Two Weeks in Review, 24 March – 6 April 2025

As we transfer into April, EJIL:Speak! publications spotlight vital developments in worldwide legislation, addressing urgent points akin to the applying of the Genocide Conference, using synthetic intelligence in army operations, and the evolving panorama of cyber-enabled crimes. From Sudan’s case in opposition to the UAE on the Worldwide Court docket of Justice (ICJ) to the European Court docket of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) rulings on LGBTI rights, EJIL:Speak! publications over the previous two weeks have underscored the intersection of authorized norms, know-how, and human rights.

The Genocide Conference

Pranay Lekhi analyzes the current case introduced by Sudan in opposition to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier than the ICJ over alleged violations of the Genocide Conference. The writer examines the UAE’s reservation to Article IX, which impacts the Court docket’s jurisdiction, and explores the complexities of state interventions in such instances. Lekhi focuses on the ICJ’s strategy to Articles 63 and 62 of its Statute, which permit state events to intervene in instances involving multilateral treaties. The writer additional addresses how the ICJ’s rulings on reservations might restrict or complicate states’ capability to intervene in future Genocide Conference instances. Learn the complete put up right here.

Manmade intelligence 

Henning Lahmann critiques using synthetic intelligence-enabled decision-support programs (AI-DSS) by the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) in Gaza, specializing in the bigger societal penalties past civilian casualties, notably the erosion of political company. Lahmann argues that the pervasive surveillance required by these programs undermines the collective proper to self-determination by making spontaneous political motion inconceivable. The writer warns that whereas these AI programs are framed as instruments to enhance army precision and adherence to worldwide legislation, they finally suppress political freedom and pave the best way for broader, dystopian surveillance practices. Learn the complete put up right here.

Worldwide Prison Regulation

Marko Milanovic examines the just lately launched draft Coverage on cyber-enabled crimes by the ICC Workplace of the Prosecutor. Milanovic outlines how the coverage will interpret and apply the Rome Statute to crimes dedicated or facilitated by means of cyber means, together with battle crimes, crimes in opposition to humanity, and offenses in opposition to the administration of justice. The Coverage addresses authorized, jurisdictional, and sensible challenges—akin to attribution, cooperation with states and the personal sector, and adapting to rising applied sciences like AI—whereas emphasizing that present worldwide legal legislation can and ought to be utilized to new digital threats. The coverage is now open for public session till Could 30. Learn the complete put up right here.

Human Rights

Sarthak Gupta discusses the ECtHR’s rulings within the case of Yevstifeyev and Others v. Russia, specializing in two distinct purposes. The primary, regarding homophobic verbal assaults and threats in opposition to LGBTI activists, which the Court docket deemed a violation of Article 14 of the ECHR. The second, a satirical video depicting violence in opposition to LGBTI people, which the court docket discovered didn’t meet the violation threshold. The writer finds that: 

“whereas ECtHR strategy within the first utility is progressive by way of evolving the State’s constructive obligations below the Conference, the second utility reasoning raises vital questions in regards to the Court docket’s strategy to hate speech, notably relating to the excellence between context and content material, intent and impact, and the applying of the ‘threshold of severity’ check.” 

Learn the complete put up right here.

Diane Desierto displays on her decade of service with EJIL:Speak! and the European Journal of Worldwide Regulation, emphasizing the important interdependence between worldwide legislation and human rights. She warns that current international developments present not simply resistance however deliberate rejection of worldwide authorized norms and establishments, fueled by unmet expectations and political disenchantment. Desierto argues that for worldwide legislation to outlive and stay related, it should heart on human rights, responding on to the lived experiences and aspirations of individuals worldwide. Learn the complete put up right here.

Péter Szigeti critiques a proposed modification to the Hungarian Structure that introduces the idea of “suspension of citizenship,” a legally obscure and unprecedented measure concentrating on twin nationals, possible with political motives forward of upcoming elections. The writer argues that this transfer, missing clear authorized doctrine or implementation particulars, dangers manufacturing de facto statelessness whereas evading violations of worldwide legislation by means of technical loopholes. Finally, Szigeti suggests the modification might serve extra as authoritarian propaganda than a coherent coverage, reflecting broader developments in populist governance. Learn the complete put up right here.

EJIL: The Podcast! 

Take heed to episode 32: No Nation for Ladies – Lawyering for Gender Justice in Afghanistan right here.

EJIL Guide Symposium: Social gathering Standing to Armed Battle in Worldwide Regulation

See the overview of Alexander Wentker’s new guide, “Social gathering Standing to Armed Battle in Worldwide Regulation,” right here. See additionally feedback by Marko Milanovic, Ashley Deeks, Philippa Webb, and Paul Berman, along with the writer’s response right here. 

EJIL Announcement

The European Journal of Worldwide Regulation welcomes expressions of curiosity in fulfilling the function of Co-Editor-in-Chief. See extra info right here. 

Current occasions and bulletins will be discovered right here.