International Law

Volunteer attorneys needed to help Afghan evacuees stuck in limbo within Abu Dhabi camp

Jordan Jones went to the United Arab Emirates in late March, hoping to help Afghan judges, prosecutors and rule of law professionals who fled their country nearly eight months earlier.

Apr 21, 2022 11:19 AM CDT

How and why Kazakhstan gave up its Soviet-era nuclear weapons

When the Soviet Union dissolved and Kazakhstan became a sovereign state, it now had a conundrum: Should the country retain the nuclear weapons and become the world’s fourth largest nuclear power or relinquish them in return for international commitments?

Apr 20, 2022 8:35 AM CDT

Refugee lawyer describes harrowing invasion of Ukraine

A Ukrainian lawyer described the harrowing scenes she witnessed after the Russian invasion, telling an ABA panel on April 7 that she was forced to flee her country with her three young children and leave behind her husband.

Apr 14, 2022 12:54 PM CDT

Law Schools’ Impact on Justice: U.S. legal education advances rule of law around the world

“World leaders getting a degree in the law should not be surprising. Many in key positions in corporations or media and many other professions have studied law. Leading a country is just another area in which the skills attained in law school can be beneficial,” writes ABA President Reginald Turner. “Our nation’s law schools have played and will continue to play their role, particularly when it comes to training foreign lawyers and educating potential world leaders. It is an often overlooked but vital component of U.S. efforts to foster an adherence to the rule of law throughout the world.”

Apr 1, 2022 3:15 AM CDT

Legal tech company creates tools to help Ukrainians apply for immigration relief

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s March 3 announcement that those who fled Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion could apply for temporary protected status caught the attention of the team at legal technology company SixFifty.

Mar 31, 2022 4:00 AM CDT

Should the UN establish a right to a healthy environment? ABA urges US to vote yes

In a late February briefing, Nadia Ahmad introduced a group of ABA members and Capitol Hill staffers to Resolution 48/13—a measure adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council that for the first time recognizes having a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right.

Mar 29, 2022 8:51 AM CDT

Two part-time law students take last-minute trip to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees

Sitting in traffic on his way to an evening class at the Temple University Beasley School of Law and thinking about Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Joe Hogan decided he would spend spring break in Poland helping Ukrainian refugees crossing the border.

Mar 23, 2022 9:53 AM CDT

Congressional candidate, lawyer are among those allegedly harassed in US by agents acting for China

Five people have been charged with alleged efforts to stalk, harass and spy on Chinese nationals living in the United States.

Mar 16, 2022 3:35 PM CDT

Top UN court sees no evidence to support Russia’s claim of Ukrainian genocide, orders halt to invasion

The United Nations’ top court on Wednesday told Russia to halt military operations in Ukraine in interim “provisional measures” that are issued before a case is formally heard.

Mar 16, 2022 12:51 PM CDT

Americans joining fight in Ukraine could risk prosecution under Neutrality Act

The rarely enforced Neutrality Act could pose risks for Americans who decide to join the fight against Russia in Ukraine.

Mar 16, 2022 9:24 AM CDT

Law firms scramble to keep pace with unprecedented Russian sanctions

Ever since the U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia, attorney Adam M. Smith’s phone has been ringing off the hook. Smith is in demand. As sanctions pile up around the world in response to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, he is also thinking on his feet.

Mar 14, 2022 9:05 AM CDT

Russia is no-show at international court hearing on Ukraine invasion

Russia has declined to participate in a hearing before the International Court of Justice on its invasion of Russia.

Mar 8, 2022 1:19 PM CST

US can’t use health law to expel migrants to areas where they face persecution or torture, DC Circuit says

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that the Biden administration can’t use a public health law to immediately expel migrants to countries where they could face persecution or torture.

Mar 7, 2022 8:35 AM CST

Ukrainian bar leaders share experience on the ground amid Russian invasion

As Russia began its attack on Ukraine in late February, the Ukrainian Bar Association also leaped into action, issuing statements condemning the violence, calling on international leaders to impose sanctions on the Russian government, and mobilizing its members to assist refugees fleeing to nearby countries.

Mar 4, 2022 2:02 PM CST

White House should give temporary protected status to Ukrainian refugees and immigrants, ABA president urges

ABA President Reginald Turner called on the Biden administration Wednesday to designate Ukraine for “temporary protected status”—an immigration status granted to nationals of certain countries who are unable to return home safely because of ongoing armed conflict or other extraordinary conditions.

Mar 2, 2022 4:11 PM CST