The American Journal of Political Science Law and Criminology

UNDERSTANDING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' ENGAGEMENT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT: A STUDY OF CONTACT AND CONFIDENCE

G. Grayson Adams — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The relationship between Indigenous peoples and law enforcement agencies has been a subject of considerable attention, particularly due to historical and ongoing issues surrounding systemic discrimination, cultural misunderstandings, and a lack of trust. This study explores the dynamics of Indigenous peoples' engagement with law enforcement, focusing on the extent and nature of contact, as well as the levels of confidence and trust in police services. Through surveys and interviews with Indigenous individuals and communities, the research examines how factors such as personal experience with law enforcement, perceived biases, and cultural differences shape their interactions with police officers. The findings highlight significant disparities in the ways Indigenous peoples view law enforcement, with many expressing a lack of confidence in the police, particularly in relation to issues of accountability and fairness. The study also explores potential pathways for improving police-Indigenous relations, including cultural sensitivity training for law enforcement, community policing models, and greater involvement of Indigenous voices in shaping law enforcement policies. Understanding these relationships is critical to fostering safer and more equitable interactions between Indigenous communities and law enforcement agencies.

THEORY AND PRACTICE OF REGIONAL SECURITY: UZBEKISTAN IS THE LEVER OF REGIONAL SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA

Qurbonov Arslonqul Amonovich — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article examines certain issues regarding the theory and practice of regional security. The concepts of region and regional security are defined and their main aspects are touched upon. As a result of the analysis of theoretical and practical materials, the author comes to the conclusion about the importance of regions and subjects of international law, including Uzbekistan, in ensuring regional security in Central Asia.

THE NEXUS BETWEEN CORRUPTION AND RESOURCE THEFT: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY IN RESOURCE-RICH NATIONS

Patrick G. Onogwu, Olanrewaju Lawal — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The nexus between crude oil theft, corruption, and national security in Nigeria is complex and multifaceted. Oil theft directly impacts the nation's economy by reducing government revenue, which in turn limits the resources available for critical public services, including security and law enforcement. Corruption, by weakening governance and fostering impunity, compounds these security threats, allowing criminal networks to thrive This study investigates the intricate relationship between crude oil theft, corruption, and national security in Nigeria. The study utilised a longitudinal research design, examining secondary data from 2013 to 2023, including metrics such as oil theft, political corruption, violent events, and fatalities. Data from sources like the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and the World Bank's political corruption index were analysed using Poisson regression to assess the effects of oil theft and corruption on national security. Findings revealed that crude oil theft has a statistically significant positive relationship with violent events, while political corruption, represented by the political corruption index, shows a strong negative relationship with security, with an estimate of -

26.475. This could imply that corruption may sometimes act as a stabilising force whereby, in corrupt systems, those in power might suppress violence to maintain order and avoid public attention that could threaten their positions. However, political corruption has a substantial positive effect on fatalities, with an estimate of 19.589. This highlights that as corruption increases, fatalities rise significantly, pointing to the detrimental impact of corruption on state institutions and the rule of law. These findings also suggest that while crude oil theft directly contributes to insecurity, political corruption may reduce overt violence by maintaining fragile stability. Therefore, addressing these issues requires a nuanced approach. Policymakers must recognise that combating corruption and oil theft alone will not be sufficient to ensure national security; instead, strategies should tackle both issues simultaneously, understanding that reducing visible violence does not always eliminate the underlying causes of insecurity.

ENHANCING ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPARENCY IN UZBEKISTAN: LEGAL PERSPECTIVES FROM THE AARHUS CONVENTION FRAMEWORK

Bobir Turdiev — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This article examines the potential of the Aarhus Convention as a framework for enhancing transparency and upholding human rights in Uzbekistan. As Uzbekistan faces pressing environmental challenges, including pollution and climate-related risks, transparency in environmental governance is critical. Through policy analysis and legal review, this study assesses how Uzbekistan’s current legislation aligns with the Convention’s requirements on information access, with Kazakhstan’s experience serving as a comparative example. Findings reveal significant gaps in Uzbekistan’s transparency framework, particularly in timely access to data, public engagement, and legal accountability, underscoring the importance of adopting the Aarhus Convention. The study provides recommendations for Uzbekistan to bridge these gaps, aiming to strengthen transparency, enhance environmental data availability, and foster public trust in environmental decision-making.

THE ROLE OF PRESIDENTIAL PARDONS AND PARLIAMENTARY AMNESTIES IN UZBEKISTAN'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Fayzullokhon DUMAEV — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This research examines the development, implementation, and impact of presidential pardons and parliamentary amnesties in Uzbekistan's criminal justice system from independence in 1991 through the present day. Through systematic analysis of legal frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and documented practices, this study investigates how these clemency powers have evolved and their role in shaping criminal justice outcomes. Drawing on primary legal sources, international organization reports, and scholarly analyses, this research contributes to the understanding of post-Soviet legal development and criminal justice reform in Central Asia. The findings reveal the complex interplay between executive and legislative clemency powers while highlighting both achievements and challenges in their implementation.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS GOVERNING INDIVIDUAL REHABILITATION

Gulom Shodiev — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this article, the international documents, the international standards established in them, on the rehabilitation of the victims of the actions (inaction) and decisions of the bodies and officials authorized to conduct criminal proceedings, compensation for the material and moral damages caused to them, and their provision by the state have been studied and analyzed. In particular, the author presents analytical views on the measures that should be taken to rehabilitate, compensate for the harm caused to, and integrate into society those whose human rights and freedoms have been unlawfully restricted or deprived, unjustly or unjustly convicted, unjustly arrested, or imprisoned, in declarations, conventions, and international pacts adopted by the UN and other international organizations.

JUDICIAL PERSPECTIVES ON FORENSIC HYPNOSIS: A REVIEW OF CASE LAW AND BEST PRACTICES

Dr. Henry Wilson — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Forensic hypnosis, the use of hypnosis to aid in the retrieval of memories for legal purposes, has garnered attention within the judicial system as a potential tool for enhancing witness testimony and recovering forgotten details. This review examines the intersection of forensic hypnosis and the legal framework, focusing on judicial perspectives, case law, and best practices. It analyzes landmark cases that have shaped the admissibility of hypnotically retrieved testimony, highlighting the varying standards adopted across jurisdictions. The review also addresses the ethical considerations surrounding the use of hypnosis in legal contexts, including concerns about memory distortion and suggestibility. Furthermore, it discusses best practices for practitioners, emphasizing the importance of maintaining scientific rigor and ethical standards when employing hypnosis in forensic settings. The findings underscore the need for ongoing legal education regarding forensic hypnosis to ensure its responsible application within the courts.

POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION AND INSTITUTION BUILDING IN CAMEROON

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Cameroon has been embroiled in prolonged conflicts, including the Anglophone Crisis and the Boko Haram insurgency, both of which have deeply impacted the nation's socio-political fabric. The central problem is the breakdown of institutions, displacement of populations, and socio-economic instability, necessitating urgent post-conflict reconstruction. This study aims to explore the key challenges and barriers to reconstruction, assess the roles of national and international actors, and analyze strategies to build institutions for sustainable peace and stability. The research draws on hybrid peace and conflict transformation theories and adopts a qualitative research design, relying on secondary data sources. Through an in-depth analysis of official documents, scholarly articles, and reports from international organizations, this study provides a comparative examination of similar post-conflict settings, such as Rwanda and Sierra Leone. Data were systematically analyzed to identify key themes related to governance, security, and institutional reform. Findings reveal that political instability, lack of decentralization, and limited financial resources significantly hinder effective reconstruction efforts. Governance challenges, including corruption and centralization of power, impede institution-building, while socio- economic issues, such as ethnic and linguistic divisions, further complicate peacebuilding efforts. International actors and NGOs play a vital role but often lack coordination, limiting the effectiveness of their interventions. The study concludes that Cameroon’s post-conflict reconstruction requires comprehensive reforms. Decentralization, inclusive governance, and accountability must be prioritized. International efforts should align with local needs, emphasizing long-term development over short-term aid. Effective security sector reform, alongside strategies for institutional capacity-building, will be essential to fostering peace and preventing future conflict.

POLITICAL SPEECH AND ITS IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

Saidkhon T. Saidolimov, Nurali A. Ulugov — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This article deals with political speech and its meaning, the role of a speechwriter in preparing public speeches, as well as the impact of a prepared speech on the public. In it, in particular, speech is considered as an important element of mutual communication and social relations, playing a special role in the sustainable development of the state and society. It is argued that a speechwriter must be able to understand and feel people’s moods, their hopes and goals, and also take into account the place and importance of each word and sentence.

LEGAL REGULATION OF ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORKS AND THEIR ROLE IN SUPPORTING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN UZBEKISTAN

Markhabo Nazarova — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The article is dedicated to the study of the legal regulation of entrepreneurial networks in Uzbekistan and their role in supporting women entrepreneurs. The relevance of the topic is driven by the need to expand economic opportunities for women and integrate them into entrepreneurial activities. The article examines the legal acts governing the creation and functioning of such networks and analyses the mechanisms by which they can be leveraged to enhance women’s economic activity. The methodological framework includes an analysis of existing legislation and international practices. The research also provides a comparative analysis of international experiences and develops recommendations for improving the legal framework to strengthen the role of entrepreneurial networks in supporting women-led businesses. As a result, key barriers have been identified, and recommendations are proposed to enhance the legal regulation for more effective support of women entrepreneurs.

FREE MOVEMENT OF TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS WITHIN EUROPEAN UNION

Axtamova Yulduz Axtamovna — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

There are two types of doctrines applied by Member States to deciding the connecting factor: the real seat theory and incorporation theory. Accordingly, a decentralized nature of multinational enterprises (MNEs) involves various cross-border operations. The aim of this paper is to explore to what extent these transnational objectives of MNEs can be achieved under the freedom of establishment principle of EU law and incorporation theories of Member States.