Judges at London's High Court Monday rejected an appeal against the extradition of three Tunisian men arrested on terrorism charges who argued that their removal to Italy could ultimately lead to their torture. The three were arrested late last year in England after an Italian judge issued an European arrest warrants (EAWs) for them. In [...]
OMB Watch "Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice asserted in federal court that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should be immune from lawsuits filed in response to the massive formaldehyde contamination that has plagued hurricane recovery housing. FEMA provided this housing to many survivors of Hurricane Katrina. The U.S. Attorney representing FEMA claimed [...]
The 192-member UN General Assembly Monday unanimously voted to approve South African judge Navanethem Pillay as the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, replacing departing commissioner Louise Arbour . UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced lat Thursday that he was appointing Pillay to the post. UN critics and rights groups, including Human Rights Watch [...]
The human rights situation in China has continued to deteriorate as the start of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games draws closer, according to a report released Tuesday by Amnesty International (AI) . The report, which updated an April AI report detailing ongoing human rights abuses in the country, evaluated the Chinese government on its use [...]
The US Department of Defense (DOD) announced Monday that it has transferred three more Guantanamo detainees , one each to Afghanistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The unnamed individuals are among more than 65 Guantanamo detainees government officials have declared eligible for transfer. About 265 detainees remain at the base. The Bush administration has [...]
US President George W. Bush Monday approved the death sentence of US Army private Ronald A. Gray, marking the first time a president has approved a military execution since 1957. Gray was first tried by a civilian court for his connection to four murders and eight rapes in North Carolina in the mid-1980s. There he [...]
The Supreme Court of Thailand Monday agreed to hear a new corruption case against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and 47 others, including three current cabinet members. The case involves allegations of misconduct related to the national lottery system, and names Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Labor Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemas [...]
The US Justice Department Offices of Inspector General and Professional Responsibility concluded in a report issued Monday that department aides illegally made hiring decisions based on consideration of applicants' political and ideological beliefs. In early 2007, officials began investigating allegations that former DOJ aide Monica Goodling and two other aides considered the political affiliations of [...]
Lawyers representing Binyam Mohamed , the last British resident still detained at Guantanamo Bay , argued at a Monday High Court hearing in London that the UK Foreign Office should be compelled to turn over evidence necessary to his defense before a US military commission. The evidence sought allegedly shows that Mohamed was the victim [...]
An eyewitness' ability to recall specific details of an incident decreases dramatically in high-stress situations, according to a new study that could have long-ranging impact on law enforcement and legal procedures. The study, conducted by Tin Valentine and Jan Mesout of Goldsmiths , part of the University of London, measured participants' ability to recall details [...]
