Hong Kong passes contentious surveillance law News
Hong Kong passes contentious surveillance law

[JURIST] Hong Kong's Legislative Council [official website, in English] passed a controversial surveillance law 32-0 Sunday, despite more than five days of deliberations and a vote boycott by 25 members of the pro-democracy opposition. The Interception of Communications and Surveillance Bill [text, PDF] allows surveillance operations, including phone tapping and other measures, to be approved by judges appointed by Hong Kong's Chief Executive, prompting concerns about political bias. Critics have also expressed fears that the law allows the government to intercept conversations between lawyers and their clients and journalists and their sources.

In July, the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal declared [decision text, in English] an executive order on covert surveillance unconstitutional, but granted lawmakers a brief period to devise a new law [JURIST report] before repealing the existing measure. The repeal was to take effect Tuesday. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.