Indonesia-East Timor truth commission convenes for initial meeting News
Indonesia-East Timor truth commission convenes for initial meeting

[JURIST] The truth commission [JURIST report] established by Indonesia and East Timor to investigate the 1999 violence in East Timor [Wikipedia backgrounder] that left 1,400 dead met for the first time on Thursday. The commission was set up earlier this year as part of an attempt by Indonesia to avoid an international tribunal [JURIST report] that might prosecute the pro-Jakarta militias and Indonesian army forces involved; Indonesia has called such a tribunal, recently recommended by a UN report [PDF full text] "unnecessary." The truth commission will not initiate prosecutions. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.