BREAKING NEWS ~ US allows ICC jurisdiction for Darfur News
BREAKING NEWS ~ US allows ICC jurisdiction for Darfur

[JURIST] Following a marathon UN Security Council [official website] session ending late Thursday evening, the US abstained from voting on a draft resolution authorizing the International Criminal Court [official website] to prosecute war crimes cases in Darfur, Sudan [government website]. The French-sponsored resolution passed with 11 Security Council members voting in favor and 3 other members (Algeria, Brazil and China) joining the US in abstaining. The US has historically opposed the ICC, and has shied away from allowing the Security Council to use the court for fear of lending it legitimacy. Read the full text of Resolution 1593. JURIST's Paper Chase has continuing coverage of Sudan. Reuters has more.

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.