Europe & Eurasia Publications, May 2011

A list of recent reports on Europe & Eurasia that were highlighted in the May issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

Film: Bitter winter in Belarus
http://www.fidh.org/Bitter-Winter-in-Belarus
The 7 – minute video Bitter Winter in Belarus denounces the violent repression exercised by the Belarus authorities against all the dissident voices that have protested against the rigging of the 19 December 2010 presidential elections. Source: International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

Interim human rights assessment of the events of 19 December 2010 in Minsk, Belarus
http://bit.ly/kAWGMl
This report is an independent assessment of the events on 19 December in Minsk, Belarus, undertaken by the Special Rapporteur of the Committee of International Control (CIC) over the Human Rights Situation in Belarus. The interim assessment based on available evidence basically concludes that there were no mass riots in the city centre on 19 December 2010. Source: Committee on International Control over the Situation with Human Rights in Belarus

Violations of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Turkmenistan
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/cep/articles_publications/publications/violations-religion-turkmenistan-20110425
As a participating state in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Turkmenistan has committed itself to implementing OSCE norms and standards to strengthen freedom of religion or belief and other fundamental rights. Yet, the government of Turkmenistan remains one of the most repressive regimes in the world. Source: Open Society Foundations

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Africa Publications, May 2011

A list of recent reports on Africa that were highlighted in the May issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

Congo: The Electoral Dilemma
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/central-africa/dr-congo/175-congo-the-electoral-dilemma.aspx
Faced with the dilemma of respecting the constitutional deadline and organising botched elections, or ignoring that deadline and sliding into a situation of unconstitutional power, the Congolese authorities have chosen the first option. Source: International Crisis Group

Silencing the New Front: the Emergence of Widespread Torture against the Youth Movement
http://bit.ly/l7hDBv
The report documents the continued arrest and torture of students and youth at universities throughout Sudan, and in Abu Shouk and Al Salaam IDP Camps in El Fashir, North Darfur. Source: African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Multiregional Publications, April 2011

A list of recent multiregional reports that were highlighted in the April issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

1001 Stories of Common Ground
http://www.1001cgstories.org/
From photos of youth in Saudi Arabia rebuilding after recent floods, to blog posts about solidarity in peaceful protests in Tahrir Square, to a video about women working together to overcome stereotypes, the new social networking site, 1001 Stories of Common Ground, offers a view of what is it like to be a creative, active Arab in a globalised world, far from the stereotypes haunting international mass media. Source: Search for Common Ground

2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
http://paei.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/index.htm
This report provides encyclopedic detail on human rights conditions in over 190 countries for 2010. Source: U.S. Department of State

Freedom on the Net 2011: A Global Assessment of Internet and Digital Media
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=664
Cyberattacks, politically motivated censorship, and government control over internet infrastructure are among the diverse and growing threats to internet freedom, according to a new study by Freedom House. Source: Freedom House

Leaping Over the Firewall: A Review of Censorship Circumvention Tools
http://freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=383&report=97
The report compares 11 circumvention tools, as well as other solutions to bypass censorship, and how effective they are in some of the most censored regions in the world: China, Iran, Burma and Azerbaijan. Source: Freedom House

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Middle East & North Africa Publications, April 20ll

A list of recent reports on Middle East and North Africa that were highlighted in the April issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

No News is Good News: Abuses against Journalists by Palestinian Security Forces
http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2011/04/06/no-news-good-news
This report documents cases in which security forces tortured, beat, and arbitrarily detained journalists, confiscated their equipment, and barred them from leaving the West Bank and Gaza. Source: Human Rights Watch

Traveling toward the Rule of Law in the Middle East and North Africa: Avenues and Obstacles
http://www.usip.org/publications/traveling-toward-the-rule-law-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa-avenues-and-obstacles
Popular uprisings throughout the Middle East and North Africa are demanding justice, security, and accountability- defining features of the rule of law. Source: United States Institute of Peace

Voices of a Revolution: Conversations with Tunisia’s Youth
http://bit.ly/iNxymJ
Findings from focus groups with young Tunisian men and women conducted March 11 to 24, 2011. Source: National Democratic Institute (NDI)

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Latin America & the Caribbean Publications, April 2011

A list of recent reports on Latin America and the Caribbean that were highlighted in the April issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

Challenges to Democracy Promotion: The Case of Bolivia
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/?fa=view&id=43331
Bolivia offers a critical, but atypical, case for international democracy promotion. Source: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Haiti’s Rendezvous with History
http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2011/04/14/haiti-s-rendezvous-history-0
The report examines the legal and practical questions surrounding the case and concludes that Haiti has an obligation under international law to investigate and prosecute the grave violations of human rights under Duvalier’s rule. Source: Human Rights Watch

Half a Miracle
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/?fa=view&id=43713
The transformation of the Columbian city of Medellín offers an example to Mexico of how a government engaged in a drug war can bolster its legitimacy and gain greater public support. Source: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Foreign Policy

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Asia Publications, April 2011

A list of recent reports on Asia that were highlighted in the April issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

Annual Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in China 2010
http://chrdnet.org/2011/03/02/annual-report-on-the-situation-of-human-rights-defenders-in-china-2010/
The ongoing crackdown on activists following an online call for “Jasmine Revolution” protests is a chilling reminder that defending human rights is a perilous occupation in China. Source: Chinese Human Rights Defenders

Nepal’s Fitful Peace Process
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/south-asia/nepal/B120-nepals-fitful-peace-process.aspx
The parties to Nepal’s fitful peace process have less than eight weeks to agree on integration of Maoist combatants and federalism before the term of the Constituent Assembly elected to draft a new constitution expires. Source: International Crisis Group

Reforming Pakistan’s Electoral System
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/south-asia/pakistan/203-reforming-pakistans-electoral-system.aspx
Pakistan’s dysfunctional electoral system has hampered democratic development, political stability and the rule of law; major electoral reforms would bolster a still fragile democratic transition. Source: International Crisis Group

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Eurasia Publications, March 2011

A list of recent reports on Europe and Eurasia that were highlighted in the March issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

North Kosovo: Dual Sovereignty in Practice
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/europe/balkans/kosovo/211-north-kosovo-dual-sovereignty-in-practice.aspx
The dispute between Kosovo and Serbia, which keeps the Western Balkans divided and insecure, is most acute in Kosovo’s northern municipalities. Source: International Crisis Group

Shattering Hopes: Post-Election Crackdown in Belarus
http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2011/03/14/shattering-hopes-0
The report documents the human rights violations that have occurred since the election – including persecution of opposition candidates and activists, abuse of detainees, trials behind closed doors and raids on human rights organisations. Source: Human Rights Watch

Southeast and Central Europe Media Handbook
http://www.mediahandbook.org/
The database includes the latest political and economic developments, an overview of the media landscape, media-related legislation and press freedom issues. Source: South and East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO).

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

MENA publications, Feb 2011

A list of recent reports on the Middle East and North Africa that were highlighted in the February issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

At a Crossroads: Human Rights in Iraq Eight Years after the US-led Invasion
http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2011/02/21/crossroads
This report calls on the government to protect the rights of vulnerable groups and to amend its penal code and all other laws that discriminate against women and violate freedom of speech. Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Elections in Egypt: Key Challenges for Credible and Competitive Elections
http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/White-Papers/2011/IFES-Releases-Briefing-Paper-on-Egypt-Elections.aspx
IFES has released a briefing paper that serves as a guide to understanding the current electoral system and identifies issues that must be addressed immediately in order to have credible and competitive elections in the near future. Source: International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

Popular Protest in North Africa and the Middle East (I): Egypt Victorious?
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/north-africa/egypt/101-popular-protest-in-north-africa-and-the-middle-east-I-egypt-victorious.aspx
If Egypt’s popular uprising is to achieve its aspirations for a truly democratic society, street activism will need to be converted into inclusive, institutional politics. Source: International Crisis Group

The Voice of Civil Society in Iraq
http://www.ndi.org/node/17146
During the last quarter of 2010, NDI used its extensive network of partners and contacts throughout the country to interview some of the most active, experienced, and well-respected CSOs in each province. This report summarizes the findings of this survey, providing some insight into the challenges and opportunities that CSOs in Iraq face on a day-to-day basis. Source: National Democratic Institute (NDI)

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Asia publications, Feb 2011

A list of recent reports on Asia that were highlighted in the February issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

China’s leaders embrace social media
http://cmp.hku.hk/2011/03/02/10346/
Given its recent efforts to assert control over dissidents and the Internet, China certainly seems on alert for some sort of “contagion” from events happening elsewhere in the world. But it’s worth pointing out as well that China’s leaders – “networked authoritarians”? – are also catching the social media cold, exploring new ways to use these tools to their advantage. Source: China Media Project

Coping with a failing Pakistan
http://www.peacebuilding.no/eng/Publications/Noref-Policy-Briefs/Coping-with-a-failing-Pakistan
As a state and a nation Pakistan has been in trouble for many years, but both now seem to be in a downward spiral. Source: NOREF

Promises Unfulfilled: An Assessment of China’s National Human Rights Action Plan
http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2011/01/11/promises-unfulfilled-0
This 67-page report details how despite the Chinese government’s progress in protection of some economic and social rights, it has undermined many of the key goals of the NHRAP by tightening restrictions on rights of expression, association, and assembly over the past two years. Source: Human Rights Watch

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Annual Report from Journaliste en danger (JED)

Journaliste en danger (JED) published its 2010 report about the state of press freedom in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Read the press release and report recommendations at IFEX:
http://www.ifex.org/democratic_republic_of_congo/2010/12/14/2010_report/

Download the report summary in French from the JED website:
 http://www.jed-afrique.org/fr/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=69&Itemid=52