Editing 2001 (section)

== Politics and law ==
{{Main|2001 in politics}}[[Freedom House]] recognized 63% of national governments as electoral democracies by the end of 2001, with the Gambia and Mauritania being recognized as democracies following peaceful transfers of power. Peru also saw a significant expansion of civil rights after emerging from the authoritarian rule of [[Alberto Fujimori]]. Argentina, Liberia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe underwent significant [[democratic backsliding]] in 2001, with Liberia and Zimbabwe recognized as authoritarian governments by the end of the year. 64.65% of the world's population lived in countries that generally respected human rights, while 35.35% lived in countries that denied political rights and civil liberties.<ref name="Karatnycky-2002">{{Cite report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/Freedom_in_the_World_2001-2002_complete_book.pdf |title=Freedom in the World: The Annual Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties 2001-2002 |last=Karatnycky |first=Adrian |date=2002 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019090656/http://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/Freedom_in_the_World_2001-2002_complete_book.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Islamic terrorism]] became the predominant global political concern amidst the September 11 attacks and the War on Terror. [[Islamic extremism]] was identified as a major threat to democracy and human rights, both in the [[Muslim world]] through the implementation of [[Islamism]] and in the rest of the world through terrorism.<ref name="Karatnycky-2002" />{{Undue weight inline|date=December 2023|reason=This is cited to a booklet published by Freedom House in 2002. Its contents are intently focused on the latter half of 2001 and it does not have the required historical distance to view these events with clarity.}} [[Racial discrimination]], the ability to prosecute human rights violators, the number of refugees, and the problems of economic disadvantage were among the global human rights concerns that were given the most attention in 2001.<ref name=":5" />{{Rp|page=312}}

=== Domestic politics ===
[[File:De la Rúa deja Casa Rosada (21 dic 2001).jpg|thumb|Former Argentine president [[Fernando de la Rúa]] leaving the ''[[Casa Rosada]]'' after resigning on December 21]]
The [[Islamic State of Afghanistan]] was the ''[[de jure]]'' government of Afghanistan in 2001, but for several years it had operated as a [[government in exile]] while the Taliban-led [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)|Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan]] held ''[[de facto]]'' control over most of the country.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ibrahimi |first=S. Yaqub |date=2017-11-02 |title=The Taliban's Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001): 'War-Making and State-Making' as an Insurgency Strategy |journal=Small Wars & Insurgencies |volume=28 |issue=6 |pages=947–972 |doi=10.1080/09592318.2017.1374598 |s2cid=148986180 |issn=0959-2318}}</ref>  The Islamic State of Afghanistan was restored to power following the invasion of Afghanistan with the appointment of president Hamid Karzai on December 22.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=43}}

[[Joseph Kabila]] became president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following [[Assassination of Laurent-Désiré Kabila|the assassination]] of his father, President. [[Laurent-Désiré Kabila]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/time2002annual00edit |title=Time Annual 2002 |publisher=Time Magazine |year=2002|isbn=9781929049622 }}</ref>{{Rp|page=77}} President [[Abdurrahman Wahid]] of Indonesia was removed from office after thousands of protesters stormed the parliament building, and he was replaced by Vice President [[Megawati Sukarnoputri]], daughter of former president [[Sukarno]].<ref name="the Guardian-2001a" /><ref name=":4" />{{Rp|page=77}} The [[Second EDSA Revolution]] took place in the Philippines in January when President [[Joseph Estrada]] resigned amid an [[Impeachment of Joseph Estrada|impeachment]], and he was succeeded by Vice President [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]].<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|page=77}} The [[1998–2002 Argentine great depression|Argentine great depression]] escalated with [[December 2001 riots in Argentina|rioting]] in December, prompting President [[Fernando de la Rúa]] to resign on December 20 and the fall of the interim government soon after.<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|page=16}}<ref name=":9" />

Kosovo and East Timor both held elections for the first time in 2001 as they sought independence.<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|page=18}} Other changes in leadership included the [[First inauguration of George W. Bush|inauguration]] of [[George W. Bush]] as [[President of the United States]], the [[2001 Peruvian general election|election]] of [[Alejandro Toledo]] as [[President of Peru]],<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|page=16}} the selection of [[Junichiro Koizumi]] as [[Prime Minister of Japan]],<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|page=19}} and the [[2001 Israeli prime ministerial election|election]] of [[Ariel Sharon]] as [[Prime Minister of Israel]]. Other leaders saw reconfirmation, including the [[2001 Iranian presidential election|reelection]] of [[Mohammad Khatami]] as [[President of Iran]] and the victory of the United Kingdom's [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] led by [[Tony Blair]] in [[2001 United Kingdom general election|the 2001 election]].<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|page=77}}

In response to the September 11 attacks, the United States passed the controversial [[Patriot Act]] that granted the U.S. government significant surveillance powers.<ref name=":8" /> Ghana underwent its first peaceful transfer of power since 1979 when [[John Kufuor]] was sworn in as [[President of Ghana]] on January 7.<ref name="auto19">{{Cite report |url=https://www.systemicpeace.org/polity/P5Ghana2018.pdf |title=Ghana |date=2018 |publisher=Center for Systemic Peace |access-date=2022-12-02 |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205172817/https://www.systemicpeace.org/polity/P5Ghana2018.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The Netherlands became the first modern country to legalize [[same-sex marriage]] on April 1.<ref name="William Binchy-20072">{{cite book |author1=Oran Doyle |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b4IhAQAAIAAJ |title=Committed Relationships and the Law |author2=William Binchy |publisher=Four Courts Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-84682-087-8 |page=89}}</ref> The [[King of Nepal|royal family of Nepal]] was [[Nepalese royal massacre|killed]] on June 1 by Crown Prince [[Dipendra of Nepal|Dipendra]], who became king upon his father's death. Dipendra fell into a coma after shooting himself, and he died days later. He in turn was succeeded by his uncle [[Gyanendra of Nepal|Gyanendra]].<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|pages=72–73}} The [[Constitution of the Comoros]] was [[2001 Comorian constitutional referendum|amended]] on December 24, creating a federal government with a rotating presidency and granting increased autonomy to the three island administrations.<ref name="auto15">{{Cite report |url=https://www.systemicpeace.org/polity/P5Comoros2018.pdf |title=Comoros |date=2018 |publisher=Center for Systemic Peace |access-date=2022-12-02 |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202041859/https://www.systemicpeace.org/polity/P5Comoros2018.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== International politics ===
[[File:Genova-G8 2001-Incidenti a Corso Torino.jpg|thumb|Anti-globalization activists burning a military vehicle outside of the [[27th G8 summit]]]]
Two major regional organizations were announced in 2001. The [[African Union]] was established on May 26 as a pan-African forum to promote unity between African countries, including cooperation in economic and security issues, and would replace the [[Organisation of African Unity]] in 2002.<ref name="Adeniyi-2016" /> The [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] was announced on June 15 to facilitate political and economic cooperation between Asian countries.<ref name="SCO-2017" /> Three countries joined the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) in 2001: Lithuania on May 31,<ref name="Lithuania-2021">{{Cite web |date=2021-05-31 |title=Lithuania marks 20th anniversary of its accession to the World Trade Organization |url=https://ca.urm.lt/default/en/news/lithuania-marks-20th-anniversary-of-its-accession-to-the-wold-trade-organization-1 |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania |last1=Kryptis |first1=Dizaino }}</ref> Moldova on July 26,<ref name="auto23">{{Cite web |date=2021-07-26 |title=The Republic of Moldova marks 20 years since joining the World Trade Organization |url=https://mfa.gov.md/en/content/republic-moldova-marks-20-years-joining-world-trade-organization |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova |archive-date=November 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120215454/https://mfa.gov.md/en/content/republic-moldova-marks-20-years-joining-world-trade-organization |url-status=live }}</ref> and China on December 11.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |title=China and the WTO |url=https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/china_e.htm |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=World Trade Organization |archive-date=February 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224134433/https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/china_e.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The WTO began the [[Doha Development Round]] in November to negotiate lower trade barriers between countries and integrate developing nations into the global economy.<ref name=":6" />{{Rp|page=18}}

The [[World Conference against Racism 2001]] began on August 31, in [[Durban]], South Africa, under&nbsp;the auspices of the [[United Nations]].<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web |title=Racism and Human Rights (World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance - 2001) |url=https://www.hrw.org/legacy/campaigns/race/ |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=Human Rights Watch |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209022152/https://www.hrw.org/legacy/campaigns/race/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Israel and the United States withdrew from the conference on September 3 over objections to a draft resolution document equating [[Zionism]] with racism and singling out the Jewish state for war crimes.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|date=2009-04-20 |title=Anti-Semitism at the UN |url=https://www.dw.com/en/controversy-over-israel-dogs-un-racism-conference-again/a-4193498 |access-date=2022-12-04 |archive-date=2022-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120043740/https://www.dw.com/en/controversy-over-israel-dogs-un-racism-conference-again/a-4193498|website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=en}}</ref> The [[Aarhus Convention]] took effect on October 30, establishing the right to environmental information and [[environmental justice]] for European and Central Asian countries.<ref name="auto7">{{Cite journal |last=Rodenhoff |first=Vera |date=2002 |title=The Aarhus Convention and its Implications for the 'Institutions' of the European Community |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9388.00332 |journal=Review of European Community & International Environmental Law |language=en |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=343–357 |doi=10.1111/1467-9388.00332 |issn=0962-8797 |access-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202223718/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9388.00332 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[27th G8 summit]] was marred by anti-globalization protests in [[Genoa]], Italy. Massive demonstrations, drawing an estimated 200,000 people, were held against the meeting. One demonstrator, [[Death of Carlo Giuliani|Carlo Giuliani]], was killed by a policeman, and several others were injured.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|page=76}}{{Failed verification|date=November 2023}} The September 11 attacks demonstrated a need for international law to address terrorism and other non-state actors, and a push by UN Secretary General [[Kofi Annan]] in November saw progress in multiple international treaties.<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|page=491}} The [[Convention on Cybercrime]], the first international treaty to address [[cybercrime]], was signed on November 23.<ref name="Weber-2003" />

Diplomatic disputes in 2001 included a [[Hainan Island incident|diplomatic incident]] when an American [[Reconnaissance aircraft|spy plane]] and a Chinese [[fighter plane]] collided over the South China Sea,<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|pages=70–71}} and a dispute between Japan and North Korea when the North Korean leader's son, [[Kim Jong-nam]], attempted to sneak into [[Tokyo Disneyland]].<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|page=76}} [[Achievement test]]s and stricter penalties against delinquent students became controversial educational practices in several countries.<ref name=":5" />{{Rp|page=206}}

=== Law ===
{{Multiple image
| image1            = Milosevic in Hague (cropped 4 to 3 ratio).jpg
| image2            = Radislav Krstic2013.jpg
| footer            = Former Serbian President [[Slobodan Milošević]] and general [[Radislav Krstić]] both faced prosecution in 2001 by the [[International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia]].
| total_width       = 250
}}
Belgium set precedent when the government prosecuted crimes of the [[Rwandan genocide]], invoking a 1993 law that gave Belgian courts jurisdiction over [[Geneva Conventions]] violations that take place anywhere in the world.<ref name=":5" />{{Rp|page=226}} In another first for international law, the [[International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia]] determined that [[wartime sexual violence]] was a war crime.<ref name=":5" />{{Rp|page=374}} President [[Slobodan Milošević]] of Serbia (1997–2000) was arrested on April 1 for his role in the [[Srebrenica massacre]] and other crimes against humanity committed during the [[Bosnian War]]. He was the first head of state to see trial for war crimes in this manner.<ref name=":5"/>{{Rp|page=230}} The tribunal also prosecuted general [[Radislav Krstić]], bringing its first conviction for genocide.<ref name=":10"/>{{Rp|page=18}}

The [[International Court of Justice]] heard two new cases in 2001: Liechtenstein challenged Germany's claim that Lichtenstein property had been seized from Germany during World War II, and Nicaragua brought a challenge against Colombia regarding maritime borders. It delivered judgement in a 1991 case of a territorial dispute between Bahrain and Qatar, and it ruled in a German challenge against the United States that the court's own provisional orders are binding.<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|page=492}}