Lebanon says initial UN talks on Hariri tribunal ‘fruitful’ News
Lebanon says initial UN talks on Hariri tribunal ‘fruitful’

[JURIST] Lebanese government officials have called "fruitful" initial consultations [JURIST report] with visiting UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs Nicolas Michel [official profile] on the establishment of an international tribunal for suspects in the February 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri [JURIST news archive]. A UN spokesperson also described the meetings constructive and positive [UN News Centre report]. Lebanon Justice Minister Charles Rizk is reported to have suggested either an international tribunal set up outside of Lebanon, or a Lebanon-located court of international judges. Government officials and observers appear to agree that a completely-internal Lebanese proceeding would be too controversial, especial as Syrian defendants could be involved. The UN is authorized to lend assistance to the Lebanese government in setting up a tribunal under UN Security Council Resolution 1644 [official PDF text]. This is the first of several planned trips by Michel to Lebanon. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.