Rumsfeld warns Iraq against limiting women’s rights News
Rumsfeld warns Iraq against limiting women’s rights

[JURIST] During a press briefing on Wednesday, US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld [official profile] said Iraq would be making a "terrible mistake" [DoD transcript] if it severely limited women's rights, as hinted by a leaked draft of their new constitution [JURIST report]. In the document, Iraqi women would be severely restricted in personal matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritances. The requirement for 25% representation by women in parliament would seemingly also be scrapped. American and Iraqi officials have said that there are several working drafts, and none have been finalized for approval. The White House National Security Council, unsure of the document's authenticity, declined to comment. Reuters 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.