Topic 1

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.

Introduction

On February 7, 2006, a panel of the World Trade Organization (WTO) circulated its draft report on the high-profile dispute European Communities ? Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products to the parties. In May 2003, Argentina, Canada and the United States (US) had requested the establishment of a Panel because consultations with the EC on an amicable solution had failed.

Introduction

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

On December 19, 2005, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its final judgment in the Case Concerning Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda).

An Associated Press news release dated October 18, 2005, begins with the headline, "Gonzales Weighs in on International Law." The news release, with the headline, was picked up by several newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and the Baltimore Sun. The body of the article discussed Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' view, expressed in a speech at George Mason University, that the U.S. Supreme Court should not consider foreign law in making its decisions.