Article Abstract:
Myra Hindley was sentenced to life imprisonment in the United Kingdom in 1966 for murdering two children. There was no recommendation for the length of her sentence at that time, but a recommendation of 25 years was made by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Lane, in 1982. The home secretary, Leon Brittan, increased this provisionally to 30 years in 1985 and another home secretary, Lord Waddington, increased it to life in 1990. Politicians should not be able to increase sentences that judges have recommended, and challenges are likely on retrospective sentencing after the European Convention on Human Rights becomes part of UK law.
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Article Abstract:
China's legal system is gradually undergoing reforms, and a few prominent dissidents have been allowed to leave the country. There are still problems such as corruption, which means that trust in the judiciary is limited. The Communist party is seeking to eradicate corruption, and has mentioned a number of dubious practices that should be forbidden. The fact that such practices are mentioned underlines the extent of the problem, since they are likely to be common failings of the legal system.
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Article Abstract:
There are plans to reform the Colombian justice system which Alfonso Gomez Mendez, the attorney general, claims could lead to a collapse of the system. Courts giving protection to those taking part in drugs trials, by providing anonymity, are to be dismantled. Human rights groups oppose this type of court, and they offer potential for abuse. There is also a need for reform of the justice system as a whole. Critics argue that reforms are being carried out too rapidly.
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