Topic: Open Society Institute
All Content
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No more drug war in Latin America? Report explores new ways to fight drugs
A new OAS report looks at alternatives to prohibiting the drug trade, including legal market regulation, reform of the UN drug convention, and smarter policing.
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European court rules that terror suspect was abused while in CIA custody
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor today of Khaled El-Masri, who was mistaken as a terrorism suspect in Macedonia in 2003 and handed over to the CIA for interrogation.
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From 'no' to 'yes,' how Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana
A day many thought they would never see has come and gone. In November, after years of, 'Just say no,' Colorado and Washington state both voted to legalize small amounts of marijuana for adults over 21.
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Change Agent Nonprofits work to help legal immigrants become US citizens
The costly, lengthy, labyrinthine path to US citizenship can take two years to complete, dissuading many from trying. Nonprofits are jumping in to help.
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Latin America Monitor What's the role of Afro-Colombian and Colombian women in the FARC peace talks?
Colombian women have faced internal displacement, militarization, sexual violence, and the forced recruitment of their children into the conflict. Their input is vital at the negotiating table, says a WOLA blogger.
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Latin American nations push UN to drop zero tolerance on drugs
Former and sitting Latin American presidents have issued calls against the status quo on drug policy, but Colombia, Mexico, and Guatemala's petition to the UN could push the drug war debate to a new level.
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Difference Maker Bruce Lasky trains young lawyers in Asia to defend the poor and powerless
The New York City native quietly champions legal reforms in Southeast Asia, a region where the rule of law is often weak and governments are criticized for their human rights records.
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US transfers control of Bagram prison to Afghans
The United States handed control of the controversial giant Bagram prison to Afghan authorities on Monday. Hundreds of Afghan soldiers watched as an Afghan flag was hoisted in front of the prison at the huge US-run airfield north of Kabul, as part of a plan to withdraw foreign troops from combat operations in 2014.
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US hands over control of Bagram prison to Afghans
Some 3,000 suspected Taliban insurgents are currently locked up in the Bagram jail, which the US will control a small part of, even after Monday's handover.
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Poland begins uncovering story of secret US detention center
An official probe has begun into how much the Polish government knew about a covert US detention center outside Warsaw where the CIA may have tortured members of Al Qaeda.
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After the US pulls out, will CIA rely more on Afghan mercenaries?
Thousands of Afghan mercenaries are believed to be helping America battle Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and their allies. But they're accused of flagrant human rights abuses.
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George Soros gives $27 million to Africa project
George Soros pledge for Millennium Villages project will help 500,000 people in 10 countries meet UN development goals. George Soros gave $50 million when the project launched in 2006.
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Afghanistan: NATO's night raids cause more harm than good, report says
A dramatic rise in the number of NATO's night raids in Afghanistan, aimed at capturing insurgents, is souring relations with the Afghan people, according to the new report.
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Can George Soros, Michael Bloomberg save New York's troubled young men?
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a $127.5 million plan Thursday to help young black and Hispanic men. The effort includes money from financier George Soros and his philanthropy.
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Opinion: Tyrants in Africa: little states, big problems
If we can’t promote democratic values and responsive governance in microstates like Djibouti and Swaziland, we have no business attempting nation-building elsewhere.
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Congo's preparation for elections lags, both in planning and funds
Congo is only seven months away from elections, but the parliament is still considering changes to the electoral law and donor support is far less than requested.
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Nigeria election delay marks yet another setback for democracy
Nigerians are debating whether the move to delay the parliamentary vote by two days once it had started on Saturday was necessary in order for the vote to be considered legitimate.
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Difference Maker Liberia's only woman newspaper editor packs a 'Punch'
Ora Garway runs the tiny newspaper Punch, which despite its modest size has exposed the need for reform in Liberia, a West African country still recovering from a civil war.
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In restless Kashmir, desire for independence grows
Even among Pakistani Kashmiris, who share a religion with Islamabad, the desire for independence is growing because of discontent with the economy, difficulty of movement, and identification with Indian Kashmiris.
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Locked out: The 12 million people without a country, and the need to become a citizen
The victims of shifting borders, politics, or the happenstance of birthplace, the world's 12 million stateless people and their need to become citizens are rising on the international human rights agenda.
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Afghanistan war: As civilian deaths rise, NATO says, 'Sorry.'
In the Afghanistan war, NATO forces chief Gen. Stanley McChrystal publicly apologized Tuesday for 27 Afghan civilian deaths in a US airstrike. The coalition has begun saying 'sorry' more quickly to civilian deaths, as part of a new hearts and minds strategy.
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Difference Maker 'The Aftermath Project': Photographers go back after the war
The effects of war linger past the fighting, as Sara Terry found out herself when she documented a mass grave being dug up in Bosnia.
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As US seeks closer ties with Turkmenistan, government cracks down on students
Turkmenistan has prevented dozens of students from travelling abroad to study at a US-sponsored university, and has harassed some that have come home.
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Iran gives US citizen Kian Tajbakhsh 12 years for political activity
American citizen Kian Tajbakhsh sentenced to at least 12 years by Iran for activity related to post-election protests. He plans to appeal, and his friends call charges baseless.
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Arrest of Mugabe rival threatens Zimbabwe's unity government
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's police forces detained Roy Bennett, an aide to his chief rival, and coalition partner, Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday, roiling the unity government that has helped stabilize Zimbabwe.
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