Belarus approves legislation to stem protests News
Belarus approves legislation to stem protests

[JURIST] The Belarussian parliament on Friday voted 97-4 to approve a law imposing harsh penalties for anyone convicted of inciting demonstrations or spreading harmful information. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko [BBC profile] wants the laws to stop anti-government protest movements like Ukraine's Orange Revolution [BBC report] which led to a change in leadership last year. Lukashenko is running for re-election next year and has drawn criticism from Western nations for attempting to silence dissidents. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

President Harding signed "anti-beer bill"

On November 23, 1921, President Warren G. Harding signed the Willis-Campbell Act, popularly termed the "anti-beer bill," prohibiting doctors from prescribing beer or liquor for medicinal purposes.

Convention on Cybercrimes opens for signature

On November 23, 2001, the Convention on Cybercrime was opened for signature in Budapest, Hungary, before entering into force on July 1, 2004. The Convention seeks to coordinate the Internet laws of signatory states and promote international enforcement of cybercrime laws. Learn more about the Convention on Cybercrime from the Council of Europe.