Iraqi tribunal confirms Oct. 19 Saddam trial date News
Iraqi tribunal confirms Oct. 19 Saddam trial date

[JURIST] A spokesman for the Iraqi Special Tribunal (IST) [official website] said Thursday that the trial of Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive] is still set to begin on October 19, despite concerns that the trial may be postponed. Investigatory judge and IST spokesman Raad Jouhi also said Thursday that Hussein and seven others will appear in court next week [Reuters report] to face a five-man panel in Court 1 of the IST. Answering questions about whether Hussein would face the death penalty, Jouhi said that the trial "will be subject entirely to Iraqi laws" and that "Article 405 of the Iraqi criminal code, which relates to premeditated murder, makes provision for life in prison or for execution if the defendant is found guilty." Last month, Hussein's Iraqi lawyer attempted to delay the trial, but his request [JURIST report] was rejected [JURIST report]. Hussein will be tried for the 1982 massacre of Shiite Muslims at Dujail [NPR audio report], but other charges are pending. 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.