Hate crimes on the rise in Europe: rights group News
Hate crimes on the rise in Europe: rights group

[JURIST] Hate crimes [JURIST news archive] are on the rise throughout Europe [report text; press release], rights watchdog Human Rights First [advocacy website] reported Thursday in a study examining recent hate crimes in France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. Hate crimes against Muslims in London rose by approximately 600 percent following the 2005 London bombings [JURIST news archive], according to the study. It also looked into the "genres" of hate crimes, ranging from antisemitism and Islamophobia, to bias based on sexual orientation and physical or mental disability. The study found that antisemitic attackers often justify their actions as criticism of Israel and the ongoing Middle East conflict [JURIST news archive].

HRF urged European governments to implement harsher penalties for perpetrators of hate crimes, strengthen police enforcement of hate crime laws, and establish monitoring systems to provide accurate data on targeted minority groups. The report was released just before the start of an international conference on combating discrimination [press release; event website] being held in Romania by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) [official website]. Haaretz 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.