Human Rights — Online Journal — Columbia Undergraduate Law Review

A Return to Public Square Trials? How Cancel Culture and Perp Walks May Undermine Trial Impartiality and Criminal Justice

A simple internet search of the term ‘cancel culture’ produces a series of daily stories on how online shaming has impacted an increasing number of individuals and companies, raising new social and legal questions. The term refers to the practice of withdrawing support or completely rejecting public figures or companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive, namely expressed through social media in the form of group shaming. This modern form of ostracism against someone who is ‘canceled’ depends, above all, on a judgement made in the court of public opinion. Unlike courts within a legally well-established judicial system, courts of public opinion rely on trends and opinions which may or may not be grounded in factual evidence.

Beatriz OliveiraJuly 21, 2021Cancel Culture, Procedural Rights, Civil and Political Rights, Human Rights, Perp Walk, Tort Law

Legally Impermissible at Home and Abroad: Debating the Permanence of the Philippines' Anti-Terrorism Act

On July 3, 2020, Republic Act No. 11479, commonly known as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, was passed into law in the Philippines. This new legislation effectively repealed Republic Act No. 9372, also known as the Human Security Act of 2007 (HSA), and aimed to prevent and prohibit terrorism. Due to the broad definition of terrorism and the acts included therein, critics believe that the Anti-Terrorism Act was signed with the ulterior motive of deterring government criticism, raising questions about the act’s legality.

Lauren ZhouOctober 4, 2020Philippines, Human Rights, ICCPR, Terrorism, International