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3171. Uganda's Mining Legal Regime: Addressing Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), Risks and Revenue Loss in the Mineral Supply Chain

Author:
Onesmus Mugyenyi, Paul Twebaze, Phoebe Atukunda, Eugene Ssemakula, Peter Watua, and Oscord Mark Otile
Publication Date:
01-2025
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE)
Abstract:
Uganda's rich mineral endowment holds immense potential for economic development. However, illicit financial flows (IFFs) risks threaten to undermine this potential by diverting revenue away from critical national priorities. IFFs can occur at various stages of the mineral supply chain, from licensing and exploration to production and exportation. These illicit flows not only deprive the government of the much-needed domestic revenue but also hinder transparency and accountability within the sector. While the mining sector has in the past contributed significantly to Uganda’s economy reaching a peak of up to 30% of export revenue in the 1950S and 1960; the contribution has in the last few years declined to 2.2% of the country's GDP (Nyakabwa & Wepukhulu, 2023). This decline is partly attributed to illicit financial flows. As domestic revenue mobilization becomes increasingly important for Uganda’s long-term development, curbing illicit financial flows in the mining sector remains central to realising this goal. This briefing paper examines Uganda's current mining legal regime and its effectiveness in addressing IFFs risks along the mineral supply chain. It also identifies key, strengths, and gaps in the existing mining legalregime, and proposes recommendations for strengthening the legal and regulatory safeguards. By plugging these leaks in the system, Uganda’s mineral wealth will translate into tangible benefits for its citizens thus achieving economic development.
Topic:
Mining, Risk, Supply Chains, Minerals, Illicit Financial Flows, and Revenue
Political Geography:
Uganda and Africa

3172. Two decades of Chinese industry subsidies

Author:
Shuhui Xiang, Xinran Yin, and Yuan Zi
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Centre for Trade and Economic Integration, The Graduate Institute (IHEID)
Abstract:
This paper constructs a new database based on China's WTO subsidy notifications (2001–2022) and provides the first systematic overview of China's industrial subsidies over the past two decades. Five findings emerge. First, subsidies expanded rapidly, but direct fiscal support stabilized around 0.8 percent of GDP after 2008. Second, China has employed more subsidies than its income level would suggest, with striking policy persistence. Third, subsidies and tax incentives for FDI have declined, while those targeting specific industries and promoting innovation have grown. Fourth, wealthier and more trade-oriented provinces provide more local subsidies. Finally, subsidies are concentrated in a few sectors, and measures based on counts versus values reveal different patterns. These patterns reveal how China's subsidy strategy has evolved, offering insights to state-led development in the 21st century.
Topic:
Development, Economics, Innovation, WTO, and Subsidies
Political Geography:
China and Asia

3173. Defending before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda: An Interview with Philippe Larochelle

Author:
Philippe Larochelle
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Public International Law Policy Group
Abstract:
Philippe Larochelle, widely regarded as one of the leading lawyers in international criminal defense, has built his career representing clients in some of the most complex and high-profile international cases. The ability to navigate political and procedural challenges of international law quickly positioned him as a key figure in the international defense field. His commitment to due process, fairness, and the protection of fundamental legal rights, even in cases where public sentiment strongly favored conviction, has built his reputation across multiple international tribunals, including the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), International Criminal Court (ICC), and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. This blog explores the challenges and lessons that emerged from his particular set of cases before the ICTR. Through Larochelle’s setbacks and triumphs within the world’s second international tribunal, readers get a glimpse into the case preparation and trial process for these complex cases, and better understand the way in which these tribunals shape the legacies of conflict. Through Larochelle’s stories one thing becomes clear: uncovering the truth can only be accomplished through objective institutions, counsel, and judges; strong standards of evidence and procedure; expeditious trials; and stronger mechanisms to assess victims and witnesses.
Topic:
Genocide, International Law, Interview, and International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
Political Geography:
Rwanda and Global Focus

3174. Defending Before the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia: An Interview with Colleen Rohan

Author:
Colleen Rohan, Cailan Cumming, Kate Gibson, and Paul R. Williams
Publication Date:
11-2025
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Public International Law Policy Group
Abstract:
This blog presents the experiences and perspectives of Colleen Rohan, a prominent defense lawyer whose decades of defense practice encompass some of the toughest cases in U.S. domestic criminal law as well as landmark cases before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Through her personal journey in international criminal law, Rohan offers a singular perspective on the evolution of international defense, including the creation of the Association of Defence Counsel (ADC), the practical and ethical questions of representing persons accused of serious international crimes, and the procedural and institutional obstacles that shaped the early operations of the ICTY. Drawing upon Rohan’s experiences, readers gain insight into the daily realities of defense work, from navigating disclosure battles to fostering collegiality in a multicultural defense community, to the ways in which defense counsel must adapt to evolving legal systems. Her experiences illuminate both the successes and limitations of the ICTY, the development of substantive international criminal law, and the ongoing need for recognition, resources, and respect for defense practitioners in international tribunals.
Topic:
International Law, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and Legal Defense
Political Geography:
Yugoslavia and Global Focus

3175. The Inception of International Defense: An Interview with Dr. Mark S. Ellis

Author:
Mark S. Ellis, Emma Bakkum, and Paul Williams
Publication Date:
11-2025
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Public International Law Policy Group
Abstract:
This blog delves into the origins and evolution of the work of defense counsel before international criminal tribunals. It presents the reflections of Dr. Mark Ellis, based on his extensive experience providing assistance to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), his active involvement in the Saddam Hussein trial in Iraq, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), and the International Criminal Court (ICC), and his service as Executive Director of the International Bar Association (IBA). Through the examination of key defense developments, including the financial remuneration of defense counsel, assigning and selecting defense counsel, defense counsel ethics, and the role of bar associations, this blog traces the evolution of the defense counsel’s role in international criminal law, showcasing how defense contributions have shaped the fabric of international justice. Starting at the formative days of defense at the ICTY, including in the landmark Tadić case, the blog presents first-hand accounts of the key challenges and milestones faced by defense counsel appearing before the ICTY and beyond, illuminating key developments of the defense at international criminal tribunals, and laying the foundation for understanding the broader international justice system.
Topic:
International Law, Interview, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and International Criminal Law (ICL)
Political Geography:
Global Focus

3176. Performing Real Estate Value: The Elbtower and the Politics of the Future

Author:
Dasha Kuletskaya
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies
Abstract:
What is the source of real estate value? In this paper, I trace the development of the Elbtower skyscraper in Hamburg – from its origins in the 1997 architectural vision for HafenCity to the construction halt following the 2023 insolvency of the Signa Group. Through an analysis of the “political dramaturgy” (Oomen, Hoffman, and Hajer 2022) behind the development, I argue that real estate value is not an inherent metric rooted in objective material characteristics, but is instead “performed” (Callon 1998) through the strategic management of stakeholders’ “imagined futures” (Beckert 2016). In this process, the symbolic power of iconic architecture plays a crucial role, enabling developers to bypass conventional valuation methods based on market comparison and claim monopoly on the “rent of form” (Arantes 2019). In the paper, I show that imaginaries of urban future that are produced by architects and planners function as market devices – discursive assemblages mobilized by powerful stakeholders to socially construct real estate value. In conclusion, I argue that the performance of real estate value is ultimately a political project, in which state actors play a central role.
Topic:
Development, Politics, Architecture, and Real Estate
Political Geography:
Europe and Germany

3177. The Essential Contributions of Support Staff in International Defense: An Interview with Cécile Lecolle

Author:
Cécile Lecolle, Cailan Cumming, Kate Gibson, and Paul R. Williams
Publication Date:
11-2025
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Public International Law Policy Group
Abstract:
Justice in international criminal law is not solely determined by the strength of arguments or the weight of evidence—it is also shaped by those working behind the scenes. Support staff, often unseen and underappreciated, play a decisive role in the defense of the accused. Through the work of Cécile Lecolle, an experienced case manager and legal assistant, this blog explores the reality of defense support work in some of the most high-profile international criminal cases. Lecolle’s career demonstrates not only the immense responsibilities carried by support staff but also the broader inequities in international justice, including resource imbalances between the prosecution and defense, failures in disclosing exculpatory evidence, and the persistent stigma surrounding defense work.
Topic:
International Law, Interview, Staffers, and Legal Defense
Political Geography:
Global Focus

3178. Defining the Practice of International Criminal Defense: An Interview with Peter Haynes KC

Author:
Peter Haynes
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Public International Law Policy Group
Abstract:
This blog introduces the topic of defense of the accused before international criminal courts and tribunals. By drawing upon Peter Haynes KC’s extensive experience at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), and the International Criminal Court (ICC), it introduces several key themes to defense, including the structure of international defense teams, how to effectively defend the accused before international criminal tribunals, differences between domestic and international defense practices, and the future outlook for international criminal defense lawyers. Through the striking first-hand achievements of Peter Haynes in defending accused and managing defense teams at international criminal courts, this blog realistically positions international defense work within the international criminal law project and articulates standards that need to be met in order to effectively defend accused before international criminal courts and tribunals.
Topic:
International Law, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and International Criminal Law (ICL)
Political Geography:
Global Focus

3179. The Slippery Slope of Using Chemical Weapons in Sudan

Author:
David M. Crane
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Public International Law Policy Group
Abstract:
The use of gas in a conflict is prohibited under international law and has been for well over a century. Its use is a war crime, plain and simple. Full stop. The use of chemicals against a belligerent in an armed conflict is rare but not unheard of. It’s been used in the Iraq/Iran war in the 1980s, and the Assad regime in Syria dabbled in its use in the early 21st century. There is also evidence of the use of chemicals by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. The recent accusations surrounding the alleged use of chlorine gas by the Sudanese army in its conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are troubling and must not be ignored. On May 22, 2025, the United States accused the Sudanese military of using chemical weapons. Although they presented no evidence to back their claims, the implications are grave. International law strictly prohibits the use of chemical weapons, and chlorine gas is considered a violation under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), to which Sudan is a signatory. It's very concerning that chlorine, a substance commonly used in various industries, is reportedly being weaponized. The video evidence documented by the FRANCE 24 Observers team in September 2024, showing barrels dropping from the sky, is particularly alarming. If these claims are substantiated, they mark a dangerous escalation—not just for Sudan but for the principles of international law as a whole. This pattern—accusations followed by denials from military leaders—is reminiscent of other conflict zones where human rights are disregarded. The Sudanese military’s immediate dismissal of these allegations further obscures the truth and undermines the credibility of international monitoring. The historical context reminds us that the failure to hold violators accountable leads to a dangerous normalization of brutality in warfare. As I’ve previously remarked, “When we allow even the smallest infractions of international law to go unaddressed, we set a precedent that invites further violations.”
Topic:
International Law, Chemical Weapons, and Armed Conflict
Political Geography:
Africa and Sudan

3180. The Dangers of Selective State Support for International Tribunals: An Interview with Kate Gibson

Author:
Kate Gibson, Cailan Cumming, and Paul R. Williams
Publication Date:
11-2025
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Public International Law Policy Group
Abstract:
This blog presents the reflections of defense lawyer Kate Gibson, who has appeared as counsel in some of the most significant cases in international criminal law. Drawing on her extensive experience before domestic, international, and hybrid tribunals, this blog examines the critical role states play in supporting international courts and how selective support can affect investigations, security, the rights of the accused, and the overall accountability process. Gibson offers practical recommendations for strengthening state engagement and shares her perspective on the institutional reforms needed to uphold fair trial guarantees in international courts. From the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), and the International Criminal Court (ICC), Gibson’s work reveals both the promise and the deep flaws of the international criminal justice project, shedding light on some of the most overlooked aspects of the justice process.
Topic:
International Law, State, Interview, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
Political Geography:
Global Focus