Corporate Responsibility in International Law

Corporate social responsibility (CSR), has evolved throughout the 20th century as a means of private governance, where corporations voluntarily hold themselves accountable for their activities under changing social norms.[1] In terms of environmental responsibility, there is a global trend towards the “greening of the industry,” which also aids in steps towards positive public image and … Read more

Human Rights Violations in the Syria Detention Camp: A look at the al-Hol Camp Annex

The detention camp of al-Hol annex in Northeastern Syria is in a state of dire human rights violations. The conditions show violations of provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).[1] Reports have come out … Read more

China’s Ban on Plastic Waste Imports – What it Means for the US

For years, the United States sold millions of tons of all kinds of plastic trash to China to be recycled into new products.[1] During the 2010s, China has introduced multiple restrictions and limitations on the influx of recyclables into the country.[2] In the summer of 2017, Chinese leaders formally announced their import intentions in a … Read more

Brexit: Is the Ongoing Saga Coming to a Close?

Brexit has been a controversial topic since its inception in 2016, and even more so in recent months. The road to an agreement has been bumpy, with the U.K. requesting several extensions.[1] The current extension is set to expire on October 31, 2019, and thus the U.K. and E.U. have been busy negotiating a deal.[2] … Read more

70th Anniversary of the Geneva Conventions

In the aftermath of World War II, the international community came together and agreed upon one of the most vital treaties of our time – the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The treaty, made up of four conventions and three additional protocols, “established the modern, international legal standards for humanitarian treatment during times of war.”[1] Included … Read more

Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives in Europe

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the idea that corporations should be engaging in socially responsible business practices. The discussions of CSR revolve around whether the directors and managers of corporations should have some legal duty to take into account not only the needs of the shareholders, but also other groups affected by the corporation’s activities … Read more

President Jair Bolsonaro’s Role in the Increased Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest has often been referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” producing 20 percent of the world’s oxygen while absorbing greenhouse gases from the air.[1] Although the Amazon is located in South America, it is an international resource that is of critical importance in the fight against climate change. However, exploitation of … Read more

Saudi Executions Spike in 2019, Disparately Impacting the Country’s Shia Minority

State executions have climbed since Mohammed bin Salman took power in 2017, including an alarming rise this year—with 134 people executed as of September 2019.[1] The implementation of judicial and governmental changes beginning in 2008 allowed the Saudi government to weaponize their power in a more systematized way, ultimately resulting in the use of the … Read more

The Failures of International Law in Thai Fisheries

News stories have exposed horrific occurrences of forced labor in the fisheries of Thailand.[1] These fisheries supply large brands around the world that make everyday products Americans buy in retailers like Walmart.[2] Forced labor in fisheries violates many internationally recognized human rights, such as the right of favorable working condition, to include fair pay, equal … Read more