Contemporary Challenges: The Global Crime, Justice and Security Journal
type: channel
description: Contemporary Challenges: The Global Crime, Justice and Security Journal (CCJ) is a student-led journal affiliated with the University of Edinburgh. CCJ was founded in 2020 by students from the MSc in Global Crime, Justice and Security and related programmes at Edinburgh Law School. Students are not only welcome but are strongly encouraged to submit their papers and thereby participate in the academic debate at the intersection of crime, justice and security that CCJ provides a platform for. CCJ is global in its outlook and interdisciplinary in nature. Our editorial board is made up of postgraduate students from a variety of disciplines including law, criminology and international relations. We believe that this diversity of academic backgrounds allows us to engage with contemporary challenges intersectionally and comprehensively - in short, in the way that the challenges of today demand.
publisher: University of Edinburgh
language: en
publication name: Contemporary Challenges: The Global Crime, Justice and Security Journal
issn: 2634-7555
items: Cover Page
items: Africa, paving the way: Lessons from African actors pushing forward the international community’s role and responsibility in addressing genocide
items: Beyond Criminalisation: Green Criminology, Environmental Harm, and Sustainable Development Goal 15
items: Alternatives to Imprisonment for Female Prisoners in the MENA Region
items: How Terrorism Ends - Accounting for Contemporary Realities 15 Years after Cronin
items: Table of Contents
items: The Sixth Editorial Board
items: Paper Review: Maruna S. (2011), “Re-entry as a rite of passage”
items: Changing the Carceral Course: How the Carceral Shift in Human Rights Met the Good Friday Agreement and Northern Ireland’s Abolitionist Imperative
items: Foreword From the Academic Sponsor
items: Collective Risk Allocation and Restorative Justice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
items: Transnational Armed Conflicts: IAC or NIAC – The Lesser of Two Evils?
items: Book Review: Zabyelina, Yuliya, Between Immunity and Impunity: External Accountability of Political Elites for Transnational Crime
items: Defending Women’s Rights: The Inter-American Court’s Role in Ensuring Justice for Gender-Based Violence Victims
items: Foreword from the Editorial Board
items: Acknowledgment from the Editor-in-Chief and the Deputy Editors-in-Chief
items: Defining and legitimizing violence in the modern world
items: Enforcing Human Rights Through Conventionality Control
items: About the Journal
items: Learning from Global South Approaches to Tackle Refugee Crises - Assessing the Impact of Latin American Refugee Norms and Practices on the Global Compact on Refugees
items: Male-Centred Norms and Intimate Partner Femicides: A Case Study in German Homicide Law
items: “If I Have Nothing to Hide, I Have Nothing to Fear”: privacy, public and private surveillance in the digital age
items: On the Margins: The Disenfranchisement of Communities in International Human Rights Law as Portrayed
items: Solidarity and Responsibility-Sharing: Does the Global Compact on Refugees advance core principles of international refugee law?
items: The Intersection of International Criminal Law and Human Rights Law: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Paradox of Justice
items: The Capacity of Indonesia as a Source Country in Enabling Trafficking in Person
items: The Invisible Killings: The Epidemic of Transfemicide
items: The Lacunae in the Rome Statute for the Exercise of Universal Jurisdiction by the International Criminal Court
items: The Mafia State: Criminal Governance in Sinaloa, Mexico, in 2006-2016
items: The Role of Hate Speech in Inciting Genocide: A Case Study of Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines in Rwanda

Cover Page
type: item
subject: Acknowledgements and Foreword
  topic: section
creator: Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v6.11909

Africa, paving the way: Lessons from African actors pushing forward the international community’s role and responsibility in addressing genocide
type: item
description: Currently, international collective security and peace institutions are weathering a deep crisis in legitimacy for their systematic inability to protect populations from devastating genocides such as those ongoing Palestine, Sudan and the DRC. This essay examines whether lessons can be extracted from the attitudes of a continent that has historically struggled with high rates of mass atrocity crime, and has thus been driven to innovate in the field of international response. I find that, in expanding the power and the responsibility of the international community to intervene in protection of targeted peoples, African actors have been seminal in promoting a higher international normative standard of non-indifference towards atrocity. I look at three different dimensions of international activity to argue this: in a first part, I showcase the African Union’s innovative regional governance framework for identifying risks of mass atrocity and its unique sanctioning of unilateral military intervention in such instances. In a second part, I look at developments in international law concerning mass atrocity driven by African actors, such as their incubation of a regional criminal justice court to address transnational mass atrocity crime, their role in the genesis of the ICC, and finally the activism of both South Africa and The Gambia in expanding the scope of State responsibility before the ICJ. In a final part, I survey the African bloc’s diplomatic posture in the global political arena and show that together they have consistently advocated for larger responsibility of the international community towards victims of genocide. This has been made especially clear recently in light of African attitudes towards the ongoing Palestinian genocide. I conclude that, despite the persistence of regional challenges, legal and political innovation emanating from the African continent in the area constitutes a ripe field of inspiration in modelling better international protection of…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Iseult Daly
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Iseult Daly https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 11
ending page: 33
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10375

Beyond Criminalisation: Green Criminology, Environmental Harm, and Sustainable Development Goal 15
type: item
description: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 seeks to protect terrestrial ecosystems, promote sustainable land use, and halt biodiversity loss; this commentary argues that green criminology provides one of the most valuable frameworks for achieving SDG 15 in the way it shifts the focus from legalistic definitions of crime to broader ecological ‘harms’ and a harm-based perspective. Criticisms of green criminology abound and highlight the need for nuanced and contextual application, which this commentary will suggest by addressing the environmental and humanitarian consequences of rare earth mining in Myanmar and how legal penalisation could be potentially ineffective in addressing ecological degradation under military-led governance. By integrating green criminology with regionally tailored policy and intervention, this essay suggests a pathway toward more effective environmental governance and sustainable development.
subject: Commentary
  topic: section
creator: Lucy Sharp
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Lucy Sharp https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 438
ending page: 447
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10356

Alternatives to Imprisonment for Female Prisoners in the MENA Region
type: item
description: Imprisonment aims to deter criminal behaviour and promote the rehabilitation of offenders. However, prisons often encounter challenges, particularly concerning female prisoners. Many facilities lack adequate support tailored to females needs, which exacerbates their difficulties. Special health and social services are crucial for their rehabilitation and for reducing stigma. Despite the rising number of female prisoners in the MENA region, there is limited research on their circumstances and potential alternative solutions within the criminal justice system. This study employs the doctrinal method, analysing secondary data from existing literature, official reports, and newspapers. Exploring alternatives to imprisonment could have a positive impact on female prisoners, providing a solution to mitigate the negative effects of incarceration and fostering healthier family dynamics in the MENA region.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Reem Alhasan
creator: Noora Alshaibani
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Reem Alhasan, Noora Alshaibani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 34
ending page: 56
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10413

How Terrorism Ends - Accounting for Contemporary Realities 15 Years after Cronin
type: item
description: This comment revisits Audrey Cronin's How Terrorism Ends, first published in 2009, with the aim of assessing its continued relevance in light of contemporary developments. While Cronin’s framework remains a cornerstone in the study of terrorist decline, new research by scholars such as Jenna Jordan has demonstrated that Cronin’s typology can be enriched by recognizing new developments in global terrorism over time. Throughout, it addresses the new availability of terrorism data and research and developments such as the sharp increase and decrease in terrorist attacks, the rise and fall of active terrorist groups, and the emergence of new threats like cyberterrorism as reasons to revisit Cronin’s model. Her typology proves to still be relevant as a lens to assess contemporary terrorism but may also be limited in its ability to provide full explanation, suggesting the need to reassess her framework.
subject: Commentary
  topic: section
creator: Pierre Musa Halime Wessel
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Pierre Musa Halime Wessel https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 448
ending page: 464
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10327

Table of Contents
type: item
subject: Acknowledgements and Foreword
  topic: section
creator: Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v6.11911

The Sixth Editorial Board
type: item
subject: Acknowledgements and Foreword
  topic: section
creator: Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 1
ending page: 3
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v6.11905

Paper Review: Maruna S. (2011), “Re-entry as a rite of passage”
type: item
description: This paper critically examines Shadd Maruna’s (2011) “Re-entry as a Rite of Passage”, which explores how structured rituals can facilitate the reintegration of ex-prisoners by reducing stigma and promoting social acceptance. Maruna argues that the absence of such rites contributes to high recidivism rates, proposing public acts of remorse and community involvement as solutions. While his framework offers valuable insights, this review highlights key limitations, including the oversimplification of societal attitudes, the ambiguity of “community,” and the neglect of mental health challenges. It concludes that while reintegration rituals hold promise, they must be supported by systemic reforms and targeted social policies for lasting impact.
subject: Commentary
  topic: section
subject: Rite of Passage; Reintegration; Recidivism; Punishment & Society
  topic: keywords
creator: Rebekka Marcuk
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Rebekka Marcuk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 465
ending page: 474
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10404

Changing the Carceral Course: How the Carceral Shift in Human Rights Met the Good Friday Agreement and Northern Ireland’s Abolitionist Imperative
type: item
description: Northern Ireland faces a growing police use of force, increased imprisonment of individuals suffering from mental ill-health, the lowest minimum age of criminality in Europe, and high reports of abuse against marginalised communities. Despite a decades-long movement for carceral abolition in the United Kingdom and a robust Northern Irish civil society human rights apparatus, reliance on police and prison as means of social control remains robust in Northern Ireland, as both the immediate custody and remand populations in prison have climbed to the highest they have been in almost 9 years. Why have carceral systems, such as police and prisons, persisted in Northern Ireland? This article argues that the carceral ‘turn’ in international human rights and historic marginalisation of economic, social, and cultural rights were incorporated into the Good Friday Agreement with the effect of anchoring reliance on carceral responses to social harms. This has continued well into the twenty-first century, despite growing criticism of such responses at the local and international levels. In response, this article suggests strengthening the alternatives to criminal legal systems that are already being pursued by carceral abolitionist and anti-carceral human rights advocacy organisations in Northern Ireland.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Abolition
  topic: keywords
subject: Criminal Law
  topic: keywords
subject: International Human Rights
  topic: keywords
subject: Northern Ireland
  topic: keywords
subject: Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
  topic: keywords
creator: Nathan Johnson
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Nate Johnson https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 57
ending page: 102
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10326

Foreword From the Academic Sponsor
type: item
subject: Acknowledgements and Foreword
  topic: section
creator: Andy Aydın-Aitchison
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Andy Aydın-Aitchison https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 4
ending page: 5
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v6.11904

Collective Risk Allocation and Restorative Justice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
type: item
description: This essay investigates the “responsibility gap” introduced by artificial intelligence (AI) within the criminal justice system and examines potential shifts from traditional punitive models to restorative justice frameworks. It begins by outlining the challenges AI poses to conventional concepts of criminal liability, focusing on issues of moral agency and accountability. The discussion progresses to collective risk allocation mechanisms in the context of AI development and deployment, highlighting the ethical and legal dilemmas that arise. Finally, the essay explores the potential for restorative justice to address harm caused by AI-related errors, proposing a justice model that prioritises dialogue, accountability, and the repair of harm. The essay argues that a shift from individual criminal liability to collective responsibility is essential to adapt justice systems to the complexities of AI while ensuring the effective protection of fundamental rights. By expanding on the interplay between technological advancements, ethical governance, and justice, this work proposes a comprehensive framework to address the profound societal implications of AI, offering a forward-looking perspective on justice systems in an increasingly AI-driven world.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Maria Carla Canato
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Maria Carla Canato https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 103
ending page: 125
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10284

Transnational Armed Conflicts: IAC or NIAC – The Lesser of Two Evils?
type: item
description: Characterization of ‘transnational armed conflicts’ as non-international armed conflicts [“NIAC”] or international armed conflicts [“IAC”] often makes more for an interesting oxonian corridor debate, especially when you’ve been taught by Prof. Dapo Akande and Judge Theodor Meron. For the purposes of international humanitarian law, I argue that transnational armed conflicts may be characterized as a classic NIAC. The factual model that I examine is as follows: A belligerent state [B] uses force against a non-state actor [N] on the territory of a territorial state [T]. Armed forces of T are not involved in the conflict and actions of N are not attributable to T. This argument hinges on four grounds: (1) Interpretation of the Geneva Conventions; (2) Rationale for separate legal regimes; (3) Consequential Reasons; and (4) Examination of counter-arguments.
subject: Commentary
  topic: section
creator: Shriya Maini
creator: Raima Singh
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Shriya Maini, Raima Singh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 475
ending page: 489
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10633

Book Review: Zabyelina, Yuliya, Between Immunity and Impunity: External Accountability of Political Elites for Transnational Crime
type: item
description: In Between Immunity and Impunity, Yuliya Zabyelina explores the challenges relating to accountability for profit-driven transnational crimes that destabilise global order. She provides a compelling account of the nature of these crimes and the impact that immunity has on victims’ ability to seek justice. By relying on a wide array of literature, jurisprudence, and governmental and non-governmental reports, Dr. Zabyelina both makes the case for the need for accountability and introduces the reader to various external accountability mechanisms. This book lays the groundwork for future research as it relates to policy considerations for immunity exceptions and the theorisation of how legal and political structures engender impunity for criminal elites.
subject: Commentary
  topic: section
creator: Caroline McKenna
creator: Miles Ratcliffe
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Caroline McKenna, Miles Ratcliffe https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 490
ending page: 498
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10645

Defending Women’s Rights: The Inter-American Court’s Role in Ensuring Justice for Gender-Based Violence Victims
type: item
description: This paper argues that the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) has significantly enhanced the justiciability and remedies dimensions of women’s right to access justice in cases of gender-based violence. Through a holistic approach, the Court has demonstrated a commitment to addressing not only individual acts of violence but also the structural and systemic factors that perpetuate such violations. By analysing key jurisprudence, the paper illustrates how the IACtHR has expanded the legal standards for state accountability, strengthened due diligence obligations, and advanced reparative frameworks that go beyond individual redress to include transformative measures. Furthermore, the paper examines how national jurisdictions and international legal bodies have engaged with and integrated the Court’s jurisprudence, reinforcing its broader impact on the protection of women's rights. The findings suggest that the IACtHR has played a crucial role in shaping a more robust and enforceable legal framework for gender justice in the Inter-American system and beyond.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Niesje Vanduffel
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Niesje Vanduffel https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 126
ending page: 150
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10299

Foreword from the Editorial Board
type: item
subject: Acknowledgements and Foreword
  topic: section
creator: Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 6
ending page: 7
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v6.11910

Acknowledgment from the Editor-in-Chief and the Deputy Editors-in-Chief
type: item
subject: Acknowledgements and Foreword
  topic: section
creator: Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu
creator: Hevenly Padron
creator: Sanjana Srivastava
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu, Hevenly Padron, Sanjana Srivastava https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 8
ending page: 9
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v6.11906

Defining and legitimizing violence in the modern world
type: item
description: This article aims to explore understandings of violence beyond the use of force and aggression through an analysis of the persistent and evolving nature of violence within the context of late-stage capitalism, (neo)colonialism, and imperialism, arguing that violence is not just a physical or immediate phenomenon but also a systemic, symbolic, and slow process embedded within the structures of modern global societies, The text draws on the work of decolonial and Global South scholars to propose how despite decolonization movements, colonial legacies persist in the structures of neoliberalism, albeit in a less visible manner, and in the continued exploitation of the Global South by Global North countries through new forms of colonialism and capitalism. This piece proposes defining and understanding violence through different lenses and frameworks - acknowledging socio-political, economic, and structural factors and how they interplay into systems of oppression and harm to perpetuate violence; offering criticisms on violent legacies of the past as well as violent practices of the present through imperialism and different modern-day expressions of colonialism. Moreover, discussions on the weaponization of language to inflict and legitimize violence are explored, in tandem with presenting other conceptualizations of violence such as slow violence (with an environmentalist emphasis), economic exploitation through trade, and the forcing into debt of Global South countries in the name of development/modernity. To conclude, the text invites a critical reflection of the current economic and political systems and their impacts on our everyday lives to address the constant metamorphoses of violence as it continues to permeate the world we exist in and in different manifestations of violence beyond the use of force and aggression.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Valeria Couttolenc Gonzalez
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Valeria Couttolenc Gonzalez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 151
ending page: 169
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10423

Enforcing Human Rights Through Conventionality Control
type: item
description: Observing the practice of the Inter-American Court, this article will criticise the doctrinal effectiveness of conventionality control as a mode of regional enforcement of human rights. The article firstly criticises the theoretical argument that conventionality control is a more effective way to enforce state human rights compliance. Firstly, there is no actual legal basis both explicitly in the American Convention on Human Rights, and implicitly through precedent from the decision of Almonacid or by invocation of the principle of effectiveness. Without authority there is no normative reason for States to subject their own domestic law to the Inter-American Court to enforce human rights. Secondly, the article criticises the systematic illegitimacy in unjustifiably restraining the actions of democratically legitimate states. Systematic illegitimacy gives no normative reason for states to comply where their own democratic autonomy is denied and infringed, leading to non-compliance with human rights judgements. This is illustrated in the cases Gelman and Fontevecchia. Finally, this article proves these normative issues in practice through an empirical analysis of the low compliance rates in conventionality control judgements. The article then engages with the highly complied alternative friendly settlement process which by comparison proves that conventionality control is ineffective due to it’s lack of dialogue with the states. Therefore, if the states have no normative reasons to subject their domestic laws or comply with enforcement orders, and in practice conventionality control does not cause high compliance in contrast to non-maximalist dialogic mechanisms, then conventionality control is an ineffective mode of regional enforcement of human rights.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Jack Dias-Harrison
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Jack Dias-Harrison https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 170
ending page: 190
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10405

About the Journal
type: item
subject: Acknowledgements and Foreword
  topic: section
creator: Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu
creator: Sanjana Srivastava
creator: Hevenly Padron
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sofia Negri Nunes de Abreu, Sanjana Srivastava, Hevenly Padron https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 10
ending page: 10
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v6.11907

Learning from Global South Approaches to Tackle Refugee Crises - Assessing the Impact of Latin American Refugee Norms and Practices on the Global Compact on Refugees
type: item
description: With wars and civil unrest brewing in all corners of the world, many states are struggling with an increased influx of refugees. However, by being a refugee-producing as well as -accepting region, Latin America has developed a unique approach towards forced migration over the past decades, characterised by solidarity between states and with refugees. This paper argues that this put the region into a favourable position to influence the UN negotiations on the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) between 2016 and 2018. Since valuable contributions to solve global problems by the Global South often remain underestimated or disregarded, the article highlights the extent to which Latin America’s participation, written statements, and regional conference papers may have impacted the creation of the GCR. It is explored how the Global Compact’s emphasis on solidarity and the linking of concepts like development and integration were likely shaped by the region’s inputs – potentially contributing to positive changes for the human rights of refugees.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Hannah Kroker
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Hannah Kroker https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 191
ending page: 215
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10390

Male-Centred Norms and Intimate Partner Femicides: A Case Study in German Homicide Law
type: item
description: This paper examines male-centred norms and femicide from a feminist criminology perspective, conducting a case study of the German criminal law's response to intimate partner femicide. Focusing on the legal framework of homicide in the German Criminal Code (StGB), it critiques the doctrinal understanding of the statutory wording ‘despicable reasons’ in the context of femicide as perpetuating gendered biases rooted in male-centred norms. By analysing case law and feminist criminological scholarship, the paper highlights how the case law’s concept of ‘ordinary psychological motives’ fails to adequately address gendered violence. It calls for a different perception of ‘the ordinary’ to better reflect the gendered dynamics of intimate partner femicide on a case-by-case approach.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Criminal Law
  topic: keywords
subject: femicide
  topic: keywords
subject: feminist criminology
  topic: keywords
subject: General Strain Theory
  topic: keywords
creator: David Linkerhägner
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 David Linkerhaegner https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 216
ending page: 240
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10408

“If I Have Nothing to Hide, I Have Nothing to Fear”: privacy, public and private surveillance in the digital age
type: item
description: The 'nothing to hide' argument has been described as the 'most common retort against privacy advocates': suggesting that state surveillance only threatens criminals, and ordinary, law-abiding citizens should have nothing to fear. This essay critically evaluates the 'nothing to hide' argument in light of surveillance in the digital age - both by governments and private actors. It will argue that people generally have things that they would rather keep private, and that breaches of this privacy can lead to 'information-based harms'. Whilst UK and European surveillance law has developed safeguards against these, there remain significant risks in the form of foreign and private surveillance. Ultimately, it contributes to an ongoing discourse about the limits of individual privacy, and the role of the internet in democratic societies.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Jared Higgins
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Jared Higgins https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 241
ending page: 257
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10312

On the Margins: The Disenfranchisement of Communities in International Human Rights Law as Portrayed
type: item
description: This article conducts a comparative review of the perspectives presented in Rosa Ehrenreich Brooks' "Feminism and International Law: An Opportunity for Transformation" and Ratna Kapur's "The (Im)Possibility of Queering International Human Rights Law”. It examines the similarities in the authors' overarching understandings of the nature of the contemporary human rights system, on the one hand, and their converging views on the effectiveness of dialogue, the theoretical lenses they adopt, and their verdicts on the role of the West, on the other. Ultimately, it concludes that despite their differences in argumentation, the insights of both authors reveal that the current human rights framework does not adequately fulfil the needs and interests of women and queer individuals, serving as a stepping stone for future research as to how the system can be transformed to better serve all the individuals and groups it claims to serve.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Christina Yuen
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Christina Yuen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 258
ending page: 266
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10636

Solidarity and Responsibility-Sharing: Does the Global Compact on Refugees advance core principles of international refugee law?
type: item
description: It is well established that there is a substantial gap between rhetoric and state practice of solidarity in international refugee protection. This article reflects on the Global Compact on Refugee’s normative impact in advancing the principle of solidarity and responsibility-sharing for the refugee crisis. First, the article will introduce current inequitable responses to refugee protection, evidenced by Global North states’ strategies of deterrence and externalisation of borders. Then, the article will briefly discuss the development of international refugee law, with a specific focus on the normative gap regarding international solidarity and responsibility-sharing, which the Compact intended to fill. At this juncture, the perspectives of postcolonial scholars are introduced to centre the critique on the Compact’s failings within the broader discussion of international law’s colonial roots and neo-colonial impacts. Finally, the future of responsibility sharing for international refugee protection is pondered in an effort to understand whether it is possible for international refugee law frameworks to equitably address and remedy the historical injustices of colonial project which perpetuate the contemporary crisis.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Charlotte Stump
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Charlotte Stump https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 267
ending page: 285
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10422

The Intersection of International Criminal Law and Human Rights Law: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Paradox of Justice
type: item
description: This study undertakes a philosophical examination of the intersection of international criminal law and human rights law, revealing the paradoxical tensions between the pursuit of justice and the protection of human rights. Through a critical analysis of the normative foundations of these two fields, this research discloses the differing ontological and epistemological assumptions underlying international criminal law and human rights law. Employing a qualitative research methodology, this study conducts an in-depth examination of the major international criminal law and human rights law instruments, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Additionally, this research undertakes a critical discourse analysis of the jurisprudence of international criminal law and human rights law institutions, including the International Criminal Court and the European Court of Human Rights. This study argues that the paradox of justice at the intersection of international criminal law and human rights law stems from the differing conceptions of justice and human rights that underlie these two fields. While international criminal law prioritizes retributive justice and the punishment of perpetrators, human rights law emphasizes restorative justice and the protection of human dignity. To reconcile this paradox, this research proposes a philosophical framework that integrates the insights of both fields. Drawing on the concepts of "justice as recognition" and "human rights as capabilities," this study develops a novel approach to understanding the intersection of international criminal law and human rights law. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between justice, human rights, and international law. This research informs strategies for enhanced cooperation and accountability between international criminal law and human rights law institutions, ultimately promoti…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Calistus Abang
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Calistus Abang https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 286
ending page: 309
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10264

The Capacity of Indonesia as a Source Country in Enabling Trafficking in Person
type: item
description: This paper examines the analytical discussion that Indonesia, as an origin or source country, has an enabling role in trafficking in person (TIP). It argues that the failure of the government’s institutional and social dimensions in the source countries is the main reason which facilitates the widespread acts of TIP in Indonesia. This article consolidates insights from the extensive literature on the combination of the sociology, criminology, politics, economy and cultural aspects of TIP to find the key drivers of TIP in the source country. In this regard, it asserts that the institutional factors, failure of effective bureaucracy, the lack of fiscal capacity, and weak border-security management can create a permissive situation for TIP and maintain the prevalence of trafficking flows. While the social aspects, with the government’s ineffective social assistance policy, can pertain acts of TIP as it is unable to address the root causes of economic viability at the individual levels.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Devina Millenia
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Devina Millenia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 310
ending page: 326
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10374

The Invisible Killings: The Epidemic of Transfemicide
type: item
description: The killing of transgender women is a widespread social problem throughout the world. Nonetheless, these crimes are often made invisible by their mislabeling and the lack of research surrounding them. This paper provides a contribution which explores the reconceptualization of the killing of transgender women from anti-trans hate crimes to transfemicide. This paper uses a case-study approach to analyse the killings of transgender women in Argentina and specifically the case of Diana Sacayàn and its judgment. By exploring the differences that arise between naming the murder as a hate crime, femicide or transfemicide the paper positions itself in the politics of naming. Indeed, the argument is made that transfemicide is the only term able to capture the unique experiences of transgender women because of their inherent intersectional identities and the continuum of violence and discrimination they face in their day-to-day life often ending in their murder.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Martina Semino
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Martina Semino https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 327
ending page: 345
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10286

The Lacunae in the Rome Statute for the Exercise of Universal Jurisdiction by the International Criminal Court
type: item
description: The issue of “universal jurisdiction” reveals a legal chasm in the applicability of the Rome Statute and have plagued the International Criminal Court with criticisms for not having the right to exercise such jurisdiction over international crimes. Universal jurisdiction can be simply defined as “the exercise of jurisdiction regardless of any other acknowledged jurisdictional relationship to a State party to the Statute”. This question of universal jurisdiction becomes especially important when currently, the Court is recently struggling to exercise jurisdiction over the crimes committed in the Philippines, in the context of their government’s "War on Drugs" campaign, due to the withdrawal of the country as a State Party to the Statute on March 17, 2019. This article provides an insight into such lacunae of the Statute in terms of adequately preparing the ICC for exercising its jurisdiction in such situations or cases.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Anwesha Mishra
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Anwesha Mishra https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 346
ending page: 365
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10337

The Mafia State: Criminal Governance in Sinaloa, Mexico, in 2006-2016
type: item
description: Organised crime has often adopted mixed characteristics, often shifting away from its central economic identity and evolving into a social and political actor. Mexican drug-trafficking organisations are one such manifestation of this mixed character, increasingly so since the 2006 militarisation of the War on Drugs during the Calderón administration. During the first 10 years, Mexico faced a sharp increase in violence and the pervasive influence of organised crime in politics, sparking debates of whether it has become a “narco-state” or a “mafia state.” This paper demonstrates that this development of the War marks an increasingly political nature of the Sinaloa Cartel in a two-level conflict against the federal government and other drug-trafficking organisations vying for power and influence. The research highlights that the political nature of drug-trafficking has been present in Mexico since the early 20th century but returned to strengthen and reinforce economic power derived from criminal activities. This historical political nature is only possible with the presence of a weak state, allowing for a crime-governance nexus to develop and embed the illicit drug trade in Mexican society, thereby further strengthening and legitimising the political character of the Sinaloa Cartel. Tackling drug-trafficking will remain at the top of the political and security agenda for the foreseeable future. However, understanding the political dynamics and interactions between organized criminal groups and the government will be crucial to comprehending the ongoing development of the War on Drugs.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Fracia Baeke
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Fracia Baeke https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 366
ending page: 411
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10354

The Role of Hate Speech in Inciting Genocide: A Case Study of Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines in Rwanda
type: item
description: This research investigates the critical role of Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM) in inciting the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Examining the station's establishment, programming, and rhetoric within the historical and political context of pre-colonial, colonial, and post-independence Rwanda, this study argues that RTLM functioned as a powerful instrument of propaganda, directly contributing to the mass violence. The research analyzes how RTLM systematically dehumanized the Tutsi population through derogatory language and stereotypes, portraying them as "cockroaches" and enemies of the state, thus lowering psychological barriers to violence. By combining popular music, talk shows, and news broadcasts, RTLM effectively disseminated hate speech to a broad audience, particularly the youth, who were later mobilized as perpetrators. This study further explores the correlation between specific RTLM broadcasts and outbreaks of violence, demonstrating the station's direct role in triggering and escalating the genocide. Through an examination of key International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) judgments, including the Nahimana et al. and Ruggiu cases, this research analyzes the legal implications of RTLM's actions, emphasizing the responsibility of media actors in inciting genocide. Finally, the research discusses the implications for international law and policy on hate speech, genocide prevention, and media regulation, highlighting the crucial lessons learned from the Rwandan tragedy and suggesting future directions for preventing similar atrocities.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
creator: Rawnak Miraj Ul Azam
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Rawnak https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-08
publication date: 2025-12-08
starting page: 412
ending page: 437
doi: 10.2218/ccj.v5.10257