The Commonwealth – that unique values-based association of now 53 member states, almost all of whom are former British colonies – is facing one of its periodic existential crises, which will require another significant reinvention.
The high number of killings committed outside the law in Syria by all sides of the conflict visualise the failure of the judiciary system and the underlying major human rights crisis in the country.
The decision by the European Court of Human Rights that “life means life” sentences for inmates are against their human rights has found many detractors, but if the prison system is for reform and not just punishment then hope of release is a requirement.
Around 120 of the inmates at Guantánamo Bay have gone on hunger strike, their only method of protest against their indefinite detention without charge by the US government.
The guilty verdict against Efraín Ríos Montt, former leader of Guatemala, for genocide and crimes against humanity is an unprecedented step toward establishing accountability for atrocities during the country’s brutal civil war.