Sunnis allege more abuse by Shiite security forces in Iraq News
Sunnis allege more abuse by Shiite security forces in Iraq

[JURIST] Sunni clerics complained of more rights abuses by Iraq's mostly-Shiite security forces in Iraq on Wednesday, further complicating efforts to encourage Sunni participation [JURIST report] in Iraq's political process. The bodies of 11 Sunni men – including one cleric – were found on Wednesday after they were rounded up police and allegedly tortured, just three days after nine workers, all Sunnis, were detained on suspicion of involvement in the insurgency and were locked up in a metal container for 14 hours, where they suffocated [JURIST report]. Iraq has admitted to abuses [JURIST report] by its security forces, which have also drawn the concern of the US military [JURIST report]. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Dreyfus convicted of treason

On December 22, 1894, Jewish French army officer Alfred Dreyfus was convicted of treason in a court-martial trial that prompted worldwide allegations of anti-Semitism. Dreyfus was later cleared. Learn more about the case of Alfred Dreyfus and read an English translation of the famous public letter J'Accuse...! by novelist and Dreyfus partisan Emile Zola.

US passed Embargo Act, banning foreign trade

On December 22, 1807, the Embargo Act was passed at the urging of US President Thomas Jefferson. The act barred trade with any foreign nations in an effort to avoid American entry into the Napoleonic Wars of Europe. However, the act proved unenforceable and was replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act, which barred trade with France and Great Britain. Learn more about the Embargo Act of 1807 from Monticello.org