Here's your daily summary of legal news

Here's your daily summary of legal news from Paper Chase, the real-time legal news arm of JURIST...

HRW: Syria continuing use of cluster bombs
[JURIST] The Syrian government is currently using cluster munitions in its ongoing conflict [JURIST news archive], according to a report Wednesday by the Landmine and Cluster Munition Moniter (LCMM), an organization co-founded by Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy websites]. Cluster munitions [HRW summary] are similar to landmines and have been voluntarily banned by the international community under two separate treaties, one in 1997 and another in 2008 [text]. The latest report [text] identified more than 200 munition sites in Syria,... [more].
Posted by G. Redd on Sep 04, 2013 04:02 pm

New York City mayor files suit over new stop-and-frisk legislation
[JURIST] New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg [official website] filed suit [complaint, PDF] on Tuesday against the New York City Council [official website] in an effort to overturn recently-enacted legislation relating to the New York Police Department (NYPD) [official website] stop-and-frisk program [text]. The legislation at issue, Local Law 71 of 2013, is a bill that expands the definition of racial profiling and gives New Yorkers who believe they were targeted the right to sue [Reuters report] police in state... [more].
Posted by Samuel Franklin on Sep 04, 2013 02:48 pm

UN rights experts urge US action following racially charged trial
[JURIST] The UN Working Group of Experts of People of African Descent and the UN Special Rapporteur on racism on Tuesday called upon [press release] the US government to finalize its investigation into the case surrounding the death of Trayvon Martin [BBC profile]. The controversial acquittal of George Zimmerman sparked the federal government investigation of the trial to evaluate the evidence and testimony relied on during the proceedings. The experts urge that the investigation should be finalized including an analysis... [more].
Posted by Matthew Pomy on Sep 04, 2013 01:45 pm

Federal judge orders same-sex spouse listed on death certificate
[JURIST] A judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio [official website] on Tuesday issued an order allowing a Cincinnati man to be listed as "spouse" on the death certificate of his late husband. While the state constitution of Ohio [text] prohibits same-sex marriage, state law does recognize marriages solemnized outside of the state. David Michener and William Herbert Ives were married in Delaware this July [AP report] after having been together for 18 years. Ives... [more].
Posted by Samuel Franklin on Sep 04, 2013 01:17 pm

UN SG questions legality of potential US strike on Syria
[JURIST] UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [official website] on Tuesday questioned the legality of the US plan to strike Syria. Ban stated [Reuters report] that the use of force is lawful only in two very limited circumstances: (1) when used in self-defense according to Article 51 [text] of the UN charter or (2) when the UN Security Council (UNSC) [official website] approves such action. Ban questioned whether the planned use of force would solve the situation in Syria. He added that... [more].
Posted by Sung Un Kim on Sep 04, 2013 12:13 pm

Pakistan PM to improve anti-terrorism laws
[JURIST] Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] said Wednesday that Pakistan's anti-terrorism laws will be amended to more effectively combat the threat of terrorism. The statements come after increased violence in the city of Karachi. Sharif presided over security meetings discussing how to improve Pakistan's approach to terrorism [IANS report]. While he ruled out [BBC report] official military operations, Sharif noted all other avenues will be explored, including use of paramilitary forces. Legal experts have pointed... [more].
Posted by Matthew Pomy on Sep 04, 2013 11:57 am

Mexico senate gives final approval to education reform law
[JURIST] The Mexican Senate [official website, in Spanish] on Tuesday approved an education reform bill [press release, in Spanish] that will require periodic evaluations for teachers. The law, approved by a margin of 102-22, aims to raise the quality of the nation's education. Under the new law, teachers are required to take an evaluation at least every four years. If they fail the evaluation three times, they will be terminated without any liability on part of the educational authority or... [more].
Posted by Sung Un Kim on Sep 04, 2013 11:39 am

Fiji draft constitution fails to meet human rights standards: rights groups
[JURIST] Fiji's draft constitution does not adequately protect basic human rights [press release], Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] said Wednesday. Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] also released a statement on Wednesday calling on Fiji to revise its draft constitution [press release] to include protections for freedom of speech, assembly and association. AI Deputy Asia Pacific Director Isabelle Arradon stated that the current draft constitution represents a step backward for human rights because it immunizes government officials for human rights... [more].
Posted by Max Slater on Sep 04, 2013 10:57 am

Romania prosecutors charge former prison chief with genocide
[JURIST] Romanian prosecutors on Tuesday charged Communist-era prison commander Alexander Visinescu with genocide. Visinescu, the former chief of the Ramnicu Sarat prison under Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu [Telegraph profile] faces genocide charges for beating and starving political prisoners [AFP report] between 1956 and 1963, the height of Communist repression against dissidents. Prosecutors said that Visinescu should be convicted of genocide because the harsh prison conditions he implemented led directly to the deaths of several prisoners. Visinescu faces life imprisonment if... [more].
Posted by Max Slater on Sep 04, 2013 10:07 am

Federal appeals court dismisses Apple antitrust lawsuit
[JURIST] The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit [official website] on Tuesday affirmed [opinion, PDF] the dismissal of an antitrust lawsuit accusing Apple [corporate website] of maintaining a monopoly over music files purchased through its iTunes stores. The plaintiff argued on behalf of a class that Apple thwarted competition by issuing software updates that prevent syncing functionality with certain non-Apple media players while charging supracompetitive prices music prices. However, the court held that the plaintiff failed to plead... [more].
Posted by Elizabeth LaForgia on Sep 04, 2013 09:39 am

UN rights expert applauds Somalia human rights plan, urges broader consultation
[JURIST] The UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia Shamsul Bari on Tuesday commended [press release] the adoption of a human rights roadmap by the Somali federal government. Formally endorsed by the Somali cabinet last week, the roadmap will institutionalize the protection and promotion of human rights through 2015. However, Bari urged the government to consult with regional administrations and civil society organizations throughout Somalia in the finalization of the roadmap, otherwise, Bari noted, implementation may... [more].
Posted by Elizabeth LaForgia on Sep 04, 2013 08:12 am