Peru prosecutors complain Fujimori showing ‘lack of respect’ in rights trial News
Peru prosecutors complain Fujimori showing ‘lack of respect’ in rights trial

[JURIST] Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori [BBC profile; JURIST news archive], currently on trial for human rights violations during his three terms in office from 1990-2000, is showing lack of respect for the court and the trial process by his courtroom behavior, Peruvian prosecutors said Friday. Earlier this week Fujimori burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter [Xinhua report] after hearing military witnesses testify that they had spied on him through a keyhole; prosecutors also contend he has fallen asleep and even plotted his political comeback in court in total disregard of the seriousness of the charges against him. Xinhua has more.

Last month the Supreme Court of Peru upheld a prison sentence [JURIST reports] imposed on Fujimori after his separate conviction late last year on charges of abuse of authority for ordering a warrantless search of the apartment of the wife of former Peruvian Intelligence Director Vladimiro Montesino [BBC profile]. The high court at that time also upheld a $135,000 fine for rights violations that occurred during the search.

THIS DAY @ LAW

International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

November 9 is the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism [UNITED factsheet]. On November 9, 1924, American gay activist Henry Gerber and several associates formed the Society for Human Rights, the first gay rights organization in the United States. The Society received a charter from the State of Illinois in December but was disbanded in July 1925 after a police raid which led to Gerber's arrest and trial (albeit not conviction). Pay a virtual visit to Henry Gerber House, now a registered Chicago landmark.

Supreme Court strikes down Massachusetts anti-draft law

On November 9, 1970, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in Massachusetts v. Laird not to hear the case of the state's anti-draft law. Massachusetts had passed a law, which allowed its citizens to decline to fight in any undeclared war, even if the person was drafted. The law was passed in opposition to the draft and the war in Vietnam. The First Circuit found the war constitutional and thus struck down the law.