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• Russian Federation: Decriminalization of Domestic Violence

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  "Russia decriminalized nonaggravated battery in July of 2016 and made it an administrative offense punishable by a fine or detention. However, repeated battery and battery committed against close relatives remained punishable under the Criminal Code. Russia amended the Criminal Code once again in February of 2017 and removed the provision regarding assaulting close relatives from the article on nonaggravated battery. As a result, violence committed against family members has also been made an administrative offense. Only repeated instances of battery are now prosecuted as criminal offenses and punishable by criminal law. International and nongovernmental organizations have noted that the failure to adequately protect victims of domestic violence may be incompatible with Russia's international human rights obligations."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Isajanyan, Nerses

  2017-06
• Israel: Law on Freezing Revenues Designated for the Palestinian Authority

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  From the Summary: "In accordance with the Paris Protocol and Israeli domestic implementing legislation, Israel has been transferring tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority (PA) on a monthly basis. The Israeli Defense Cabinet decided on February 17, 2019, to freeze that portion of these revenues equal to expenditures by the PA in the previous year for payments to families of people killed, injured, or imprisoned for attacks on Israel. The government's authority to deduct amounts paid by the PA to terrorism operators and their families from its revenue transfers derives from a July 8, 2018, legislation. A precondition for freezing revenues is the submission of a yearly report by the Minister of Defense on such PA payments to the Ministerial Committee for Matters of National Defense and the Committee's approval. The Law does not expressly authorize the use of frozen funds for enforcement of judgments against terrorist act perpetrators or for furthering antiterrorism projects."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Levush, Ruth

  2019-03
• Preferences in Immigration Systems

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  This resource, compiled by the Law Library of Congress in January 2005 provides analysis of immigration systems preferences for Australia, the European Union, France, Germany, Japan, and the Russian Federation.

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  DeGlopper, Donald R. (Donald Robert), 1942-; Papademetriou, Theresa; Atwill, Nicole . . .

  2005-01
• Law Library of Congress: Freedom of Information/Privacy Hearings [website]

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  This website contains a collection of Congressional hearings which focus on the issues of "Freedom of Information/Privacy." These hearings range from as early as the 94th Congress (1975-1976) to more recently as the 108th Congress (2003-2004). "As part of the Law Library's transition to the digital future, a collaborative pilot project was undertaken with Google, Inc. to digitize the entire collection and make it freely available to Congress and the world. Three collections have been selectively compiled to provide users with a test experience: 1.) Census: U.S., 2.) Freedom of Information/Privacy, 3.) Immigration. These selected Hearings, presented as Adobe Acrobat PDF files, are samples of a larger group that will be digitized and made available as a result of this project. Ultimately, both the Library and Google will provide full-text access to the larger group of Hearings. [...] The Law Library of Congress contains approximately 75,000 volumes of printed Congressional Hearings. Committees hold hearings for a variety of purposes. Testimony is received from members of congress, officials of the executive branch, policy experts, interest groups and sometimes the general public on legislative proposals, the functioning of government programs, subjects of controversy, and matters under investigation. The Law Library's hearing collection is a rich resource for anyone interested in the history of issues that still face our country today."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  2007-09-04
• Law Library of Congress: Immigration Hearings [website]

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  This website of the Law Library of Congress contains a collection of Congressional Hearings on the issue of immigration which range from as early as the 68th Congress (1923-1924) to more recently as the 109th Congress (2005-2006). "As part of the Law Library's transition to the digital future, a collaborative pilot project was undertaken with Google, Inc. to digitize the entire collection and make it freely available to Congress and the world. Three collections have been selectively compiled to provide users with a test experience: 1.) Census: U.S. 2.) Freedom of Information/Privacy 3.)Immigration. These selected Hearings, presented as Adobe Acrobat PDF files, are samples of a larger group that will be digitized and made available as a result of this project. Ultimately, both the Library and Google will provide full-text access to the larger group of Hearings. [...] The Law Library of Congress contains approximately 75,000 volumes of printed Congressional Hearings. Committees hold hearings for a variety of purposes. Testimony is received from members of congress, officials of the executive branch, policy experts, interest groups and sometimes the general public on legislative proposals, the functioning of government programs, subjects of controversy, and matters under investigation. The Law Library's hearing collection is a rich resource for anyone interested in the history of issues that still face our country today."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  2007-09-06
• Limits on Freedom of Expression

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  From the Document: "This report examines the scope of protection extended to freedom of speech in thirteen selected countries. In particular, the report focuses on the limits of protection that may apply to the right to interrupt or affect in any other way public speech. The report also addresses the availability of mechanisms to control foreign broadcasters working on behalf of foreign governments."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  2019-06
• Powers of the Mexican Federal Police with Foreign Country Comparisons

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  From the Summary: "Prior to 2008, the power to investigate federal crimes in Mexico was exclusively vested in prosecutors and their investigative officials while the authority to conduct preventive policing was vested in a separate entity. Pursuant to a 2008 amendment to Mexico's Constitution, investigating crimes is now a shared duty between prosecutors and the police, although the latter must act under the direction and command of the former in the discharge of this duty. Mexico's federal law enforcement structure was reorganized in 2009 to correspond with the 2008 reallocation of duties, vesting both preventive and investigative functions in the newly created Federal Police. After discussing Mexico's historical and current policing structure, this report then examines the structure of police forces in selected other countries."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  2019-04
• Criminalization of Illegal Entry Around the World

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  From the Summary: "On the basis of a worldwide survey, this report identifies 162 countries that have laws criminalizing or otherwise punishing illegal entry. The chart shows countries that impose criminal sanctions for illegal entry as well as countries that impose only civil or administrative penalties (typically fines and deportation). The research identified 124 countries that treat illegal entry as a crime. Countries included in the survey demonstrate a wide range of punishments for illegal border crossing, including deportation, fines, detention, community service, and imprisonment of varied terms. [...] This report does not address the issue of smuggling people across borders or the facilitation of irregular entry, which appears to be criminalized in every jurisdiction surveyed."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  2019-08
• Regulation of Artificial Intelligence in Selected Jurisdictions

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  From the Comparative Summary: "This report examines the emerging regulatory and policy landscape surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in jurisdictions around the world and in the European Union (EU). In addition, a survey of international organizations describes the approach that United Nations (UN) agencies and regional organizations have taken towards AI. As the regulation of AI is still in its infancy, guidelines, ethics codes, and actions by and statements from governments and their agencies on AI are also addressed. While the country surveys look at various legal issues, including data protection and privacy, transparency, human oversight, surveillance, public administration and services, autonomous vehicles, and lethal autonomous weapons systems, the most advanced regulations were found in the area of autonomous vehicles, in particular for the testing of such vehicles."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  2019-01
• Panel Discussion on Torture, Detainees and the U.S. Military [webcast]

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  Panelists included: Brigadier General Patrick Finnegan, Academic Dean, West Point; Lee Casey, JD, Baker Hostetler; Jackie Northam, National Security Correspondent, National Public Radio; Brigadier General James C. Walker, Director, Marine Corps Judge Advocate Division. "Law Library Scholar in Residence Gary Solis moderated the panel discussion touching upon several current topics of national interest and concern: Guantanamo; "high value" detainees; military commissions; fair trials; and allegations of torture by agents of the U.S., including military personnel. With their extensive personal involvement in combatant operations, expertise in legal issues relating to prisoner torture and mistreatment, and their association with legislative concerns, the panelists provided tremendous insight to these timely subjects. The discussion was followed by a question and answer session with the audience."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  2007-07-11
• Japan: Legal Responses to the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011

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  From the summary: "The Great East Japan Earthquake brought the starkest crisis since the desolation of the Second World War. During the emergency period just after the earthquake, the Japanese government tried to do everything it could under existing disaster response systems. However, because large areas were affected and some municipalities lost functions, the existing systems, which placed the responsibility on each affected municipality to take action, did not work well in some parts of the country. The national government therefore made exceptions and stepped in, assuming financial responsibilities for local governments. Many issues arose as a result of the earthquake, such as food safety concerns and disaster debris management and disposal. The nuclear crisis caused by the earthquake also created long-lasting radiation problems. A new system was created for local governments outside of the disaster area to accept and process debris. The government also established new standards for radiation levels in foods. In addition to utilizing existing systems and programs, exceptions were made and new systems were created to support disaster victims and ease their hardship, with many laws being amended or new laws created to address the situation. A reconstruction agency was created to coordinate various reconstruction efforts. Based on post-earthquake assessments of the effectiveness of the existing nuclear regulatory authority, a new nuclear regulatory agency and new standards for nuclear power plants were created. Japan has used the experience to better prepare for future disasters. Laws and regulations were amended, and a new tsunami countermeasure law was enacted."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Umeda, Sayuri

  2013-09
• Provisions on Child Asylum Seekers in Selected Jurisdictions

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  "This report surveys the laws of eight democratic foreign jurisdictions with respect to whether there are special laws concerning children asylum-seekers, particularly unaccompanied children. Covered jurisdictions include the countries of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Union (EU)."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  2018-05
• Regulation of Air Pollution

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  "This report by the foreign law research staff of the Law Library of Congress's Global Legal Research Directorate includes surveys of eleven jurisdictions on the regulation of air pollution. The covered jurisdictions include one supranational entity, the European Union, and a diverse array of countries, including some with common-law legal systems (Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom), some civil-law countries (Brazil, China, France, Israel, Japan, and Switzerland), and one with a mixed legal system (South Africa). Some of the countries are unitary in nature, while others have federated governments. The report details the regimes these diverse jurisdictions have developed in recent decades to regulate air pollution. The country surveys cover each jurisdiction's regulation of both stationary and mobile sources of air pollution, and of pollutants including sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, particulate matter, and hazardous air pollutants. Fuel quality standards, renewable fuel requirements, and vehicle emissions standards are covered, as are strategies for meeting international requirements to address climate change."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  2018-06
• World Law Bulletin: January 2001

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Commonwealth of Independent States-International Antiterrorist Center Created'. "Heads of certain former Soviet states that comprise the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on December 1, 2000, signed the Agreement on the CIS Antiterrorist Center. The statute states that the Center is a permanent CIS specialized agency and is designed to ensure coordination and cooperation among the competent bodies of the Commonwealth states in the field of combating international terrorism and other manifestations of extremism. Among the principal tasks of the Antiterrorist Center, the statute notes, are the formation of a databank on international terrorist organizations in the CIS countries and their leaders and on non-governmental institutions and persons giving support to international terrorists. In addition, the Center will study the state and the trends in the spread of international terrorism both in the CIS countries and in other states. The Center will also participate in the preparation and conduct of antiterrorist command-and-staff and operational-tactical exercises. A special division will be created in order to provide assistance to interested states of the CIS in carrying out investigative activities and comprehensive operations in the fight against international terrorism and searches for persons who have committed crimes. The Center is also charged with rendering assistance in organizing the training of specialists and instructors for units participating in the fight against terrorism."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2001-01
• World Law Bulletin: October 2001

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Canada-Interim Counterterrorism Measure', 'Terrorism: Foreign Legal Responses', and 'Recent Developments in the European Union'. "On September 20, 2001, the European Union and the United States pledged cooperation in the following areas in order to avert future terrorist acts: aviation and other transport security; police and judicial cooperation, including extradition; denial of financing of terrorism, including financial sanctions; denial of other means of support to terrorists; export control and nonproliferation; border controls, including visa and document security issues; and law enforcement access to information and exchange of electronic data. The European Commission adopted two Council Framework Decisions, on Combating Terrorism and on European Arrest Warrant and Surrender Procedures Between the Member States. The first provides a common definition of terrorism and lists a number of offenses that must be punished as terrorist offenses by Member States if they fall within the definition of terrorism. Member States must also adopt the penalties, which range from twenty years for murder to two years for extortion, robbery, and theft. The second Decision introduces a European arrest warrant for search, arrest, detention, and surrender to the judicial authority of the issuing country. The objective is to facilitate the transfer of a person in a criminal investigation from one Member State to another. Upon implementation by Member States, it will basically replace existing extradition procedures used among them."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2001-10
• World Law Bulletin: May 2004

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Panama/United States: Proliferation Security Initiative Ship Boarding Agreement'. "On Wednesday, May 12, 2004, the United States and Panama signed a reciprocal maritime ship boarding agreement in support of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The Proliferation Security Initiative PSI was announced by President Bush on May 31, 2003. Its aim is to establish cooperative partnerships worldwide to prevent the flow of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), their delivery systems, and related materials to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern. The U.S.-Panama PSI maritime ship boarding agreement, which is an amendment to a very successful existing maritime law enforcement assistance arrangement between the United States and Panama, will facilitate cooperation between two countries. It will facilitate the searching of vessels suspected of carrying such items in international waters. If a U.S. or Panamanian-flagged vessel is suspected of carrying proliferation-related cargo, either one of the Parties to this agreement can request the other to confirm the nationality of the ship in question and, if needed, authorize the boarding, search, and possible detention of the vessel and its cargo. Panama is the world's largest ship registry and its signing of the boarding agreement demonstrates a commitment by Panama to engender greater confidence and security in its flag registry. Panama is the second state to sign a PSI ship boarding agreement; Liberia signed one on February 11, 2004."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2004-05
• World Law Bulletin: January 2004

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Mexico-OAS Convention against Terrorism', and 'China-Terrorist Organization List and Criteria'. "Mexico recently adopted a comprehensive treaty to prevent and punish terrorism. The Inter-American Convention against Terrorism, the first such treaty since the attacks of September 11, 2001, seeks to prevent the financing of terrorist activities, strengthen border controls, and increase cooperation among law enforcement authorities in different countries, among other measures. Thirty-three countries of the Western Hemisphere signed the treaty, under the auspices of the Organization of American States. The Convention addresses crucial financial regulatory, as well as criminal law, aspects. In particular, the Convention mandates the establishment of financial intelligence units for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of terrorist financing information and the establishment and enhancement of channels of communication between law enforcement authorities for secure and rapid exchange of information concerning all aspects of terrorist offenses; the exchange of information to improve border and customs control measures to detect and prevent movement of terrorists and terrorist-related materials; and technical cooperation and training programs. […] On December 15, 2003, China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) for the first time publicized a list of the 'first batch' of four groups identified as 'Eastern Turkestan' terrorist organizations (describing for each their alleged acts of terror, the chief leader, the major sources of funding and recruits, and relations with other terrorist organizations) and the names of 11 persons identified as members of these groups (including the four chief leaders) with an account of their activities."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2004-01
• World Law Bulletin: July 2003

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Recent Developments in the European Union'. "On June 26, 2003, following arduous negotiations on contentious issues, the EU and the United States signed an agreement on judicial cooperation in criminal matters and a long-awaited agreement on extradition. The idea for these agreements was born in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack in the US and were the culmination of the 2003 EU-US Summit in Washington, D.C. The negotiation process was shrouded in secrecy, until the EU succumbed to pressure from various groups and Western parliaments and made it public. The concerns raised in Europe involved the death penalty that could be imposed in the United States on a suspect extradited from EU territory; the subjecting of suspects to military tribunals; the sharing of personal data by investigation teams, since privacy and protection of personal data are afforded greater safeguards under EU law; and the quality of evidence that the US must produce for a successful extradition process. Under the new rules, a suspect may be extradited to the United States only if the latter provides sufficient guarantees that the death penalty will not be imposed, or if it is imposed, that it will not be carried out."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2003-07
• World Law Bulletin: December 2003

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Canada: Paying for SARS', and 'United Nations: Protocol against Smuggling Migrants'. "It is estimated that last year's SARS outbreak in the Toronto area cost the Province of Ontario over US$700 million in health-related costs. Canadian legislation does not provide for automatic federal assistance in such cases, even though hospitals and health insurance programs are operated and maintained by the provinces. If the outbreak had been classified as a disaster by the federal government, Ontario could have been eligible for compensation as high as 90 percent of its costs. SARS was not classified as a disaster, but Ottawa has now agreed to reimburse the province approximately US$240 million. ('Ontario to get $330 Million [CAN$] from Ottawa in SARS Compensation,' Canadian Press, Nov. 18, 2003). This amount will partially pay for, among other expenses, the Isolation Allowance. Under a program established by the province in June 2003, individuals who were ill, quarantined, or caring for an ill person could apply for an allowance of up to approximately US $4,500. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs administers the program. […] The United Nations Information Service in Vienna, Austria announced on November 4, 2003, that the protocol against the smuggling of migrants will became effective on January 28, 2004. It comes into force following ratification by a 40th country, Azerbaijan. This protocol, which covers smuggling by land, sea, or air, will supplement the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2003-12
• World Law Bulletin: April 2004

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Recent Developments in the European Union'. "Following the recent terrorist bombings in Madrid and the conclusion of the European Council of March 25-26, 2004, a recent Communication adopted by the European Commission introduces some new measures in order to intensify the European Union's response to terrorist attacks. A key feature of the Communication is the proposal to expand the obligation to exchange information among EU Members on all individual terrorist offenses and offenses committed by terrorist groups, including attempts to commit, complicity in, and incitement as well as financing of terrorism offenses. Members are also obliged to exchange information on all stages of criminal proceedings, including convictions. […] The European Commission and the United States worked diligently during 2003 to finalize an agreement on the processing and transfer of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data by airlines to the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. The agreement allows U.S. authorities to access the PNR data electronically from the airlines' reservation/departure control system. Such access will continue to be available until the airlines develop a system to transmit the data themselves. The Draft Council Decision calls for the conclusion of this agreement on behalf of the EU. However, the agreement has raised serious privacy concerns, and there is a strong belief that it infringes on EU legislation on privacy."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2004-04
• World Law Bulletin: September 2003

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'China/United States: Container Security Initiative'. "China and the United States signed a declaration of cooperation on the Container Security Initiative (CSI) on July 29, 2003. China had already agreed in principle to join the CSI on October 25, 2002. Under the terms of the agreement, the United States will send customs officials to ports in Shanghai and Shenzhen, and Chinese customs officers can be sent to US ports. Working with the US officials, the Shanghai and Shenzhen customs agents will be responsible for screening containers identified as posing a potential terrorist risk. With China's participation, 19 of the world's 20 major ports in terms of exports to the United States have joined the initiative, and 15 of those are now operational. Initiation of formal negotiations have been scheduled for September 2003 between the United States and Taiwan in order to bring the 20th port, Kaohsiung, into the CSI, as phase II of the program-extension to other key ports beyond the 20 (begun in June 2003)-gets underway."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2003-09
• World Law Bulletin: April 2003

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Recent Developments in the European Union'. "On March 18, 2003, the Commission received the mandate of the Council of Ministers to conduct negotiations with the US on customs controls of goods transported in containers. This issue was raised by US Customs authorities and is known as the Container Security Initiative (CSI). It came up in connection with the events of September 11, 2001, and increased terrorist threats in the US. Several EU Member States have signed declarations of principle with the US Customs office. The Commission holds that a common approach at the EU level would be a more effective way to handle this issue. The Commission is cooperating with the US to improve security on transportation of containerized goods and at the same time facilitate international trade. The European Commission has recently intensified its efforts to enhance research on security issues. This is partly because the EU is behind the US in this area and also because the objective of the European security and defense policy is to empower the Union to play a more significant international role in the area of crisis and conflict prevention. The budget of the EU States for research and development in the defense field is five times lower than that of the US (10 billion euro versus 54 billion euro in the US)."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2003-04
• World Law Bulletin: February 2004

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Germany: Extradition of Yemeni Terrorist to the United States Upheld'. "On November 5, 2003, the Second Panel of the Federal Constitutional Court [docket number 2 BvR 1506/03] refused to accept a constitutional complaint by a Yemeni citizen whose extradition to the United States had been approved by a German appellate court. The petitioner had been lured from Yemen to Germany by a Yemeni citizen who was an agent of the United States under the pretense of meeting financial donors for his terrorist cause in Germany. After his arrival in Germany, the United States petitioned Germany for extradition and Germany complied by detaining the petitioner and by setting the extradition proceeding in motion. The petitioner and the Republic of Yemen claimed that the conduct of the United States constituted a kidnapping in violation of international law. The Constitutional Court found that no general rule of international law existed that had been violated. The Court also disregarded the petitioner's claims that the United States would violate due process in its interrogation method. The Court held that a certain amount of trust had to be extended to the United States because of the existing bilateral extradition treaty (signed June 20, 1978, 32 UST 1485, TIAS 9785). Moreover, the United States had promised to try the extradited person in a regular criminal trial in the United States and not to put him before a military tribunal or to detain him outside the country."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2004-02
• World Law Bulletin: October 2003

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'European Union: Update on the List of Terrorist Organizations', and 'United Nations: Organized Crime Treaty in Effect'. "On September 12, 2003, the Council of the European Union updated the European Union list of terrorist organizations and persons by adopting two instruments: a Common Position updating the initial Common Position issued on September 11, 2001, and updated again on June 27, 2003 and a Decision designed to implement specific restrictive measures against certain persons and entities. The instruments focus on the freezing of funds and other financial assets or economic resources of the persons and entities mentioned on the list and ensuring that funds, economic resources, and financial assets will not be made available to benefit these persons or groups, either directly or indirectly. […] On September 29, 2003, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the first multilateral treaty designed to fight organized crime groups worldwide, entered into force. It requires Member States to cooperate in working on a variety of issues, including money laundering, human trafficking, corruption, and obstruction of justice. The Members will cooperate on extradition, provide mutual legal assistance, and work together in the areas of administrative and regulatory controls, law enforcement, victim protection, and crime prevention. As of September 25, 2003, 48 nations have ratified the Convention."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2003-10
• World Law Bulletin: January 2003

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Mexico: Protection Provided by NAFTA Invoked', and 'United Kingdom: Armed Police on Flights'. "The Secretariat of the Economy announced on December 16, 2002, that it will close the Mexican border to American trucks in coming days as a countermeasure to discriminatory requirements imposed by the United States on Mexican cargo vehicles. The Secretariat claimed protection of article 2019 of the North American Free Trade Agreement. This was done in response to a November 11 request from the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation to stop all transportation benefits to United States' trucks in the same way that they had consistently blocked access to Mexican trucks. Chapter XX of NAFTA, Dispute Settlement Mechanism, grants the Mexican government the legal tools to counter the rationales (such as lack of safety measures on Mexican trucks) that the United States has used since 1995 to prevent Mexican trucks from crossing the border. According to the Agreement's wording, free access of trucks in the United States should have been established on December 18, 1995. The Mexican government still considers discriminatory three requirements that Mexican truckers must meet that are not required of Canadian truck owners. First, Mexican transportation companies are subjected to an audit before they can get provisional authorization. Second, Mexican trucks must go through a second audit in order to receive permanent authorization."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2003-01
• World Law Bulletin: July 2002

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Australia-Terrorism and Civil Liberties', and 'Organization of American States: Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism.' "A set of six bills which was introduced in Parliament in March 2002 to strengthen Australia's counter-terrorism capabilities has generated an intense and wide-ranging discussion of the balance between security and liberty. Proposals to permit the government to ban organizations and to detain and question citizens who are charged with no offense but may have information on potential terrorist activities have been at the center of the discourse, both in Parliament and in other fora. The proposed bills have already been amended in response to objections voiced by, among others, Members of Parliament from the governing Liberal Party. […] Thirty of the 34 member states of the Organization of American States, including the United States, signed the Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism on June 3, 2002, during a meeting of the OAS General Assembly in Bridgetown, Barbados. Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, and the Dominican Republic abstained, citing the need to first comply with internal legal requirements of a political nature. The agreement is the first international pact with anti-terrorism measures approved by a large region since the September 11 attacks against the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell praised the foreign ministers of the Americas for adopting the convention to prevent, punish, and eliminate terrorism."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2002-07
• World Law Bulletin: February 2002

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Legal Responses to Terrorism: Canada'. "The Supreme Court of Canada recently ruled that constitutional law does not prohibit the deportation of a person posing a security risk to the country when he or she has a reasonable fear of being tortured by authorities (Suresh v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2002 S. C.C. 1). This ruling was a victory for the Government in its efforts to deport a suspected Tamil fundraiser to Sri Lanka, but it did not settle the case. The Supreme Court also ruled that while Canadian law does not require the Minister of Immigration to give a suspected terrorist a full oral hearing, it does require the Minister to present relevant material to the person named in a deportation order, subject to security interests, and to provide written reasons for the ministerial decision. As this had not been done, the court ordered a rehearing. The result is that the suspected member of a terrorist organization, who entered Canada in 1995, will be allowed to stay in Canada for what is expected to be at least one or two more years. Even then, the Minister will have to be able to show that there are reasonable grounds for concluding that the subject poses a serious risk to national security."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2002-02
• World Law Bulletin: February 2003

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'United States/Malaysia, South Korea: Container Security Initiatives', 'Western Hemisphere: Inter-American Conference Against Terrorism', and 'Recent Developments in the European Union'. "The United States has signed two more Container Security Initiatives with Asian trade partners. An initiative with the Republic of Korea was initialed on January 17, 2003; one with Malaysia was signed on January 20. […] Government representatives from around the hemisphere gathered in San Salvador, El Salvador, on January 22, 2003, for a three-day Inter-American Conference against Terrorism. Important issues on the agenda included creation of units to gather financial intelligence, database development, establishment of a policy exchange and coordination network, and the monitoring of all movement of merchandise and luggage and transit of persons. The latter issue is related to the movement of weapons and explosives and drug smuggling. Agreements will be adopted by the participating countries following the recommendations of the plenary session and are aimed to make security efforts in airports, land and sea customs points, and borders stronger in the Americas. Russia and France are attending as observers."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2003-02
• World Law Bulletin: November 2002

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Recent Developments in the European Union'. "The Commission recently proposed a Directive which provides that all victims of crime and terrorism must be compensated for any injuries and losses suffered. Member States have the option to establish that the victim must first seek compensation from the offender before turning to the State. Close relatives and dependants of the victim are entitled to receive the compensation if the victim dies. The amount of compensation will be decided by the Member States. EU citizens or residents who become victims of a crime in a third state will have the right to request that the Member State of residence assist them in applying for compensation in the place where the crime was committed. Following the events of 9/11 in the United States, the European Commission emphasized the significance of carrying out exercises in the field of nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical sectors to test civil protection capabilities on the ground. The first such European Community Civil Protection simulation exercise (EURATOX 2002) will take place in France on October 27-28, 2002. The exercise will focus on the treatment and evacuation of victims during a simulated terrorist attack at a large sports event and will involve 200 wounded on site and 2,000 victims requiring assistance from other Member States. In addition to French authorities, teams from five other countries-Austria, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Sweden-will be notified through the Monitoring and Information Center of the Commission and expected to provide assistance."

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2002-11
• World Law Bulletin: December 2001

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  This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'United Kingdom: New Anti-terrorism Statute Debated', 'OSCE Anti-Terrorism Declaration', and 'Legal Response to Terrorism: France'.

  Law Library of Congress (U.S.)

  Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.

  2001-12