Niger parliament passes new anti-terror law to counter Tuareg rebels News
Niger parliament passes new anti-terror law to counter Tuareg rebels

[JURIST] The National Assembly of Niger [official website, in French] passed new anti-terrorism legislation Saturday aimed at helping security forces combat the resurgence of an ethnic Tuareg rebellion [BBC backgrounder] that has thrown the West African country into in a state of disarray. The new law passed by parliament increases penalties for possession of explosive devices, attacks on transport vehicles, hostage-taking, and unlawful possession of radioactive materials. Additionally, the legislation punishes financing and recruitment for terrorism and allows authorities to hold suspects for a longer period of time before filing formal charges.

Leaders of the rebel group, the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) [group website, in French], have been conducting guerrilla attacks on the central government since early 2007, in an effort to achieve self rule and a greater share of the wealth from uranium exports. Earlier this month, Amnesty International [advocacy website] released a report [text] alleging extrajudicial executions and forced disappearances committed by the Nigerien army against civilians during clashes with Tuareg rebels. The Nigerien government has denied the report. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Justice Department brings anit-trust action against AT&T

On November 20, 1974, the Department of Justice filed its final anti-trust suit against AT&T. United States v. AT&T was ultimately settled out of court with an agreement that the corporation would break up its monopoly on phone service throughout the country.

Nuremberg war crimes trials began

On November 20, 1945, the war crimes trials of Nazi World War II leaders began in the German city of Nuremberg. Review the Nuremberg Tribunal's Charter and the verdicts and sentences handed down on major war figures.

Winston Churchill born

On November 20, 1874, Sir Winston Churchill was born in Woodstock, England. He would go on to lead the United Kingdom as Prime Minister through World War II. Toward the end of the war, Churchill worked with US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to craft the treaties and accords that have defined the world since WWII. A 2002 poll by the BBC declared Churchill the Greatest Briton of all time.

New Jersey ratifies Bill of Rights

New Jersey ratified the Bill of Rights, a set of 10 fundamental amendments to the US Constitution, on November 20, 1789, becoming the first state to do so. The state also ratified an amendment on federal representation which ultimately failed. Additionally, New Jersey rejected an amendment on congressional salaries, which would eventually become the 27th Amendment more than 200 years later. Read the articles ratified by New Jersey.