Haiti will seek arrest of former president Aristide News
Haiti will seek arrest of former president Aristide

[JURIST] Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue announced Friday that his country will seek the arrest of exiled former president Jean Bertrand Aristide, now in refuge in South Africa. An international warrant will be issued as soon as possible, based on allegations of fraud and political crimes. Latortue created a commission to look into the diversion of funds during Aristide's administration between 2001 and 2004. Aristide fled Haiti in February of this year amidst a bloody rebellion; the country has experienced unrest in recent months. Aristide and his supporters have claimed that Latortue is looking for a scapegoat for this violence. AFP 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.