[JURIST] Chinese officials say they will ask China's top legislative panel, the Standing Committee [committee functions] of the National People's Congress [overview], to settle a term limit dispute between Beijing and pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong. The issue arose last month when Hong Kong's Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa announced his resignation because of poor health. Hong Kong lawmakers argue that Basic Law [text], the territory's mini-constitution, says that the successor should serve a full five year term. Mainland experts believe the next leader should finish the remaining 2 years of Tung's term. AP has more.

[JURIST] The Canadian Parliament will vote Tuesday on opposition-proposed amendment to Bill C-38 [text of the bill in English and French], the federal legislation that would extend civil marriage to same sex couples. The amendment introduced by federal Conservative party leader Stephen Harper [official profile] would reverse the intent of the bill by defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Thousands protested against same sex marriage on Parliament Hill in Ottawa Saturday, cheering as Harper vowed to support the traditional definition of marriage. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin drafted Bill C-38 following court rulings in many provinces holding that prohibiting gay couples from marrying violates their equality rights. CBC News has more.

[JURIST] France's far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen [Wikipedia profile], who surprised observers with his strong performance in the 2002 French presidential election, has called for voters to reject the proposed European Constitution [PDF, text of draft treaty] in a May 29th referendum. Le Pen has called the document "an instrument of destruction of nations," arguing that it creates a super-state at the detriment of national identities. French President Jacques Chirac, Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, and the opposition party have urged voters to approve the charter. March public opinion polls [BBC report] indicateed that the French are leaning towards rejecting it. The document has already been approved by Spain, Slovenia, Lithuania, Hungary and Italy and unanimous approval is needed among all 25 EU member states. AP has more.

[JURIST] Survivors mourned the thousands killed and urged people to be vigilant against hate in marking the 60th anniversary [Reuters report] of the liberation of the Buchenwald [Wikipedia article], concentration camp in Germany on Sunday. Their message echoed that of a similar gathering held at Auschwitz [CNN report] in January. Around 56,000 people died at Buchenwald, and as many as 1.5 million died at Auschwitz [Wikipedia article], in Poland.

[JURIST] Cardinal Bernard Law [Wikipedia profile], who resigned as the Archbishop of Boston in 2002 amid accusations that he covered up sexual abuse of children by priests {JURIST news archive], will on Monday lead one of nine memorial masses for Pope John Paul II. Members of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests [advocacy website] is traveling to Rome to protest [press release]. The Boston Archdiocese has settled lawsuits [Boston Globe report] from over 500 victims of abuse for $85 million, and also with one of its insurance carriers to help cover that cost. Ir also sold land and closed churches [Boston Globe report] to raise money. BBC News has more.