JURIST Guest Columnist Vivian Curran of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law says that the Armenian genocide law must be viewed in the context of French lois mémorielles, the complex history of France and EU law, noting that the French Constitutional Court will have to carefully balance dedication both to human rights and to [...]

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Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed legislation Monday legalizing same-sex marriage , making Washington the eighth jurisdiction in the US to offer marriage to same-sex couples. Washington had previously granted expanded domestic partnership rights rather than full marriage or civil union rights to same-sex couples. Gregoire’s signature completed a campaign for marriage rights that started in [...]

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The first trial of alleged Indonesia bomber Umar Patek began Monday in the West Jakarta District Court over his role in several terrorist plots including the Jakarta church bombings in 2000 and the 2002 Bali nightclub bombing . Patek was arrested in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in 2011, just a few weeks before US special forces killed [...]

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The Greek Parliament approved austerity measures late Sunday, securing a second bailout for the country to avoid bankruptcy amidst rioting and violence in downtown Athens. A total of 199 lawmakers voted for the measures with 74 members of parliament voting against the package. Protesters clashed with police outside parliament after the vote, looting and burning [...]

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The Supreme Court of Pakistan charged Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with contempt of court Monday for disobeying a court order to open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari . Gilani appeared before the court and pleaded not guilty, saying he will fight the charges. The Supreme Court claims Gilani defied a court [...]

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The UK High Court of Justice ruled Friday that the Bideford Town Council does not have authority to conduct prayers at the beginning of its official meetings. The judgment followed a Judicial Review initiated by the National Secular Society (NSS) to challenge the practice of prayers as part of the formal business of council meetings, [...]

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Malaysian officials confirmed Sunday that a Saudi reporter facing a possible death penalty charge in his country was handed over to Saudi officials for deportation. Malaysia national spokesman Ramli Yoosuf announced that Hamza Kashgari, 23, was flown back to Saudi Arabia under a warrant for arrest issued Monday by Saudi authorities. A lawyer appointed by [...]

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