An Israeli Cabinet official admitted for the first time Sunday that Israel employed phosphorous bombs against Hezbollah guerillas during this summer's conflict in Lebanon . Israeli Cabinet Minister Jacob Edery confirmed that the weapons were used during combat and not just for target marking, as had previously been asserted. The use of incendiary weapons against [...]
Thailand Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Sunday that a decision to lift martial law in Thailand must be made prudently and in close consultation with security officials, given continuing efforts in some quarters to undermine the new government that took power after a military coup on September 19 . Chulanont promised on October 10 that [...]
Britain's top judge has said that disregarding human rights will only breed resentment among immigrants to the UK and fuel support for terrorist efforts. In an address delivered late last week at the University of Hertfordshire, Lord Chief Justice Lord Phillips endorsed the increasingly-controversial Human Rights Act , and stressed that the judiciary was not [...]
Israel's Supreme Court has demanded that Israeli President Moshe Katsav explain within a week why he has not resigned or suspended his functions while facing a possible indictment for rape, sexual harassment, wire-tapping, and other charges , according to Israeli media reports Sunday. The court also urged Israeli Attorney General Menahem Mazuz to quickly decide [...]
California state corrections officials say that an emergency proclamation by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger aimed at relieving prison overcrowding by transferring prisoners to out-of-state facilities is set for implementation next month. The program, intending to reduce the overcrowding of 172,000 inmates in facilities designed for about 100,000, is intended to relieve the California Department of Corrections [...]
Arizona v. Gonzalez, US Supreme Court, October 19, 2006 . Read the full text of the ruling . Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.
Notice of Military Commissions Act of 2006, US Department of Justice, October 20, 2006 . Read the full text of the notice . Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) says that a Moroccan detainee held at Guantanamo Bay who was supposedly transferred to the government of Morocco on October 12 is missing, according to his family. Younes Chekkouri was allegedly arrested in Afghanistan for helping Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar recruit Moroccan supporters. A letter from the [...]
UK Home Secretary John Reid is soliciting bids for the provision of prison ships to house approximately 800 inmates to relieve pressure on Britain's overcrowded jails. The system has neared its 80,000 inmate limit and the country's reconviction rate has reached a record high. Currently, Great Britain has only one prison ship, HMP Weare, but [...]
US Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has urged the US Justice Department to appeal this week's federal court ruling vacating the conviction of former Enron Chairman and CEO Kenneth Lay . Feinstein wrote to US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Friday, calling the ruling "disconcerting" and warranting "immediate attention." US District Court Judge Sim Lake Tuesday vacated [...]
