EU says US must provide more information before members take Guantanamo detainees News
EU says US must provide more information before members take Guantanamo detainees

[JURIST] Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Czech Interior Minister Ivan Langer [official profile, in Czech] Thursday expressed reservations [press release] about hosting Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive] detainees without first examining potential safety and security implications. The Czech Republic currently holds the rotating European Presidency [Czech presidency website]. After meeting with the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council [official website], Langer explained that while the decision to accept Guantanamo detainees is within the hands of each member nation individually, any decision to do so will affect all member nations due to the EU's lack of internal border controls. In pursuit of greater transparency, an EU delegation is set to visit Washington DC between March 16-17 [AP report] in order to view the files of the 60 inmates [JURIST report] set for release in the coming year. During the visit [IHT report], the delegation will examine the basis for US determinations that certain detainees are eligible for release, the decision of the US not to allow any of those detainees to remain within the US, the reasons why the detainees are unable to return to their home countries, and any potential security risks to the EU. They will also look into various forms of compensation offered by the US.

The European Parliament encouraged EU member nations [JURIST report] to accept former Guantanamo prisoners soon after President Obama ordered the closure of the detention center [JURIST report] last month. Spain, Ireland, and Portugal [JURIST reports] have expressed their willingness to host detainees. Poland [JURIST report], Sweden, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic [Financial Times report] have expressed strong reservations to doing so.

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.