Philippines prosecutors begin rebellion trial News
Philippines prosecutors begin rebellion trial

[JURIST] The Philippine Department of Justice (PDOJ) [official website] on Monday began the trial of over 600 people charged with rebellion for allegedly interfering with government operations following the November killings [PDOJ release] of 57 in the country's semi-autonomous province of Maguindanao. All but five of the accused missed a Monday deadline [Manila Standard Today report] to respond to the charges against them, and fewer than 40 of the suspects have been detained by police. If convicted, those charged could face as much as life in prison. Prosecutors also resumed Monday [Inquirer report] the trial of members of the influential Ampatuan family, who are charged with leading the politically-motivated killings.

Following the killings, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo [official website] imposed martial law [JURIST report] and suspended habeas corpus in the province. She later lifted the conditions, following international pressure and domestic legal challenges [JURIST reports].

THIS DAY @ LAW

UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in Six Days' War

On November 22, 1967, the UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied during the Six Days' War, and for respect of the right of all States in the area to "live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries." Read Resolution 242, which remains a cornerstone of efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

President Kennedy assassinated, VP Lyndon Johnson sworn inin

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Later that day, Vice-President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States. Earl Warren, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was later tasked with leading a commission to investigate the assassination. President Johnson received the final report of the Warren Commission on September 24, 1964. Read the Warren Commission Report.