[JURIST] Leading Monday's international brief, the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal [official website] warned the Nepal government [monarchy website] again that international standards governing police actions during times of civil unrest must be observed as part of Nepal's international legal obligations. The statement [text] warned that the use of live rounds and targeted rubber bullets violated the international standards governing police actions during times of civil unrest. The OHCHR also raised concerns about the treatment being received by female protestors at the hands of male police officers. Nepal is in its 19th day of pro-democracy protests. eKantipur.com has local coverage.

In other international legal news …

• The South Korean Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office (SPPO) [official website in Korean] questioned Hyundai Motors [corporate website] CEO Chung Mong-koo about his alleged involvement in attempts to bribe government officials, illegally manipulate company financial assets, and unlawfully subsidize the financial losses of affiliate corporations. It is unclear how much Chung knew about the illegal activities, but he issued a public apology on behalf of the company and promised complete cooperation with the SPPO, which has the power to determine who is charged and what possible sentences they would face if convicted. South Korea's Chosun Ilbo has local coverage.
  
• Zimbabwean Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga confirmed reports released last weekend that the Zimbabwean government [official website] has begun accepting all applications for leasing farm land, regardless of race. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe [BBC profile] had implemented a land seizure program at the start of his political administration six years ago that is widely credited as having turned the largest African producer of food into a nation verging on starvation. The final act of his land reform was to declare all farms public property [JURIST report] and grant tenants leases to work the land. The lack of education, equipment, and supplies for black Zimbabwean farmers has resulted in a drastic decrease in Zimbabwe's agricultural output and critics point to the reversal on race requirements for tenancy as proof that Mugabe's plans were ultimately harmful. JURIST's Paper Chase has continuing coverage of Zimbabwe [JURIST news archive]. BBC News has more.
  
• The South African National Prosecuting Authority [official website] announced on Monday that it would fully cooperate with a public probe into allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption within the NPA. A spokesperson told reporters that the NPA would accept whatever outcome the probe finds and implement the suggested changes. Allegations were first laid against NPA chief Marion Sparg in 2004, but this is the first government action to be taken on the issue. Prosecutorial services in South Africa [JURIST news archive] have been criticized as being too involved in politics in Kenya. SAPA has local coverage.