Human Rights: Law or Just Statements of Aspiration?

One of the purposes of the United Nations as stated in its Charter is to “promote and encourage respect for human rights,”[i] thereby instilling a legal obligation on member States to do all possible to ensure the achievement of the goals. Thus, the assumption that human rights are statements of aspirations and not law does not reflect the purposes of the Charter, or the developments of HR law over...

Charles Taylor; Innocent Until Proven Guilty? Maybe..

On July 14th former President of Liberia Charles Taylor took to a seat to defend himself from Charges of "war crimes" and other "crimes against humanity." A trial set by the Special Court of Sierra Leon (SCSL), held at the Hague. Mr. Taylor, before the trial started (on January 7th 2008) and until now still maintains his innocence (as many defendants in such cases usually do). I have just a few thoughts...

Ye Ma Wo Akwaaba Wofa Obama!

Please find below Obama's speech earlier today. In my own opinion it was a very well thought of, beautifully delivered (as usual), tough, straight to the point and held no prisoners. This speech offers African leaders only one option, join the chariot of democracy and respect of basic human rights or be left behind. I know as a fact that almost all the youth of Africa listened to this speech but more...

Is Aid Dead? Not to Those Who Think It Alive....

During this years G8 summit I think it only fit to discuss one of the main pressing questions that have gained enormous momentum since the release of the critically acclaimed "Dead Aid" by Dambisa Moyo, that is, the question of "AID" is aid dead in Africa as Ms. Moyo claims or is it the duty of the worlds richest economies to continue to sustain those that are "slacking behind." Now when we phrase...