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Welcome to the Facts and Norms Newsletter, a periodical bulletin with World News, new developments in international law and human rights, recent rulings by international courts and tribunals, and selected academic and professional opportunities!

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CURRENT ISSUE:

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The Facts and Norms Newsletter, n.º 9, 30 September 2024.

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Contents: 

International Court of Justice and World News: 

• ICJ receives fifteen written statements concerning the question of 

​the right to strike under ILO Convention No. 87; 

• Chile files declaration of intervention in Gaza genocide case; 

• World news in brief: possible dire consequences for Yemen following

strikes, rain spells more suffering in Gaza, Ukraine hospital attack, human

rights in Algeria; 

• Un calls for more action to combat ‘senseless criminality’ in Haiti; 

• World news in brief: teens suffering mental disorders, Russia’s

Indigenous face “extinction”; 

• UN warns of growing crisis in Afghanistan; 

• World news in brief: UNICEF Mpox response in DR Congo,

‘unprecedented’ threat to Sudan’s heritage; 

• World news in brief: Africa schools closed due to insecurity, Georgia

rights defenders. ​

News from the Inter-American System: 

• IACtHR visits Guatemala to monitor compliance with judgments; 

• IACtHR concludes its 169th regular session with judgments and hearings; 

• IACtHR launches online courses in Portuguese. 

News from the African System: 

• ACtHPR concludes public hearing in case concerning the human rights of persons with albinism in Tanzania; 

• Tanzania violated rights of death row inmates, ACtHPR finds; 

• Tanzania convicted due to lack of legal representation in a criminal case involving serious charges and a long sentence; 

• Burkina Faso wins case due to non-exhaustion of local remedies; 

• ACtHPR dismisses case against Tunisia due to pending local remedies; 

• Applicant did not exhaust local remedies in case against Benin, ACtHPR concludes. 

News from the European System: 

• Hungary violated prohibition of collective expulsion of aliens, ECtHR finds; 

• Hungary's expulsion of Russian national on secret grounds violated right to private life, rules ECtHR; 

• European Court rules Spain failed to respect Jehovah’s Witness’ right to refuse blood transfusion; 

• German courts did not violate presumption of innocence in "Cum-Ex" tax fraud case, ECtHR rules; 

• Serbia violated property rights with automatic confiscation of jewelry, ECtHR rules; 

• Switzerland’s expulsion of drug offender violated right to family life, concludes ECtHR; 

• Confiscation of money laundering proceeds did not violate property rights, ECtHR rules; 

• ECtHR rules against Russia in cases involving hunger strike and satirical filming; 

• ECtHR decides complex case against two states involving the abduction, detention and conviction of a journalist; 

• ECtHR: Russia violated opposition candidate's right to stand for election. 

Academic & Professional Opportunities: 

• Call for papers: inaugural workshop 2025, lotus-related conversations, lotus project; 

• Call for papers: DigiRights project final conference; 

• Call for papers: towards an endogenous African constitutionalism and legitimate government; 

• Online course: Rights of Traditional Peoples and Communities; 

• Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship Program; 

• Global Innovation Fellowships, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace & The British Academy; 

• Barbara Huber Scholarship Program: Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law; 

• Asia studies fellowships, Stanford University Asia-Pacific research center (APARC); 

• Young professionals programme (YPP) examination: political affairs & human rights, UN secretariat; 

• Traineeships: Council of Europe;

• Policy advisor, directorate general human rights and rule of law, Council of Europe; 

• Assistant legal counsel: Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA); 

• Programme officer, standing with communities, Southern Africa: Natural Justice; 

• Legal officer: Privacy International; 

• Legal officer (P2): International Labour Organization (ILO); 

• Candidate Attorneys 2025-2027: Cente for Environmental Rights (CER); 

• Legal Network Manager: Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. 

News from the Facts and Norms Institute (FNI): 

• International law and human rights course in Coimbra: academic success marked the beginning of 2024; 

• Exclusive winter course in Lisbon: FNI and University of Lisbon offer unique opportunity for scholars, professionals, and students.

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Click here to access the Facts and Norms Newsletter #9

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PAST ISSUES:

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The Facts and Norms Newsletter, n.º 8, 31 August 2024.

 

Contents: International Court of Justice and World News: Gabon/Equatorial Guinea maritime delimitation case: public hearings scheduled for September 30 - October 4, 2024; ICJ receives 62 written comments in climate change advisory proceedings; Türkiye files declaration of intervention in Gaza genocide case; Ukraine v. Russia genocide case: 23 States file declarations of intervention for merits stage; Historic speech by Dr. King at UN highlighted on International Day for People of African Descent; Millions at risk of gender-based violence in Sudan amid lack of medical services; World news in brief: Terror attacks in Pakistan and Burkina Faso, Yemen floods update, mass graves in Libya; UN Secretary-General calls for end to Myanmar violence against Rohingya; Urged to curb hate speech and address racism after riots; Afghanistan: Two decades of education progress reversed under Taliban rule. News from the Inter-American System: IACtHR to hold 169th regular session with judgments and hearings; IACtHR concludes extraordinary session focusing on indigenous rights case against Ecuador. News from the African System: ACHPR announces 81st Ordinary Session in The Gambia; ACHPR calls for action on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples; ACHPR expresses concern over human rights abuses during protests in Nigeria; ACHPR supports UN High Commissioner for Human Rights visit to Cameroon; ACHPR concludes 80th Ordinary Session, adopts resolutions on key human rights issues; ACHPR mourns deaths of migrants in Mauritania shipwreck; ACHPR expresses concern over disappearance of three journalists in Burkina Faso; ACHPR concludes benchmarking visit to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; ACHPR expresses concern over landslides in Ethiopia. News from the European System: No violation of right to legal assistance during initial police interviews in W.R. v. the Netherlands; Belgium violated rights of psychiatric detainee in B.D. v. Belgium; No violation of doctor's freedom of expression in Bielau v. Austria; ECHR upholds terrorism conviction despite lack of prior designation of group as terrorist organization; No violation of family life in restricted contact between incarcerated father and son (Namık Yüksel v. Türkiye); Türkiye violated obligation to investigate rape of disabled applicant in İ.G. v. Türkiye; Armenia violated whistle-blower's freedom of expression in Hrachya Harutyunyan v. Armenia; No violation of freedom of expression in defamation case against local councilor (Lefebvre v. France). Academic & Professional Opportunities: Call for contributions: CPTA Newsletter nº. 2024, “Education and Training for the Prevention of Torture in Africa”; Call for papers: Inaugural Workshop 2025, Lotus-related Conversations, Lotus Project; Call for papers: HAKI Journal of Human Rights, Volume 3, nº. 3, 2024; Call for papers: African Human Rights Yearbook Volume 8 (2024); Call for papers: Materials for Energy and the Environment; Call for abstracts: Routledge Handbook of Children's Rights in Africa; Call for papers: Towards an Endogenous African Constitutionalism and Legitimate Government; Call for papers: Toward Society-Centred Responsible Leadership; Online course: Rights of Traditional Peoples and Communities; Advanced Human Rights Course: Data Protection in Africa; Master of Laws – Public International Law, Sigmund Freud Private University; Call for applications: OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2025; United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Program on Oceans and Maritime Law; Communications and Advocacy Fellowship, SOLIDAR; Human Rights investigator, Fair Food Standards Council (FFSC); Technology Advocacy Manager, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); Advocacy Officer, Front Line Defenders; Horizon Fellowship, Horizon Institute for Public Service; Research Analyst Consultant, European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN); Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer, European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN); Research Manager, Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL); Research Technologist, Human Rights Watch (HRW); Expert on Biodiversity and Environmental Markets in Brazil, UNEP; Communications Internship, World Food Programme (WFP); Information Management Clerk, International Organization for Migration (IOM); Program Management & Partnership Specialist, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO); PAHO Consultant – Participation and Social Control in the SUS; Humanitarian Assistance and Emergency Coordinator, International Organization for Migration (IOM); Child Participation Coordinator, Eurochild; Business Associate, UNDP; Frontend Developer Associate, UNDP; Data Analyst, UNDP; Assistant Professor in Durham Law School and Economics Department, Durham University; Peace, Climate, and Sustainable Development Internship, International Peace Institute (IPI); Internship Program in Social Communication, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); Head of Campaigns, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH); Project Assistant, UNDP; Programme Assistant (Space Security/WMD), UNIDIR; Project Manager, Gender-Responsive Governance, Women's Leadership and Participation, UN Women; Finance Officer, World Food Programme (WFP); Corporate Fundraising Officer, UNICEF; Associate Witness Protection Officer, Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM); Inspector General, Organization of American States (OAS); Radcliffe Fellowship, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University; Internship Program, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR); Analysis & Evidence Specialist, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); Programme Manager, Promoting Local Democracy Department, Council of Europe; Legal Officer, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship Program; Fellowship for the Rapporteurship on the Rights of LGBTI People, Organization of American States (OAS); Senior Programme Management Assistant, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC); Young Professionals Programme (YPP) Examination: Political Affairs & Human Rights, UN Secretariat; Activist-in-Residence (AIR) 2024/25, The Feminist Centre for Research on Race and Racialisation (FCRJ); Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London; Policy Advisor, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe; Global Innovation Fellowships, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace & The British Academy. News from the Facts and Norms Institute (FNI): American Society of International Law and the Facts and Norms Institute release new issue of Indigenous Peoples' Rights Newsletter; Exclusive Winter Course in Lisbon: FNI and University of Lisbon offer unique opportunity for scholars, professionals, and students.

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Click here to access the Facts and Norms Newsletter #8

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​The Facts and Norms Newsletter, n.º 7, 31 July 2024.

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Contents: International Court of Justice and World News: Poland asks the ICJ for permission to intervene in the Ukraine v. Russia genocide case; ICJ rules Israel's presence in occupied palestinian territory unlawful; ICJ allows seven countries to intervene in Gambia vs. Myanmar genocide case; Spain asks the ICJ for permission to intervene in gaza case; Un rights chief concerned about post-election tension in Venezuela; World news in brief: historic Palestine monastery in danger, ghana upholds anti-gay law, russia urged to release activist; World news in brief: U.S. Urged to protect peaceful assembly, attacks against ahmadis in pakistan, sustainability push at paris olympics; War-torn Sudan on the brink of famine; Displaced gazan youth speak out for basic rights. News from the Inter-American System: IACtHR to hold extraordinary session focusing on indigenous rights case against Ecuador; IACtHR concludes 168th regular session with judgments and hearings; IACtHR launches "themis ia", an ai-powered legal research portal; Inter-American Court rejects request to interpret judgment in Meza vs. Ecuador case. News from the African System: São Tomé and Príncipe ratifies protocol on older persons' rights; ACHPR expresses alarm over migrant deaths in algerian desert; Gambia's national assembly rejects bill to decriminalize female genital mutilation; ACHPR concerned over amended national security act in South Sudan; ACHPR calls for restraint amid Kenya's mass protests. News from the European System: ECHR upholds french law criminalizing purchase of sex; ECHR ruling on couso Permuy v. Spain: access to justice and universal jurisdiction; No violation in sweden's refusal of family reunification in D.H. and others v. Sweden; No violation in sweden's refusal of family reunification in Okubamichael Debru v. Sweden; ECHR upholds latvia's ban on former communist party member from running in parliamentary elections; No discrimination in latvia's increased use of latvian in pre-school education; Latvia failed to investigate and prosecute homophobic attack; Albania's constitutional court violated right to reasoned judgments due to lack of explanation; No violation of right to life in case of detainee's death from drug intoxication; Poland breached transgender prisoner's rights by denying hormone therapy; Russia violated transgender man's family rights by removing foster children; Türkiye not responsible for protester's injuries in Ankara terrorist attack; Politician’s conviction for discrimination violated principle of legal certainty; Georgia failed to effectively investigate suspected domestic violence suicide; Azerbaijan violated publisher's rights with unlawful tax audit and account freeze. Academic & Professional Opportunities: Call for papers: inaugural workshop 2025, lotus-related conversations, lotus project; Call for chapter proposals: empirical research approaches to business, human rights, and the environment; Call for contributions: CPTA newsletter nº. 2024; United Nations immersion programme 2024; Winter school on environmental crimes; Master in human rights and conflict management, scuola superiore sant’anna; OHCHR indigenous fellowship program 2025; Phd-lecturer position, Maastrich University; Call por applications: membership of the committee for the prevention of torture in Africa; Gender justice coordinator – india, asia floor wage alliance (AFWA)​ Honduras program coordinator, WFP; Human Rights investigator; Associate human rights officer (multiple positions), OHCHR; Equal rights coalition secretariat officer, ILGA world. News from the Facts and Norms Institute (FNI): FNI submits input on access to information and climate change to un special rapporteur. ​

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Click here to access the Facts and Norms Newsletter #7​

 

 

The Facts and Norms Newsletter, n.º 6, 30 June 2024.

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Contents: International Court of Justice and World News: ICJ receives 31 written statements in the advisory proceedings on the Right to Strike under ILO Convention No. 87. Palestine and Mexico file declarations of intervention in the Gaza case (South Africa v. Israel) concerning allegations of genocide. UN "World News in Brief": Release of Julian Assange, new ICC arrest warrants for Russian officials over Ukraine. UN condemns terror attacks in Dagestan, calls for the end of the "war on drugs," and highlights the lack of female heads of state. News from the Inter-American System: IACtHR announces its 168th Ordinary Session, with key deliberations and hearings on schedule. IACtHR finds Argentina responsible for failing to prevent the AMIA bombing and hindering the investigation. IACtHR concludes its 167th Ordinary Session, issuing judgments and resolutions on compliance with previous judgments. News from the African System: ACtHPR dismisses a request to reopen pleadings in a case against Benin. ACtHPR reopens pleadings in a case against Tanzania concerning allegations of serious human rights violations. ACtHPR dismisses a case against Côte d'Ivoire for non-exhaustion of local remedies. ACtHPR orders Tanzania to revoke death sentences and amend sentencing laws in the Nzigiyimana Zabron, Dominick Damian, and Magunga cases. ACtHPR finds no violation in a police promotion case in Mali. News from the European System: ECHR Grand Chamber rules in favor of Ukraine against Russia over human rights violations in Crimea. ECHR finds no violation in the treatment of an HIV-positive prisoner in Romania. ECHR rules Turkey violated the right to a fair trial in civil service appointment cases. ECHR upholds freedom of expression in an anti-discrimination campaign in Moldova. ECHR finds North Macedonia violated the right to privacy in a data protection case. ECHR upholds a fine against a Hungarian actor for breaching a confidentiality clause. ECHR condemns Poland for violating the rights of Greenpeace activists and journalists during a sea protest. ECHR rules the Czech Republic discriminated against a juvenile detainee in a review of detention. ECHR finds the Czech Republic failed to protect a woman from sexual abuse by a priest. ECHR finds Azerbaijan violated a lawyer’s right to privacy by inspecting documents during a prison visit. ECHR finds Italy did not violate a prisoner’s rights concerning conditions and medical treatment. ECHR condemns Armenia in a case involving the sexual abuse of a disabled student. ECHR condemns Russia over free speech and the “undesirable organizations” law. ECHR finds Russia unduly restricted access to archives of Soviet political repression. ECHR finds Slovakia violated a woman judge’s rights in pre-trial detention. ECHR upholds Hungary's ban on assisted suicide in the case of a terminally ill ALS patient. ECHR rules Azerbaijan violated free speech by blocking online media outlets. ECHR rules Latvia unjustifiably extended pre-trial detention. Academic & Professional Opportunities: Calls for papers: Animal Legal Defense Fund, 2024 Lisbon Climate Conference, International Environmental Law Enforcement Conference, Environmental Politics Special Issue and Symposia, Lotus Project Inaugural Workshop. Chapter proposals: Empirical research on business, human rights, and the environment. Winter Course on International Law, CEDIN. Hague Academy Summer Courses. Training programme on disarmament and non-proliferation of WMD, T.M.C. Asser Institute. Master in Human Rights and Conflict Management, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. Various job openings: Program Associate, Research and Collaboration Coordinator, Associate Legal Officer, Gender and Feminist Humanitarian Advisor, Associate Human Rights Officer, Programme Manager on Human Rights Education, Legal Fellow, Legal Officer, and more. News from the Facts and Norms Institute (FNI): FNI submits input on human rights, artificial intelligence, and education to UN Special Rapporteur. FNI submits a report on unlawful killings of LGBTQI+ persons in the Americas to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions.

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Click here to access the Facts and Norms Newsletter #6

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The Facts and Norms Newsletter, n.º 5, 25 May 2024.

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Contents: 

ICJ indicates additional provisional measures in Gaza case. ICJ deniesMexico request for provisional measures in Embassy case. ITLOS issues landmark advisory opinion on climate change and international law. ICC Prosecutor applies for arrest warrants in the situation in the State of Palestine. Libya files declaration of intervention in Gaza case. ICJ authorizes the OACPS to participate in the proceedings concerning the Right to Strike. ICJ denies Nicaragua’s request for provisional measures in Palestine case. UN World News in Brief: Myanmar violence, Brazil's refugee response, Bahá'í detainees in Yemen, children in Eastern DR Congo, Iran death sentence, support for Haitians. IACtHR finds El Salvador responsible for forced disappearances during armed conflict in the case of Sandoval and others. IACtHR finds El Salvador violated judicial guarantees in the case of Aguirre Magaña. IACtHR presents 2023 Annual Report. IACtHR to visit Brazil for climate emergency dialogue. IACtHR concludes 166th Regular Session with the deliberation of key cases. IACtHR concludes historical climate emergency dialogue in Barbados. ACHPR condemns attempted coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ACHPR to hold its 79th Ordinary Session. ACHPR expresses concern over floods in Kenya. ACHPR commemorates World Press Freedom Day. ACHPR convenes workshop on AI and human rights in Nairobi. #DiscoverMyAfrica: Celebrating African life. ACHPR inaugurates Joint Forum of Special Mechanisms. ACHPR laments the deaths of 38 migrants in Djibouti. African and ECOWAS courts reinforce partnership. ECHR judgments: Domenjoud v. France, Lutgen v. Luxembourg, Mirzoyan v. Czech Republic, Somogyi v. Hungary, Mitreska v. North Macedonia, Balan v. Moldova, A.K. v. Russia, Biba v. Albania, A.D. and others v. Sweden, Thomaidis v. Greece, Tsaava and others v. Georgia, The J. Paul Getty Trust and others v. Italy. Selected Academic & Professional Opportunities.

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Click here to access the Facts and Norms Newsletter #5

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The Facts and Norms Newsletter, n.º 4, 26 April 2024.

 

Contents: News from the International Court of Justice: Climate Change Proceedings Involve WHO, Extensive Updates on the Gaza Strip. Public Hearings: Nicaragua v. Germany, Azerbaijan v. Armenia on Racial Discrimination. USA Joins Right to Strike Advisory Proceedings. Mexico Sues Ecuador Over Embassy Inviolability. Record Submissions in Climate Change Advisory Proceedings. News from the European Human Rights System: Rulings on Climate Change, Freedom of Expression, Expulsions, and More. News from the Inter-American System: Ecuador Condemned Over Whistleblower Case. Upcoming 166th Period of Sessions. Honduras Held Accountable for Arbitrary Dismissal of Judges. Argentina Complies with Reparation Orders in Almeida Case. News from the African System: AfCHPR and Red Cross Conduct Human Rights Training. ACHPR: Concerns Over Child Abduction in Nigeria, Mass Grave in Libya, Togo's Ban on Demonstrations, Political Restrictions in Mali. First Joint Forum of Special Mechanisms Announced. UN World News in Brief: Sexual Slavery in Sudan, Mass Grave in Libya, Children’s Rights Crisis in Congo. Tribute to Victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Haiti’s Security Crisis. Academic & Professional Opportunities: Calls for Papers on AI in Africa and Environmental Law, Various Academic Positions and Legal Fellowships, Legal Internship at World Bank, Human Rights Researcher Role at ILGA, Senior Coordination Officer at UNEP, and other global opportunities. News from the Facts and Norms institute: FNI submits Amicus Curiar briefing about Human Rights and Climate Change to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

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Click here to access the Facts and Norms Newsletter #4

 

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The Facts and Norms Newsletter, n.º 3, 25 Mar. 2024.

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Contents: ICJ: Nicaragua sues Germany over Palestine and the Gaza Strip. ICJ authorizes PNAO countries to participate in Advisory proceedings. South Africa files new urgent request in Genocide Case against Israel. How to Develop Ethical AI. UN World News in Brief: Racism, Algorithms, Methane Emissions, Mpox, Peacebuilding. Inter-Am. Court Concludes 165 Period of Sessions. Colombia faces  accountability for arbitrary intelligence operations against human rights defenders. Brazil responsible for extrajudicial executions and the death and injuries of rural workers in a protest. Peru accountable for health and environmental rights' violations in La Roya. African Commission fosters the ratification of additional human rights treaties. African Commission and African Commitee express concern over Female Genital Mutilation in the Gambia. European Court of Human Rights issues eleven new Chamber judgments. Selected Academic & Professional Opportunities.

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Click here to access the Facts and Norms Newsletter #3

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The Facts and Norms Newsletter, n.º 2, 23 Feb. 2024.

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Contents: ICJ allegations of genocide: Ukraine v. Russia and South Africa v. Israel. Public hearings on the legality of the Israeli occupation. UN "World News in Brief . Inter-American Court concludes its 164 period of sessions. No violations in Cajahuanca Vásquez v. Peru. African Court of Human and People's Rights' new judgments. European Court of Human Rights' new chamber judgments. Selected Academic & Professional Opportunities. News from the Institute.

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Click here to access the Facts and Norms Newsletter #2

 

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The Facts and Norms Newsletter, n.º 1, 23 Jan. 2024.

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Contents: ICJ concludes first hearings on South Africa's Genocide Case against Israel. Forthcoming hearings of the Inter-American Court, and judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. UN "World News in Brief". UN urges the U.S. to halt execution by asphyxiation. Selected Academic & Professional Opportunities.

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Click here to access the Facts and Norms Newsletter #1

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