Indonesian court allows mining in protected forests News
Indonesian court allows mining in protected forests

[JURIST] Indonesia's highest court Thursday rejected a challenge from environmental groups and upheld a law enabling 13 mining companies to operate in protected forests. The Constitutional Court ruled that the law did not violate the 1945 constitution [text] and that the government must honor commitments to the companies [Dow Jones Newswires report]. Such mining was banned in 1999 but in 2004 a law allowed companies with existing contracts to continue operations. That law was upheld in Thursday's ruling. AP has more. Meanwhile, Indonesia has affirmed its environmental claim against Newmont Mining Corporation [corporate website; JURIST report], a US company it alleges polluted a local bay. The government filed a $133 million civil suit against Newmont, which denies the charges [press release]. Conflicting test results have delayed the trial, and a settlement is now being considered [AP report].

THIS DAY @ LAW

President Harding signed "anti-beer bill"

On November 23, 1921, President Warren G. Harding signed the Willis-Campbell Act, popularly termed the "anti-beer bill," prohibiting doctors from prescribing beer or liquor for medicinal purposes.

Convention on Cybercrimes opens for signature

On November 23, 2001, the Convention on Cybercrime was opened for signature in Budapest, Hungary, before entering into force on July 1, 2004. The Convention seeks to coordinate the Internet laws of signatory states and promote international enforcement of cybercrime laws. Learn more about the Convention on Cybercrime from the Council of Europe.