Supreme Court of Canada rules against legislation that bans assisted suicide.
The Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa. (Image courtesy of Huffington Post.)
Six months ago, the Canadian Medical Agency voiced in favour for doctor-assisted suicide. On 7 February, the supreme judges unanimously ruled against the laws prohibiting doctors from assisting with the suicide of patients who experience “grievous and irremediable medical conditions”. The decision also decided that existing laws infringed on the “right to life, liberty and security of the person in a manner that is not in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.” However, the Court ruling was criticized by disability rights groups who argued that the policy is too “open-ended” and could facilitate the abuse of power by doctors.
Presently, current legislation regarding doctor-assisted suicide will remain in effect. Parliament has a year to pass new laws that conform to the ruling of the Supreme Court.
Source and more information can be found here.
Jordan attacks ISIS militants with 56 bombing raids in 3 days.
People protest in response to killing of Jordanian pilot (Image courtesy of Muhammad Hamed/Reuters).
In response to the brutal killing of a captured Jordanian pilot by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Royal Jordanian Air Force launched 56 sorties in 3 days on ISIL holdings in northeast Syria. Only a small portion of the “swift retribution” promised by Jordan’s King Abdullah. The strikes were supported by assets from the United States Air Force.
Approximately 7000 extremists have been killed since the start of the aerial campaign. The United Arab Emirates relocated one of its F-16 fighter squadrons to Jordan to aid the American-led coalition. Jordan’s air force is currently in desperate need of munitions, spare parts, and fuel, not being suitable to sustained offensive operations. Efforts to increase US military aid to Jordan have stalled in the American government.
Source and more information can be found here.
U.S. soldiers in Canada likely to be transported back to face desertion charges.
Meeting of the War Resisters Support Campaign in Toronto (Image courtesy of Marta Iwanek / Toronto Star).
Eight U.S. soldiers who fled to Canada instead of serving in the Iraq War a decade ago on grounds of morality had their applications for permanent residency in Canada denied by the Canadian citizenship and immigration. More soldiers are expected to be transported back to the States for court martial on desertion charges.
Although Parliament had passed a motion in 2008 that called on the government to create a program that would allow “conscientious objectors” to apply for Canadian permanent resident status and prevent them from being deported, the government failed to take action. Instead, in 2010, the Conservative government issued a press release that declared war resisters as potential criminals. They have also been vocally opposed to granting war resisters refugee or permanent resident status. To date, no refugee claims made by U.S. military deserters have been accepted. If sent back, the soldiers who vocally opposed to the war in Iraq are likely to face a court martial, a felony conviction, and jail time.
Source and more information can be found here.
Greece refuses to seek extension on bailout.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of Greece (Image courtesy of Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters).
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has stated that Greece will not seek an extension on its bailout. Instead, the government will carry out its campaign pledges to roll back austerity and requires permission to raise short-term funding by issuing treasury bills. This follows in opposition to the wish of Greece’s creditors – the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund – for the country to seek a deadline extension on the European portion of its bailout of 240 billion euros ($270 billion). Greece is expected to return to growth this year after a six-year recession that has led to unemployment above 25 percent and cut down household incomes by a third.
Source and more information can be found here.
Pope Francis is criticized for his standing on corporal punishment.
Pope Francis addresses the public at a speech in Vatican City. (Image courtesy of Filippo Monteforte/ AFP/ Getty Images.)
Pope Francis’ statement that parents can spank their children was criticized by a 17-member commission. The commission, who works against corporal punishment and pedophilia in the Catholic Church, encouraged the pope to work against physical discipline and corporal punishment directed at children. Peter Saunders, a commission member, said “…there is no place in this day and age for having physical punishment, for inflicting pain,”
Dr. Krysten Winter-Green, who works with abused youth and sits on the commission, reasoned that it is unacceptable for children to be physically harmed by someone of greater power and authority. The head of the commission, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, added that the commission was advising Pope Francis on how to approach the topic. The commission will be reporting on the Church’s progress in the rightful treatment of children and the punishing bishops who fail to report pedophile priests.
Source and more information can be found here.
