Released Afghan detainees claim widespread hunger strike at Gitmo News
Released Afghan detainees claim widespread hunger strike at Gitmo

[JURIST] Two just-released Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive] detainees told reporters Wednesday that more than 180 prisoners at the US detention facility in Cuba are 14 days or so into a hunger strike. Habir Russol and Moheb Ullah Borekzai, both from Afghanistan, indicated that the prisoners are not eating or drinking in protest of their detention and alleged mistreatment during interrogation. A Pentagon spokesman said he was unaware of any hunger strike, but would make inquiries. The US Department of Defense issued a press release Wednesday to announce the release of both men and 6 other detainees, including Moroccan Lahcen Ikassrien, who has been transferred to the government of Spain [JURIST report]. To date, 242 prisoners have been released or transferred from Guantanamo Bay. AP has more.

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

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.