Human Rights

Sri Lanka: Forgotten Prisoners

Amnesty International

An 8-page report on how thousands of people are languishing in detention without charge or trial under Sri Lanka’s repressive anti-terrorism laws. Sometimes held in secret prisons, they are vulnerable to a whole range of abuses, including torture or being killed in custody

Human Rights, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2011-03-14

Rethinking Internal Security in Egypt

CEIP

This US commentary argues that there is no way for the country to make a transition to real democracy if its internal security services resume their pre-January 25 mode of operation

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-03-23

Crackdown in Bahrain

Chatham House

This UK commentary argues that Bahrain's internal problems will not be solved militarily, and the intervention of Sunni troops from overseas in a Shia-majority country will add to sectarian tensions in the wider Middle East.

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-03-23

The Middle East in the Aftermath of Arab Revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt

Arab Reform Initiative

The 7-page summary of a conference address analysing the situation in the Middle East in the aftermath of the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-03-24

Conflict Risk Alert: Syria

Crisis Group

A media release highlighting the options facing the Syrian leadership

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-03-25

Arms Transfers to Zimbabwe: Implications for an Arms Trade Treaty

SIPRI

This 12-page Swedish background paper details the sources of Zimbabwe's arms and military equipment and examines the question of how human rights considerations should affect arms supplies

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Human RightsPosted: 2011-04-14

Government Accountability for Torture and Ill-Treatment in Health Settings

Open Society

This 8-page US briefing paper focuses on torture and ill-treatment in health settings, including hospitals, clinics, hospices, people’s homes, or anywhere health care is delivered

Human Rights, HealthPosted: 2011-05-13

Elections and Violence in Nigeria: The Question of Citizenship in Sub-Saharan Africa

Brookings

A US article considering the ramifications of citizenship in sub-Saharan Africa

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-05-16

Arms Transfers to Zimbabwe: Implications for an Arms Trade Treaty

SIPRI

This 12-page Swedish background paper details the sources of Zimbabwe's arms and military equipment and examines the question of how human rights considerations should affect arms supplies

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Human RightsPosted: 2011-05-22

Justice Beyond The Hague

CFR

A 56-page US report arguing that the international community must place greater emphasis on strengthening the national justice systems of the countries where atrocities have occurred

Crime, Law & Order, Human RightsPosted: 2011-06-24

Mass Atrocities in Syria: the International Response

USIP

A US article examing the international response to the mass atrocities in Syria

Human Rights, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2011-08-02

Freedom of Religion and Religious Symbols in the Public Sphere

Library of Parliament - Canada

A 20-page Canadian background paper covering the issues of freedom of religion and religious symbols in the public sphere

Social Policy, Human RightsPosted: 2011-08-08

The Syrian Regime: Protests at Home and Criticism from Abroad

INNS

A 3-page Israeli perspective on the growing unrest in Syria

Crime, Law & Order, Human RightsPosted: 2011-08-16

Syria: Violence as a Communications Strategy

ISS

This opinion piece explains why Assad believes that he has carte blanche to do what it takes to restore his grip over Syria.

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-08-18

Why Syria's Regime is Likely to Survive

MERIA

This Israeli article argues that examining the differences between the uprising in Syria and those in Tunisia and Egypt offers important clues as to why Syria’s regime is likely to survive

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-08-23

How New Atrocity-Prevention Steps Can Work

CFR

This US brief addresses how the US can contribute to atrocity-prevention

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Human RightsPosted: 2011-08-24

Unrest in Syria and U.S. Sanctions Against the Asad Regime

CRS

A 24-page US report analyzing the current unrest in Syria and the U.S. response to the Syrian government’s crackdown against demonstrators. It also provides background information on U.S. sanctions against the Asad regime and its supporters

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-09-28

Against Her Will: Forced and Coerced Sterilization of Women Worldwide

Open Society Foundations

This 12-page US fact sheet focuses on forced sterilization of racial and ethnic minorities, poor women, women living with HIV, and women with disabilities. It also provides recommendations to end this widespread human rights violation

Human RightsPosted: 2011-10-13

Not Just Politics: A Different Approach to Supporting Ethnic Minorities in China

Clingendael

A 3-page Dutch article arguing that the most effective way for Western nations to help minorities in China is through efforts in the socio-economic realm

Human Rights, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2011-10-13

American Options in Syria

CFR

This 4-page US article proposes a strategy for bringing down the Assad regime

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-10-31

"We Cannot Achieve What We Want With Hatred"

"Inside Story"

An Australian article reporting on the changing political environment in Burma

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-11-03

The Syrians Are on Their Own

SADA

This US article asserts that the international community is incapable of stopping the human rights violations in Syria—or even helping the opposition

Human Rights, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2011-11-04

Freedom in the World 2011: The Authoritarian Challenge to Democracy

Freedom House

This 34-page report asserts that 2010 was the fifth consecutive year in which global freedom suffered a decline

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-11-17

Lebanese Civil-Military Dynamics: Weathering the Regional Storm?

CEIP

This US report describes how a Jordanian trial singles out Islamists on charges of terrorism and casts doubts on the kingdom’s path towards genuine political reform, its commitment to the rule of law, and its stated desire to protect the rights of freedom of expression and assembly.

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2011-11-25

Riot Control Agents: Improve Knowledge to Improve Safety

SIPRI

A Swedish essay arguing that there is a growing body of evidence that so-called non-lethal weapons used to control riots are not as safe as they seem and are not always employed as they should be

Crime, Law & Order, Human RightsPosted: 2011-12-16

Hurting Stalemate in Syria

CEIP

A US commentary on the likely future of the existing Syrian regime

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2012-02-01

Humanitarian Safe Havens: Bosnia's Lessons for Syria

Washington Institute

This 2-page US policy brief argues that as the international community seeks ways to diminish civilian casualties in Syria as well as cripple the regime's hold on power, the Bosnia trajectory from civilian-defense-unit-liberated areas to internationally designated enclaves provides food for thought in Syria

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Human RightsPosted: 2012-02-19

Rescuing Human Rights

Henry Jackson Society

This 74-page paper examines the United Kingdom's involvement in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and offers a way forward for reforming a supranational body in line with the most commonly advanced criticisms of it

Human Rights, European UnionPosted: 2012-03-12

Burma and the Road to Normality

"Inside Story"

An Australian report on the political transformation of Burma

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2012-03-12

Prevention of Odious Obligations: A New Tool to Help Stem the Violence in Syria

CGD

A US article calling for the use of preemptive contract sanctions against the Syrian regime

Human Rights, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2012-03-15

The Violent Power Struggle in Syria

SWP

A 4-page German commentary discussing the scenarios and policy options for the international community in respect of Syria

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Human RightsPosted: 2012-03-16

Duma Elections and Protests

CCS et al.

This 18-page publication analyses the results of the December Duma elections and the subsequent mass protests

Governance & Politics, Human RightsPosted: 2012-03-17

MAPRO: Mass Atrocity Prevention & Response Options, A Policy Planning Handbook

SSI

A 209-page US policy planning handbook intended to assist the policy community in addressing mass atrocity situations.

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Human RightsPosted: 2012-04-27