International Commission of Jurists Claims Zhovtis Appeal Trial Did Not Meet Fair Trial Standards 

To read the latest statement from the World Movement Steering Committee regarding the trial, go to: www.wmd.org/alerts/statement-world-movement-democracy-steering-committee-regarding-developments-case-against-yev

 

 

In April, the World Bank opened free access to its online data, which was previously available only to those who paid a fee. The data catalog is a listing of available World Bank data sources, and will continue to be updated as additional data resources are added. These resources include databases, pre-formatted tables, and reports. Each of the listings includes a description of the data source and a direct link to that source. Where possible, the databases are linked directly to a selection screen to allow users to select the countries, indicators, and years they would like to search, and the results can be exported in different formats. Users can also choose to download the entire database directly from the catalog.

 

Go to: http://data.worldbank.org

 

 

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), and the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) have noted with deep concern the delays in the constitution-making process. According to the Global Political Agreement (the 2008 agreement between President Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front and its main political opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change), the outreach process was supposed to have been completed no later than four months after the First All Stakeholders’ Conference. However, it is now eight months since the conference was held and there is no sign that the outreach process will commence any time soon. Also of concern are reports of people being harassed and threatened for expressing their views on what should and should not be included in a new constitution. The organizations appeal to the Principals of the Global Political Agreement to facilitate a free environment for all involved in the ongoing national processes, as promised in the Agreement.

 

Go to: www.zlhr.org.zw/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=84 or www.zesn.org.zw/newsflash_view.cfm?nfid=74

 

 

The World Forum for Democratization in Asia (WFDA) has issued a statement expressing concern about the continued uncertainty over the conduct of the national elections in the Philippines scheduled for May 10. The elections have the potential to return the Philippines to the path of democratic development, but they could also create a new crisis and setback, which would have negative repercussions around the region. Specifically, WFDA is concerned about technical difficulties with the new automated voting system, the potential for election-related violence, and the potential for unconstitutional rule following the election. In addition to stating its concerns, WFDA also expresses its solidarity with and support for those in Filipino civil society who are making maximum efforts to facilitate public participation in the elections and who will be monitoring the election process.

 

Go to: www.wfda.net/news_detail.htm?id=463

 

 

 

The 14^th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 10-13, 2010. The IACC is a global forum that brings together royalty, heads of state, civil society, and the private sector to tackle the increasingly sophisticated challenges posed by corruption. The IACC takes place every two years in a different region of the world, and attracts up to 1500 participants from over 135 countries.  The IACC seeks to draw attention to corruption by raising awareness and stimulating debate, and foster to a global exchange of experience and methodologies in controlling corruption.

 

Go to: http://14iacc.org/programme/overview

 

On February 28, the Center for International Private Enterprise in Afghanistan (CIPE Afghanistan) and the National Center for Policy Research at Kabul University conducted a policy roundtable on “Illegal Payments and Extortion: Combating Corruption in Afghanistan.” Forty-five participants attended the event, including members of the National Assembly, academia, government officials, business leaders, members of civil society organizations, and representatives of international NGOs. The participants reviewed the key problems, the probable causes, and the negative effects that illegal payments and extortion have inflicted on the business community and private sector.  They also debated solutions and possible policy alternatives to address the issue.  The roundtable concluded with recommendations about how to address illegal payments and extortion and combat corruption in Afghanistan.

 

Go to: www.cipe.org/about/press/Afghanistan%20Roundtable_Press%20Release_final.pdf

 

 

On April 20, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released "Sleight of Hand: Repression of the Media and the Illusion of Reform in Zimbabwe," a 26-page report that asserts that Zimbabwe's power-sharing government has not carried out critical media reforms as promised under the country's September 2008 Global Political Agreement. The report also claims that the Zimbabwe Africa National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), the former sole ruling party, still holds the balance of power in the coalition government forged with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the former opposition movement, in February 2009. The new government has not reformed media-related laws, as promised. In the past year, not one independent television or radio station has received a license to operate. Moreover, under the new government, at least 15 journalists have been harassed, arbitrarily arrested, or assaulted by Zimbabwe's state security forces. HRW urges President Jacob Zuma of South Africa and his team, who have been tasked with facilitating Zimbabwe's political process, to call on parties to the Global Political Agreement, particularly ZANU-PF, to carry out the promised reforms, including constitutional, electoral, and security improvements, within a specific time-frame.

 

Go to: www.hrw.org/node/89685

 

 

On April 29, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its 11^th annual report, which documents serious abuses of freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief around the world. In the report, USCIRF recommends that Burma, China, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam all be considered as “countries of particular concern,” and provides policy prescriptions for each of those countries. In addition to the countries of particular concern, USCIRF also lists Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Laos, Russia, Somalia, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Venezuela in its 2010 Watch List.

 

Go to: www.uscirf.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3051&Itemid=1

 

 

 

In April, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) launched its Youth Essay Contest for 2010. CIPE invites young people ages 18 to 30 to share their ideas on how to create opportunities for youth to strengthen democracy and the private sector in their own countries. Contestants may choose from three categories for their essays: “Democracy that delivers,” “Entrepreneurship and society,” and “Women and participation.” For each category, first, second, and third place authors will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and CIPE will publish their winning essays. The deadline for entries is June 18, 2010.

 

Go to: www.cipe.org/essay