A court of appeal in Ukraine has upheld a custody order against a leading opposition activist, but as the parliamentary election campaign season kicks into gear, a new public opinion survey reveals that Ukrainians are more anxious about economic issues …
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August 7, 2012
in Authoritarianism, Central & Eastern Europe, Civil Society, Democracy Assistance, Eurasia, Human rights, Media, National Endowment for Democracy, NGOs and Civil Society, Protests, Rule of Law, Ukraine
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Ukraine misusing law to stifle media and dissent
August 3, 2012
in Arab Spring, Authoritarianism, Democratic transitions, Egypt, Human rights, Islam and Politics, Rule of Law, Turkey
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A win for Egypt’s ‘deep state’? Mubarak holdovers dominate cabinet of rivals
Egypt’s Islamist president swore in his cabinet yesterday, including five members of his Muslim Brotherhood and prompting criticism that the group had again reneged on promises to form an inclusive government of national unity.
“Their actions don’t match their words,” …
Does changing autocrats enhance democratic prospects?
Are authoritarian regimes more likely to transition to democracy following a leadership change?
A post yesterday by Alula Alex Iyasu at the Royal African Society’s African Arguments blog implies that is the case, or at least that it might in …
August 3, 2012
in Africa, Authoritarianism, China, Democracy Assistance, Democracy Promotion, Governance, Human rights
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Beijing rebukes Clinton on African democracy
Africa should beware of would-be benefactors who adopt a neo-colonial approach to exploiting the continent’s resources, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton warned this week.
“The days of having outsiders come and extract the wealth of Africa for themselves, leaving …
August 3, 2012
in Asia, China, Democracy Assistance, Dictatorships, Dissidents, Human rights, Islam and Politics, National Endowment for Democracy
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China jails critics, as Ramadan curbs aim ‘to undermine Uyghur identity’
“China has sentenced 20 people to up to 15 years in jail for advocating violence and separatism in the far western region of Xinjiang, where the central government has clamped down on dissent and restricted religious practices,” AP reports.…
August 3, 2012
in Africa, Arab Spring, Civil Society, Democracy Assistance, Democracy Promotion, Governance, Human rights, Islam and Politics, National Endowment for Democracy, NGOs and Civil Society, Rule of Law, Sudan
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Sudan: US seeks conflict resolution, democracy – not regime change
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today arrives in South Sudan, where she is expected to highlight concerns over the country’s conflict with Sudan and to press for a peaceful resolution.
She is likely to press South Sudan President …
August 1, 2012
in Arab Spring, Democracy Assistance, Democratic transitions, Dictatorships, Dissidents, Islam and Politics, Libya, National Endowment for Democracy, Syria
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Bipartisan calls to arm Syria’s rebels, as opposition ‘fractures’
Fears are growing that Western democracies’ failure to support the Syrian opposition is creating an opportunity for jihadist groups to exploit the uprising and possibly help shape the post-Assad political settlement.
“The arms flowing to the [Free Syrian Army], at …
August 1, 2012
in Authoritarianism, Civil Society, Corruption, Democracy Assistance, Dissidents, Eurasia, Governance, Human rights, National Endowment for Democracy, NGOs and Civil Society, Rule of Law, Russia
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US concerned by ‘politically-motivated prosecutions’ of Russian dissenters
The US today expressed its concern over fresh charges against prominent Russian blogger Aleksei Navalny in the light of further investigations of opposition figures and the trial of members of the Pussy Riot punk band (right).
“All of these developments …
July 31, 2012
in Arab Spring, Democratic transitions, Egypt, Islam and Politics, National Endowment for Democracy, NGOs and Civil Society, Rule of Law
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Brotherhood scores constitutional victory over Egypt’s ‘undemocratic liberals’?
An new coalition of pro-democracy groups has accused Egypt’s new Islamist president of reneging on campaign promises to form a national unity government, but a leading analyst claims it is the rise of “undemocratic liberals” that poses a threat …
Magnitsky key to Russian rule of law
“A decade ago, Bill Browder was flying high as one of the most successful foreign investors in Russia. With $4.5bn under management, Browder had committed his career and a lot of his investors’ money to proving his proposition that the …