6/7/22 - A Conversation with Hyun Cho, South Korean Ambassador to the UN 

June 7, 2022

 

4/14/22 - The State of the War in Ukraine 

April 14, 2022

 

2/1/22 - How Massive UN Summits Advance Policy Agendas 

February 1, 2022

 

Prof. Claire Finkelstein underscores the Center for Ethics and Rule of Law’s recommendations to close Guantánamo Bay: Newsweek 

January 14, 2022

 

Op-ed by Transnational Legal Clinic students spotlights UN’s probe into human rights violations surrounding U.S. immigration centers 

May 16, 2019

 

Rangita de Silva de Alwis discusses how countries use loopholes to undermine laws against child marriage: CFR.org 

October 15, 2018

 

Assoc. Dean Rangita de Silva de Alwis writes on what the mapping of family laws globally reveals: IPS 

August 21, 2018

 

Mass Atrocity Crimes in Myanmar 

May 22, 2018

The United Nations (UN) has long characterized the Rohingya as the world’s most persecuted population. Historically, the Burmese viewed the ethnic and religious minority as illegal immigrants permitted entry by their former British colonizers. Such historical context informs contemporary views of the group as “foreigners.” And that has helped justify decades-long persecution by both private and public actors culminating in the Rohingya’s legal exclusion as citizens and other discrimination codified as law. Despite the group’s pre-colonial ancestral ties to the land, messaging that Rohingya are “outsiders,” “Bengalis” and even, “terrorists,” has helped the government justify mass atrocity crimes. The current humanitarian and human rights crises also implicate national security.

International Affairs, International Law 

My Experience at the 62nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women 

March 27, 2018

This year’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) proved to be a historic one where member states gathered to discuss the substantial progress made in favor of gender equality. While each country addressed areas still in need of work, each event of the CSW offered an inspirational promise of hope. The excitement was palpable whenever discussing the significant progress already made—how women’s voices have been amplified and legitimized through legal reform and political activism.

International Affairs, International Law 

Rangita de Silva de Alwis on the role of law schools in shaping global gender justice: Inter Press Service 

March 14, 2018

 

The Global Compact on Migration: The Opportunity for Constructive Engagement Remains 

January 9, 2018

In 2017, the UN and its members, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental agencies, committed themselves through regional and international dialogue to developing a new framework to address the challenges confronted in and by migration. As the world recognized the need for greater international collaboration, the Trump Administration moved the United States towards a more isolationist approach while implementing restrictive and enforcement-oriented policies and practices, in a notable shift from prior administrations.  As we head into 2018, the United Nations and its members have set out to draft and agree upon an international cooperative framework for managing migration, while also ensuring that the rights of migrants are respected, protected and fulfilled. 2018 will be the year to see whether the political resolve exists to meet this goal, with or without the United States’ participation.

International Affairs, International Law 

Penn Law & SDGF to release new report, “Business & Peace: How the Private Sector Can Contribute to SDG16” 

November 7, 2017

 

The National Security Narrative Exacerbates Persecution of Rohingya Muslims 

June 20, 2017

The United Nations (UN) has long characterized the Rohingya Muslims as one of the world’s most persecuted minorities, with anti-Rohingya and anti-Muslim sentiment tainting Burma’s political and social spheres.  In contravention to international human rights law, Burmese officials subject Rohingya Muslims to a spectrum of human rights violations including the denial of citizenship rights, restrictions on religious freedom, forced displacement, gender-based violence and the arbitrary deprivation of life.

International Affairs 

Highlights from the Penn Law & UNESCO High-level Roundtable on Women and Legislative Reform 

April 17, 2017

 

A Dignified Death: Reflections on the Treatment of Prisoners and Compassionate Release 

December 10, 2016

In honor of Human Rights Day on December 10th, Hayley Winograd L’17, shares her reflections on her documentary A Dignified Death, which addresses issues of the treatment of prisoners and compassionate release from Pennsylvania state prisons. Introduction by Editor Patricia Stottlemyer, L’17.

International Law 

A Critical Appraisal of Developments in International Criminal Law After Nuremberg: Part Three 

December 6, 2016

Part three of a tripartite series as presented by Judge Patrick Robinson of the International Court of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Law School on November 1, 2016.

International Law 

A Critical Appraisal of Developments in International Criminal Law After Nuremberg: Part Two 

December 6, 2016

Part two of a tripartite series as presented by Judge Patrick Robinson of the International Court of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Law School on November 1, 2016.

International Law 

A Critical Appraisal of Developments in International Criminal Law After Nuremberg: Part One 

December 6, 2016

Part one of a tripartite series as presented by Judge Patrick Robinson of the International Court of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Law School on November 1, 2016.

International Law 

Penn Law Hosts UN Giants to Discuss the Role of Women in the Global Human Rights Movement 

October 25, 2016

Two titans of the global human rights movement reflected on the challenges facing women’s human rights, on September 20, before a packed room of students and faculty at Penn Law. Associate Dean for International Programs Rangita de Silva de Alwis moderated the conversation between former United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders Hina Jilani and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.

International Affairs, International Law, Womens Rights