US Judge: Somali Colonel Responsible for Torture
- November 20, 2012
A former military colonel with a Somali security force dubbed the “Gestapo of Somalia” by its critics was responsible for the torture of a human rights advocate in the 1980s, a federal judge ruled Tuesday in a decision that opens the door for a hearing on potential financial damages.
Holding Salvadoran War Criminals Accountable: The Massacre at University of Central America, San Salvador, 1989
- November 15, 2012
This essay will examine some new developments in the case of one of the most notorious war crimes committed by the Salvadoran security forces during the twelve year long civil war: the massacre on the campus of the José Simeón Cañas University of Central America (UCA) in San Salvador on November 16, 1989. This is an immensely important issue because it could begin to balance the dialectic between impunity and accountability to the side of accountability. For the first time, a high-ranking army officer may soon be tried for this crime.
No Immunity for Somali Leader Who Tortured
- November 7, 2012
There is no possibility of immunity for the former Somali prime minister who conceded liability over the mass killing and torture of his people, the 4th Circuit ruled.
4th Circuit Again Denies Immunity in Samantar
- November 6, 2012
In a landmark decision, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied Samantar’s appeal in the first case to consider the “common law immunity” of foreign officials. The decision denies immunity for human rights abuses like torture and extrajudicial killing and denies absolute deference to the executive branch.
“Absolute” Suffering: Former Khmer Rouge Solder Provides Further Details on the Evacuation of Phnom Penh
- November 5, 2012
In a day peppered with exchanges between the defense, prosecution, and bench on appropriate evidentiary procedures, the Trial Chamber in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) heard testimony on Monday, November 5, 2012, from former Khmer Rouge foot soldier Sum Chea on events during the evacuation of Phnom Penh.
International Legal Community Appeals to Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, to Protect Haitian Human Rights Lawyers
- October 23, 2012
International Legal Community Appeals to Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, to Protect Haitian Human Rights Lawyers.
Relatives Look for Answers
- October 12, 2012
Today a lady came to the exhumation because she wanted to give us antemortem information. I spoke to her in English, and a person from the War Crimes Investigation Commission translated to Somali. I started telling her, "I’m a forensic anthropolog
El Salvador shutters historic rights clinic
- October 12, 2012
Founded by assassinated Archbishop Oscar Romero, many are angry about last month’s closure of Tutela Legal.
First Mass Grave Excavated
- October 10, 2012
After two weeks of continuous hard work we finally finished with the first mass grave.
Lab Work
- October 7, 2012
JP showing Hibaaq, a somali student, the ins and outs of vertebrae reconstruction
