FBI memo warned against sending terrorism suspects abroad to be tortured News
FBI memo warned against sending terrorism suspects abroad to be tortured

[JURIST] An FBI memo obtained by Newsweek to be reported in its August 8 print edition warned three years ago that government officials could be prosecuted for planning transfers of terrorism suspects to countries that allow torture, a process called extraordinary rendition [Wikipedia backgrounder]. A senior FBI official said the memo was only advisory and not an official legal conclusion. Rights groups have sharply criticized rendition [JURIST report] and accused Egypt of being a host nation [JURIST report], though both President Bush and Egypt have denied accusations of torture [JURIST report]. US government officials have confirmed that 65 suspects were transferred from Guantanamo for detention or prosecution in other nations. Newsweek has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.