Reforming UN Human Rights Machinery, address by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the UN Commission on Human Rights, April 7, 2005 . Excerpt: As you know, I have recommended that Member States replace the Commission on Human Rights with a smaller Human Rights Council. The Commission in its current form has some notable strengths. It [...]

Doe. v. Rumsfeld, US District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Emmet Sullivan, April 6, 2005 . Read the full text of the order . Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

Justice John Gomery Thursday ordered a partial lifting of a publication ban prohibiting the dissemination of testimony provided on a sponsorship scandal that has created significant political problems for Canada's governing Liberal Party. Canadians had previously been barred from reporting any testimony to Gomery's judicial commission of inquiry by Quebec advertising executive Jean Brault so [...]

Will and spiritual testament of Pope John Paul II, as released in English full text translation from Polish and Italian by the Vatican press office, April 7, 2005: Excerpt: I leave no property behind me of which it is necessary to dispose. As for the everyday objects that were of use to me, I ask [...]

Leading Thursday's international legal news, the continuing dispute over how to remove former Kyrgyzstan President Askar Akayev has resulted in the postponement of the national elections originally scheduled for June. Akayev signed legal resignation papers Monday in Moscow, but the Kyrgyz Parliament has not yet accepted his resignation. Kyrgyz legislators are arguing over whether to [...]

Congress is considering an amendment to an energy bill which would extend daylight savings time by two months, having it start on the last Sunday in March and end on the last Sunday in November. Representatives Fred Upton and Ed Markey , the co-sponsors of the amendment, say the new timeframe is a response to [...]

The UN Security Council unanimously voted Thursday to authorize an international investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri . The United States, France, and Britain sponsored the resolution which gives an independent commission three months to complete an investigation. Secretary-General Kofi Annan can extend the mandate by an additional three months [...]

Tens of thousands on Thursday protested in Mexico City in support of popular Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador , who announced his presidential candidacy this morning, but could be barred from running by an expected congressional vote later today that would remove his legal immunity. Lopez Obrador faces contempt of court charges from a judicial [...]

Three UK bankers whose extradition is sought by the US based on links to the Enron scandal may challenge UK prosecutors for failing to investigate the case, the UK High Court has ruled. The Court granted review on the case, saying that it was possible that the UK Serious Fraud Office did not lawfully exercise [...]

Leading Thursday's corporations and securities law news, Pfizer Inc. announced the suspension of its sales of arthritis drug Bextra . The move came after US and European drug regultors told the world's largest drug maker that the drug's risks outweigh its benefits. Pfizer will also add information to the Celebrex label about potential cardiovascular risks. [...]