Argentina Senate approves judicial reform bill
May 10, 2013
The Argentine Senate approved a bill Wednesday intended to democratize the judiciary, but critics believe that the reform may leave judges vulnerable to political influence. Under the new bill members of the Council of Magistrates, the board that appoints federal judges, will be elected. The reform....... [more] 
New judge to preside over trial of Guatemala ex-dictator
April 24, 2013
The Guatemalan Constitutional Court on Tuesday ordered Judge Jasmine Barrios to annul the case of former Guatemalan dictator General Efrain Rios Montt over the genocide of Mayan Indians. The Constitutional Court also ordered the case sent back to Judge Carol Patricia Flores, who now has 24 to 48 ho....... [more]
Argentina appeals court declares media law unconstitutional
April 19, 2013
An Argentinian appeals court on Wednesday struck down key parts of a 2009 media law that was designed to dismantle the media empire Clarin. The controversial bill, which would force Clarin to sell profitable business assets, was signed into law by President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner in Octobe....... [more]
Uruguay congress gives final approval to same-sex marriage bill
April 11, 2013
Uruguay's House of Representatives gave final approval on Thursday of the Marriage Equality Law, which allows same-sex couples to marry. Uruguay's Senate approved the bill last week. The bill passed the lower house of congress with 71 of 92 lawmakers voting in favor, despite strong opposition from....... [more]
Guatemala appeals court upholds acquittal of former president Portillo
April 10, 2013
An appeals court in Guatemala City announced Tuesday that it has upheld a lower court decision which acquitted former President Alfonso Portillo of criminal charges that he had stolen over USD $15 million during his time as president. In 2011 the criminal charges of embezzlement against Portillo wer....... [more]
Uruguay Senate approves same-sex marriage bill
April 3, 2013
Uruguay's Senate on Tuesday voted 23-8 in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. The bill creates one law covering marriage for both heterosexual and homosexual couples. It allows couples decide whose surname goes first when naming children; clarifies rules for adoption and in-vitro fertilization....... [more]
European countries commence legal action against Google over privacy policy
April 2, 2013
Six European countries, including France, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Italy, on Tuesday agreed on joint legal action against Google over its privacy policy. The countries claim that 13 months ago when Google merged 60 separate privacy policies, including email, video, social-network....... [more]
EU court rules Spain evictions violate consumer protection laws
March 14, 2013
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled Thursday that evictions carried out in Spain under harsh property repossession laws violate EU consumer protection laws. According to the ECJ, Spain's laws contravene EU laws because they do not allow national courts to stop evictions taking place due to pos....... [more]
Spain Supreme Court strikes down city burqa ban
February 28, 2013
The Spanish Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a city ban on wearing veils over the face in municipal buildings, finding that the law infringes on religious freedom. The city of Lleida, in Catalonia, was the first Spanish city to impose such a ban, but only about 3 percent of its population is Mu....... [more]
Argentina congress approves pact with Iran to probe community center bombing
February 28, 2013
The National Congress of Argentina on Thursday approved an agreement with Iran to investigate the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. Argentinian courts have long accused Iran of sponsoring the attack, which killed 85 people, and in 2007 Argentinian authorities secured Interp....... [more]
Puerto Rico Supreme Court upholds same-sex adoption ban
February 22, 2013
Puerto Rico's Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a law banning same-sex couples from adopting children. The case was brought by a woman who wanted to adopt the child of her partner of 20 years. In a 5-4 judgment, the court upheld the constitutionality of a law making it legally impossible for a perso....... [more]
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