Former Polish leader General Wojciech Jaruzelski testified Thursday at the resumption of his trial that he had no choice but to impose martial law on Poland in 1981. Jaruzelski, who is charged with "organizing crimes of a military nature," among other offenses, read from a 200-page statement : I constantly state that martial law saved [...]
The US Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear 10 cases , including two implicating the land rights of Native peoples, during its term that begins next week. In Hawaii, et al. v. Office of Hawaiian Affairs, et al. (07-1372) , the court will consider whether a congressional resolution acknowledging the 100th anniversary of the [...]
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) last Friday ended the segregation of five defendants currently in pretrial detention. The decision, released to the public on Wednesday, was a response to an appeal filed by defendant Nuon Chea , who argued that the prison conditions were too restrictive. In May 2008, the Pre-Trial [...]
The US Senate voted Wednesday to approve legislation establishing a cooperative nuclear energy agreement with India. The bill, entitled the "United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act," was approved by a vote of 86-13 , and now heads to the White House for signature. The agreement is an important step for India, and [...]
The annual UN Treaty Event , celebrated yearly to promote universal participation in international treaties and agreements, concluded Wednesday after a number of states signed and ratified various treaties and conventions. This year's event, entitled "Treaty Event 2008: Towards Universal Participation And Implementation – Dignity And Justice For All Of Us," celebrates the sixtieth anniversary [...]
Rob Boston : "Several of the pastors who took part in the so-called "Pulpit Freedom Sunday" have been arguing that they have a free speech and freedom of religion right to endorse or oppose candidates from the pulpit. They do – but only if they give up their tax exemption first. Tax exemption is a [...]
The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on Wednesday ruled that the United States Postal Service (USPS) was entitled to immunity in a lawsuit alleging that a postal employee had interfered with the delivery of a political opponent's campaign fliers ahead of a municipal election. The court held that such conduct was covered [...]
Millions of Americans have been effectively disenfranchised because of criminal convictions, according to a report released Wednesday by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Brennan Center for Justice . The report found that state and county election officials receive little or no training regarding the applicable laws, resulting in widespread misunderstanding. It continued: [...]
The Russian Supreme Court on Wednesday declared the 1918 killing of Tsar Nicholas II an act of political "repression." The ruling, long sought by the Tsar's descendants, is seen an exoneration of the country's last monarch, who had been villainized as "Bloody Nicholas" since the country's Bolshevik revolution which led to his ouster and death. [...]
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) released a report Wednesday expressing concern over a proposed UK anti-terror bill which would allow authorities to detain terror suspects without charge for up to 42 days . The group said that to decrease the risk of mistreatment, the [...]
