Injuries of the female genitalia in cases of sexual assault

Sexual violence is a global problem that particularly affects women and children. A retrospective analysis of 390 clinical-forensic examinations and 120 autopsies regarding injuries of the female genitalia in cases of sexual violence was performed. In the majority of cases no injuries of the female genitalia were found. Autopsy cases showed significantly more (and more serious) injuries of the genitalia than clinical forensic examinations (43 % vs. 25 %; p = 0.0004). Predominantly found were injuries of the external anogenital area, mostly tears or soft tissue lesions. In the current literature, data regarding the rate of injuries in victims of sexual violence vary strongly and their comparability is limited. Regarding the reconstruction of an offence, a forensic examination with an appropriate documentation of the injuries is evidently crucial.     

Möglichkeiten einer Verankerung der energiepolitischen Zielsetzung "Versorgungssicherheit" im österreichischen Elektrizitätsrecht

Zusammenfassung  Die im Nachfolgenden abgedruckte Studie wurde im Auftrag der Bundesarbeitskammer ?sterreich erstellt. Ihr Anliegen ist es, M?glichkeiten einer verst?rkten Verankerung der energiepolitischen Zielsetzung "Versorgungssicherheit" im ?sterreichischen Elektrizit?tsrecht auszuloten. Auf Basis des geltenden gemeinschaftsrechtlichen Rechtsrahmens, werden Spielr?ume, die sich für eine Regelung von Aspekten der Versorgungssicherheit nutzen lassen, ermittelt und entsprechende rechtspolitische Vorschl?ge erarbeitet. Die Studie gliedert sich nach den drei Marktstufen des Elektrizit?tssektors: der Ebene der Erzeugung, des Netzbetriebs und der Lieferung (Versorgung mit Strom). Die Rechtslage, Entscheidungspraxis der Regulierungsbeh?rden, Gerichtsentscheidungen und Literatur sind auf dem Stand April 2008 verarbeitet.     

Marktregulierung und soziale Grundrechte

In Österreich wird in den liberalisierten Infrastrukturmärkten (Telekommunikation, Post und Energie) eine soziale Grundversorgung über Marktregulierung kaum bis gar nicht realisiert, obwohl die einschlägigen unionsrechtlichen Vorgaben eine solche ausdrücklich ermöglichen und teilweise auch vorschreiben. Soziale Grundrechte unterscheiden sich strukturell nicht wesentlich von liberalen Grundrechten. Eine soziale Grundversorgung in den liberalisierten Infrastrukturmärkten über soziale Grundrechte durchzusetzen scheint dennoch wenig erfolgversprechend.     

Continued physical capacity after head gunshot injury

The human brain shows a very high density of functionally important structures. Even small lesions may therefore cause clinical symptoms. Penetrating gunshots to the head are presumed to cause immediate incapacitation by subsequent disturbance of cerebral functions. The authors discuss anatomical and functional principles of the terms action, capacity to act and incapacitation and report two illustrative cases with lack of incapacitation following gunshots to the head.     

Weisungsfreie Behörden: der Vorschlag für eine Neufassung des Art 20 Abs 2 B-VG

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Overview of Language Rights in the International Criminal Law Sentencing Models

This paper examines the ‘deep-end’ of the international justice process—the incarceration of persons convicted in specially constituted international criminal tribunals and courts for gross violations of human rights, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes with a focus on language rights of such prisoners who are commonly serving sentences in foreign prisons. The punishment phase of the international justice process and its effects are not easily quantifiable and have been largely hidden from view. Although international criminal law asserts that equal treatment before the law requires that there be no significant disparity in punishment regimes from one sentence-enforcing country to another, comparative penology shows that there are considerable differences in the conditions of confinement and the nature of correctional services in the prison systems of different countries. This has a direct impact on post-sentence procedural and rehabilitation rights of which language rights from a key part. In this specific context, and drawing from existing literature, the paper therefore examines the extent to which enforcement practice conforms to the ideal of equal treatment espoused by the tribunals.     

Mala Captus Bene Detentus and the Right to Challenge the Legality of Arrests Under the ICC Statute

The parameters of legal structures within which perpetrators of most serious international crimes are surrendered to the ICC and the legal frameworks within which the rights of such individuals are best protected are not sufficiently precise in international law. By examining both international and some national jurisprudence with regard to mala captus bene detentus practice, the reach of the right to challenge the legality of one’s arrest is evaluated with a conclusion that there is no uniform state or international practice and that the ICC Statute does not resolve the status of the doctrine nor does it regulate the effects of abuse of process against accused persons.