■ United Kingdom
AI blasts rights abuse
Leading human rights group Amnesty International (AI) blasted the UK for increasing the risk of security suspects being tortured due to its measures designed to clamp down on extremists. AI released a report which it said exposed the damaging effect of the country's anti-terror policies on human rights. AI secretary general Irene Khan said: "There is now a dangerous imbalance between draconian actions the UK is taking in the name of security and its obligation to protect human rights. These measures tarnish the UK's image and its ability to promote human rights abroad." The government has attempted to give police and prosecutors tougher tools to confront terrorism in the wake of the London bombings in July.
■ United Kingdom
Gay weddings a hit
Gay weddings in the country reached 3,648 as of Wednesday, six weeks after they became legal, according to government statistics. The figures, the first to emerge since the Civil Partnership Act came into force on Dec. 5, reveal that twice as many men as women entered into partnerships. It means that 7,296 lesbians and gay men are now in legally recognized relationships with someone of the same sex and eligible for new shared rights in areas such as employment, pensions and inheritance.
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