EU Tightens Grip on Ferry Stability Standards Amid Growing Safety Concerns
In a significant move towards bolstering safety standards for ferry travel across Europe, the Council of the European Union has adopted groundbreaking legislation aimed at improving the stability requirements for ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) passenger ships, commonly known as ferries.
Australia Environmental Legislation on Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss
Australia has taken a significant step towards safeguarding its precious ecosystems by introducing a series of groundbreaking environmental legislations in 2023. These measures, crafted with a keen eye towards sustainability and environmental protection, aim to address pressing environmental issues and pave the way for a greener future.
EU's latest aviation laws
In a significant step towards achieving its climate goals, the European Union (EU) Council has adopted a new regulation aimed at decarbonizing the aviation sector. The RefuelEUAviation initiative, which is part of the EU's broader 'Fit for 55' package, will introduce a series of measures to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation industry.
New constitution of Uzbekistan
The Constitution of Uzbekistan was originally ratified in 1992, one year after the country became an independent state. However, as part of the comprehensive reform programme led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a new set of constitutional reforms has been prepared. These reforms would establish Uzbekistan as a sovereign, democratic, legal, social and secular state with a republican form of government.
UAE – New sports law 2023
The General Authority of Sports (GAS) convened a media briefing to discuss the Federal Law No. 4 of 2023 concerning sports. This law is unprecedented in the UAE's sports sector due to its comprehensive new articles and provisions, which will contribute significantly to achieving the desired development in all aspects of sports work. This development perfectly aligns with the National Sports Strategy 2031 objectives, which aim to enhance the regulatory framework and sports infrastructure.
Tanzania – Finance Act of 2023
On June 26th 2023, the Tanzanian Parliament passed the Finance bill,2023. The Act is aimed at accelerating economic recovery, climate change and mitigation and enhancing certain sectors for improved livelihood.
China family legislations 2023
In China, marital property is theoretically required to be divided equally between the spouses upon a divorce. But without an enforceable obligation to make full disclosure of assets, there has inevitably been a yawning gap between theory and practice. Until recently, no such obligation to disclose assets existed in China.
Australia – Indigenous Voice rejected 2023
A referendum on October 14 for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians to be recognised was voted by a 60% ‘No’ by the voters in the parliament.
Bahrain abolishes rape law 2023
On June 26, 2023, the king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, approved Law No. 7 of 2023, which repeals article 353 of Decree Law No. 15 of 1967 on the Penal Code. The new law was published in the Bahraini official gazette on the same day.
Taiwan’s constitution 2023
Two civil society groups in favor of Taiwan's independence called on the government to abandon the Constitution of the Republic of China (ROC) and draft a new constitution with "Taiwan" designated the country's official name. The government should "use Taiwan as its full country name" and "formulate a Taiwan Constitution" based on the premise that "Taiwan and China are not subordinate to one another!
Angola Bill on NGO 2023
On May 25, 2023, the National Assembly of Angola approved the ‘Law on the Status of Non-Governmental Organizations’ Bill. The Angolan government introduced the Bill in line to compact terrorist financing and money-laundering risks in the non-profit sector backed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations. The FATF is an intergovernmental organization that was established in 1989 to lead global action to tackle money laundering, terrorist, and proliferation financing.
Thailand-Lese-Majeste law
Lèse-majesté is an offence or defamation against the dignity of a ruling head of state, could be traditionally a monarch or now a president or the state itself.
Algeria – Ban on divorced mothers for custody of children on remarriage.
Article 66 of the Family Code deprives a divorced woman in Algeria of the custody of her children if she remarries. In Algeria, Article 66 of the Family Code deprives a divorced woman of the custody of her children if she remarries “with a person not related to the child by a prohibited relationship”. Despite the taboos surrounding their situation, more than 12,000 divorced Algerian women have decided to break the silence.
Zambia: Children’s Code Act
Zambia makes the most landmark legislation on children becoming the eleventh state in Africa in realizing the importance to protect and safeguard children. The legislation has full prohibition of corporal punishment of children in all settings, defining the practice as “the prohibited punishment in which physical force is used on a child.
Israel: Controversial law protecting the chair of PM
Israel's parliament, the Knesset, passed legislation that would significantly limit the conditions under which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be deemed unfit to govern.
Colorado – new laws on Guns and Abortion protection
Colorado was the first state in the nation to decriminalize abortion in certain cases in 1967. This year, the state reclaimed its status as a leader for abortion protections. During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed a package of bills designed to protect and increase access to abortion in the state, just over a year after Colorado enshrined abortion as a fundamental right. The three bills were signed into law in April.
Lithuania passes legislation against illegal immigrants, 2023
The Baltic state Lithuania’s parliament , Seimas, passed legislation on April 25,2023 making it legal to deny entry to asylum seekers, the EU member's latest move to fight illegal immigration. Lithuania had already been engaging in so-called pushbacks since 2021, when thousands of migrants and refugees − mainly from the Middle East and Africa − began trying to enter the European Union via Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.
Brazil: New Law Creates Specialized Police Stations for Women 2023
On April 3, 2023, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a new Law on April 3, 2023, which provides for the creation and uninterrupted operation of specialized police stations for women (Delegacias Especializadas de Atendimento à Mulher). The law entered into force upon its publication in the official gazette the following day.
Argentina: World’s strongest health food policy laws
A new food and eating habits through legislation was adopted in Argentina on November addressing a comprehensive, evidence-based food policies, including front of package warning labels (FOPL), advertising marketing restrictions and regulation of school environments and food procurement.
Luxembourg's Minister for Family Affairs and Integration
Luxembourg's Minister for Family Affairs and Integration, Corinne Cahen, recently presented the draft law on intercultural living together which amends the amended law of 8 March 2017 on Luxembourg nationality. This draft law aims to replace the current "integration" approach with a broader and more open approach to "intercultural living together".
