Iraqi groups demand international review of parliamentary poll, but UN balks News
Iraqi groups demand international review of parliamentary poll, but UN balks

[JURIST] A coalition of Sunni and secular Shiite political groups said Thursday that they would boycott sessions of the new Iraqi national assembly elected on December 15 [IECI partial uncertified results] unless an independent review of the poll was conducted by an international body such as the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization of the Islamic Conference or the Arab League. In a joint statement the 35 political entities – including that of former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi [JURIST news archive] – also demanded the disbanding of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq [official website] in the wake of more than 1250 complaints alleging fraud [JURIST report], stuffing of ballot boxes, or voter intimidation. A UN spokesman in New York said the UN would not conduct any review of the Iraqi poll. AP has more.

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.