China, UN sign pact for legal reform News
China, UN sign pact for legal reform

[JURIST] The Chinese government signed a Memorandum of Understanding [UN News report] Wednesday agreeing to collaborate with the UN's human rights agency to reform the Chinese legal system in preparation for the adoption of a key UN treaty on civil and political rights. The agreement to revise China's Criminal Procedure Law, its lawyers' law, and other related laws and regulations was signed by Chinese diplomats and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) [official website] Louise Arbour and is a major development towards Beijing accepting the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [text], although there is no set date for ratification of the document. The UNHCHR agreed to assist China in reforming it's legal system, to help implement recommendations for economic, social, and cultural rights, and to help establish a program that would teach human rights in schools. AP has more. Read the UNHCHR press release.

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.