UNESCO calls for action against illegal digging, theft of artifacts in Iraq News
UNESCO calls for action against illegal digging, theft of artifacts in Iraq

[JURIST] Fearing damage to historic sites, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) [official site] has called for action against illegal digs and looting in Iraq. Director-general Koichiro Matsuura [official profile] said archeological sites as well as museums [BBC News report] are being damaged by thefts of items. He also expressed concern that construction of new military bases might ruin ancient historic sites. UNESCO provides a press release in French. Xinhua has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

South Africa becomes first country on continent to legalize same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriages became legal in South Africa on November 30, 2006 as the country's Civil Union Act, 2006 went into effect, making South Africa the only country on the African continent to legalize same-sex marriage. Read the Civil Union Act, 2006.