War criminals seeking safe haven in Australia, ex-UN prosecutor says News
War criminals seeking safe haven in Australia, ex-UN prosecutor says

[JURIST] Former ICTY deputy prosecutor Graham Blewitt said Monday that Australia has become a safe haven for war criminals avoiding prosecution [ABC Radio interview, recorded audio]. Despite confessing to immigration officials about committing acts of torture, murder and rape, more than 30 suspected war criminals have been granted temporary residency in Australia by the Australian Immigration Department [official website]. Included in the list is a former bodyguard and family member of Saddam Hussein, Oday Adnan Al Tekriti [AFP report]. Tekriti, who was originally denied a visa because customs officials believed he was involved with crimes against humanity, was later granted temporary residency and has since married an Australian citizen, strengthening his claims for residency. Over the last ten years, war criminals from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Turkey and the former Yugoslavia, have been allowed to live in Australia until their lengthy appeal process was complete. The Sydney Morning Herald has local coverage. AFP 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.