State Governments Rally to Uphold ‘No Body, No Parole’ Laws as Convicted Killer Seeks High Court Challenge

Roma, Australia — A high-stakes legal battle is unfolding in Australia as a convicted double murderer, Rodney Michael Cherry, 62, seeks parole, challenging the country’s strict “no body, no parole” laws. Cherry was convicted in 2002 for the murders of his wife Annette Cherry, 35, and her daughter, Kira Guise, 18, in Roma, a town in rural Queensland. While Annette’s body was found, Kira remains missing, and Cherry has consistently claimed his innocence. Under Queensland law, convicted murderers are ineligible for parole if they fail to disclose the location of their victims’ bodies. This legislation … Read more

Farmers’ Advocacy Group Criticizes Government’s Draft Policy, Citing Abandonment of Protective Measures

New Delhi, India — Advocacy group ASHA’s co-convenors have raised concerns about certain clauses in Chapter 7.1 of the draft policy that mirrors controversial provisions previously found in farm laws. The co-convenors argue that these provisions indicate a shift towards deregulation, which they believe compromises the protection of farmers’ interests. Critics of the draft policy argue that this move represents a relinquishment of government responsibilities towards agricultural producers. This concern echoes the vehement opposition that met the farm laws introduced by the government, which resulted in widespread protests across the nation. The draft policy under … Read more

Decentralizing Abortion Law: Unpacking the True Impact of Shifting the Decision to State Governments

Washington, D.C. — The phrase “leave it to the states” has taken on profound implications following the Supreme Court’s recent decision, which effectively transfers the governance of abortion rights back to individual state legislatures. This shift marks a significant departure from the federal protections that were previously upheld, leading to a diverse and sometimes contradictory patchwork of state laws. With this transition, the ability for states to set their own rules regarding abortion has introduced a scenario where women in America could face vastly different reproductive rights based solely on their geographic location. For instance, … Read more

Iranian Lawyer Detained After Challenging Government’s Response to Protests Sparked by Mahsa Amini’s Death

Tehran, Iran — Mohsen Borhani, a well-known Iranian lawyer and academic, has been arrested following his public critique of the government’s handling of widespread protests in 2022, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Amini died in police custody after being detained for purportedly not adhering to the country’s strict hijab regulations, igniting calls for reform against Iran’s longstanding clerical regime. These events led to a global outcry, with a United Nations fact-finding mission determining Amini’s death to be unwarranted and violent, further noting her passing led to significant human rights abuses during the … Read more