G-4 nations want UN Security Council expansion vote in July News
G-4 nations want UN Security Council expansion vote in July

[JURIST] Four countries seeking permanent representation [JURIST report] on the UN Security Council [official website] – Japan, Brazil, India, and Germany – said Wednesday at a foreign ministry meeting in Brussels that they would request a July vote on their Security Council reform resolution [draft, PDF]. The countries, known collectively as the G-4, originally planned to call for a vote later this month but decided to delay based upon input from the US and Africa, according to Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura [official profile]. The G-4 has proposed six more permanent seats on the Security Council, two of which would be given to Africa, and also has suggested delaying the veto rights of new members for 15 additional years. India nemisis Pakistan and UN veto-holder China have already voiced their opposition to the proposal [JURIST report]. The US has said it will support expanding the council [JURIST report] by "two or so" seats. The four countries need at least a vote of two-thirds to pass the resolution. From Japan, Kyodo 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.