DemocracyNews- June 2006
The WMD's DemocracyNews
Electronic Newsletter of the World Movement for Democracy - www.wmd.org
June 2006
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DEMOCRACY ALERTS/APPEALS
1. Rebiya Kadeer's Children Detained in North Western China
2. New Venezuelan Law to Control NGOs
3. Repressive Measures in Tunisia Prevent Conference of the Tunisian Human Rights League
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
4. July Conference in Moscow
5. New Governance and Social Development Resource Centre Web Site Launched
6. Inter-Parliamentary Union Launches New Guide on Parliament and Democracy in the Twenty-First Century
7. Pakistani Organization Launches Web site
8. Call for Applications: Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowships
CIVIL MILITARY RELATIONS
9. Visit RESDAL Web Site for Information on Civil Military Relations
CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
10. Training Sessions on Democracy and Islam in Jordan
11. Sixth CIVICUS World Assembly to be Held in Scotland
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
12. Regional Conference on Transitional Justice in the Western Balkans
13. TRANSCEND Peace University (TPU) Offers Online Courses on Conflict Transformation and Human Rights
14. Announcement of Online Course in Gender and Conflict Transformation
15. Seventh Annual Meeting of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies in Costa Rica
16. 2006 Workshop on Humiliation and Violent Conflict
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
17. CIPE Releases 2005 Annual Report
18. Presentation: "Democratic and Economic Transition in Serbia: Capturing Lessons Learned"
19. Israel Democracy Institute Holds Annual Economic Forum
HUMAN RIGHTS
20. Statement to the African Commission on Human Rights Situation in Sudan
21. Call for Applications Extended for Distance Learning Course
INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
22. Backlash Against Democracy Assistance: NED Releases Report in Testimony Before Senate Foreign Relations Committee
23. Report Identifies Key Issues Relating to Implementation of New Iraq Constitution
24. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
DEMOCRACY ALERTS/APPEALS
1. Rebiya Kadeer's Children Detained in North Western China
On June 7, 2006, Amnesty International initiated a campaign for the release of the children of 2004 Rafto Prize Laureate Rebiya Kadeer. Rebiya Kadeer's three children were detained in Urumchi, the capital of the Xinjiang province in north western China, also known as East Turkestan. Speculations were that they were detained prior to the arrival of a delegation from the US Congress on May 30. Ms. Kadeer, an advocate for Uygur minority rights, served a six-year prison term for "leaking state secrets" by sending newspaper clippings to her husband in the United States. Immediately after she was released in March 2005, Ms. Kadeer immigrated to the United States.
To protest the arrests, go to: http://www.amnesty.no/web.nsf/pages/806a5A58C7BD30C23C1257185002F3F65
2. New Venezuelan Law to Control NGOs
Consorcio Justicia of Venezuela is calling for support and solidarity from the international community in response to a proposed law that would establish invasive restrictions for civil society organizations - domestic and foreign - operating in the country. The International Cooperation Law would provide the Venezuelan Government with the legal authority to monitor civil society actors, regulate their activities, audit their financial records, and block funding and support from international partners. The Venezuelan National Assembly has already ratified the proposed law in the first of two plenary debates. The law is expected to receive final approval in the coming weeks. Consorcio Justicia encourages democracy activists around the world to raise awareness about this new law.
For more information go to http://www.justiceconsortium.org/ or email Consorcio Justicia Director Carlos Ponce at director@justiceconsortium.org
3. Repressive Measures in Tunisia Prevent Conference of the Tunisian Human Rights League
On May 30, 2006, the Cairo Institute of Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) issues an alert in response to the recent events in Tunisia, in which Tunisian security forces had laid siege to the Tunisian Human Rights League's headquarters to prevent its members from holding the organization's sixth national conference. According to CIHRS, foreign activists and guests were also maltreated, insulted and subjected to physical assault. At the same time, roads leading to the Tunisian capital of Tunis were blocked and martial law measures instated. Members of the League were subsequently unable to pass through the established checkpoints and their drivers' licenses were taken from them. The CIHRS denounced the continued assaults carried out be the Tunisian security forces against human rights activists. The CIHRS called upon Tunisian authorities to stop its use of oppressive methods and put an immediate end to violations of the rights of activists. It also called for the lifting of the siege laid to the League's headquarters and demanded that those responsible for the series of assaults be held accountable. Furthermore, the CIHRS demanded that victims be compensated for the moral and material damages they have suffered, and that the League be enabled to hold its national conference.
For more information, go to: www.cihrs.org/Press_details_en.aspx?per_id=100&pr_year=2006
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
4. July Conference in Moscow
The All-Russia Civic Congress, a movement of Russian civil society organizations, is organizing a conference, entitled "The Other Russia," which will be held in Moscow on July 11-12, prior to the G-8 Summit in St. Petersburg. The Moscow Helsinki Group, the United Civil Front of Russia, and the INDEM Foundation will co-chair the conference. The focus of the discussions will be on growing threats to democratic liberties and human rights in Russia, and the effort to develop a sustained international coalition to support Russian civil society and democracy in the face of those threats. Sessions will be held on the topics of independent media; new legislation regulating NGOs; abuses by law enforcement and security agencies; political prisoners; corruption; the crisis in the North Caucasus; and ethnic and religious conflict.
Go to: http://www.theotherrussia.ru/eng/list/
5. New Governance and Social Development Resource Centre Web Site Launched
Launched in early June, the Governance and Social Development Resource Centre (GSDRC) Web site provides access to research and training in governance, conflict, and social development. The GSDRC aims to help reduce poverty by better informing policymaking and enhancing professional knowledge and competencies. A range of services are available to the public, including free access to the latest publications via the online library, user-friendly topic guides to the key issues, and directories of the latest conferences, training and organizations. Advice on demand is also available, including rapid response research and help finding consultants.
Go to: http://www.gsdrc.org
6. Inter-Parliamentary Union Launches New Guide on Parliament and Democracy in the Twenty-First Century
A recent publication from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), entitled "Parliament and Democracy in the Twenty-First Century: A Guide to Good Practice," provides a comprehensive and systematic account of the central role that parliament plays in a democracy. It identifies five key objectives for a parliament: to be representative, transparent, accessible, accountable and effective. It then proceeds to give examples of how parliaments are seeking to fulfill those objectives. Drawing on submissions from more than 75 national parliaments, the Guide provides evidence that democratic change is possible, and offers some practical illustrations of how it might be brought about.
The guide is available in English and French at: http://www.ipu.org/dem-e/guide.htm
7. Pakistani Organization Launches Web site
The Centre for Civic Education-Pakistan (CCE) has launched a new Web site. Besides highlighting the work of organization, the Web site offers resources by which to understand Pakistani democracy. CCE is an independent research, civic education, training, and advocacy group that strives to cultivate and nurture civic culture, civic courage and values of freedom, tolerance, peace, rule of law, and democracy to strengthen civil society.
Go to: http://www.civiceducation.org/
8. Call for Applications: Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowships
The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program at the Washington, DC-based National Endowment for Democracy welcomes applications from candidates throughout the world for fellowships in 2007-2008. Established in 2001, the program enables democracy activists, practitioners, scholars, and journalists from around the world to deepen their understanding of democracy and enhance their ability to promote democratic change. The program is intended primarily to support activists, practitioners, and scholars from new and aspiring democracies; distinguished scholars from the United States and other established democracies are also eligible to apply. Projects may focus on the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural aspects of democratic development and may include a range of methodologies and approaches. A working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite for participation in the program. The application deadline for fellowships in 2007-2008 is Wednesday, November 1, 2006.
For further information about the program, available in English, Arabic, Russian, and Spanish, go to: www.ned.org/forum/fellows.html
CIVIL MILITARY RELATIONS
9. Visit RESDAL Web Site for Information on Civil Military Relations
The Security and Defense Network of Latin America (RESDAL) was created in 2001 to promote the institutionalization of the state's security and defense functions within a framework of democracy, by strengthening civilian capacities. Today, RESDAL is made up of over 250 members from the entire region. The RESDAL Web Site serves as a resource for information exchange and networking. It provides tools for policymaking and offers research materials to support the creation of civil society institutions. News, events, documents, publications, and papers can be freely accessed through the database, which contains approximately 1200 documents. Regular sections include the Newsletter, Comparative Atlas of Security and Defense in Latin America, Peacekeeping Operation in Haiti, Defense Budgets, and Parliament and Defense.
Go to: www.resdal.org
CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
10. Training Sessions on Democracy and Islam in Jordan
The Arab World Center for Democratic Development and Human Rights (UniHrD) recently provided nine training sessions to young lawyers, students, teachers, and women association members from the regions. The training program, funded by Street Law, Inc., educated participants about the basic principles of a democracy and how these principles relate to a number of pillars of political Islam. The training, which brought together 200 participants, was based on the book ISLAM AND DEMOCRACY- TOWARD EFFECTIVE CITIZENSHIP. A report produced by UniHrD summarizes specific recommendations generated by the workshop participants to stimulate democratic development in their regions.
To read the report on the training sessions, go to:
www.wmd.org/documents/june_06 Recommendations_Training Session in Jordan0606.doc
11. Sixth CIVICUS World Assembly to be Held in Scotland
CIVICUS will hold its World Assembly in Glasgow, Scotland, from June 21-25. The theme of the 2006 Assembly will be "Acting Together for a Just World" and will engage international NGOs, community-based groups, think-tanks and academics from around the world in a dialogue to foster knowledge, relationships, and tangible action. Countless leaders of international prominence will contribute to the program, which includes topics such as "Building and Managing a Strong and Legitimate Nonprofit," and "Civil Society Making International Governmental Organizations Accountable."
To register or for more information, go to: www.civicusassembly.org
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
12. Regional Conference on Transitional Justice in the Western Balkans
On May 5-6, 2006, the Humanitarian Law Center (Serbia), the Research Documentation Center (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Documenta (Croatia) held a conference, entitled "Establishing the Truth in the Aftermath of Conflict: Current Initiatives and Perspectives in the West Balkans." Various human rights organizations, victims' associations from countries of the former Yugoslavia, representatives of the Hague Tribunal, international and local experts in transitional justice, members of the Parliamentary Political Parties' Workgroup, and representation of the president and judiciary in Bosnia and Herzegovina took part in the conference. Participants expressed their support for the trials before the Hague Tribunal as a way of establishing individual liability of the war crimes. They also expressed the need for broad dialogue and consultations on the means and initiatives for establishing truth. Participants also supported the idea of working towards establishing transitional justice programs in their respective countries. They emphasized the need for cooperation in the war crimes trials and agreed on continuing the process of consultations regarding truth and reconciliation in the region.
Go to; www.hlc.org.yu/english/Conferences/War_Crimes_Trials/index.php?file=1429.html
13. TRANSCEND Peace University (TPU) Offers Online Courses on Conflict Transformation and Human Rights
Beginning in the October 2006 semester, TRANSCEND Peace University (TPU) will offer 18 online courses in the area of peaceful conflict transformation, gender, peacebuilding, nonviolence, peace and business, human rights, peace journalism and many others. The courses are designed for government and NGO practitioners, policy makers, and students at any level working in the fields of peace, conflict transformation, development, post-war reconstruction, rehabilitation, and reconciliation and global issues.
Deadline for Applications: September 25th, 2006
Go to: http://www.transcend.org/tpu
14. Announcement of Online Course in Gender and Conflict Transformation
Registration is still open for a four-week online course in Gender and Conflict Transformation, offered by the Network University (TNU) from June 26 - July 23, 2006. The course brings together worldwide expertise on the relationship between gender and conflict transformation, and emphasizes empowering women to become key agents in conflict transformation. In addition, the course aims to share experiences, connect the local and international levels, and create a network of gender and conflict experts. The cost of the course is 450 Euros, with a limited number of partial scholarships available.
Go to: www.netuni.nl/demos/genderconflict
15. Seventh Annual Meeting of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies in Costa Rica
The International Peace Studies Program at the United Nations-mandated University for Peace in San Jose, Costa Rica, will organize the 7th Annual Meeting of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies on September 6-9, 2006. A closed meeting will take place September 6-8, with a public conference on September 9. Presentations will include "Humiliation in a Globalizing World: Does Humiliation Become the Most Disruptive Force?" and "The Humiliation Dynamic: Looking Back ...Looking Forward".
Go to: www.humiliationstudies.org/whoweare/annualmeeting07.php
16. 2006 Workshop on Humiliation and Violent Conflict
On December 14 and 15, the Center for International Conflict Resolution (SIPA) will convene the 2006 Workshop on Humiliation and Violent Conflict, on behalf of the Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (HumanDHS) project of the Columbia University Conflict Resolution Network (CU-CRN). The workshop will be held at the Columbia University Teacher's College in New York, as a continuation of workshops held in 2004 and 2005. Given the current context of the field of international conflict, the impact of emotions on conflict has become an important question worldwide. Humiliation will be seen as a point of entry into broader analysis, and scholars from diverse fields of inquiry are encouraged to contribute to the discussion. Those who wish to participate in the closed portion of the workshop are invited to contact the organizers of the event.
Go to: http://www.humiliationstudies.org/whoweare/annualmeeting08.php
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
17. CIPE Releases 2005 Annual Report
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) recently released its latest Annual Report. The report highlights programs in Iraq and Afghanistan, which are presented in two-page spreads. Other activities highlighted in the report include: CIPE's project in Cairo, where it supported the "Egypt Code of Corporate Governance," the first code to be written originally in Arabic and developed locally; a weekly TV show produced by CIPE partners in Ecuador, Tribuna Liberal, which discusses the main economic and political issues affecting Ecuadorian society; and activities of CIPE partners in Russia, whose recommendations to the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Union of Businessmen OPORA were incorporated into amendments to five federal laws. The report also details the opening of CIPE's newest field office in Karachi, Pakistan.
To read CIPE's complete 2005 Annual Report online, go to: http://www.cipe.org/about/report/index.htm
18. Presentation: "Democratic and Economic Transition in Serbia: Capturing Lessons Learned"
On June 7, Boris Begovic presented at a roundtable discussion at the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) entitled "Democratic and Economic Transition in Serbia: Capturing Lessons Learned." Drawing on the theory of Hungarian economist Janos Kornai, Dr. Begovic identified the key attributes of the successful transitions in Central and Eastern Europe. Using those factors, Dr. Begovic then evaluated Serbia's transition and showed the disparities between the two. The presentation also touched on the recent referendum on independence for Montenegro and ended with a discussion of the next steps in Serbia's journey to democracy. A streaming video of Dr. Begovic's presentation is now available on the CIPE Web site.
To view the video, go to: mms://208.4.46.186/Begovic_CIPE.wmv
19. Israel Democracy Institute Holds Annual Economic Forum
The Israel Democracy Institute's (IDI) Annual Economic Forum will take place on June 20-22 in Jerusalem. As in previous years, Israel's Minister of Finance will direct the conference, and the most central and pressing issues in the Israeli market are to be discussed. Topics will include Ways of Reducing Poverty in Israel, Formulating Policy for the Low-Tech Fields, and Macroeconomic Policy. Among the conference's participants are prime ministers, past and present, Cabinet Ministers, Knesset members, leading figures in the business world, academics, and public officials. A live English-language simulcast of key speeches is available on the IDI's English Web site, www.idi.org.il/english.
To learn more, go to: http://www.idi.org.il/english/article.asp?id=25052006150549&did=100
HUMAN RIGHTS
20. Statement to the African Commission on Human Rights Situation in Sudan
The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), and the Sudanese Organization Against Torture (SOAT) made a statement during the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Commission calling on the Commission to hold the government of Sudan accountable for its violation of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights. This would be done by obliging the Sudanese government to identify, investigate, and prosecute all persons responsible for gross human rights violations, including those in its security organs and its aligned government militias in Darfur and across the Sudan, and to fully comply with its obligations as required by UN security resolutions and the international law to which Sudan is bound, among other requirements.
To view the full statement, go to: http://www.cihrs.org/Press_details_en.aspx?per_id=97&pr_year=2006
21. Call for Applications Extended for Distance Learning Course
Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) announces that the deadline to apply for its distance learning course "Introduction to the European System of Human Rights Protection and Promotion" has been extended until July 15. The course will be held on September 11 - December 3 and is primarily intended for advanced graduate and undergraduate students of international law or social and political sciences; civic education and history teachers; and NGO staff members from Council of Europe member states.
Go to: http://www.hrea.org/courses/9E.html
INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
22. Backlash Against Democracy Assistance: NED Releases Report in Testimony Before Senate Foreign Relations Committee
On June 8, 2006, Carl Gershman, the President of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), presented a 52-page report before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the Backlash Against Democracy Assistance. The new report asserts that foreign governments' efforts to constrain democracy assistance have recently intensified and now seriously impede democracy assistance in a number of states. Representatives of democracy assistance NGOs have been harassed, offices closed, staff expelled, and local grantees put in danger, especially in the former Soviet states of Eurasia, as well as in China, Venezuela, Egypt and Zimbabwe. Despite these developments, the report documents that the demand for democratic assistance is greater than ever, and it emphasizes that there is a long history of successful democracy assistance, even in challenging circumstances. In its conclusion, the report outlines a number of concrete recommendations for Congressional actions to counter the new backlash.
For the full report, go to: http://www.ned.org/publications/reports/backlash06.pdf
23. Report Identifies Key Issues Relating to Implementation of New Iraq Constitution
A report summarizing the roundtable series "Next Steps for the Iraq Constitution" was released by the Public International Law and Policy Group (PILPG), which hosted the roundtable discussions and conducted a negotiation simulation to address the key issues relating to the constitutional implementation process in Iraq. Over 50 Iraqi and international experts participated. The report, "Next Steps for the Iraq Constitution Roundtable Series", complements other PILPG resources designed to assist Iraq's legislators, including the results of the constitutional negotiation simulation and legislative memoranda.
To view the full report in English or Arabic, go to: http://www.publicinternationallaw.org/news/Iraq.23May_06.html
For other PILPG resources on Iraq go to: www.pilpg.org/areas/peacebuilding/simulations/iraq
24. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
* Cairo Institute of Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) - www.cihrs.org
* Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) - www.cipe.org
* CIVICUS - www.civicus.org
* Consorcio Justicia - www.justiceconsortium.org
* Humanitarian Law Center - www.hlc.org.yu/english
* International Uyghur Human Rights and Democracy Foundation
* Israel Democracy Institute - www.idi.org.il
* Moscow Helsinki Group - www.mhg.ru
* Security and Defense Network of Latin America (RESDAL) - www.resdal.org
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The WMD's DemocracyNews
Electronic Newsletter of the World Movement for Democracy - www.wmd.org
