Brazil: Country Becomes a New Host of the Permanent Court of Arbitration
On January 8, 2025, an agreement entered into force enabling Brazil to become a host country of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). The PCA is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, that facilitates the resolution of international disputes. Under the agreement, Brazil will provide facilities and services for PCA proceedings.In August 2017, … Continue reading “Brazil: Country Becomes a New Host…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2025-04-24
Article
Germany: Arbitration Tribunal Established to Address Nazi-Looted Art Claims
On March 26, 2025, the German federal government and the German states signed an administrative agreement that establishes an arbitration tribunal and provides for unilateral access to arbitration to deal with nazi-looted art claims. The tribunal replaces an advisory commission that had been handling such claims since 2003.The tribunal is slated to start its work … Continue reading “Germany: Arbitration Tribunal Established to Address…
Contributor:
Gesley, Jenny
Date:2025-04-23
Article
Guatemala: Congress Sets Stricter Penalties for Migration and Credit Card Offenses
On February 18, 2025, the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala introduced reforms to the Penal Code when it enacted Decree No. 2-2025. Supported by 108 of the 160 deputies in Congress, this legislation establishes stricter penalties for specific crimes, particularly those linked to migration-related offenses and credit card cloning.Decree No. 2-2025 was published on March … Continue reading “Guatemala: Congress Sets Stricter Penalties…
Contributor:
Alvarez, Stephania
Date:2025-04-22
Article
Israel: Abuse by Deceased Husband Recognized as Humanitarian Ground for Granting Residence Status
On April 8, 2025, Israel’s Supreme Court upheld the appeal of a domestic violence survivor, originally a resident of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), granting her Israeli residence status on humanitarian grounds after the death of her permanent resident husband. (FM 7995/22 Anonymous v. Minister of Interior, Supreme Court, State of Israel, the Judicial … Continue reading “Israel: Abuse by Deceased Husband Recognized…
Contributor:
Levush, Ruth
Date:2025-04-21
Article
Italy: New Environmental Protection Measures Enter in Force
On October 18, 2024, a new decree-law on the environment entered into effect in Italy. Decree-Law No. 153 of October 17, 2024, which was converted into law through Law No. 191 of December 13, 2024, contains measures on environmental protection, environmental assessments and authorizations, the remediation of contaminated sites, the circular economy, and more.Environmental Assessments To … Continue reading “Italy: New Environmental Protection Measures…
Contributor:
Figueroa, Dante
Date:2025-04-18
Article
France: National Assembly Adopts Narcotrafficking Law
On April 1, 2025, the French National Assembly passed a draft law to combat narcotrafficking in France (the Narcotrafficking Law). The legislation enacts the recommendations of a 2024 Senate committee report calling for enhanced criminal penalties for drug crimes and the reorganization of the government departments that fight drug trafficking. The National Assembly approved the … Continue reading “France: National Assembly Adopts Narcotrafficking Law”
Contributor:
Gilbert, Louis
Date:2025-04-17
Article
Israel: Knesset Adopts Controversial Reform on Appointing Judges
On March 26, 2025, Israel’s parliament approved a law to overhaul the judicial appointment process. The law, the Basic Law: the Judiciary (Amendment No. 4), will increase political influence in judicial appointments while reducing the sway of judges who sit on the judicial selection committee. The 120-member Knesset approved the law by a vote of … Continue reading “Israel: Knesset Adopts Controversial Reform on…
Contributor:
Levush, Ruth
Date:2025-04-16
Article
England and Wales: Bill Targets AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
The Home Office’s proposed Crime and Policing Bill would make it illegal to possess and distribute information on how to use artificial intelligence (AI) to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The proposal was introduced in parliament on February 25, 2025.The government contends that if the legislation is enacted, the United Kingdom would become the … Continue reading “England and Wales: Bill Targets AI-Generated…
Contributor:
Feikert-Ahalt, Clare
Date:2025-04-15
Article
Italy: Enhanced Road Safety Rules Enacted
On December 14, 2024, a new road safety law entered into effect in Italy. Law No. 177 of November 25, 2024 amends the Criminal Code and the Traffic Act and introduces rules on impaired driving, suspended licenses, scooters, and more. It also requires the government to review and reorganize the Traffic Code to further improve road … Continue reading “Italy: Enhanced Road Safety Rules…
Contributor:
Figueroa, Dante
Date:2025-04-14
Article
England and Wales: Proposed Law Would Ban SIM Farms
The Home Office’s flagship Crime and Policing Bill aims to ban SIM farms, with limited exceptions. The bill, introduced in Parliament on February 25, 2025, would make it illegal for a person to supply or possess a SIM farm. SIM farms are not currently regulated, and they are inexpensive and easy to purchase online. SIM farms … Continue reading “England and Wales: Proposed Law…
Contributor:
Feikert-Ahalt, Clare
Date:2025-04-10
Article
Brazil: New Decree Regulates the Use of Force by Police
On December 23, 2024, Brazil enacted Decree No. 12,341, which prescribes when and how police may use firearms and less-than-lethal weapons. The decree’s stated objective is to foster “effectiveness, openness, respect for professionals, and adherence to human rights.” (Art. 1.)The purpose of Decree No. 12.341 is to enhance the effectiveness of Law No. 13,060, of December … Continue reading “Brazil: New Decree Regulates the…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2025-04-09
Article
Belgium: Bans on Reloading Russian Liquified Natural Gas Come into Force
On March 18, 2025, the Belgian government approved a royal decree that introduced two restrictive measures targeting liquified natural gas (LNG) from Russia. The decree established:a ban on providing reloading services within the European Union (EU) for transshipment operations involving LNG originating in or exported from Russia; anda ban on offering, directly or indirectly, technical … Continue reading “Belgium: Bans on Reloading Russian Liquified…
Contributor:
Gilbert, Louis
Date:2025-04-08
Article
Thailand: Government Warns Foreign Investors Over Illegal Condo Rentals
On February 28, 2025, a government spokesperson warned foreign investors that it is illegal to buy condominiums in Thailand and rent them to foreign tourists for short-term stays.The Ministry of Interior instructed the Department of Provincial Administration to inspect condominiums in areas where illegal rentals are suspected, the spokesperson said. If a violation is found, … Continue reading “Thailand: Government Warns Foreign Investors Over…
Contributor:
Umeda, Sayuri
Date:2025-04-07
Article
Georgia: Parliament Enacts New Limits on Conduct at Public Demonstrations
On December 13, 2024, the Parliament of Georgia adopted amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations. That law regulates the conduct of people exercising their constitutional right to gather publicly, without weapons, indoors and outdoors without prior permission. The amendments place new restrictions on participants at such gatherings. They took effect on December 29, … Continue reading “Georgia: Parliament Enacts New Limits on…
Contributor:
Roudik, Peter
Date:2025-04-04
Article
Panama-Costa Rica: Countries Enter Agreement to Transport Southbound Migrants
On February 11, 2025, the governments of Panama and Costa Rica agreed to collaborate in a joint program to provide transportation to southbound migrants traveling through the two countries to return to their nations of origin.According to Panamanian authorities, this agreement addresses a recent increase in the number of migrants who are leaving North America … Continue reading “Panama-Costa Rica: Countries Enter Agreement to…
Contributor:
Guerra, Gustavo
Date:2025-04-03
Article
China: Amendments to Supervision Law Extend Detentions, Introduce New Restrictive Measures
On December 25, 2024, the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress passed amendments to the Supervision Law, which established a new supervisory organ of the state to investigate corruption and other abuses of office by public officials. This was the first time the law was amended since its enactment in 2018. Under the amendments, supervision … Continue reading “China: Amendments to Supervision Law…
Contributor:
Zhang, Laney
Date:2025-04-02
Article
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland: Bill Would Expand the Offense of Encouraging or Assisting Serious Self-Harm
On February 25, 2025, the Home Office introduced legislation (the Crime and Policing Bill) that would make it a criminal offense for a person to conduct an act that is capable of encouraging or assisting another person to inflict serious self-harm. Serious self-harm need not occur for an individual to be guilty of the offense, … Continue reading “England, Wales, and Northern Ireland: Bill…
Contributor:
Feikert-Ahalt, Clare
Date:2025-04-01
Article
Pakistan: Parliament Passes Bills to Prevent Human Trafficking and Overseas Organized Begging
In mid-February, the Parliament of Pakistan passed three bills to deal with rising cases of human trafficking and organized begging and to impose stricter penalties on lawbreakers. The bills are the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Emigration (Amendment) Bill 2025.They were … Continue reading “Pakistan: Parliament Passes Bills to Prevent…
Contributor:
Ahmad, Tariq
Date:2025-03-31
Article
South Africa: New Expropriation Act Signed into Law
On January 20, 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024. This legislation repeals and replaces the Expropriation Act 63 of 1975. It provides a framework for the expropriation of property to serve public purposes or the public interest. It sets out procedures for expropriations and compensation and identifies situations … Continue reading “South Africa: New Expropriation Act Signed…
Contributor:
Goitom, Hanibal
Date:2025-03-27
Article
Chile: New Anti-Terrorist Law Takes Effect
On February 4, 2025, President Gabriel Boric of Chile signed into law a new Anti-Terrorist Law, Law No. 21.732, which sets a new definition of “terrorist,” creates new investigative processes, and establishes stronger sentences for those who engage in terrorist activities.The new legislation repeals and replaces Law No. 18.314, Chile’s previous anti-terrorist law that was … Continue reading “Chile: New Anti-Terrorist Law Takes Effect”
Contributor:
Goitom, Hanibal
Date:2025-03-26
Article
El Salvador: New Law Encourages Development of Artificial Intelligence
On February 26, 2025, the El Salvador Legislative Assembly approved the Law for the Promotion of Artificial Intelligence and Technologies to promote the development, research, and application of artificial intelligence and similar technologies. This comprehensive legal framework seeks to encourage innovation while ensuring public safety and the ethical use of AI. The law’s primary objective … Continue reading “El Salvador: New Law Encourages Development…
Contributor:
Alvarez, Stephania
Date:2025-03-25
Article
Turkey: Government Agency Finds Publication of Unverified Customer Reviews an Unfair Business Practice
On February 13, 2025, the Advertisement Council issued a decision requiring companies to ensure that customer reviews are from genuine customers. The decision requires commercial actors to verify that comments and reviews published on websites where they sell goods or services were submitted by consumers who purchased the goods or services at issue.The council is … Continue reading “Turkey: Government Agency Finds Publication of…
Contributor:
Goitom, Hanibal
Date:2025-03-24
Article
Taiwan: Constitutional Court Addresses Capital Punishment
On January 16, 2025, Taiwan’s Minister of Justice announced that death row inmate Huang Lin-Kai was put to death. The action came after the Constitutional Court’s 2024 ruling in Judgment 113-Hsien-Pan-8, which addressed judicial decision-making in capital punishment cases.Constitutional Court’s RulingThe Constitutional Court issued Judgment 113-Hsien-Pan-8 on September 20, 2024, in response to petitions from … Continue reading “Taiwan: Constitutional Court Addresses Capital Punishment”
Contributor:
Zhang, Laney
Date:2025-03-21
Article
Uzbekistan: New Law Updates Rules on Protecting and Classifying State Secrets
On December 27, 2024, the president of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, signed the Law on State Secrets (No. ZRU-1016).The law establishes procedures for identifying and safeguarding state secrets; classifying and declassifying them using new levels of secrecy; and regulating those who hold them. It also prescribes the powers of the state bodies that oversee classified information.The … Continue reading “Uzbekistan: New Law Updates Rules on…
Contributor:
Fremer, Iana
Date:2025-03-20
Article
Germany: Constitutional Court Allows Special Session of Outgoing Parliament to Vote on Amendments to Constitutional Budget Rules
On March 13 and March 17, 2025, the German Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht, BVerfG) rejected several emergency petitions seeking to enjoin the holding of a special session of parliament on March 18, before the new parliament that was elected on February 23 is constituted on March 25. The special session was convened to vote on … Continue reading “Germany: Constitutional Court Allows Special Session…
