Saddam lawyer boycotting trial after alleged attack at hearing News
Saddam lawyer boycotting trial after alleged attack at hearing

[JURIST] Khalil Dulaimi, an Iraqi defense lawyer for Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive], said Tuesday that he is boycotting the former president's trial after a man allegedly grabbed Hussein by the arm at a hearing last Thursday and tried to attack him [JURIST report]. Dulaimi is refusing to rejoin the proceedings until the attacker, who Dulaimi believed to be a reserve judge, is caught and the Iraqi Special Tribunal [official website] apologizes. Both the US and the tribunal have denied that any attack occurred. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.