The Weird Torture Debate Author: Peter Krupa Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 12/16/2005 Category: Editorial The current debate in the US over torture is unbelievably weird. First of all, it’s weird that there’s a debate at all. For a long time the US has prided itself on

A recent conference at Columbia University brought vividly to life the events of May 13, 2005 in Andijan, Uzbekistan. Journalists and human rights advocates told riveting tales of the massacre there, where it is estimated over 700 people were murdered. Almost a year has passed now, but in many hearts

As Francesca Musiani writes, the widest mass of Internet end users is now located in an undemocratic country, allowing only a “tamed” version of the Internet, wrapped in state censorship and control. In this special report, Musiani discusses the unique Chinese internet experience and the implications of media regulation on

Thompson Ugiagbe analyzes the African Court of Justice and Human Rights by examining the court´s use of ratione materiae, ratione personae and ratione temporis . After a careful examination of the challenges the court faces, including accessibility, accountability and unclear provisions, Ugiagbe stresses the need for the Court to

The Nigerian-based Boko Haram Islamic sect revolted in July 2009, marking a period of intense violence. In September 2010, members of the sect organized a prison break to free those who had been incarcerated following last year's revolt. This article reviews the circumstances of the revolt and prison break, offering

Tex Albert reports on the SIPAI, Small Island Peace Action Initiative.

Dipo Djungdjungan Summa argues that human rights be treated as a universal value, despite their link to "western" culture, because of their emphasis on non-discrimination and multiculturalism, as well as their ability to curb the power of states and other organizations over individuals.

University for Peace Great Lakes Program Fellow, Philippe Tunamsifu Shirambere, comments on violations of International Humanitarian Law committed by the Nkundan rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo, understood within the larger context of political violence in Africa's Great Lakes Region.

Marco Fanara analyzes the justice and peace relationship between prosecution and impunity, weighing the costs and benefits of both, seeking answers to the questions of whether states should seek ‘justice’ and prosecute, or grant impunity in the name of ‘reconciliation’? Are there alternatives? Utilizing the case study of Uganda

Kichere Mwita discusses the scale of corruption characterizing the ousted regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, connects the corruption of political elites with the dissatisfaction and frustration of citizens, and argues that corruption itself should be considered a crime against humanity and prosecuted by the international community.