Monthly Archives: August 2012

Zimbabwe:support for President Mugabe’s party has nearly doubled since 2010

New Poll Finds Zimbabweans Uncertain About Political Future
Zimbabweans are uncertain about their political future and fear increased violence in the lead up to elections, according to a new public opinion
survey sponsored by Freedom House. More than four in five respondents, however, plan to cast a vote. The survey also found that support for President Mugabe’s […]

By Freedom House | Published on August 24, 2012 at 12:05 pm

Do women play a role in Sri Lanka’s reconciliation: Gender dynamics in the transition from war to peace

Introduction
In order to understand the ‘role’ of women in such a vital process of social transition, we have to understand the place of women in our society –
their position, their status, their condition. This conference is being held at a time when the country is shaken by a spike in reports of sexual violence against […]

By Sepali Kottegoda | Published on August 23, 2012 at 12:31 pm

President’s wife could be better guide in empathy for post-war reconciliation

The highlight of last week’s visit to Sri Lanka by Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee of Liberia was the presentation of a Sri Lankan
Women’s Agenda on Peace, Security and Development to the government. The many co-sponsors of this Women’s Agenda would have wished to make this presentation directly to President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself. However, […]

By Dr. Jehan Perera | Published on August 20, 2012 at 12:44 pm

‘Divineguma’ Bill: Another Rajapakse attempt to disempower the people through legislation

“….everything that was ever invented by knavery to impose upon imbecility” – Voltaire (A Philosophical Dictionary)
The Rajapaksas are world class, and more, when it comes to building innocuous facades to hide insalubrious realties.
Dismantling devolution
Who would expect a bill regarding the self-employment scheme sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Development, a bill harmlessly, even trifle
boringly, titled […]

By Tisaranee Gunasekara | Published on August 18, 2012 at 1:07 pm

Pursuing soft power, China puts stamp on Africa’s news

NAIROBI, Kenya — China’s investment prowess and construction know-how is widely on display in this long-congested African capital. A $200 million ring road is being built and partly financed by Beijing. The international airport is undergoing a $208 million expansion supported by the Chinese, whose loans also paid for a working-class housing complex that residents […]

By New York Times | Published on August 17, 2012 at 9:56 pm

Serious concerns over the ‘Divineguma Bill’

17th August 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is concerned about the tabling of the “Divineguma Bill” in Parliament which if enacted will have serious implications for democracy, devolution and good governance in Sri Lanka. CPA and its Executive Director filed a Petition today in the Supreme Court (SC SD 3/2012) […]

By Centre for Policy Alternatives | Published on August 17, 2012 at 12:55 pm

Australia: ‘Pacific Solution’ Redux – Human Rights Watch

(Washington, DC) – The Australian parliament’s swift approval of an “offshore processing” law marks a shift in refugee policy that appears arbitrary and discriminatory on its face.
The Migration Legislation Amendment (Offshore Processing and Other Measures) Bill 2011, passed by the Senate on August 16, 2012, and by the House the previous day, authorizes the transfer […]

By Human Rights Watch | Published on August 17, 2012 at 12:54 pm

Refugee lawyer says new policy will deter Tamils

Wed, Aug 15, 2012 11:03 AM AEST: A leading Sri Lankan refugee lawyer says a return to off-shore processing will deter many Tamil asylum seekers.
A leading Sri Lankan refugee lawyer says a return to off-shore processing will deter many Tamil asylum seekers. The end of the civil war in Sri Lanka has seen a surge in Tamils […]

By Michael Edwards | Published on August 15, 2012 at 10:44 pm

SRI LANKA: Feeding cats on President Rajapakse’s road aka a public road risks arrest

My husband and I have established a cat café at the back of the Cinnamon Grand Hotel where we have been feeding the cats every day for the last seven years. A cat café is basically an area where cats are fed at a regular time each day. Usually a cat café is set up […]

By Deborah Macan Markar | Published on August 15, 2012 at 10:28 pm

“We want our land back as we are also citizens of Sri Lanka”

What is the meaning of resettlement in Sri Lanka
Report of the Field visit of NAFSO/ Praja Abhilasha Network / Rights Now/ PCHR team at Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
When you read the field visit report of the resettlement of the Internally Displaced People[IDPs] you all will realize the reality of the so called
resettlement scheme of […]

By | Published on August 14, 2012 at 11:08 pm