UN report condemns Zimbabwe demolitions News
UN report condemns Zimbabwe demolitions

[JURIST] In a report [PDF text] released Friday the UN condemned [press release] "Operation Restore Order," an initiative implemented by the government of Zimbabwe [JURIST news archive] to reduce crime by razing urban slums. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka [official profile], Executive Director of the UN Human Settlements Programme [official website], prepared the report following a two week tour of the country [JURIST report]. Despite British and US pressure and the report urging cessation of the demolition, the UN Security Council [JURIST report] has yet to take up the issue as several member nations have refused to allow it into their agenda. "Operation Restore Order" has resulted in over 46,000 arrests and between 330,000 and one million people have been left homeless. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.