[Insight Editor's note: This Insight differs from the usual ASIL Insight in that it concerns an action taken by the ASIL itself.

Introduction

After five months of contentious negotiations to develop a new entity to replace the ineffective Commission on Human Rights, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the creation of a Human Rights Council on March 15, 2006.[1]  The vote approved a draft resolution,[2]

One year ago, a previous Insight (David Fidler, ?Indian Ocean Tsunami and International Law,? January 2005) acknowledged the existence of a rarely discussed framework of international laws, rules and principles concerning international disaster response operations, but noted that there are significant gaps in both its scope and implementation.

Allegations have appeared in news reports that the United States is holding some terrorism suspects incommunicado and without trial in detention centers at undisclosed locations outside the United States, perhaps in Eastern Europe.  The United States government has not acknowledged the existence of any such detention facilities.  The discussion below is based on facts regarding the possible existence of such facilities as reported in news media, and is not intended to vouch for their accuracy.  The discussion is designed to point out the principal le

The Cartoons and Freedom of Expression