UN requests UK anti-torture statement News
UN requests UK anti-torture statement

[JURIST] The UN Committee Against Torture called Friday for a definitive statement by the United Kingdom that "evidence" procured through torture is unadmissible at trial. The Committee, which monitors adherence to the UN Convention Against Torture, is acting in response to an August ruling by the Court of Appeals for England and Wales that stated evidence obtained by torture could be admitted in UK courts unless it was done by or with the instruction of UK agents. Amnesty International has the 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.