Annan outraged by UN DR Congo abuses News
Annan outraged by UN DR Congo abuses

[JURIST] Secretary General Kofi Annan admitted Friday that a "small number" of UN civilian and military personnel had committed "gross misconduct" by sexually exploiting refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He expressed outrage at their actions and said the perpetrators must be held accountable. This statement comes after a two year investigation into the incidents conducted by both MONUC (the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo) and the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services. The UN mission in DRC now consists of about 10,000 troops and was first deployed in 2001, two years before a major war there ended. BBC News has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.