Legal News – Newsletter for November 5, 2010

Muslim sues Oklahoma state for banning Sharia law

WASHINGTON – Two days after Oklahoma voters approved a ballot measure banning state courts from considering Islamic Sharia law or international law while making a judgement, a local Muslim has filed a federal lawsuit saying the measure is unconstitutional.

The lawsuit against ballot measure, …. Source  : Muslim sues Oklahoma state for banning Sharia law.

Lawyers petition UN over jailed Nobel dissident

BEIJING – Lawyers have filed petitions urging the UN to press China to release Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo from prison and free his wife from house arrest, a report said Friday.

A team of international lawyers filed an “urgent action petition” with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Thursday, asking it to … Read : Lawyers petition UN over jailed Nobel dissident.

Land favours to Hooda aide irks court

CHANDIGARH – “Favouritism” shown by various agencies of the Haryana government to a senior state functionary has invited the wrath of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The high court, while quashing the “illegal release of land” to Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s principal adviser R.N. Prasher, has passed strictures against the Haryana government and … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Land favours to Hooda aide irks court.

‘Teesta Setalvad not worried about court probe’

AHMEDABAD – The Citizens for Justice and Peace, the Mumbai-based voluntary organization fighting for the 2002 Gujarat riot victims, stated Thursday that its secretary, Teesta Setalvad, was not worried about any “investigation” as they had nothing to fear.

The CJP was reacting to the special trial court hearing the post-Godhra Gulberg society … Read more : ‘Teesta Setalvad not worried about court probe’.

India Shining? Income grows, development doesn’t, says UNDP report

NEW DELHI – India ranks 119 among 169 countries on the human development index (HDI) but is among the top 10 nations in the world in terms of growth of income, the 2010 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report released Thursday shows.

HDI is a measure of development based on information such as life expectancy, … Read : India Shining? Income grows, development doesn’t, says UNDP report.

Repatriation of tribal refugees to Mizoram begins

AGARTALA/AIZAWL – The much-awaited repatriation of tribal refugees from Tripura to Mizoram has begun even as the uncertainty over the return of all migrants looms large, officials said Thursday.

Out of 41,600 tribal refugees, 175 refugees returned to their homes Wednesday afternoon and 90 people were repatriated Thursday.
“The Mizoram and Tripura governments and union …. Source  : Repatriation of tribal refugees to Mizoram begins.

Cabinet approves bill against sexual harassment at workplace

NEW DELHI – The union cabinet Thursday approved a bill to prevent sexual harassment at the workplace.

The Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill, 2010 which was formulated after extensive consultations between the ministries of women and child development and law along with several other stakeholders, defines sexual harassment and provides …. Source  : Cabinet approves bill against sexual harassment at workplace.

Obama visit a chance to promote human rights

NEW YORK – US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should put human rights at the heart of their discussions when they meet in New Delhi, Human Rights Watch has said.

The world’s largest democracies should make a commitment and encourage each other to protect human rights in their domestic and security …. Read the original article  : Obama visit a chance to promote human rights.