‘Shoot-to-kill’ provisions of Australia anti-terror proposal questioned News
‘Shoot-to-kill’ provisions of Australia anti-terror proposal questioned

[JURIST] Australian state leaders warned Thursday that "shoot-to-kill" provisions in the country's anti-terrorism proposals [draft law text, PDF] could lead to another wrongful police shooting similar to the one by British officers who incorrectly identified a Brazilian citizen as a suicide bomber [JURIST report] and killed him. The opposition could lead to a revision of the measure, but Australian Prime Minister John Howard [official profile] said the provisions do not actually give the Australian Federal Police [official website] any new power since they already have the right to use necessary deadly force in protecting against deaths or serious injury. Despite civil rights concerns and assertions by law academics who say the laws might breach Australia's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [text], six of Australia's states and two territories have already approved the laws. State leaders in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria said the shoot-to-kill provisions were not part of their agreement with the prime minister and that they want the section changed, vowing to "bring forward legislation consistent with what was agreed to." Reuters has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase…

THIS DAY @ LAW

Hitler and Nazis attempt failed coup in Beer Hall Putsch

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party attempted an ill-faited coup in Munich, Germany on November 8, 1923. Instead of seizing power, the conspirators suffered 15 casualties and their leaders were arrested, including Hitler. The future dictator would spend a year in prison as a result, where he would write his infamous Mein Kampf. Learn more about the Beer Hall Putsch.

Oregon legalized physician-assisted suicide

On November 8, 1994, Oregon passed the Death With Dignity Act by voter initiative, becoming the first US state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Read the Death With Dignity Act,

France government opens the Louvre as a public museum

On November 8, 1793, the revolutionary government in France opened the Louvre for the first time as a public museum. Learn more about the history of the Louvre.