[JURIST] Iraqi government sources Saturday unveiled a plan to proclaim emergency laws in troubled central areas of Iraq, including Falluja and Ramadi. A spokesperson for the Iraqi Interior Ministry stated that the emergency laws could be imposed without declaration and would restrict land and water transportation. In addition, a civilian curfew will be enforced and a total ban on the carrying of arms will be imposed. Under the emergency laws, also known as National Safety Law, the Iraqi Prime Minister has authorization to any issue military orders to enforce security in rebel territories. The Kuwait News Agency has more.

[JURIST] Concluding its 82nd session in Geneva, the UN Human Rights Committee asked the United States on Friday to delineate the legal status of inmates in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, and Iraq. The US, which has been sharply criticized by human rights groups for abuses, is six years overdue on its regular report to the Committee on its compliance with the 1976 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Reports are generally due every four years and cover such topics as protection of the right to life, self-determination and due process, and freedom of movement, expression and religion. Brooks Robinson, spokeswoman at the US diplomatic mission in Geneva, said that Washington will file its report in the next few months and that the response will address relevant activities of the US armed forces. Reuters has more.

[JURIST] More than 30,000 protestors filled Kiev's main square Saturday in support of presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko, demanding a recount and claiming fraud occurred in last Sunday's election. Results have not been announced in the tight race between Yushchenko and his opponent, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, but the result is seen as crucial to many who look to ease the grip of Russia over social, political and military affairs in Ukraine. Both candidates face a run-off later this month because neither candidate won more than fifty percent of the vote. AP has more.

[JURIST] Former governor of East Timor, Abilio Jose Soares, was released late Friday from Jakarta's Cipinang prison. Soares' 2002 conviction in 2002 for failing to prevent violence that erupted after the East Timorese voted on a United Nations sponsored referendum for independence was overturned by the Supreme Court in Indonesia. The court concluded that he had no role in the security of East Timor nor in the deaths of the 2,000 East Timorese who died in the hostilities. AP has more.

[JURIST] International arms dealer Milton Blane was awarded $3.6 million Friday after he accused military contractor Boeing Co. of backing out of a deal to buy two missile launchers and damaging his commercial reputation. Blane, owner of Blane International Group Inc., first approached Boeing in 1999 with a proposal to sell Russian made air-to-surface missiles made available after the collapse of the Soviet Union according to Gwinnett County Court papers. After expressing initial interest Boeing backed out of the deal and allegedly attempted to discredit Blane to officials in the Ukraine. Blane claimed Boeing's actions cost him millions more than the award provided but Boeing spokesman Walt Rice called it "excessive" and said Boeing would appeal. AP has more.