Ecuador launches truth commission to investigate past rights abuses News
Ecuador launches truth commission to investigate past rights abuses

[JURIST] The government of Ecuador has set up a truth commission [declaration and articles, in Spanish] to investigate rights abuses committed in the country beginning in the early 1980s, a period that includes the 1984-88 presidency of right wing politician León Febres Cordero [Wikipedia profile]. The four-member commission, announced Thursday by current leftist President Rafael Correa [personal website] and Interior Minister Gustavo Larrea, is comprised of a lawyer, two human rights activists, and a member who lost two sons who were apparently "disappeared" during the regime of Febres Cordero. Correa said the commission was intended to "halt impunity;" it will explore some 327 unsolved cases of disappearance, torture and political assassination.

The commission follows in the wake of others recently established in Guatemala, Peru and Chile to address wrongs and abuses committed during recent "dirty wars" and harsh regimes. AP has more.

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.