State Department Releases Country Reports on Human Rights

The U.S. State Department released the 2011 report on human rights practices around the globe.   It's been a busy year.  While Libya is responding harshly to calls for a democratically-elected government, Burma (also known as Myanmar) appears to be loosening its restrictions on political dissent. Noting that "the yearning for change we have witnessed in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Syria is inspirational", the report also notes troubling increases in persecution of religious groups, ethnic and racial minorities, and gays, lesbians, and transgendered individuals. 

For additional resources, consult our Human Rights page which includes links from other governmental entities and international organizations such as Amnesty Internation, Human Rights Watch, and others.  Many in the international community are critical of the United States for its practice of the death penalty.

House Votes Not to Fund the American Community Survey

The House passed a budget bill for the Census which eliminates funding for the American Community Survey.  The headline at Business Week states "Killing the American Community Survey Blinds Business."  The Washington Times notes that the "House Reins in Census Bureau, Justice."   The director of the Census has a blog with information and a video.  The director comments, "Modern societies need current, detailed social and economic statistics; the US is losing them." 

Stay tuned.  If you read this blog on a regular basis you've probably noticed that we regularly feature postings on the Census.  It's our go to place for statistics when we answer reference questions. 

Go Colorado!!!

On April 26, 2012, Colorado became the first state in the nation to enact the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act (ULEMA).  The legislation includes provisions for permanent public access to official, authentic online legal materials.  The bill (HB1209), which enjoyed broad support,  covers the Constitution, Session Laws, Revised Statutes and Agency Regulations.  The regulations will be the first release under the new law. 

The American Association of Law Libraries was quick to celebrate, offering "Kudos to incoming AALL Government Relations Committee vice chair Susan Nevelow Mart, who worked closely with Senator Morgan Carroll, the majority caucus chair of the Senate and chair of the Judiciary Committee, to ensure passage."  Susan is the director of the Wise Law Library in the School of Law at the University of Colorado at Boulder.