Saudi Arabia rights attitude improving, but abuses persist: HRW News
Saudi Arabia rights attitude improving, but abuses persist: HRW

[JURIST] Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] said Saturday in a new report on Saudi Arabia [JURIST news archive] that respect for human rights in the Kingdom seemed to be improving but violations and abuses persisted. The report [text] detailed the existence of unfair trial, the detention of children and the habitual oppression of women and foreign laborers within the Middle Eastern kingdom. HRW was invited to Saudi Arabia in December to conduct a four week mission on the country's progress in the area of human and civil rights.

Although the 13 person group operated under 24-hour surveillance and was denied access to certain jails and judicial proceedings, HRW executive leader Kenneth Roth noted the Saudi government seemed to share a more open view on the value of human rights. However, the government's unwillingness to allow unfettered access to the prisons and trials does give the appeareance the Saudi government "still has much to hide," according to Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW director for the Middle East and North Africa. 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.