Annan urges Sudan sanctions News
Annan urges Sudan sanctions

[JURIST] Speaking in Nigeria Sunday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan [official profile] urged the UN Security Council [official website] to consider sanctions against Sudan [government website] for "gross violations of human rights". Annan cited a UN report, due to be released this week, that found that "serious violations of international humanitarian law and gross violations of human rights have taken place." The report had been undertaken to determine if the situation in Darfur met the legal definition of genocide [JURIST report] under international conventions, as has already been contended by the United States. Sanctions against Sudan were attempted last year, but Russia, who sells arms to Sudan, and China, who has current oil deals with the Sudanese government, vetoed the legislation. JURIST's Paper Chase has continuing coverage [JURIST Countries news archive] of Sudan. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.