In an unprecedented move, Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell has publicly claimed that three of the most prominent figures in the Sinn Fein political party, including party leader Gerry Adams , are members of the IRA Army Council, the internal group in charge of the terrorist organization. Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein's deputy leader and one [...]

European Union officials are encouraged by Spain's overwhelming support in Sunday's referendum for the body's proposed new Constitution , but remain guarded because there are still many challenges ahead in the numerous countries set to cast similar ballots over the next 18 months. According to the official results , more than 76 percent of Spaniards [...]

Haitian police are still hunting several hundred prisoners who escaped when an armed commando attacked Haiti's national penitentiary in what sources close to Haiti's president are calling an attempt to free those "imprisoned for money crimes," an apparent reference to drug traffickers and kidnappers. In the melee following the attack Yvon Neptune and Jocelerme Privert, [...]

A national conference on constitutional change meets Monday in Nigeria to review and propose amendments to the nation's 45-year-old constitution . Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has traditionally opposed a reform movement, but agreed to the constitutional conference last year in an attempt to find a solution to the myriad of problems that face Africa's most [...]

Final results of the Spanish referendum on the treaty establishing a European constitution, February 20, 2005 . Review the final vote totals from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

The Royal Navy has become the first branch of the British Armed Forces to actively promote the protection of the civil rights of its homosexual and bisexual members. Navy officials signed the Diversity Champions Programme from the alternative lifestyle equal rights group Stonewall on Monday. Homosexuals have been permitted in the UK Armed Forces since [...]

Israel released 500 prisoners Monday in a 'goodwill gesture' that was first proposed at the Sharm al-Sheikh summit held nearly two weeks ago and was approved by the Israeli parliament last Sunday. The 500 prisoners are the first to be released under the new truce; 400 more are expected to be released in the near [...]

Here's a run-down of law-related events, expected developments and live webcasts on JURIST's docket for Monday, Feb. 21. The US Senate and US House are in recess today for the President's Day holiday. Both will resume their sessions on Feb. 28. European Commission Vice President Margot Wallström will speak at a press conference on the [...]

Spanish television is reporting that a clear majority of Spanish voters who turned out in Sunday's referendum on the European Union constitution voted in favor of ratification. Exit polls are showing that over 78% voted in favor of the EU constitution, though only about 41% of the population turned out for the non-binding referendum. Sunday's [...]

Israel's Cabinet approved the government's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip Sunday, the first time an Israeli government has decided to dismantle Jewish settlements on land claimed by Palestinians. Also Sunday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon signed an order that makes it illegal for Israelis to remain in the Gaza Strip and the northern part [...]