Iraq government trying to talk chief Saddam judge out of resigning News
Iraq government trying to talk chief Saddam judge out of resigning

[JURIST] Iraqi officials are attempting to persuade the chief judge in the Saddam Hussein trial [JURIST news archive] to remain in his position, according to prosecutors speaking Sunday. A tribunal official confirmed Saturday that Kurdish judge Rizgar Amin [Wikipedia profile] had officially filed his resignation [JURIST report] in protest over Shiite leaders' objections to how he was running the trial. Commentators say Amin's resignation could bring further disrepute to the already-contentious proceeding, which also drew high-level public criticism from US Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) during a visit to the Baghdad tribunal [JURIST report] last month. 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.