplified JURIST's commitment to engaging law students to work together for a common public purpose.

The Steve Herman Correspondents Award, named for former JURIST Journalist-in-Residence Steven Herman, is awarded to one or more JURIST correspondents who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to providing local coverage of critical law-related developments occurring in their jurisdictions. This year it is given to Marissa Zupancic who served JURIST's Washington, DC correspondent.

The David M. Crane Rule of Law Award goes to a JURIST journalist who, in the face of formidable obstacles, exhibits extraordinary dedication and integrity in uncovering and scrutinizing critical rule of law issues. This year we would like to honor Sara A. Sara is an activist lawyer Afghanistan. Having had her practice in family law cut short by the Taliban's invasion, she now works as an activist and scholar. She writes, teaches, and campaigns for women's rights while trying to survive the Taliban's regime.

Finally, we would like to honor a number of our volunteer staff members for their extraordinary dedication with the Wohlmuth Award. This year's Wohlmuth Award winners are:
Salma Ben Souissi
Alexis Boddy
Mélanie Cantin
Derren Chan
John Leskovich
Jingwen Liu
Nova Kruijning
Yuxin (Chloe) Nie
Lana Osei
Shashank Pandey
Daniela Alexandra Pulido Ramírez
Sophia Richards
Madeline Yingling

We would also like to acknowledge our 2023-2024 Graduates. We had 29 students graduate over this past year including a number of our award winners listed above. We wish them all the best and can't wait to see what exciting places they go from here.

04/04/2024

We were so pleased to welcome Professor Arafadr to Pitt Law today for a provocative talk, “Why the War Won’t End: How Gaza Became Israel’s Unsolvable Problem.”

03/04/2024

We are so excited to have Mohamed 'Arafa speak with us tomorrow afternoon. Join if you can!

02/04/2024

This week in Scotland, the Hate Crime and Public Order Act 2021 (Hate Crime Act)entered into force, ranking among the worlds strictest hate crime laws. It aims to modernize and consolidate protections while broadening the scope of recognized hate crimes to encompass a wider range of individuals and circumstances.

What does the law entail and why has it proven so controversial? This explainer explores these questions and more.

This week in Scotland, a hate crime law that ranks among the world’s strictest entered into force. The Hate Crime and Public Order Act 2021 (Hate Crime Act) aims to modernize and consolidate protectio...

02/04/2024

The Florida Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the state constitution does not protect the right to abortion. The ruling in Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida vs. State of Florida allows the current 15-week abortion ban to be upheld and triggers the Heartbeat Protection Act to take effect. The Act, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, outlaws abortion after 6 weeks, with exceptions for r**e, in**st, human trafficking, fatal fetal abnormalities, and maternal health.

The Florida Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the state constitution does not protect the right to abortion. The ruling in Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida vs. State of Florida all...

02/04/2024

The home of Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah was hit by rocket-propelled grenades on Sunday, in what is believed to be a targeted attack. No casualties and minimal damages were reported by an anonymous Libyan minister, and no one has currently claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack could further separate an already divided country. The uprising in Libya, which was supported by NATO, has left the country with little stability, and the country split into factions in 2014. Libya is currently controlled by the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), previously the Libyan National Army. The LAAF currently controls the eastern region of the country.

The home of Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah was hit by rocket-propelled grenades on Sunday, in what is believed to be a targeted attack. No casualties and minimal damages were reported by...

02/04/2024

This Day at Law! On April 2, 1970, the Governor of Massachusetts signed into law an anti-Vietnam War bill providing that no inhabitant of Massachusetts inducted into or serving in the armed forces "shall be required to serve" abroad in an armed hostility that had not been declared a war by Congress under Article I, Section 8, clause 11 of the United States Constitution.

Supporters of the legislation hoped that the US Supreme Court would seize on the obvious conflict that the bill created between state and federal law and would rule on the constitutionality of the Vietnam War itself, but the Court refused to exercise original jurisdiction, forcing the case into the lower federal courts.

02/04/2024

Scotland’s controversial Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force on Monday. The law intends to unite existing hate crime laws, along with creating several new offenses, most notably criminalizing “threatening or abusive behaviour which is intended to stir up hatred.” Stirring up racial hatred has been an offense since 1986. However, this will apply to all protected characteristics, including disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and varying sexual characteristics. This follows many concerns about its effects on freedom of speech and how it will be policed.

Scotland's controversial Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force on Monday. The law intends to unite existing hate crime laws, along with creating several new offenses, most no...

02/04/2024

The Islamabad High Court granted an appeal to former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday, suspending his 14-year sentence for the conviction on graft charges, according to a statement from his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The appeal pertains to the Toshakhana corruption case, in which Khan was accused of selling state gifts. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party has consistently maintained that the charges against Khan were baseless and expressed confidence that justice would be served in higher courts.

The Islamabad High Court granted an appeal to former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday, suspending his 14-year sentence for the conviction on graft charges, according to a statement from his politic...

02/04/2024

Peru’s Prosecutor’s Office ordered President Dina Boluarte on Sunday to present all Rolex watches in her possession on April 5 after a raid on her home and office amid the corruption investigation. Images and videos circulated on social media outlets show that police busted through the front door of Boluarte’s house with a battering ram during the midnight raid. While denying the intentional dissemination of such materials online, the Prosecutor’s Office clarified that the forced entry was only after they had requested entry and explained their purpose over the intercom, which received no response. The Prosecutor’s Office further stated that while no Rolex watch was located or handed over during the raid, they have nevertheless seized other items of interest relevant to the corruption probe.

Peru's Prosecutor's Office ordered President Dina Boluarte on Sunday to present all Rolex watches in her possession on April 5 after a raid on her home and office amid the corruption investigation. By...

02/04/2024

The Somali parliament approved a proposal on Saturday to amend its constitution, which will overhaul its electoral system and reintroduce universal suffrage. The vote, which was unanimous, will amend the first four chapters of the country’s transitional constitution, to introduce a presidential electoral vote. This will give the Somali people the power to directly chose the president. The elected president will then appoint the Prime Minister. The government says they hope to promote an independent, multi-party system free from corruption.

The Somali parliament approved a proposal on Saturday to amend its constitution, which will overhaul its electoral system and reintroduce universal suffrage. The vote, which was unanimous, will amend...

01/04/2024

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday called on Liberian authorities to investigate the physical assault and violent arrest of Liberia journalist Kesselee Sumo on March 11 and to drop the charges against him.

Sumo hosts a daily radio talk show from the B**g Mine Community in Liberia. A few days before his arrest, on March 7, he had reported on an alleged illegal detention of local community leaders by a magistrate, Sulonteh. Sumo said officials came to his workplace a day later and summoned him to court, where he claims he was told that Sulonteh demanded money as “compensation” for his report. After he left without meeting her, the CPJ stated he was charged with “interference with judicial matters” and “criminal coercion,” which includes defamation under section 14.27 of the Liberia penal code. The Press Union of Liberia blamed Sulonteh for authorizing Sumo’s arrest.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday called on Liberian authorities to investigate the physical assault and violent arrest of Liberia journalist Kesselee Sumo on March 11 and to drop t...

01/04/2024

Pouria Zeraati, an Iranian journalist and TV presenter at Iran International, was stabbed on Friday in front of his home in London. The channel’s spokesman, Adam Baillie, reported the journalist was the victim of “heavy death threats” and that Zeraati was “obviously shaken up but making a good recovery.” Iran International is a UK-based channel providing “a fair and balanced view of what happens inside Iran.”

The UK Metropolitan police launched an investigation into the attack. This is being conducted by the Counter Terrorism Command, due to Zeraati’s journalist status in addition to the threats received by members of the Persian-speaking channel. It stated that the motives behind the incident were unclear as of yet but affirmed his condition is stable.

Pouria Zeraati, an Iranian journalist and TV presenter at Iran International, was stabbed on Friday in front of his home in London. The channel's spokesman, Adam Baillie, reported the journalist was t...

01/04/2024

A Thai court acquitted 67 individuals on Friday of terrorism charges for protests that caused two airports to shut down in 2008. The protests were orchestrated by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in opposition to the then government, which was headed by allies of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

A Thai court acquitted 67 individuals on Friday of terrorism charges for protests that caused two airports to shut down in 2008. The protests were orchestrated by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (...

01/04/2024

This Day at Law! On April 1, 2001, the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. The nation then became the first country to legalize euthanasia on April 1, 2002.

01/04/2024

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Friday vetoed a proposed amendment to the Pharmaceutical Law that would allow young women aged 15 and up to purchase emergency contraception pills without a prescription. The president’s office stated the reasoning behind the decision was “the will to respect constitutional rights and the standard of health protection of children.” The office also claimed that the decision came as a result of a petition signed by roughly 30,000 people.

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Friday vetoed a proposed amendment to the Pharmaceutical Law that would allow young women aged 15 and up to purchase emergency contraception pills without a prescripti...

01/04/2024

South Korean Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-seop resigned on Friday after 25 days in office. Lee is under investigation for his alleged interference in the investigation of Marine Sergeant Choi Su-geun’s death. Upon his resignation, Lee called upon authorities to quickly conduct an investigation and said he would cooperate.

Lee claimed that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials has yet to schedule an investigation despite his repeated requests. He also stated that to cooperate with the investigation, he would have to stay in South Korea and be unable to fulfill his diplomatic duty. He therefore resigned from office, and his resignation was later approved by the South Korean foreign affairs minister and the president.

South Korean Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-seop resigned on Friday after 25 days in office. Lee is under investigation for his alleged interference in the investigation of Marine Sergeant Choi Su-g...

01/04/2024

Radio Free Asia’s (RFA) president, Bay Fang, announced Friday that the news organization has already closed its Hong Kong bureau and will “no longer have full-time personnel in Hong Kong” due to safety concerns after the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

The statement cited actions by Hong Kong authorities, who have referred to RFA as a “foreign force,” raising serious questions over the safety of RFA and its reporters. Previously, in February, during the consultation period, the Secretary for Security, Chris Tang, stated that RFA is financially supported by the US Congress, with RFA clarifying that it is a private non-profit news outlet that receives a grant from the US Agency for Global Media. The station is set to be out of its Hong Kong office by the end of the month. Fang ended her statement with reassurance to RFA’s audience, “[f]or our audiences in Hong Kong and mainland China, who rely on RFA’s timely, uncensored journalism: rest assured, our programming and content will continue without disruption.”

Radio Free Asia's (RFA) president, Bay Fang, announced Friday that the news organization has already closed its Hong Kong bureau and will 'no longer have full-time personnel in Hong Kong' due to safet...

28/03/2024

The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed in a report that 8,542 people died or disappeared during migration in 2023. This represents a 20 percent increase in migrant deaths compared to 2022. More than one-third of migrants come from countries in conflict or with large refugee populations.

The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed in a report on Tuesday that 8,542 people died or disappeared during migration in 2023. This represents a 20 percent increase in migrant...

28/03/2024

The UK and its global allies held Chinese state-affiliated organizations and individuals responsible for two cyber campaigns targeting democratic institutions and parliamentarians on Monday. Partners across the Indo-Pacific and Europe expressed support for the UK’s efforts in addressing these cyber activities.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) revealed that the UK Electoral Commission systems were likely compromised by a Chinese state-affiliated entity between 2021 and 2022. Additionally, the NCSC assessed that China state-affiliated Advanced Persistent Threat Group 31 (APT31) conducted reconnaissance activities against UK parliamentarians in 2021. In response to these activities, an ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in London was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The UK also sanctioned a front company and two individuals associated with APT31.

The UK and its global allies held Chinese state-affiliated organizations and individuals responsible for two cyber campaigns targeting democratic institutions and parliamentarians on Monday. Partners...

28/03/2024

The European Commission on Monday initiated non-compliance investigations against tech giants Google, Apple and Meta under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). These investigations mark the first cases following the compliance deadline set by the DMA in early March.

In Google’s case, the European Commission is investigating whether the search results provided prioritize the company’s vertical search tools over competing services. Regarding Apple, the Commission has initiated proceedings to examine the company’s measures for complying with obligations related to enabling easy uninstallation of software applications, allowing easy changes to default settings, and presenting choice screens to encourage users to select alternative default services. The Commission is investigating Meta for its “pay or consent” model introduced in the EU.

The European Commission on Monday initiated non-compliance investigations against tech giants Google, Apple and Meta under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). These investigations mark the first cases foll...

27/03/2024

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange “lives to fight another day” according to his brother Gabriel, as the UK High Court halted his potential transfer to the US on Tuesday due to inadequate assurances on his treatment if extradited to the US. The pause came following the court’s directive that the US government furnish assurances that Assange would be spared from facing the death penalty in the event of extradition.

Assange’s legal team vehemently argued against his removal to the US, citing fears that he could face harsh treatment or even capital punishment if transferred across the Atlantic. The case has reignited discussions around press freedom, whistle-blower protection, and government transparency. Supporters of Assange view him as a champion of free speech and an advocate for exposing wrongdoing, while critics argue that his actions have endangered national security and compromised diplomatic relations.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange 'lives to fight another day' according to his brother Gabriel, as the UK High Court halted his potential transfer to the US on Tuesday due to inadequate assurances on...

27/03/2024

Indian police detained numerous opposition protesters on Tuesday, aiming to march to the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the release of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Last week saw the arrest of Kejriwal, a pivotal political figure, on bribery charges, marking a historic moment as the first instance of a sitting chief minister facing such circumstances in India.

Kejriwal’s arrest centers around allegations that he and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accepted bribes totaling 1 billion rupees ($12 million) from liquor contractors, a charge adamantly refuted by the party. The implicated liquor policy, now defunct, adds a layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative.

Indian police detained numerous opposition protesters on Tuesday, aiming to march to the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the release of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Last...

27/03/2024

Nutchanart Boonkhong, a civil rights activist and founder of Baan Kru Naam Foundation, told Reuters in an exclusive interview yesterday that she was concerned for the safety of 19 stateless children from Myanmar, and worried that the government would deport them back to their home country despite the current civil war. The 19 children were taken from an affiliation of Boonkhong’s foundation in LopBuri, a city in the central region of Thailand, by the government on March 12 and have since been kept away from their families.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa denied the accusation of deportation, and said they had taken the children from the foundation after social development officers had expressed concerns they were being exploited for monetary purposes, which Boonkhong has denied.

Nutchanart Boonkhong, a civil rights activist and founder of Baan Kru Naam Foundation, told Reuters in an exclusive interview on Tuesday that she was concerned for the safety of 19 stateless children...

27/03/2024

Marissa Zupancic is JURIST’s Washington DC Correspondent, a JURIST Senior Editor and a 3L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She’s stationed in Washington during her Semester in DC and wrote this dispatch on the oral arguments at SCOTUS yesterday. Read the full dispatch here.

Marissa Zupancic is JURIST’s Washington DC Correspondent, a JURIST Senior Editor and a 3L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She’s stationed in Washington during her Semester in DC. Today...

27/03/2024

Australia’s Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) urged the Victorian Government on Monday to reject proposals requiring protestors to get a police permit to protest, following the country’s recent shift to anti-protest measures .

Chaos erupted in Melbourne on Saturday as 24 hours of protest from different groups, with violent interactions at times between protestors, left three police officers injured. Groups like HRLC point out how protestors in Australia recently have been met with legislation incompatible with International Human Rights Law. In practice, the group notes these laws act to prevent protests even if not explicitly stated. For example, following protests in the region of New South Wales (NSW) by climate activists at the Sydney port, a legislation was passed criminalizing obstruction to a “major facility”. In Tasmania, following anti-logging protests, under Police Offences Amendment (Workplace Protection) Bill 2022, obstructing a workplace could lead to prison time. Similarly, in Victoria, the Sustainable Forests Timber Amendment (Timber Harvesting Safety Zones) Act 2022, also criminalized interfering with timber operations with consequences including prison and/or a fine.

Australia's Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) urged the Victorian Government on Monday to reject proposals requiring protestors to get a police permit to protest, following the country's recent shift to...