No deportation of Rwanda war crimes suspect from Canada unless death penalty waived News
No deportation of Rwanda war crimes suspect from Canada unless death penalty waived

[JURIST] Despite a Supreme Court of Canada [official website] order [text] that Rwandan Leon Mugesera [CTV profile] should be deported amidst accusations of inciting genocide [JURIST report] in his home country, Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler [official profile] said Friday that Mugesera will not be extradited unless Canada receives binding promises that he would not face the death penalty if convicted. Rwanda had indicated willingness to do so, but no formal proposal has yet been made. If Rwanda doesn't make the offer, Mugesera could appeal again to stay in Canada, which abolished the death penalty in 1976 [Amnesty International Canada backgrounder]. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.