Bangladesh: Impunity is the problem, not the solution
by Paulo Casaca // Executive Director of Alliance to Renew Co-operation among Humankind
In Bangladesh, buses and trains have been the main targets of an arson campaign conducted by Islamist organizations opposed to the persecution of perpetrators of the 1971 Genocide.
DHAKA, Bangladesh — “Pray for us!” were the last words of Dr....
Statement of Jalal Foundation for the 65th Year of the Universal Declaration of Human...
by Dr. Massouda Jalal // Founding President of Jalal Foundation and former Minister of Women, Afghanistan
The adoption of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 65 years ago continues to be one of the most rewarding steps taken by world leaders to foster development, equality and peace among...
Clouds over the Rainbow: LGBT Communities in Bangladesh
by Dr. Siegfried O. Wolf
In the last years Bangladesh has increasingly been in the focus of international media and academic debates. Mostly due to the volatile political situation combined with a dramatic rise of Islamic fundamentalism, and related attacks on and suppression of marginalized groups. Some of the most affected groups...
One Billion Rising against VAW: Linking footprints forward!
By: Dr. Massouda Jalal
As the world kicks off this year’s observance of the 16 Days of Activism to Eliminate Violence against Women (VAW), Jalal Foundation urges everyone to take another step forward to advance the aims of One Billion Rising against VAW! With One Billion Rising, we already have...
AFGHAN WOMEN’S RIGHTS BEYOND 2014: Hanging by the thread? – Jalal Foundation
By: Dr. Massouda Jalal // Founding President of Jalal Foundation and Minister of Women of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 2004 to 2006 In TRUST WOMEN CONFERENCE, LONDON 3rd-5th December 2013
1. INTRODUCTION
Your Excellences, ladies and gentlemen, I convey to you sincere greetings of peace and gratitude from the...
Canadian MPs Call for Free and Fair Elections in Bangladesh
(Ottawa) – Canadian Members of Parliament Russ Hiebert, MP and Joe Daniel, MP released a pre-election observation report on the national political situation in Bangladesh, today.
The MPs travelled to Dhaka last week and met with leaders from a wide cross-section of Bangladeshi society including religious leaders, journalists, lawyers, academics,...
Triumph of Democracy Bhutan Elections 2013
by Marian Gallenkamp
Five years ago, the first democratic elections in Bhutan and the promulgation of the country’s constitution marked the beginning of a new era for the Bhutanese people and a crowning achievement for King Jigme Singye Wangchuck’s bold and yet provident vision for the nation. Despite many observers’...
Civil-Military Relations and Democracy in Bangladesh
BY: DR.Siegfried O. Wolf
Civilian control of the armed forces is a sine qua non for democracy. In Bangladesh, the military has played a crucial role during several authoritarian setbacks on its path to democratic consolidation. Civilian control is understood as the distribution of decisionmaking power between civilians and the...
Will elections be enough for democracy in Pakistan?
IT IS COMMONLY AGREED THAT MOST DEMOCRATIC ORDERS REST THEIR FOUNDATIONS ON THREE BASIC PRINCIPLES: PEOPLE’S SOVEREIGNTY, LIBERTY AND EQUALITY. THIS MEANS THAT THE MOST ESSENTIAL CONDITION FOR ALL DEMOCRATIC FORMS OF GOVERNANCE IS THE
‘FREELY EXPRESSED WILL OF THE PEOPLE WHEREBY ALL INDIVIDUALS ARE TO BE TREATED AS EQUALS’...
General Elections in Pakistan 2013: Some Reflections
by Dr. Siegfried O. Wolf
On May 11, 2013, Pakistan went to the ballot box. In general, the Pakistani people and the latest caretaker government in Islamabad can be congratulated for two things. First, the election commission was able to pull-off the tremendous task off carrying out General Elections. Second,...