Six Rwandans sue French soldiers for genocide role News
Six Rwandans sue French soldiers for genocide role

[JURIST] Six Rwandan citizens have filed a lawsuit in France against French soldiers for their role in the Rwanda genocide [Wikipedia profile]. The Paris army tribunal, the only court which can try French troops for conduct committed abroad, will decide whether to take the case. According to the plaintiffs, French troops allowed Rwandan troops and Hutu [Wikipedia profile] extremists to enter Tutsi [Wikipedia profile] refugee camps, demonstrating French troops' active participation in the genocide. French troops had been deployed in southwestern Rwanda to create a safe haven for the Tutsis. Close to one million people, mostly Tutsis and moderate Hutus, died in the violence. France has denied any responsibility. BBC News has more and continuing coverage of Rwanda genocide issues. From Paris, Le Monde provides local coverage of the lawsuit.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

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