http://www.ccd21.org/ All the latest news and activities of the Council for a Community of Democracies community of democracies, democracy, league of democracies, warsaw declaration, democracy education, diplomat's handbook Government & Organizations Non-Profit en Copyright 2008 hollingsworth@ccd21.org (Daniel Hollingsworth) http://www.ccd21.org/images/common/logo.gifhttp://www.ccd21.org/ Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:13:51 GMT Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:13:51 GMT RSS DreamFeeder v 2.2.0 On August 7, the International Steering Committee of the Nongovernmental Process of the Community of Democracies (ISC/CD) condemned the coup staged by the Mauritanian military on August 6, which has placed President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi and Prime Minister Yahia Ould Ahmed El-Ouakef in military custody and installed a “State Council” led by military officers to govern. It calls on all parties to insist on a peaceful resolution of the current political crisis in accordance with democratic constitutional principles; encourages the African Union's engagement on the issue; and urges the Community of Democracies to take action in response to the coup. On August 7, the International Steering Committee of the Nongovernmental Process of the Community of Democracies (ISC/CD) condemned the coup staged by the Mauritanian military on August 6, which has placed President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi and Prime Minister Yahia Ould Ahmed El-Ouakef in military custody and installed a “State Council” led by military officers to govern. It calls on all parties to insist on a peaceful resolution of the current political crisis in accordance with democratic constitutional principles; encourages the African Union's engagement on the issue; and urges the Community of Democracies to take action in response to the coup. http://ccd21.org/pdf/isc-cd_mauritania_coup.pdf Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:11:37 GMT manual:1218136431921:2529872713641331:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss According to an op-ed in the Christian Science Monitor, if the Turkish Constitutional Court decides to close down the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey, it would signal to the rest of the Muslim world that “no matter how much Islamists moderate, they won't be accepted as legitimate participants in the democratic process” and instead “will strengthen those Islamists who see violence and confrontation as a surer means to influence political power.” According to an op-ed in the Christian Science Monitor, if the Turkish Constitutional Court decides to close down the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey, it would signal to the rest of the Muslim world that “no matter how much Islamists moderate, they won't be accepted as legitimate participants in the democratic process” and instead “will strengthen those Islamists who see violence and confrontation as a surer means to influence political power.” http://ccd21.org/news/mena/turkey_akp-case.html Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:23:42 GMT Daniel Hollingsworth manual:1217276757484:28940058028961636:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss A July 21 editorial in the New York Times warns that despite criticism from traditional allies of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe over “the brutality with which [Mugabe] stole Zimbabwe’s elections last month,” the lack of unified pressure against Mugabe, most notably from Russia, China, and South Africa, could allow him to “settle in for another term of disastrous misrule.” It writes, “Sustained international pressure will be needed to assure an acceptable outcome — either an internationally supervised rerun of the election or a negotiated transition leading to Mr. Mugabe’s swift departure and Mr. Tsvangirai’s inauguration.” A July 21 editorial in the New York Times warns that despite criticism from traditional allies of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe over “the brutality with which [Mugabe] stole Zimbabwe’s elections last month,” the lack of unified pressure against Mugabe, most notably from Russia, China, and South Africa, could allow him to “settle in for another term of disastrous misrule.” It writes, “Sustained international pressure will be needed to assure an acceptable outcome — either an internationally supervised rerun of the election or a negotiated transition leading to Mr. Mugabe’s swift departure and Mr. Tsvangirai’s inauguration.” http://ccd21.org/news/zimbabwe_negotiations.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:22:50 GMT Daniel Hollingsworth manual:1216664603408:3976233120492544:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), following its investigation of the rule of law, democracy and human rights in Singapore, has issued a report outlining its continuing concerns and recommendations. The report shows that Singapore’s rankings are “very low regarding its recognition and implementation of human rights and democracy”. The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), following its investigation of the rule of law, democracy and human rights in Singapore, has issued a report outlining its continuing concerns and recommendations. The report shows that Singapore’s rankings are “very low regarding its recognition and implementation of human rights and democracy”. http://ccd21.org/news/singapore_IBA_report.html Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:18:55 GMT Rosalind Elphick manual:1216308017441:8758574129116469:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss The Council for a Community of Democracies notes with sadness the death this past weekend of former Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek at the age of 76. The Council for a Community of Democracies notes with sadness the death this past weekend of former Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek at the age of 76. http://ccd21.org/news/geremek_tribute.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:28:52 GMT Steve Wagenseil manual:1216142972754:0:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss The G8 leaders issued a strong statement on Tuesday July 8 declaring the Zimbabwean government illegitimate and condemning the violence perpetrated during the re-election of President Robert Mugabe. The Times reports that the leaders are threatening to take further steps against Zimbabwe, including “financial and other measures against those individuals responsible for the violence”. The G8 leaders issued a strong statement on Tuesday July 8 declaring the Zimbabwean government illegitimate and condemning the violence perpetrated during the re-election of President Robert Mugabe. The Times reports that the leaders are threatening to take further steps against Zimbabwe, including “financial and other measures against those individuals responsible for the violence”. http://ccd21.org/news/zimbabwe_un-g8.html Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:22:07 GMT Rosalind Elphick manual:1215786186984:9756326631033878:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss The president of Mongolia has declared a four-day state of emergency following violent protests over claims that the June 29 general election was rigged. The president of Mongolia has declared a four-day state of emergency following violent protests over claims that the June 29 general election was rigged. http://ccd21.org/news/mongolia_election_protests.html Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:55:35 GMT Rosalind Elphick manual:1215097012638:8781570543886256:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss Following Zimbabwe opposition leader Tsvangirai’s withdrawal on June 23 from the run-off election, the UN Security Council has issued a statement condemning the violence in Zimbabwe. The Council statement “condemned the campaign of violence against the political opposition in Zimbabwe and the actions of the Government that had denied its political opponents the right to campaign freely, regretting that the violence and the restrictions on the political opposition had made it impossible to hold a free and fair election on 27 June.” Following Zimbabwe opposition leader Tsvangirai’s withdrawal on June 23 from the run-off election, the UN Security Council has issued a statement condemning the violence in Zimbabwe. The Council statement “condemned the campaign of violence against the political opposition in Zimbabwe and the actions of the Government that had denied its political opponents the right to campaign freely, regretting that the violence and the restrictions on the political opposition had made it impossible to hold a free and fair election on 27 June.” http://ccd21.org/news/zimbabwe_unsc_resolution.html Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:05:25 GMT Marnie Suss manual:1214417170796:13240478483696372:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss Zimbabwe’s MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has pulled out of the June 27 run-off election due to increasing violence and intimidation by the Mugabe government. The Times reports that Tsvangirai said, “Given the totality of [the violence and intimidation] we believe a credible election, which reflects the will of the people, is impossible." Zimbabwe’s MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has pulled out of the June 27 run-off election due to increasing violence and intimidation by the Mugabe government. The Times reports that Tsvangirai said, “Given the totality of [the violence and intimidation] we believe a credible election, which reflects the will of the people, is impossible." http://ccd21.org/news/zimbabwe_tsvangirai_withdraws.html Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:57:15 GMT Marnie Suss manual:1214319504937:21304973366982984:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss In an open letter ahead of the June 27 presidential runoff election in Zimbabwe, former African heads of state, business leaders, academics and leading campaigners, including Kofi Annan, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and Desmond Tutu, “call for the presidential election to be conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner that allows the citizens of Zimbabwe to express freely their will." In an open letter ahead of the June 27 presidential runoff election in Zimbabwe, former African heads of state, business leaders, academics and leading campaigners, including Kofi Annan, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and Desmond Tutu, “call for the presidential election to be conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner that allows the citizens of Zimbabwe to express freely their will." http://ccd21.org/news/zimbabwe_elders_letter.html Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:29:11 GMT Daniel Hollingsworth manual:1213727388348:849116021425752:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss Leaders of the European Union and the United States met in Brdo, Slovenia for the 2008 EU-U.S. Summit. The resulting Summit Declaration identified the Community of Democracies as a multilateral initiative that the parties should encourage. Leaders of the European Union and the United States met in Brdo, Slovenia for the 2008 EU-U.S. Summit. The resulting Summit Declaration identified the Community of Democracies as a multilateral initiative that the parties should encourage. http://ccd21.org/news/eu-us-summit2008.html Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:26:18 GMT Daniel Hollingsworth manual:1213716463458:6497554171348987:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss The Africa Democracy Forum, a network of over 430 democracy and human rights organizations throughout Africa, expresses its deep concern over the worsening political crisis and a large scale of violence against civilians in this pre-presidential runoff election period in Zimbabwe. The Africa Democracy Forum, a network of over 430 democracy and human rights organizations throughout Africa, expresses its deep concern over the worsening political crisis and a large scale of violence against civilians in this pre-presidential runoff election period in Zimbabwe. http://ccd21.org/news/ADF-Zim-statement.html Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:37:01 GMT manual:1213630647161:8819536526040178:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss Two members of the governing coalition in the Ukrainian parliament have left the coalition, leaving the combined blocs of President Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko without a majority in Parliament. The losses leave the coalition with 225 seats, exactly half of parliament. Two members of the governing coalition in the Ukrainian parliament have left the coalition, leaving the combined blocs of President Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko without a majority in Parliament. The losses leave the coalition with 225 seats, exactly half of parliament. http://ccd21.org/news/ukraine_coalition_defections.html Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:48:55 GMT Daniel Hollingsworth manual:1212774579844:8327399367610363:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s opponent Morgan Tsvangirai was briefly detained on June 4 by Zimbabwe authorities while he was campaigning for a presidential run-off election. The International Herald Tribune writes that Tsvangirai and other party officials had addressed supporters in Lupane without authorization, before being detained at a nearby roadblock. The BBC reports that eight hours later authorities released Tsvangirai without charges. Tsvangirai said, “[this was] nothing but the usual harassment which is totally unnecessary." Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s opponent Morgan Tsvangirai was briefly detained on June 4 by Zimbabwe authorities while he was campaigning for a presidential run-off election. The International Herald Tribune writes that Tsvangirai and other party officials had addressed supporters in Lupane without authorization, before being detained at a nearby roadblock. The BBC reports that eight hours later authorities released Tsvangirai without charges. Tsvangirai said, “[this was] nothing but the usual harassment which is totally unnecessary." http://ccd21.org/news/zimbabwe_tsvangirai_detained.html Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:48:25 GMT Marnie Suss manual:1212774579875:6074888127326621:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss June 4 marks the 19th anniversary for the pro-democracy protests in China.The AP estimates that 130 people are still jailed for their participation in the in the protests held in Tiananmen Square. In the 1989 protests, hundreds of people, mostly students, were killed by the military’s attempt to halt opposition. Today, China's college students are more likely to favor nationalistic causes and work within the one-party system. June 4 marks the 19th anniversary for the pro-democracy protests in China.The AP estimates that 130 people are still jailed for their participation in the in the protests held in Tiananmen Square. In the 1989 protests, hundreds of people, mostly students, were killed by the military’s attempt to halt opposition. Today, China's college students are more likely to favor nationalistic causes and work within the one-party system. http://ccd21.org/news/china_tiananmen_anniversary.html Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:23:23 GMT Marnie Suss manual:1212611167731:6977608041502554:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss Five months after the national election in Thailand ended military control, a string of protests have filled the streets. Protestors “want to see the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, put on trial for corruption” because they feel he is a threat to the position of the monarchy. Five months after the national election in Thailand ended military control, a string of protests have filled the streets. Protestors “want to see the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, put on trial for corruption” because they feel he is a threat to the position of the monarchy. http://ccd21.org/news/thailand_protests.html Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:14:06 GMT Marnie Suss manual:1212592531824:8784185403115826:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in Zimbabwe and the apparent winner of the March Presidential Elections, has released a letter sent to South African President Thabo Mbeki on May 13, requesting that Mbeki remove himself from his role as exclusive mediator of the crisis in Zimbabwe. Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in Zimbabwe and the apparent winner of the March Presidential Elections, has released a letter sent to South African President Thabo Mbeki on May 13, requesting that Mbeki remove himself from his role as exclusive mediator of the crisis in Zimbabwe. http://ccd21.org/news/tsvangirai_letter.html Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:49:15 GMT Daniel Hollingsworth manual:1212436180359:4219757427524924:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss A May 30 article in the New York Times details the legal battle between Chee Soon Juan, leader of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and member of the Nongovernmental International Steering Committee of the Community of Democracies (ISC/CD), reflecting a growing international awareness of the case. A May 30 article in the New York Times details the legal battle between Chee Soon Juan, leader of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and member of the Nongovernmental International Steering Committee of the Community of Democracies (ISC/CD), reflecting a growing international awareness of the case. http://ccd21.org/news/singapore_nyt_chee_trial.html Fri, 30 May 2008 17:19:11 GMT Daniel Hollingsworth manual:1212167987546:3242490137515829:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss The Washington Post reports an increase of non-profit and grass-roots organizations which have supported the relief efforts of the recent earthquake in China. The decision by the Chinese government to allow non-governmental organizations assist with disaster relief is a departure from previous policy, a shift that has positively impacted the aid effort. The Washington Post reports an increase of non-profit and grass-roots organizations which have supported the relief efforts of the recent earthquake in China. The decision by the Chinese government to allow non-governmental organizations assist with disaster relief is a departure from previous policy, a shift that has positively impacted the aid effort. http://ccd21.org/news/china_quake_relief.html Thu, 29 May 2008 20:08:46 GMT Marnie Suss manual:1212091776515:3759310855229524:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss Soon Juan Chee, leader of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and Member of the Nongovernmental International Steering Committee of the Community of Democracies (ISC/CD), had an opportunity on May 28 to directly question Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his father, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, in an ongoing court battle that threatens to bankrupt the SDP. Soon Juan Chee, leader of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and Member of the Nongovernmental International Steering Committee of the Community of Democracies (ISC/CD), had an opportunity on May 28 to directly question Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his father, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, in an ongoing court battle that threatens to bankrupt the SDP. http://ccd21.org/news/singapore_court.html Wed, 28 May 2008 18:50:59 GMT Daniel Hollingsworth manual:1212000689109:5231661855218449:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss The Central Election Commission of Georgia has verified the results of the May 21 Parliamentary election, confirming that the United National Movement of President Mikhail Saakashvili won a major victory with 59.5% of the vote, with the second place party receiving 17.7%. The Central Election Commission of Georgia has verified the results of the May 21 Parliamentary election, confirming that the United National Movement of President Mikhail Saakashvili won a major victory with 59.5% of the vote, with the second place party receiving 17.7%. http://ccd21.org/news/georgia_ieom_assessment.html Fri, 23 May 2008 18:59:46 GMT Daniel Hollingsworth manual:1211569241247:6586997461109968:http://www.ccd21.org/RSSfeed.rss