#SIERRALEONE: Parliament Abolishes Death Penalty

[world politics news]

Sierra Leonean lawmakers voted to abolish the death penalty Friday, becoming the latest African country to move toward banning capital punishment.

A majority of MPs voted in favor of an amendment abolishing the death penalty, according to a journalist who was present in the chamber.

Capital punishment will be replaced with life imprisonment or a minimum 30-year jail term for crimes such as murder or mutiny.

It has been more than 20 years since an execution has taken place in Sierra Leone.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ARMENIA: Parliament Strips Powers From Constitutional Court President

[world politics news]

The Armenian National Assembly has voted 98 to 1 to call for termination of powers of Judge Hrayr Tovmasyan, member of the Constitutional Court currently serving as its president.

It has been alleged that Tovmasyan was illegally appointed to the court earlier this year, in violation of a constitutional provision that did not allow court judges to hold other positions in government. A news organization's investigation alleged that he continued to serve as a member of parliament after his elevation to the court as its president, noting that he had been president during committee meetings after his election to the court. He had been nominated to the position by National Assembly Speaker Ara Babloyan.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#VATICANCITY: Top-Ranking Vatican Official Convicted Of Child Sexual Abuse In Australia

[world politics news]

A top adviser to Pope Francis has been convicted of child sex abuse in Australia, the highest-ranking official convicted in the long-running Catholic Church scandal. An jury found Cardinal George Pell, 77, guilty on five charges of "historical child sexual offenses" that go back decades. The 12-member jury gave their unanimous verdict in the County Court of the State of Victoria in Melbourne on Tuesday, Dec. 11.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#POLAND: Pres. Duda Vetoes 2 Controversial Legal Reforms After Mass Protests

[world politics news]

Poland's President Andrzej Duda has unexpectedly vetoed two out of three contentious bills that are widely seen as assaults on the independence of the judicial system and are part of a planned legal overhaul by the ruling party that has sparked days of nationwide protests.

[FULL STORY HERE]