The Nordic Journal of Human Rights invites submissions of papers presenting innovative scholarship analysing the multiple challenges facing the international human rights project amid shifting global power relations in contemporary world politics and seeking to address issues such as: The journal takes a multi-disciplinary approach to human rights as legal, political, and social practice. We publish high-quality scholarship analysing the past, present and future of human rights from a variety of theoretical and methodological viewpoints. Read about how to submit a manuscript here. Read the full call for papers here.
The SLS International Law section and Solon Solomon (BUL) together with Saeed Bagheri (University of Reading), have organized a 2-day Conference on ‘The U.S. and International Law in changing times’ held in London on 5-6 November with panels on a number of issues, spanning from sovereignty, human rights and trade to AI, science, technology and international organizations. With keynote addresses given by Oona Hathaway (Yale), Jose Alvarez (NYU) and Gerry Simpson (LSE) and with a roundtable chaired by Solon Solomon and including, apart from Professors Hathaway and Alvarez, also Professors Moshe Hirsch (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and Martins Paparinskis…
By Otto Spijkers Otto Spijkers is university lecturer in international and European law at Leiden University College (LUC), Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs of Leiden University. Before joining LUC, Otto was professor of international law at the China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies of Wuhan University and at the Research Institute of Environmental Law of the same university. Before moving to Wuhan, he worked at the Utrecht Centre for Water, Oceans and Sustainability Law and the Netherlands Institute for the Law of the Sea at Utrecht University. He wrote his dissertation, entitled The United Nations, the Evolution of…
Turning the gákti Around Again “Law, truth, justice”: these important words are carved in the stone wall above the entrance of courtroom 2 of the Supreme Court of Norway. They remind us of the importance of the rule of law as a fundamental pillar of a well-functioning democracy. Yesterday, the room was stage for the third, and so far last, round in the criminal case against thirteen young Indigenous Sámi and environmental activists. The Sámi defendants, who were acquitted by the District Court of Oslo and the Borgarting Court of Appeals, arrived at the court wearing their gákti inside out.…
Introduction On 18 March 2025, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia announced their withdrawal from the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti- Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention or the Convention). In their joint statement they expressed their concern regarding the deterioration of security and increased military threats to NATO Member States bordering Russia and Belarus. They also stated that their withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention aimed at defending their territory and freedom. At the same time, they vouched their commitment to international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in…
“Türkiye: Concern at widespread detentions” As Türkiye entered a challenging period—one that continues to unfold—United Nations Human Rights Office Spokesperson Liz Throssell made the following statement regarding the events: “We urge the authorities to ensure that the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are guaranteed, in line with international law, and that credible allegations of unlawful use of force against protesters are promptly and thoroughly investigated.” It was not only Throssell who responded to the developments in Türkiye; a wide range of actors also expressed concern and issued calls to the Turkish government. Across these responses, a…
Introduction This blogpost provides a general international law analysis concerning issues of academic boycott and relevant legal obligations of States and of universities concerning the dire situation of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt), due to measures taken by Israeli authorities[see also Gentian Zyberi, World’s higher education institutions need to react to the mass atrocities committed by the IDF in Gaza, 5 May 2024]. First, I provide some context about the escalation of the armed conflict in Gaza since October 2023 and more generally the HEIs situation in the oPt. Then, the focus turns to analyzing…
Some context concerning the latest escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 7 October 2023 The indiscriminate attacks launched by Hamas militants on 7 October 2023, resulting in about 1,200 Israelis killed and several thousands’ wounded (also in following days), with about 240 persons forcefully detained and taken back to the Gaza Strip, including children and elderly persons, took the world by surprise. What rightfully and immediately followed was the condemnation of these attacks by Heads of States and Governments, many emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself without making any qualifications. Since then, due to military action by the Israeli army,…
