The protection of individuals in post-conflict Kosovo: the applicability of international human rights law and international humanitarian law to a new generation of peacekeeping operations.

On 10 June 1999 the United Nations Security Council adopted Security Council Resolution 1244 thereby authorising the establishment of both international civil and security presences in the Kosovo region of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). Tins paper seeks to examine the applicability of human rights and international humanitarian law norms to the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) and Kosovo Force (KFOR) operations and their relative protections for individuals in Kosovo. Together, both UNMIK and KFOR serve to govern the Kosovo region to the exclusion of the Yugoslav government, and with such a concentration of power it is essential that individuals are adequately protected. This protection, if it exists, must come from international human rights law and/or international humanitarian law, which are both driven and underpinned by the ideal of the protection of individuals. Tins thesis investigates the extent to which UNMIK and KFOR operate within the framework of these bodies of law. A comparison of the conceptual and material similarities and differences between international human rights law and international humanitarian law is undertaken, with a view to investigating their relative strengths and weaknesses as a means of furthering the aim of protection of the individual. An examination of the applicability of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, respectively, to the UNMIK and KFOR operations is undertaken, and finally, a brief examination of the remedies available to individuals for violation of these legal norms is undertaken. The paper concludes that the framework in which the UNMIK and KFOR operations is incomplete with regard to protections for individuals and suggests that guidelines need to be established for this new generation of peacekeeping operations

Clear cell variant of oral squamous cell carcinoma: case report and review

The clear cell variant of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is an uncommon histological variant. Kuo first discovered it in the skin, and Frazier et al. found it in the oral cavity. We know of only nine cases of clear cell variant of OSCC reported in the literature till now. The present case is in a 60-year-old male patient with an ulcer on the left posterolateral border of the tongue. The patient had a history of chewing tobacco for 22 years. Clinical examination showed features of malignant ulcer associated with pain and discomfort. Histopathological examination revealed sheets and islands of atypical epithelial cells with clear cytoplasm, nuclear and cellular pleomorphism, and few keratin pearls in the connective tissue suggesting OSCC. Various special stains were performed to identify clear cells. Periodic Acid Schiff-Diastase (PAS-D) and Mucicarmine stains showed positive and negative reactions in clear cells, respectively. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) showed diffuse positivity in clear cells and other epithelial cells. Based on special stains and IHC markers, we confirmed the diagnosis as a clear cell variant of OSCC. This variant is rare and presents diagnostic challenges. It is said to be aggressive in nature. More such cases should be reported to understand its biological behavior and prognosis

Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia, Merits Amicus Curiae Brief Submitted on behalf of the Human Rights Law Centre of the University of Nottingham

This is an amicus curiae brief at the merits stage in the case of Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia (nos 8019/16, 43800/14, 28525/20 and 11055/22) before the European Court of Human Rights, filed on behalf of the Human Rights Law Centre at the University of Nottingham, which was granted permission by the President of the Grand Chamber to act as third party intervenor in the case. The Centre previously filed an amicus brief at the admissibility stage of the proceedings, dealing exclusively with issues raised by the 2014 downing of the MH17 airliner over Eastern Ukraine.After the Court declared the application admissible on 30 November 2022, it joined it with the case filed by Ukraine dealing with the full-scale invasion by Russia. The brief is confined to the outstanding jurisdiction issues that were not dealt with in the Court’s admissibility decision, as well as the interpretation of Article 2 of the ECHR in light of applicable rules of international humanitarian law (IHL). This brief considers the relationship between the ECHR and IHL more fully than our brief at the admissibility stage, particularly in light of the Court’s joinder of application no. 11055/22 that concerns numerous acts of hostilities committed in the international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine since February 2022.The first part of the brief addresses the issues of jurisdiction that are to be determined by the Court at the merits stage, discussing the rules relating to jurisdiction that apply to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine since February 2022. In particular it argues that the Court should overrule the restrictive approach it had adopted in its Georgia v. Russia (No. 2) judgment. This section also confirms the rules of attribution that should be considered when assessing state responsibility for a violation of the ECHR. The second part of the brief examines how Article 2 of the ECHR should be interpreted in light of the applicable rules of IHL. It discusses in particular how Article 2 should be interpreted jointly with Article 15(2) ECHR, which permits derogation from the right to life in respect of deaths resulting from lawful acts of war, and how the Court should take into account IHL rules on distinction, proportionality, precaution and means and methods of warfare in its analysis. Finally, the third part of the brief examines how mistake of fact in the use of lethal force should be considered in light of the obligations under Article 2 of the ECHR and applicable rules of IHL

Violence against women with disability in Mumbai, India: a qualitative study

"We conducted open-ended interviews with 15 women with disability who had reported violence in a preceding survey. Emergent themes included a lack of acceptance by families, the systematic formation of a dependent self-image, and an expectation of limited achievement. Emotional violence was particularly emphasized, as was perceived structural violence stemming from social norms, which led to exclusion and vulnerability. Violence in the natal home was an issue that had been relatively uninvestigated.

Impact of echocardiographic left ventricular geometry on clinical prognosis

Abnormal left ventricular (LV) geometry, including LV hypertrophy (LVH), is associated with increased risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events and all-cause mortality and may be an independent predictor of morbid CV events. Patients with LVH have increased risk of congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, sudden cardiac death and stroke. We review the risk factors for LVH and its consequences, as well as the risk imposed by concentric remodeling (CR). We also examine evidence supporting the benefits of LVH regression, as well as evidence regarding the risk of CR progressing to LVH, as opposed to normalization of CR. We also briefly review the association of abnormal LV geometry with left atrial enlargement and the combined effects of these structural cardiac abnormalities

Clear cell variant of oral squamous cell carcinoma: case report and review

The clear cell variant of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is an uncommon histological variant. Kuo first discovered it in the skin, and Frazier et al. found it in the oral cavity. We know of only nine cases of clear cell variant of OSCC reported in the literature till now. The present case is in a 60-year-old male patient with an ulcer on the left posterolateral border of the tongue. The patient had a history of chewing tobacco for 22 years. Clinical examination showed features of malignant ulcer associated with pain and discomfort. Histopathological examination revealed sheets and islands of atypical epithelial cells with clear cytoplasm, nuclear and cellular pleomorphism, and few keratin pearls in the connective tissue suggesting OSCC. Various special stains were performed to identify clear cells. Periodic Acid Schiff-Diastase (PAS-D) and Mucicarmine stains showed positive and negative reactions in clear cells, respectively. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) showed diffuse positivity in clear cells and other epithelial cells. Based on special stains and IHC markers, we confirmed the diagnosis as a clear cell variant of OSCC. This variant is rare and presents diagnostic challenges. It is said to be aggressive in nature. More such cases should be reported to understand its biological behavior and prognosis

Prognostic implications of left ventricular hypertrophy

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was one of the earliest studied echocardiographic characteristics of the left ventricle. As the myriad of measurable metrics has multiplied over recent years, this reliable and relevant variable can often be overlooked. In this paper, we discuss appropriate techniques for accurate analysis, underlying pathophysiology, and the contributions from various risk factors. The prognostic implications of LVH on stroke, serious arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death are reviewed. Finally, we examine the effect of therapy to reduce LVH and the resultant clinical outcomes. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved