Soviet-style rights abuses widespread in Central Asia: IHF News
Soviet-style rights abuses widespread in Central Asia: IHF

[JURIST] Rights violations being committed in Central Asia are comparable to abuses perpetrated in the former Soviet Union, according the annual report [press release; text] released Tuesday by the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF). The IHF was particularly critical of Uzbekistan [JURIST news archive] and Turkmenistan [Wikipedia backgrounder]. According to the report, problems in those countries include government interference in the courts, widespread use of torture, and the suppression of political opposition, media and civil society.

Belarus and the Russian North Caucasus region, particularly Chechnya [JURIST news archives], were listed as priority regions as well. The report also criticized the US for arbitrary detentions at Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive] and other rights violations in its fight against terrorism. RFE/RL has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Dreyfus convicted of treason

On December 22, 1894, Jewish French army officer Alfred Dreyfus was convicted of treason in a court-martial trial that prompted worldwide allegations of anti-Semitism. Dreyfus was later cleared. Learn more about the case of Alfred Dreyfus and read an English translation of the famous public letter J'Accuse...! by novelist and Dreyfus partisan Emile Zola.

US passed Embargo Act, banning foreign trade

On December 22, 1807, the Embargo Act was passed at the urging of US President Thomas Jefferson. The act barred trade with any foreign nations in an effort to avoid American entry into the Napoleonic Wars of Europe. However, the act proved unenforceable and was replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act, which barred trade with France and Great Britain. Learn more about the Embargo Act of 1807 from Monticello.org