International Voluntarism vs. Jus Cogens

June 20th, 2011 • No Comments

There is an odd contrast between the idea that some laws are considered jus cogens, and the apparently voluntary nature of international law.

If a law is considered jus cogens it means that it cannot be violated anywhere in the world, no matter what the laws of a country may or may not say. These peremptory norms can be reached through a number of rather unclear means, such as UN convention or simply through world public opinion. For example, genocide is a jus cogens offense as declared by the UN Convention on Genocide, and slavery is considered jus cogens simply because everyone thinks that it is wrong. As well, any law or treaty that violates these norms is void under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. Continue reading ‘International Voluntarism vs. Jus Cogens.’

War on Drugs Has Been Lost

June 3rd, 2011 • No Comments

The ‘War on Drugs’ has been declared lost by the Global Commission on Drug Policy. The organization released a report title “On Drugs” in June 2011 outlining the failures of the War on Drugs and the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961.The War on Drugs has created harmful, yet unintended consequences, such as the growth of huge criminal black markets financed by the illicit drug trade, extensive policy displacement in trying to address this black market, geographical displacement of production to avoid prosecution, substance displacement where users move to new and harder drugs when their drug of choice becomes unavailable as happened with the shift from cocaine to crack, and the perception and stigmatization of drug users. Continue reading ‘War on Drugs Has Been Lost.’

Iran: A History of Suspicion

March 22nd, 2009 • No Comments

Over the past month, speculation regarding Iran-United States relations has been hyperbolic at best, fictitious at worst. Now, the situation between the two countries has not been picture perfect since a direct policy was established post-World War Two, and there’s certainly something to be said for any policy drawn up in an era of mass suspicion. However, of late things have, according to the media, been getting progressively worse. The question is, how much has actually happened and what quantity is nothing more than sensationalist headlines and faux-psychic predictions? Continue reading ‘Iran: A History of Suspicion.’

G20 Finance Ministers Meet: A Summary

March 14th, 2009 • No Comments

On Saturday, March 14th, finance ministers and banking officials from the Group of 20 (G20) developed and developing economies began a conference at the five-star South Lodge Hotel in West Sussex to discuss the current financial crisis and plans for its resolution. The countries in attendance produce 80% of the world’s economic activity. Continue reading ‘G20 Finance Ministers Meet: A Summary.’