International tribunal leaders report lack of cooperation, but vow to finish by 2008 News
International tribunal leaders report lack of cooperation, but vow to finish by 2008

[JURIST] Leaders from the UN tribunals for war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda have reported to the Security Council that, despite some lack of cooperation by member states in arresting and transfering indicted individuals, they will complete their work by the 2008 deadline set by the Council. Carla Del Ponte, lead prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, told the Council Tuesday that Serbia continued to avoid its legal obligations, allowing up to 12 people wanted by the tribunal to live free in the country. Included among those are former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and military commander Ratko Mladic, both wanted in connection with the Srebrenica genocide. Del Ponte said the 2008 deadline could be met if the remaining suspects were arrested in the near future. Read the full text of Del Ponte's comments, as well as a statement by ICTY President Judge Theodor Meron. International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda President Judge Erik Mose said the ICTR faced staff shortages that could prevent the tribunal from completing its work by 2008 if further arrests and indictments were made. Mose said some member states had failed to pay their contributions and that staff shortages have increased since a hiring freeze was imposed. Read press releases from the UN and the ICTR. BBC News has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.