Russia lower house passes bill authorizing anti-terror action abroad
The Russian Duma , the lower house of parliament, overwhelmingly passed a draft law Wednesday that would give Russian President Vladimir Putin the right to use Russia's armed forces and secret services...
UN rights envoy says Israel Gaza offensive breaches 'fundamental norms'
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories John Dugard told an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council Wednesday that Israel's military offensive in the Palestinian-populated Gaza Strip...
Security Council considers North Korea sanctions resolution after missile launches
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday to consider a draft resolution to impose sanctions on North Korea following Tuesday's missile launches . The five permanent members agreed that the Council should respond...
Top Russia prosecutor urges standardized criminal procedures in Europe
European countries need to improve extradition and criminal cooperation procedures in order to face the growing threat of international crime, Russian Prosecutor General Yury Chaika told the seventh session of the Conference of Prosecutors General of Europe ...
Iraqi tribunal says former deputy PM safe in judicial custody
The Iraqi High Tribunal said on Friday that while coalition forces still provide physical protection for former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz , he has been safe and in no danger in the legal custody...
Uzbekistan president appoints group to draft law abolishing death penalty
Uzbekistan moved closer to abolishing the death penalty on Thursday as Uzbek President Islam Karimov ordered the establishment of a commission charged with drafting anti-death penalty legislation as well as new criminal laws, both substantive and procedural,...
UN rights council passes declaration to protect indigenous peoples
The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) has adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples , a document which asserts that indigenous peoples worldwide should have the right to restitution...
Europe rights watchdog urges Russia, US, Japan to abolish death penalty
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on Wednesday renewed calls for Russia to abolish the death penalty . Russia recently assumed the rotating chairmanship of the COE's Committee of Ministers . The...
State Department lawyer says torture concerns complicate Guantanamo closure
John Bellinger , the top legal adviser for the US State Department , said Monday that the US would like to close its detention camp at Guantanamo Bay , but must first make sure that...
Russian justice minister, prosecutor general switched in Putin shakeup
Two Russian officials switched roles Thursday, as President Vladimir Putin appointed former Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov to the justice minister post several hours after former Justice Minister Yury Chaika was approved as the new prosecutor general in...
