Search through our Issue 2020
COVID-19 Creates a Constitutional Crisis
The increased number of UK COVID-19 cases [1] has updated national lockdown measures and created new laws to protect the well-being of the population [2]. Nonetheless, it creates a dangerous legal precedent when the government uses COVID-19 as an excuse for furthering its powers.
NO means NO and so does: NE, NIET, NEIN, ΌXI...
Professor Westmorland has argued that we are ‘surrounded by messages that serve to minimize and hide sexual violence and dismiss the experience of survivors’ [1]. This can certainly be seen to be reflected in the history of English law, which disregarded the act of rape once a woman was no longer a virgin, having already ‘lost her virtue’ [2].
Belarusian Protests: How to Make Peaceful Demonstrations Illegal
Alexander Lukashenko, whose legitimacy has been recently questioned by world leaders, has retained his decades-long position as the leader of Belarus [1], allegedly winning 80% of the votes [2]. On the night after the election, internet access was blocked [3]; people flowed into the streets in disagreement, which resulted in brutal clashes with the police [4].
Terrible Crime or Terrible Lawyer?
‘There can be no equal justice where the kind of trial a man [or woman] gets depends on the amount of money he [or she] has,’ stated Justice Hugo Black in Griffin v. Illinois [1]. This is reflective of America today, especially in capital punishment cases.
On the Death Penalty
Capital punishment is the ‘government sanctioned practice’ that leads to the ‘legal authorisation’ of the killing of an individual [1]. Through the use of international treaties governing the concept, there is an argument that the law surrounding the death penalty has progressed from imposing punishment to determining the inherent value of a human life.
Children’s Rights to Education and Globalised Disparities for Girls
According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), education is recognised as a ‘legal entitlement’ across all demographics [1]. Enshrined in Article 28 is the notion that ‘free primary’ education must be ‘available’ and ‘accessible’ for all [2].
Child Labour in the US
Tobacco products are sold around the world by multi-billion-dollar companies. Evidence demonstrates how children, internationally, are diverted from their education and employed in tough conditions on tobacco farms [1]. Children labouring in these fields sowing and harvesting this harmful product ultimately affects their education, health and future.
What Legal Changes Can We Expect from VP-Elect Kamala Harris?
As President Trump’s term in office ends, it is only natural to look forward and predict what can be expected from a Biden-Harris administration. Kamala Harris has achieved many firsts in her career, including being elected Vice-President-Elect. As she has never been in office, it may be useful to reflect on her record as a Attorney General to anticipate her plans, focussing particularly on three key issues: healthcare, criminal justice and the police.
COVID-19 and the State of the UK Economy
Since Boris Johnson’s lockdown announcement in March, every aspect of public life in UK has felt the impact, perhaps none more than the economy.
Disregarding COVID-19 Guidelines
Looking back to 12 March of this year when the first case of COVID-19 in York was confirmed seems like a lifetime ago [1]. Everyone then was speaking in hushed tones about the virus being in town almost as if by denying it and keeping it a secret, it would go away.
Are Women's Rights Human Rights?
In 1995, at an NGO forum, Hillary Clinton declared that ‘women's rights are humans rights’ [1]. A mere 25 years ago, the idea that women everywhere shared the same fundamental rights as men was a shocking idea.