Indian-American civil rights lawyer Vanita Gupta confirmed as Associate Attorney General of US
VANITA GUPTA, a prominent Indian-American civil rights lawyer, has been confirmed by the US Senate as Associate Attorney General, making her the first person of colour to occupy the third-highest position at the Department of Justice.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski broke away from her party colleagues to support Gupta (46), giving the Democrats 51 votes to see her through the historic confirmation last week. That allowed the Senate to vote 51-49 to confirm Gupta. Vice President Kamala Harris was present in the Senate to cast her vote in case of a tie.
“Congratulations to Vanita Gupta on making history as the first woman of colour to serve as Associate Attorney General,” President Joe Biden said. “Now, I urge the Senate to confirm Kristen Clarke. Both are eminently qualified, highly respected lawyers who are dedicated to advancing racial equity and justice.”
Gupta is also the first civil rights lawyer to serve at one of the top three positions at the Department of Justice. Senate Majority Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer played a key role in her confirmation. “She will bring a long overdue perspective to our federal law enforcement agency,” he said.
The daughter of Indian immigrants who was born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Gupta has had an illustrious career of fighting for civil rights.
Vaccine issue: European Commission preparing legal case against AstraZeneca
THE EUROPEAN Commission has been working on legal proceedings against AstraZeneca after the drug maker cut Covid-19 vaccine deliveries to the European Union, sources familiar with the matter have said. The move marks a further step in the EU plan to sever ties with AstraZeneca, after the company repeatedly cut supplies to the bloc, contributing to major delays in Europe’s vaccine rollout.
The news about the legal case was first reported on Thursday by Politico. An EU official involved in talks with the Anglo-Swedish drug maker confirmed that the EU was preparing to sue the company. “EU states have to decide if they will participate. It is about the fulfilment of deliveries by the end of the second quarter,” the official said.
The matter was discussed on Wednesday at a meeting with EU diplomats, where most EU states supported the legal action, two diplomats told Reuters, according to reports. Germany and France, though, have asked for more time to think about the possible move.
A spokesperson for AstraZeneca said the company was not aware of any plan for legal proceedings.
Saudis want ex-spy back home, coerce his family members
A FORMER Saudi intelligence official, who fell out of favour with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and fled the country, now has his family members allegedly coerced by the authorities back home. Family members say they have become pawns in the international feud and the kingdom’s efforts to bring the spy chief home.
Late last year a Saudi court jailed two of Saad al-Jabri’s (the spy) adult children for alleged money laundering and conspiracy to escape the kingdom unlawfully. These charges have been denied by the two children.
The family had appealed the conviction, but that remained unsuccessful. The Jabri family alleges that Saudi authorities interfered in the legal process, including circumventing appeals proceedings, which Riyadh denies. News agencies, quoting a Saudi official, said that the convictions were “were upheld on appeal.”
The issue has reached the US, and President Joe Biden recently raised concerns with senior Saudi officials about the children’s detention and trial. This was according to the US State Department.
Irish judge wants EU Court to decide whether govt climate discussions can be disclosed
AN IRISH High Court judge, Justice Garrett Simons, wants the Court of Justice of European Union (CJEU) to decide on the limits of cabinet confidentiality in the context of a European directive on access to environmental information.
Justice Simons said there is a strong argument that records related to government meetings on greenhouse gas emissions require to be disclosed, but he wanted the CJEU’s opinion before making a final decision on the issue.
He decided to make the preliminary reference in proceedings by Right to Know CLG (RTK), a group campaigning for greater transparency.
In earlier proceedings, the high court set aside the refusal decision and directed reconsideration of the request. Following that, it was decided access would be granted to one record, partial access would be granted to 17 records and access was refused in relation to 13 records.
European Court takes stock of progress over missing babies in Serbia
THE EUROPEAN Court on April 15 struck out two applications against Serbia concerning the disappearance of the applicants’ newborn children in state-run maternity wards in the 1980’s. Since 2013 when the judgment in Zorica Jovanović was adopted, this is the first time the court has decided to strike out similar applications.
The court noted that the Zorica Jovanović Implementation Act, adopted in February 2020, provides for both judicial and extrajudicial procedures with respect to the situation faced by the applicants and others and is aimed at discovering the truth about missing babies. The act also provides for a system in which the domestic courts shall have the power to investigate and obtain evidence not only at the request of the petitioner but also proprio motu in order to establish all the relevant facts of a case, as well as the power to award compensation where appropriate.
Additionally, the Act provides for a commission with extensive investigatory, data collection and reporting powers. Although the setting up and functioning of the DNA database remains to be fully implemented, the court concluded that there are no particular reasons regarding respect for human rights which would require it to continue the examination of the case.