Defense bill will contain torture ban, GOP Congressman says News
Defense bill will contain torture ban, GOP Congressman says

[JURIST] US Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) [official website], chairman of the House Armed Services Committee [official website], has said that the final version of the 2006 defense spending bill will likely contain a ban on cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment [JURIST document] of foreign terrorism suspects and a requirement to use proper interrogation techniques. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) [official website], a former Vietnam prisoner of war and the ban's chief supporter, continued negotiations [JURIST report] Tuesday with Stephen Hadley, President Bush's national security adviser, about the terms of the ban, which the Bush Administration has threatened to veto [policy statement]. Hunter also confirmed that the bill will likely contain a provision contained in the House version requiring that US troops who train Iraqi security forces emphasize humane treatment of prisoners. Hunter's announcement follows a statement [transcript] from US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice [official profile] signaling a US policy shift on treatment of detainees [JURIST report]. AP 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.