UN calls for Iraq to abandon reinstatement of death penalty News
UN calls for Iraq to abandon reinstatement of death penalty

[JURIST] Ashraf Qazi, special representative of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, asked Saturday that Iraq reconsider its decision to resume carrying out executions, three days after the Iraqi government approved three death sentences [JURIST report]. The US-led occupation placed a moratorium on capital punishment after removing former dictator Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive] in 2003; after the end of formal occupation, the death penalty was reinstated [JURIST report]. While formally opposed to capital punishment, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani [Wikipedia profile] authorized his vice-president to sign the death warrants, a move that some believe could set a precedent for the potential execution of Hussein following his trial for his alleged role in the massacre of Shiite Muslims in 1982 [JURIST report]. AFP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in Six Days' War

On November 22, 1967, the UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied during the Six Days' War, and for respect of the right of all States in the area to "live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries." Read Resolution 242, which remains a cornerstone of efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

President Kennedy assassinated, VP Lyndon Johnson sworn inin

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Later that day, Vice-President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States. Earl Warren, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was later tasked with leading a commission to investigate the assassination. President Johnson received the final report of the Warren Commission on September 24, 1964. Read the Warren Commission Report.