After months in jail, Senegalese family vows to vote out ruling party
Dakar, Senegal Reuters When Aramata Djiba was arrested and taken with her four-month-old baby to a maximum security prison in Senegal’s capital Dakar, she said she felt it was the “end of the world”. “I had no hope…I cried for a week,” said the 29-year-old kindergarten teacher. She said she shared a cell, and a […]
UK’s Northern Ireland amnesty law in breach of human rights, court rules
Belfast, Northern Ireland Reuters Belfast’s High Court ruled on Wednesday that a law introduced by Britain to offer conditional amnesties to ex-soldiers and militants involved in the region’s decades of violence is in breach of the European Convention of Human Rights. The law, introduced last year to offer immunity from prosecution for those who cooperate […]
In blow to Sanchez, parliament rejects amnesty bill for Catalan separatists
Madrid, Spain Reuters Spain’s lower house on Tuesday rejected an amnesty bill due to differences on its scope between the ruling Socialists and a Catalan separatist party, in a blow for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez that illustrates his parliamentary fragility. The bill, rejected by 179 votes to 171, will now return for debate in a […]
Ireland launches legal case against UK over Northern Ireland amnesty law
London, UK Reuters The European Court Of Human Rights said on Friday that Ireland had launched a legal challenge against Britain over a new law that gives conditional amnesties to former soldiers and militants involved in decades of violence in Northern Ireland. The law has been condemned by victims’ families, human-rights groups and all major […]
Tens of thousands protest across Spain at proposed Catalan amnesty
Madrid, SpainReuters Tens of thousands of people protested across Spain on Sunday against acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez’s plans to grant amnesty to Catalan separatists in exchange for support for another term in office. The government secured a deal with Catalan separatist party Junts on Thursday which includes passing a contentious law granting amnesty to […]
Spain’s Sanchez wins support for PM bid amid anger over Catalan amnesty vow
Madrid, SpainReuters Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looked assured of another term in office on Friday after securing the backing of two more regional parties, but it comes amid widespread anger over his pledge of amnesty for Catalan separatists. The confirmed support of the National Basque Party (PNV) and the Canaries’ Coalition, along with […]
Spain’s Sanchez set for new term as amnesty deal reached with Catalan separatists
Madrid, SpainReuters Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looked set to clinch another term in office after his Socialist Party (PSOE) on Thursday secured the backing of the Catalan separatist party Junts to form a government in a deal the country’s opposition condemned as “a humiliation”. A law granting amnesty to those prosecuted over Catalonia’s […]
Spanish judges say Catalan amnesty could help PM Sanchez but imperil rule of law
Madrid, SpainReuters Spanish judges have waded into a row over a possible amnesty for Catalonian separatists in return for their support for a new Socialist-led government, arguing that it serves the interests of acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez but not the country. The amnesty law has been proposed by Sanchez, who is trying to form […]
Tens of thousands protest against possible Catalan amnesty deal
Barcelona, SpainReuters Waving Spanish and Catalan flags, tens of thousands of people marched through Barcelona on Sunday to protest against a potential amnesty deal which Spain’s Socialists must strike over Catalonia’s 2017 separatist bid if they want to form a government. The protest, organised by the anti-separatist organisation Societat Civil Catalana, took place five days […]
‘Football Leaks’ ruling postponed in light of new law, Pope’s visit
Lisbon, PortugalReuters A Lisbon court postponed on Tuesday a verdict in the trial of Rui Pinto, the creator of Football Leaks, due to a new law set to pardon some young offenders that might come into force soon in light of Pope Francis’ visit to Portugal next month. Pinto, 34, set up the Football Leaks […]