A look around the world on latest rule of law events in March
A proposed press law that has drawn criticism from media all over the world was sent to the Parliament by the Burmese government on March 4, 2013. This bill has brought about dismay among the media group who fear that the government could reverse press freedom. Critics said the new bill gives the government broad powers to cancel publishing licenses, control media content and severely punish journalists. The move shocked the media community as it disregarded an August 2012 agreement between government and rights activists to form the 30 member Myanmar Press Council, whose members had already begun drafting a law for consideration at the time of the release. (Read more)
Beginning March 18, a National Dialogue committee will be tasked with addressing the two key grievances in the south: land disputes and the dismissal of southern civil, military and security personnel after the country's 1994 civil war. Although progress in respect for human and fundamental rights has been registered in Yemen, slow, incremental security sector reforms have not ensured a stronger commitment to the establishment of democracy and the rule of law. (Read more)
On March 1, 2013, German lawmakers have approved a new copyright law. Under it, websites and search engines would pay to repost intellectual property. Google says the law would be harmful to Internet users. (Read more)
March 8, 2013 is International Women's Day. Stay tuned for a Justice Rising posts dedicated to this women's rights and access to justice!
A referendum on Zimbabwe's new constitution is tentatively set for March 16, heralding a major step towards democratic reform, and long awaited presidential elections later this year. The fragmentary process of constitution drafting that began in 2009 has been characterized by political bickering and orgies of violence that have led to a general apathy by many Zimbabweans. Analysts who fear that failure to harmonize old laws and the new constitution have made projections for another violent election cycle. Click here to explore Zimbabwe's Rule of Law Index rankings.
Malta: 9 March 2013