Full Coverage: Democracy

05/19/2008 The ruling Pakistan People's Party is siding with President Musharraf by backtracking on its promise to reinstate the deposed judiciary, alleges Nawaz Sharif's party. The coalition partner, after withdrawing from the government, has now decided to join nation-wide protests in favour of the sacked judges.

05/18/2008 African leaders need to raise their voices in condemnation of the shocking decline of democracy and mounting poverty levels in Zimbabwe, and that the outside world must echo that pressure, said a coalition of civil society groups across Africa last week.
From: Global Call to Action Against Poverty

05/16/2008 South Asia has been a hotspot of the most stubborn conflicts. While many other societies have managed to resolve their discords, the conflicts in this region remain unresolved because of the inflexibility and dogmatism of the contending parties, says historian and columnist Ramachandra Guha.

05/13/2008 Sri Lanka’s dismal human rights record has obstructed the country’s bid for a place in the UN Human Rights Council. In a letter to the UN, more than twenty national and international NGOs have criticised the country’s failure to meet the Council’s membership standards.

05/12/2008 Twenty-two Nobel Prize winners have written a letter to Indian prime minister and president for the release of Dr Binayak Sen, a public health and civil rights activist. There will be protests in several cities of India and the world to mark the first anniversary of his detention on May 14.

05/08/2008 Zimbabwen demokratia-aktivistit hyödyntävät tehokkaasti tekstiviestejä, blogeja ja muutta uutta teknologiaa. Kontrolloidun valtamedian ohittava viesti on usein humoristinen letkautus presidentti Mugabesta tai maan katastrofaalisesta taloudellisesta tilasta.

05/06/2008 Indian government has decided to table the contentious Women’s Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha on May 6. Earlier in an interview with OWSA, Dr Ranjana Kumari, Director, Centre for Social Research spoke on the whole gamut of issues concerning the need for women in governance.

05/06/2008 Initially introduced in 1996 and subsequently in lapse; snatched and torn up in 1999, the contentious Women’s Reservation Bill is finally set to be tabled in Rajya Sabha on May 6. The Bill seeks to provide 33% reservation for women in state assemblies and the parliament.

05/06/2008 Indian government has decided to table the contentious Women’s Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha on May 6. Earlier in an interview with OWSA, Dr Ranjana Kumari, Director, Centre for Social Research spoke on the whole gamut of issues concerning the need for women in governance.

05/05/2008 Attacks on freedom of press are akin to attacks on international law, humanity and freedom itself, said UN head Ban Ki-moon on World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on May 3, drawing attention to the increasing targeting of journalists around the world and the failure to prosecute such crimes.

05/05/2008 Dalam pemilu mendatang sebaiknya masyarakat tidak memilih capres dan cawapres, serta parpol yang tidak punya agenda penegakkan HAM. Sementara bagi pelaku kejahatan kemanusian, harus diisolasi dari kancah politik maupun sosial pada pemilu 2009 mendatang, sehingga mereka akan sulit berlindung di ranah konstitusi.

05/02/2008 The Energy Bill being debated by parliament needs to be amended to guarantee a premium payment - known as 'feed-in tariffs' - for all the green energy generated by householders, businesses and local communities, says Friends of the Earth.

05/02/2008 Mikä Afrikan demokratisoitumista oikein jarruttaa? Se, että ulkopuoliset sekaantuvat Afrikan asioihin tuntematta mantereen historiaa eivätkä salli afrikkalaisten ajatella itsenäisesti ja tehdä omia virheitään, vastaa tansanialainen professori Severine Rugumamu.