DOD announces changes to military commission procedures News
DOD announces changes to military commission procedures

[JURIST] US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld [official profile; JURIST news archive] on Wednesday approved changes to procedures for military commissions [DOD materials] used for trying certain detainees held at Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive]. The changes to Military Commission Order No. 1 [PDF text] primarily increase the role played by the presiding officer, while reducing that of other panel members on the commissions. Presiding officers on commissions are now responsible for deciding issues of law in proceedings, while panel members make determinations on factual issues and sentencing. The reforms also clarify procedures on the presence of those being tried at proceedings and access of the accused to classified information used by prosecutors. The Defense Department has a complete list of changes [PDF text] approved by Rumsfeld. The Defense Department has more [DOD news release].

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.