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February 2005
CONTENTS
DEMOCRACY ALERTS/ APPEALS
1. Egyptian Opposition Leader Detained
2. Commemorating Yang Jianli's 1,000th Day in Detention
3. Petition to Urge Inquiry into Gambian Journalist's Murder
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
4. World Movement Assembly Report Available Online
5. IDEE Launches New Section of Its Web Site
6. Online Report of Democracy Processes in the Americas
7. IFES Center for Transitional and Post-Conflict Governance Issues Activity Report
8. Conference: "Global Democracy 2005: Civil Society Visions and Strategies," May 29-June 1, 2005, Montreal, Canada
9. Conference: "Burma, Realizing the Dream," Washington DC, February, 26-27, 2005
10. Asian Network Launches Asia Democracy Index
11. International Center for Islam and Pluralism Launches New Web Site
CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
12. New Report on CIVICUS Civil Society Index
13. New Publication: Manual on "How to Run a Workshop"
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
14. Publication: January 2005 Issue of the Journal of Democracy
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
15. CIPE Releases Winter-2005 Issue of the Overseas Report and its Feature Service Article
ELECTIONS
16.Palestinian Civil Society Played an Important Role in Recent Elections
HUMAN RIGHTS
17. Leading Congolese Human Rights Activist has Died
18. Humanitarian Law Center in Belgrade Documents Crimes against Humanity
19. Working Paper: "Kenyan Civil Society Perspective on Rights, Rights-Based Approaches to Development, and Participation"
20. Rafto Foundation Recognizes Uyghur Human Rights Activist
INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
21. Cross-border Collaboration between Poland and Ukraine: News from Zagranica Group
22. Education for Democracy Foundation announces the 2005 Round of the "Region in Transition" Program
23. Institute for Civic Diplomacy/Pontis Foundation Transfers Slovak "Know-How" to Belarus
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
24. Courage in Journalism and Lifetime Achievement Awards
25. Awards to Best Blogs Defending Freedom
26. Award for Outstanding Achievement in using ICTs for Development
27. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
DEMOCRACY ALERTS/ APPEALS
1. Egyptian Opposition Leader Detained
On January 29, Mr. Ayman Nour, leader of al-Ghad (Tomorrow Party) and member of the Egyptian Parliament, was detained for allegedly forging documents to obtain a license for his political party. State security investigators claim that Mr. Nour forged all but 14 of the over 2000 signatures he was required to present to a governmental committee responsible for licensing political parties. However, Mr. Nour denies this accusation. On January 31, a court extended his detention to 45 days. Several human rights organizations in Egypt, including the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights and the Arab Program for Human Rights Activists, are reporting the mistreatment of him in prison and calling for his immediate release. His party, al-Ghad, campaigns for political, economic, and constitutional reforms in Egypt.
To read Egyptian NGOs' press releases, go to:
Arab Center for the Independence of Judiciary and Legal Profession (ACIJLP) -http://www.wmd.org/documents/ACIJLP.doc
Arab Program for Human Rights Activists (APHRA) - http://www.wmd.org/documents/APHRA.doc
For more information about Mr. Nour's detention, go to: BBC - Egypt opposition leader detained: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4225179.stm
Aljazeera - Egypt Extends Lawmaker's Detention: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/072F9344-3D0A-4E5B-9452-4EEA2CBE5AF9.htm
2. Commemorating Yang Jianli's 1,000th Day in Detention
On January 19, 2005, members of the United States Congress commemorated Yang Jianli's 1,000th day in detention. They urged the Chinese government to grant him medical parole as he struggles to recover from a stroke he suffered on July 31, 2004. Dr. Yang is the co-founder of the Boston-based Foundation for China in the 21st Century and a veteran of the Tiananmen Square student movement in 1989. Three years ago, he returned to China to visit political activists and laid-off workers and was detained by police at an airport in Kunming on April 26, 2002. Since then he has been interrogated more than 100 times. In June 2003, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Dr. Yang was being held in violation of international law. On May 13, 2004, Dr. Yang was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of espionage and illegal entry.
For more information about Dr Yang, go to: www.freedom-now.org or www.supportjianli.org
World Movement for Democracy Alert: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/june2602.html
3. Petition to Urge Inquiry into Gambian Journalist's Murder
Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) is asking free expression advocates to sign an online petition urging the Gambian government to open an independent inquiry into the murder of journalist Deyda Hydara. Hydara, one of Gambia's most respected journalists and a correspondent for Agence France Presse, was gunned down on December 16, 2004. A week-long fact-finding mission conducted by RSF in December 2004 concluded that Hydara was "murdered by well-organized professionals in a premeditated operation." RSF calls on President Yahya Jammeh to appoint an independent commission of investigation after discovering that "most witnesses are afraid of being questioned by the authorities".
To sign the online petition, to: www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=12243
To read RSF's fact-finding report, go to: www.rsf.org/IMG/pdf/rapport_deyda_hydara_en.pdf
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
4. Third Assembly Report Available Online
The final report on theThird Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy is now available in a Web-accessible format. This online report is an enhanced version of the printed report and includes many of the recommendations and proposed initiatives that resulted from nearly 60 workshops; video clips and full text from the keynote addresses delivered by Zainab Bangura (Sierra Leone), Lodi Gyari (Tibet), and Ivan Krastev (Bulgaria); summaries of the Democracy Courage Tributes presented at the John B. Hurford Memorial Dinner; a list of the nearly 600 participants who attended; and other material. If you or others you know are currently undertaking work, or wish to collaborate, on any of the recommendations or initiatives in the report, please send us the information by e-mail (world@ned.org) or by fax (+1-202-293-0755) so we can include it in DemocracyNews or share it directly with other participants as appropriate.
In addition, if you were a presenter in one of the Assembly workshops and wish to have the full text of your presentation posted as part of the Third Assembly report, please send the text to us by e-mail (world@ned.org).
Go to: www.wmd.org/third_assembly/index.html
5. IDEE Launches New Section of Its Web Site
The Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe (IDEE) has announced the creation of a new section of its Web site. The new section features articles reflecting a variety of views on issues and developments in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
Some of the current postings include: "The Hollow Refrain" by Eric Chenoweth, "A look into Putin's Soul" by Janusz Bugajski, and "Matvienko Speaks Her (President's) Mind" by Alexander Podrabinek. IDEE encourages individuals to send articles for consideration.
Go to: www.idee.org
6. Online Report of Democracy Processes in the Americas
The report, "Assessment of the Implementation of the Mandates of the Quebec Plan of Action in 21 countries of the Americas," is now available on the Web site of the Project Citizen Participation in the Summit of the Americas. The report is a follow-up to the Quebec Plan of Action, which was adopted after the Third Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, Canada, in 2001. The report analyzes five themes: access to information, freedom of expression, local government and decentralization, strengthening of civil society, judicial reforms and access to justice.
For more information, go to: www.sociedadcivil.org/informesnacionales.html
7. IFES Center for Transitional and Post-Conflict Governance Issues Activity Report
The Center for Transitional and Post-Conflict Governance, established in October 2004 by IFES, has issued Program Activity Report for October-December 2004. The report provides information on electoral assistance in Iraq, out-of country registration and voting program in the Afghan presidential elections in 2004, political finance and ethics programs in 16 different countries, and studies on the Costs of Registration and Elections (CORE) worldwide. The Center's mission is to develop and conduct programs that enhance political stability in fragile or failed states in order to advance democracy through political processes.
For copies of the report, contact Langdon Miller at LMiller@ifes.org
8. Conference: "Global Democracy 2005: Civil Society Visions and Strategies," May 29-June 1, 2005, Montreal, Canada
On May 29-June 1, 2005, the Montreal International Forum (FIM) will hold a conference on "Global Democracy: Civil Society Visions and Strategies." Participants will explore thoughts, visions, and strategies on attaining global democratic governance. Representatives and actors from civil society organizations, multilateral institutions, governments, parliaments, businesses and associations, the labor sector, indigenous communities, academia, and the media are encouraged to take part in the conference.
Go to: www.g05.org
To learn more about the Montreal International Forum, go to: www.fimcivilsociety.org/english/home.html
9. Conference: "Burma, Realizing the Dream," Washington DC, February, 26-27, 2005
The U.S. Campaign for Burma will hold its annual conference on human rights and democracy in Burma in Washington DC, on February 26-27, 2005. The conference will focus on strategies for grassroots citizens to help Burmese people in their struggle for human rights, freedom, and democracy.
Go to: www.uscampaignforburma.org/whatyoucando/conference.html
10. Asian Network Launches Asia Democracy Index
The Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA), a network of individuals and organizations dedicated to reform to advance democracy, human rights, good governance and the rule of law across Asia, will conduct a survey, the Asia Democracy Index, to study the state of democracy and the prospects for democratization in various countries across Asia. The Index seeks to analyze and rank countries and governments under six main components: Civil Rights; Elections and Political Processes; Governance and Corruption; Media; Rule of Law; and Participation and Representation. The Index is expected to be completed by mid-2005.
Go to: www.asiademocracy.biz/content_view.php?section_id=3&content_id=308&PHPSESSID=3959f3c7ea1d0cbfd39cb6e93a210180
11. The International Center for Islam and Pluralism Launches New Web Site
The International Center for Islam and Pluralism (ICIP), based in Indonesia, recently launched its new Web site. The Web site highlights aspects of pluralism and democracy, provides information on ICIP's current, future and past activities, and contains ICIP's Electronic Journal, which functions as a forum for progressive and moderate Islamic groups and individuals in Indonesia and abroad. The Journal's most recent issue includes articles by Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Prize winner from Iran, and M. Syafi' I Maarif, chairperson of Muhammadiyah, which is one of Indonesia's two Muslim mass-based organizations, representing 20 million members. The ICIP was established with the support of the Asia Foundation in 2003 to help develop an extensive network among progressive Muslims in South and Southeast Asia.
Go to: www.icipglobal.org
CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
12. New Report on CIVICUS Civil Society Index
This report provides a detailed analysis of the project approach, conceptual and analytical framework, and research methodology of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI) Project. The CSI is a participatory needs assessment and action planning tool for civil society in countries around the world. It aims to create a knowledge base and an impetus for civil society strengthening initiatives.
To order CIVICUS books and publications, email info@civicus.org
Go to: www.civicus.org/new/book_list.asp?id=39
13. New Publication: Manual on "How to Run a Workshop"
This manual guides activists through the process of organizing and running a workshop. It focuses on several stages in the process, including planning the workshop agenda, logistics, and facilitation. The guide is one of the new resources available on www.networking.org, which is a Web site that offers numerous free resources to NGOs working in development and humanitarian fields. The variety of "how to" manuals on the site help NGOs build skills, such as fundraising, budgeting, managing, etc.
Go to: www.networklearning.org/books/workshop.html
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
14. Publication: January 2005 Issue of the Journal of Democracy
The January 2005 issue of the Journal of Democracy focuses on "Building Democracy After Conflict." The issue includes articles assessing the post-war reconstruction and democratization efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo, and analyzing various post-conflict governance issues. The issue includes article on "Lessons from Iraq," by Larry Diamond, which is available on the Journal's Web site.
To read the article and to review the contents of the January 2005 issue of the Journal, go to: www.journalofdemocracy.org/jod.htm
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
15. CIPE Releases Winter-2005 Issue of the Overseas Report and its Feature Service Article
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has released the Winter-2005 issue of its Overseas Report. The issue features results from a recent survey of over 450 small- and medium-sized businesses. The survey, conducted by Zogby International, reveals that the Iraqi business community remains confident in Iraq's short- and long-term economic growth. Other stories in this issue include a tribute to the late Jay Van Andel, founder of CIPE, and a report on the growing autonomy of Chinese business associations, in addition to news from CIPE's partners around the world.
To view the report, go to: www.cipe.org/whats_new/overseas/index.htm
CIPE also recently issued a feature article on "Bosnia: Post-Industrial Society and the Authoritarian Temptation." This article is the executive summary of a longer report, which is prepared by the European Stability Initiative. The article claims that the vast post-war reconstruction program intended to kick-start the new market economy failed to mobilize the resources or entrepreneurial energy of Bosnian society, led to large amounts of debt, and overlooked the structural failings left over from Bosnia's authoritarian past.
Go to: www.cipe.org/publications/fs/articles/esi.htm
ELECTIONS
16. Palestinian Civil Society Played an Important Role in Recent Elections
The highly visible January 9 presidential elections in Palestine confirmed a nonviolent transfer of power at the highest executive level, and Mahmoud Abbas was elected as the second president of the Palestinian Authority. In the municipal elections in December 2004 and the presidential elections in January 2005, a number of Palestinian civil society organizations played an important role in facilitating the elections, as monitors, pollsters, and civic educators. The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) conducted public opinion polls before and after the elections. Many other groups, like the Civic Forum Institute and the Palestinian Center for Peace and Democracy, were active in the planning process of the Palestinian Election Monitoring Civil Commission, which had 318 observers monitoring the voting at 805 polling stations.
Go to: Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research's Press Release: www.pcpsr.org/survey/polls/2005/preelectionepr05.html
Elections Monitoring Civil Commission's Press Release on the Election and Vote Count Process: www.cfip.org/press/general_press2.htm
HUMAN RIGHTS
17. Leading Congolese (DRC) Human Rights Activist has Died
The DRC National Network of Human Rights NGOs (le Reseau National de ONGs des Droits de l'Homme de la Republique Democratique du Congo - RENADHOC) has announced that Mr. Omekongo Kitoko, president of Haki za Binadamu in Maniema, Democratic Republic of Congo, died on January 27, 2005 in Cotonou, Benin. Mr. Omekongo was a courageous human rights activist in Maniema, which is one of the most isolated regions of DRC. He led a human rights movement in the region,but in the 90's was forced to flee the country due to his human rights work. He returned to Maniema from France, where he spent some years in exile, and revitalized the human rights movement as the president of Haki za Binadamu.
For more information, please contact the RENADHOC Secretariat at renadhoc@yahoo.fr.
18. The Humanitarian Law Center in Belgrade Documents Crimes against Humanity
The most recent newsletter of The Humanitarian Law Center (HLC), based in Belgrade, focuses on the tragedy in Mackatica, where bodies of Albanian civilians from Kosovo were incinerated by the Serbian security forces. The HLC is a regional non-governmental human rights and humanitarian law organization that was founded in 1992 following the outbreak of armed conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. Since its founding, the HLC has researched killings, disappearances, camps, torture of prisoners of war, and the patterns of ethnic cleansing in times of armed conflict by interviewing witnesses and victims. The HLC advocates the necessity of reconciliation with history, as well as taking of responsibility for crimes committed in the recent past, and restoring the human dignity of the victims whatever their ethnicity.
Go to: www.hlc.org.yu
19. Working Paper: "Kenyan Civil Society Perspective on Rights, Rights-Based Approaches to Development, and Participation"
This paper is part of a series of working papers that draws on the findings of an action research project, "Linking Rights and Participation," which was co-convened by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) Participation Group and Just Associates, in collaboration with partners in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. The paper goes beyond the conceptual debates to explore country-level practice around emergent rights-based approaches to development, and their relationship with more established practices of participatory development. Previous papers in the series include: "What is the Rights-based Approach all about? Perspectives from International Development Agencies" and "Rights-based Approaches and Beyond: Challenges of Linking Rights and Participation."
Go to: www.ids.ac.uk/ids/bookshop/wp.html
20. Rafto Foundation Recognizes Uyghur Human Rights Activist
On January 26, 2004, the Thorolf Rafto Foundation for Human Rights, The Uyghur American Association, and the National Endowment for Democracy, in conjunction with the U.S. Congressional Human Rights Caucus, held an awards ceremony and reception in honor of 2004 Rafto Memorial Prize laureate Ms. Rebiya Kadeer. Rebiya Kadeer is a prisoner of conscience in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (also known as East Turkistan), China. Ms. Kadeer has distinguished herself in the struggle for the rights of the Uyghurs and against social and economic marginalization. Through this award, the Rafto Foundation appealed to the Chinese Government to respect and protect the civil, economic, and cultural rights of the Uyghurs and other minorities in China. The Rafto Foundation expressed its concern for Ms. Kadeer's health and demanded her immediate and unconditional release.
Go to: www.rafto.no/DesktopModules/ViewAnnouncement.aspx?ItemID=161&Mid=42
INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
21. Cross-Border Collaboration between Poland and Ukraine: News from Zagranica Group
In December 2004, a coalition of 27 Polish NGOs working abroad, known as the Zagranica group, joined the consortium of Polish NGOs organizing the Polish Observation Mission to Ukraine (Polska Misja Obserwacyjna na Ukrainie - PMO). In collaboration with the student initiative "Wolna Ukraina" (Free Ukraine), Polish Schuman Foundation, and Association of Ukrainians in Poland, Zagranica prepared a mission of 230 Poles to observe the presidential elections on December 26, 2004. All observers received training in Warsaw and additional briefing onsite. The report from this observation mission is available on the "Wolna Ukraina" Web site. Other recent initiatives of Zagranica group include the project "Together (Razem)-Polish Ukrainian Cooperation for the Future," which was launched in January of 2005. The project fosters youth and community exchanges and partnership building between Poland and Ukraine.
For more information, go to: http://zagranica.ngo.pl
or email: jusjani@engo.pl
To read the report on the Polish Observation Mission in Ukraine, go to: www.wolnaukraina.pl/obserwatorzy.php
22. Education for Democracy Foundation Announces 2005 Round of the "Region in Transition" Program
The Education for Democracy Foundation has announced the 2005 round of the "Region in Transition" (RITA) Program of the Polish American Freedom Foundation. The goal of the program, administered by the Education for Democracy Foundation, is to facilitate the transfer of Polish NGO experience to the societies of the former Eastern Bloc and to support their democratic and free market transformations. During the past four years, RITA has provided grants for some 250 projects of Polish non-governmental organizations and education institutions working in post-communist countries. In addition, RITA organizes meetings to exchange information and discuss problems connected with the activities of Polish organizations in the region of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. RITA also provides reliable information concerning the activities of Polish non-governmental organizations in post-communist countries and informs Polish NGOs about potential partners in the East.
For more information go to: www.edudemo.org.pl/rita/articles.php?lng=pl&pg=123
23. The Institute for Civic Diplomacy/Pontis Foundation Transfers Slovak "Know-How" to Belarus
The Slovakia-Belarus Task Force (TF), run by the Bratislava-based Institute for Civic Diplomacy/Pontis Foundation, works to establish a new framework for the transfer of Slovak "know-how" and technical assistance to Belarus on key aspects of civic society development and economic reform. The TF recently released several papers analyzing the political and economic situation in Belarus. "Belarus Three Months after the Referendum: Facts, Moods, Forecasts," prepared by Andrei Liakhovich of the Minsk-based Center for Political Education, analyzes the current policies and strategies of Belarusian authorities, the role of the opposition, and the current mood within Belarusian society following the National Referendum and Parliamentary Elections. The "Policy Report," prepared by the Institute of Civic Diplomacy/Pontis Foundation and the Minsk-based Institute for Privatization and Management, focuses on possible areas of economic reform in Belarus. Finally, "Belarus Civil Society at the Crossroads: Working Paper of the Slovakia-Belarus Task Force" provides information on current developments within Belarusian civil society.
For copies of the reports, contact pontis@pontisfoundation.sk
To learn more about Institute for Civic Diplomacy/Pontis Foundation, go to: www.pontisfoundation.sk
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
24. Courage in Journalism and Lifetime Achievement Awards
The International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) is accepting nominations for its Courage in Journalism Awards and one Lifetime Achievement Award. The Courage in Journalism Awards honor women working in the news media who have demonstrated extraordinary strength of character in pursuing their profession under difficult or dangerous circumstances, such as government oppression, political pressure, physical danger or other intimidating obstacles. The award carries a cash prize of US$5,000 and a crystal sculpture that symbolizes freedom and courage. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a woman journalist who has a pioneering spirit and whose determination has paved the way for future generations of women in the media. Recipients also demonstrate a strong commitment to freedom of the press and a solid record of accomplishments in journalism. A crystal sculpture is presented with this award. Deadline for nominations is March 15, 2005.
For details, go to: www.iwmf.org/courage/nominate.php
25. Awards to Best Blogs Defending Freedom
Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) is accepting nominations for the Freedom Blog Award. Organizations and Internet users are encouraged to submit outstanding examples of blogs (a personal Web site on which information is posted chronologically, as in a personal diary) defending free expression. A list of the best submissions will then be compiled and an online vote will select the best blog. Nominations should include the Web address or addresses of the blog and a short description of its activity. The blogger does not have to be identified. The prize will be awarded in several language categories: Best blog in English, Chinese, Farsi, Arabic, Russian, French and Spanish.
For more information, go to: www.internet.rsf.org
To send a nomination, email: internet@rsf.org
26. Award for Outstanding Achievement in using ICTs for Development
The Development Gateway Foundation is seeking nominations for the second Development Gateway Award. The $100,000 award will recognize outstanding achievement in using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve people's lives in developing countries. An international panel of independent jurors will review and select the finalists and winner, who will be announced by June 2005. The deadline for submission is February 28, 2005.
Go to: http://home.developmentgateway.org/award
27. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
Please Note: Readers of DemocracyNews will often be referred to Web sites for further information. If you are interested in a particular item, but are unable to access the World Wide Web, please contact the or fax at (202) 378-9889, and we will try to provide the information to you by other means.
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