HRW: Nepal must 'vigorously' investigate human rights abuses
Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the Maoist-led Nepalese government Thursday to 'vigorously' investigate and prosecute those responsible for the grave human rights violations allegedly committed during the country's civil war. In a joint report...
Mexico Supreme Court orders Wal-Mart to stop paying workers in store vouchers
The Mexican Supreme Court of Justice on Thursday ruled that Wal-Mart de Mexico may not pay employees in part with vouchers redeemable only at its stores. The court...
DOD lawyer pushed for harsh detainee interrogations: Senate committee chair
Former DOD General Counsel William "Jim" Haynes encouraged the use of harsh interrogation tactics on terror detainees, US Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) said at a Tuesday committee hearing...
UN legal counsel backs convention on criminal accountability of UN officials
The United Nations Legal Counsel said Monday that an international convention may be the solution to jurisdictional problems of criminal accountability of UN officials and experts on mission . Addressing the General Assemblys Sixth...
Myanmar imposes curfew, bans public gatherings in wake of protests
The military government of Myanmar Tuesday banned public gatherings of more than five people and imposed a curfew in response to anti-government protests . These measures come the day after the government threatened ...
Washington state's domestic partnership law entered into effect Monday, allowing same-sex couples over the age of 18 residing together to register with the state's domestic partnership registry. Registered same-sex couples will be afforded hospital visitation rights, inheritance...
Washington governor signs domestic partnership bill into law
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed legislation Saturday recognizing domestic partnership status for same-sex couples. The law guarantees gay and lesbian couples some of the legal rights that previously were afforded only to husband...
The Washington State House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a domestic partnership bill (SB 5336) by a vote of 63-35 that grants same-sex couples hospital visitation rights, inheritance rights when there is no...
The Australian Parliament Wednesday voted to lift restrictions on stem cell research and permit the therapeutic cloning of human embryos. Members of the House of Representatives voted 82-62 in favor of lifting the previous therapeutic cloning ban;...
Australia PM withdraws bill restricting asylum seekers arriving by boat
Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Monday abandoned the proposed Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill that would have required asylum seekers arriving by boat to be processed at offshore camps after it became apparent...
