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The World Movement for Democracy is a global network of democrats, including activists, practitioners, academics, policy makers, and funders, who have come together to develop new forms of cooperation to promote the development of democracy. View previous issues of DemocracyNews.

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December 2002

CONTENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
1. Journalist Detained by Kazakh Government
2. Egypt's Highest Court Overturns Saad Eddin Ibrahim's Conviction
3. Singapore Activist Released from Prison
4. Democracy Symposium in Tokyo
5. International Nongovernmental Forum Calls for Civic Education Worldwide for Democracy
6. Prospects for Democracy in the Post-September 11 Kyrgyz Republic
7. Human Rights Advocacy Distance Learning Course
8. African Regional Training Workshop on HIV/AIDS & Human Rights in Yaounde, Cameroon
9. Publication: Owning the Process-Public Participation in Peacemaking

CIVIC EDUCATION
10. Article: Models of Civic Education

CIVIL MILITARY RELATIONS
11. RESDAL Conference: "Towards Transparency and Quality Budgeting in Security and Defense Work"

CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
12. Call for Participation in International Civil Society Assessment & Strengthening Project

CONFLICT RESOLUTION
13. Peru: Long Road to Healing and Reconciliation

ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
14. CIPE Feature Article: Governance in Tranition Economies

HUMAN RIGHTS
15. Five Human Rights Activists Recognized
16. 2002 John Humphrey Freedom Award to Ayesha Imam of Nigeria
17. Tiananmen Mothers Petition China's Sixteenth Party Congress

INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPERESSION
18. Liberian Journalist Wins National Leadership Award in the U.S.
19. Call for Nominations: Courage in Journalism Award
20. 2003 Alfred Friendly Fellowships for Print Journalism

RESEARCH
21. Nepad, Good Governance and the Rule of Law
22. World Movement Participating Organizations and Individuals Mentioned in this Issue






ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

1. Journalist Detained by Kazakh Government
Independent Kazakh journalist and human rights activist, Sergei Duvanov, was arrested and detained on October 28, 2002 in the capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty. He has been charged with raping a fourteen-year old girl. However, according to BBC News and other sources, human rights activists in Kazakhstan and abroad believe that these charges are fabricated and are the latest attempt by the government to impede Mr. Duvanov's efforts to bring out the truth about government abuses of power. The journalist was taken into custody only hours before he was scheduled to leave for the United States for several speaking engagements. In July 2002, Mr. Duvanov was charged with defaming President Nazarbayev. This was followed in August by a cruel beating by three assailants just before his trip to Warsaw to deliver a report on human rights in Kazakhstan at the OSCE conference.

For more information about this case and efforts to ensure a fair trial, go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/dec1202.html

2. Egypt's Highest Court Overturns Saad Eddin Ibrahim's Conviction
On Tuesday, December 3, 2002, Egypt's highest Appeals Court ordered a re-trial for Saad Eddin Ibrahim, an Egyptian-American Sociologist, thus overturning a previous decision by the State Security Court. Last year, Ibrahim was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of tarnishing Egypt's image, accepting foreign money without government approval, and embezzling funds. This action has been widely condemned by human rights groups as politically motivated. Ibrahim is free pending new trial, which will start on January 7, 2003. At least five of the Appeals Court judges will preside over the re-trial, which will be Ibrahim's third trial on the same charges.

For previous alerts and more information on Ibrahim's case go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/feb1102.html

3. Singapore Activist Released from Prison
On November 9, 2002, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) leader, Chee Soon Juan, was released from prison after serving a five-week imprisonment. On May 1 (Labor Day), 2002, Chee and his colleague, Gandhi Ambalam, were arrested by the police for planning to organize a rally for workers' rights without a government license. SDP's application for a license was rejected by the Public Entertainment Licensing Unit citing "law and order problems." The two activists were arrested when Chee refused to leave the premises after the police threatened to arrest them. Critics have recently been accusing Singapore's ruling People's Action Party of using judicial proceedings and limitations on public speech to suppress political opposition.

For more information about the case and to read Dr. Chee's open letter, go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/oct3002.html

4. Democracy Symposium in Tokyo
On November 13-14, 140 Japanese government officials, parliamentarians, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations met in Tokyo for a symposium entitled "Enlightened Post-Cold War Initiative for Peace Building and Democracy: Enhancing the Role of the Parliament and NGOs." Participants included House of Representatives Speaker Tamisuke Watanuki, House of Councilors President Hiroyuki Kurata, Justice Minister Mayumi Moriyama, former Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata, and other leading members of the Diet representing six major political parties. They were joined by representatives of leading democracy assistance foundations and institutions from Australia, France, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. The meeting focused on advancing the role of the Japanese Parliament (the Diet) and NGOs in the conduct of diplomacy and democracy-promotion activities around the world, and the participants explored ways of establishing a democracy assistance foundation in Japan. The symposium was hosted by the Committee to Aid Democracy for Peace-Building, the Diet League to Aid Democracy for Peace-Building, and the Ozaki Yukio Memorial Foundation. The Washington-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Secretariat of the World Movement for Democracy, participated in the organization of the symposium. The U.S-Japan Foundation provided grant support to conduct the meeting.

For more information contact Ryota Jonen, Assistant Project Manager, World Movement for Democracy, at ryota@ned.org

5. International Nongovernmental Forum Calls for Civic Education Worldwide for Democracy
Over 250 democracy activists from around the world gathered at the International Nongovernmental Forum in Seoul, on November 9-12, 2002, coinciding with the Second Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies. Representatives of the Forum delivered the Forum's recommendations to government officials at the Ministerial Conference. One of the main topics that the Forum addressed was the importance of democracy education in primary and secondary schools, and its final declaration called on governments and international organizations to organize a meeting that would strengthen a global effort to promote democracy education worldwide.

To read an article in International Herald Tribune on December 6 by John Richardson, president of the Council for a Community of Democracies, and Richard C. Rowson, vice president of the Council, go to: www.iht.com/ihtsearch.php?id=79307&owner=(IHT)&date=20021208122757

For more on the Community of Democracies Ministerial Meeting, go to: www.cd2002.go.kr/about/whatsnew_view.php?idx=9

To read an address by Sam Rainsy at the Community of Democracies Ministerial Conference, go to: www.asiademocracy.org/11-11-2002.html

To learn more about the Council for a Community of Democracies, go to: www.ccd21.org

6. Prospects for Democracy in the Post-September 11 Kyrgyz Republic
On November 21, Tolekan Ismailova, founding president of the Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society, a leading nongovernmental organization working to strengthen civil society and democratic processes in the Kyrgyz Republic, gave a public presentation at the Washington-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED) on the prospects for democracy in Kyrgyzstan, and the impact of the events of September 11, 2001. According to Ismailova, the decision of Kyrgyz president Askar Akaev to join the U.S.-led campaign against terror brought with it opportunities for democratic gains, but also grave risks, since the assurance of U.S. support could embolden the Kyrgyz government to renege on promises of democratic reform and renew its campaign of repression in the name of anti-terrorism. In her presentation, Ismailova analyzed how her country might seize the moment to realize its democratic potential and how the international community can help promote democracy there. Ismailova currently is a Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow at NED's International Forum for Democracy.

Go to: www.ned.org/forum/fellows/presentations/12-04-02TolekanSummary.doc

7. Human Rights Advocacy Distance Learning Course
The Human Rights Education Association will conduct a Human Rights Advocacy Distance Learning Course on February 17-May 11, 2003. The course provides human rights activists with a range of proven human rights advocacy methods and critical concepts as a means for them to reflect on and deepen their own work. The course will examine the theoretical foundations and critical issues of human rights advocacy, elements of advocacy planning, and strategies for action.

Scholarships are available for applicants from Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America/Caribbean. Applications need to be submitted by January 1, 2003.

For more information, go to: www.hrea.org/courses/index.html
Contact: Human Rights Education Associates (HREA), applications@hrea.org

8. African Regional Training Workshop on HIV/AIDS & Human Rights in Yaounde, Cameroon
The workshop will take place in Yaounde, Cameroon on February 3-11, 2003. The workshop will present examples of discrimination and human rights violations associated with HIV/AIDS and encourage governments to adopt legislation increasing the involvement and action of young people in the field of HIV/AIDS and human rights.

Go to: www.comminit.com/events_cal/2003/1631-event.html
Contact: yaounde2003@hotmail.com or pressejeunecm@hotmail.com

9. Publication: OWNING THE PROCESS-PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN PEACEMAKING
The London-based Conciliation Resources has just released the thirteenth issue of its Accord series. The issue focuses on the challenges and dilemmas of public participation in peacemaking. A number of case studies explore a various models of participation (i.e. consultative, representative, and direct participation mechanisms), and analyze the impact that each model provides on the peace process and its implementations. The issue is available online.

To read the latest issue of Accord publication, go to: www.c-r.org/accord/index.htm?accser/series.htm



CIVIC EDUCATION

10. Article: MODELS OF CIVIC EDUCATION
In his article, MODELS OF CIVIC EDUCATION, Krzysztof Stanowski, Director of International Programs at the Warsaw-based Foundation for Education for Democracy, emphasizes the importance of civic education for the endurance of democracy. He argues that rational and critical thinking and active political, social and economic participation are crucial for democracy's survival. The article also addresses political participation of youth as part of their civic education.

Go to: www.idee.ngo.pl/newsletter/artykuly/1_models.htm



CIVIL MILITARY RELATIONS

11. RESDAL Conference: "Towards Transparency and Quality Budgeting in Security and Defense Work"
The Network of Security and Defense in Latin America (RESDAL- La Red de Seguridad y Defensa de América Latina) held a conference on security and defense in Latin America in Managua, Nicaragua, on December 2-3, 2002. The objective of the meeting was to design a methodology to measure the transparency and quality of defense budgeting in Latin America. RESDAL, created in September 2001, is a network dedicated to promoting the institutionalization of state security and defense while strengthening civil capacity by bringing together institutions and individuals working on civil-military relations and security and defense issues.

Go to: www.resdal.org



CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGHTHENING

12. Call for Participation in International Civil Society Assessment & Strengthening Project
CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organizations, is inviting applications for national partners to participate in its Civil Society Index 2003-04. The Index is an action-research project that assesses the state of civil society in countries around the world with a view to creating a knowledge base and an impetus for civil society strengthening initiatives. The Index was successfully piloted in 14 countries, and CIVICUS is now launching the first full implementation phase in approximately 25 countries.

Go to: www.civicus.org/cc/portal/index2.cfm?contentid=403&link_url=



CONFLICT RESOLUTION

13. Peru: Long Road to Healing and Reconciliation
On October 24, 2002, Sofia Macher, Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Peru, addressed a public meeting in Montreal organized by the Canada-based Rights and Democracy to report on the work of the TRC in Peru. The TRC's mandate is to investigate, document, and publicly expose the deaths and sufferings caused by 20 years of political violence, but also to pave the way for genuine reconciliation in the country. "We are trying to recreate the social fabric of the country," said Marcher. The TRC has been encouraging victims to come forward and offer testimonials. The TRC has already gathered 12,000 testimonials and concludes that official estimates of victims of political violence numbering 30,000 who lost their lives and 600,000 who were forced to flee their villages are grossly underestimated.

Go to: serveur.ichrdd.ca/english/commdoc/publications/libertas/LOLnov2002/peruReconcilEng.html



ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR

14. CIPE Feature Article: GOVERNANCE IN TRANSITION ECONOMIES
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) feature article, GOVERNANCE IN THE TRANSITION ECONOMIES: CURRENT ISSUES IN BULGARIA was written by Bistra Boeva, professor at the University for National and World Economic Studies, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Boeva discusses the importance of developing sound principles of governance in emerging markets, and evaluates the progress made by local reformers and international organizations in the last decade.

Go to: www.cipe.org/publications/fs/articles/boeva.htm



HUMAN RIGHTS

15. Five Human Rights Activists Recognized
The International League for Human Rights has announced that five human rights activists were honored on December 9, 2002 to mark Human Rights Defenders' Day at the United Nations. The five are: Sergei Duvanov, an independent journalist recently detained in Kazakhstan (see item #1 above); Don Mullan, a native of Northern Ireland, journalist and author of Eyewitness Bloody Sunday; Christiana Thorpe of Sierra Leone, founder of an organization that empowers African women and girls; Topchubek Turgunaliev, a campaigner for democracy in Kyrgyzstan; and Dr. Wan Yanhai, an HIV/AIDS activist, recently released by Chinese authorities, who was accused of disclosing state secrets about HIV- tainted blood supply.

Go to: www.ilhr.org/ilhr/events/defenders2002.htm

16. 2002 John Humphrey Freedom Award to Ayesha Imam of Nigeria
The Canada-based Rights and Democracy presented its 2002 John Humphrey Award to Ayesha Imam of Nigeria. Ms. Imam has been working in the field of human rights for the past 21 years and has been instrumental in the campaign against discriminatory abuse of Nigeria's Sharia legal system in the Northern States of Nigeria.

For information on the award, as well as to learn more about Ms. Imam and her work, go to: serveur.ichrdd.ca/frme.iphtml?langue=0

17. Tiananmen Mothers Petition China's Sixteenth Party Congress
According to NY-based Human Rights in China, the Tiananmen Mothers, a group representing families of protesters killed or injured in Beijing during the violent official crackdown on June 4th, 1989, has issued an open letter to China's new Politburo Standing Committee calling for justice for the victims and a more democratic system for China. The letter with 114 signatures calls on the new Chinese leadership: to reassess and take responsibility for the violent crackdown, and to establish a formal dialogue with the bereaved families; to establish an investigatory body to conduct an independent inquiry into the massacre and publicize its findings; to publish an official list of those killed and to offer appropriate legal and financial remedies to the families. In addition, the group urges the Chinese government to embrace full-scale political, economic and social reform, including establishment of a genuinely democratic multi-party political system. Tiananmen Mothers were honored for their exceptional courage in their work for human rights and democracy at the Second Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy at Sao Paolo, Brazil, 2000.

Go to: iso.hrichina.org/iso/news_item.adp?news_id=1064



INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPERESSION

18. Liberian Journalist Wins National Leadership Award in the U.S.
Liberian journalist and author, Gabriel I.H. Williams, has won the National Leadership Award, which is presented by the U.S. National Republican Congressional Committee, for his leadership qualities. Williams, author of the recently published book, LIBERIA: THE HEART OF DARKNESS, provided leadership in establishing THE INQUIRER newspaper in early 1991, after the infrastructure in Monrovia, including media facilities, was massively destroyed. This followed months of heavy fighting amongst various armed factions attempting to control the Liberian capital during the early period of the Liberian civil war. Under his leadership, THE INQUIRER became Liberia's leading daily. He served for six years on the executive committee of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) as Assistant Secretary General, Secretary General, and Acting President. The PUL has been a leading organization advocating for press freedom, human rights and democratic reforms in Liberia. Williams and Isaac D.E. Bantu are founding members of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), an organization for Liberian journalists in exile.

For further information, please contact Gabriel Williams at gbor@pacbell.net.

To read the World Movement's interview with Williams, go to www.wmd.org/wbdo/jun-jul02/gabrielwilliams.html

19. Call for Nominations: Courage in Journalism Award
Nominations are being sought for the International Women's Media Foundation's 2003 Courage in Journalism Award. The award honors women working in the news media who have demonstrated extraordinary strength of character in pursuing their profession under difficult or dangerous circumstances. Nominations must be submitted between January 1 and March 14, 2003.

Go to: www.iwmf.org/courage/nominate.php

Contact: Amy Johnson, Director of Programs IWMF, 1726 M Street, NW, Suite 1002, Washington DC 20036, tel.+1-202-496-1992, Fax +1-202-496-1977, ajohnson@iwmf.org

20. 2003 Alfred Friendly Fellowships for Print Journalism
Mid-career print journalists from former Soviet countries are eligible to apply for the 2003 Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships (AFPF). The application deadline is February 1, 2003. The AFPF is a journalism training program that offers six months of hands-on experience in a U.S. newsroom for 12 fellows per year. Alfred Friendly, the Pulitzer Prize-winning former managing editor of The Washington Post, created the fellowship in 1983.

Go to: www.pressfellowships.org



RESEARCH

21. NEPAD, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND THE RULE OF LAW
An article written by Willy Mamah, Legal Officer with HURILAWS, raises concerns on the future of Africa, and questions the commitment of Western and African leaders to achieving good governance and rule of law in Africa, which are essential for the success of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). Mamah argues that while the main challenge for the African leaders is to insure good governance, the West must start seeing Africa from a new perspective of partnership.

Go to: www.wmd.org/documents/NEPADAndGoodGov.doc

Other articles by Mamah are also available in the Africa Section of the World Movement for Democracy Web site: www.wmd.org/documents/2003ElectionWillNotBe.doc www.wmd.org/documents/PeoplesConstitutionAsPanaceaToNigerianCrisis.doc



22. World Movement Participating Organizations and Individuals Mentioned in this Issue


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