democracy

A Bile of Prejudice Hindering Ugandan Progression

Uganda is a bountiful, diverse nation on the socio-economic rise. They are a people of peace and tolerance, spurring international recognition for our established and newfound bevy of resources, their majestic scenery which has long supported thriving tourism and our democratic government, each day opening its doors to showcase greater transparency. Uganda has long been [...]

Zimbabwe – Mugabe Won’t Prosecute Those Behind Deadly 2008 Violence

In response to international clamors for justice, Zimbabwe’s president today ruled out prosecuting those behind the 2008 violence and killings which engulfed the country and accounted for about 200 deaths.
“We have embarked in earnest on the process on a national healing and integration, for the sake of our children and prosperity,” President Robert Mugabe said [...]

Evans Monari: Voting Yes for Kenya’s Constitution

During our last trip to Kenya on the Georges Tadonki trial, I had the opportunity to develop an association with the lawyer Evans Monari of Daly & Figgis Advocates (photo - center), who is one of the best known business and human rights lawyers in East Africa.  Below is an article Evans has contributed for the RobertAmsterdam.com [...]

Washington Post Reports ‘Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill Almost Dead’

The Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart has written an intriguingarticle on the proposed law in Uganda that would criminalize homosexuality, an issue this blogger has discussed here on the blog and in conversations with one of the leading international opposers to the bill, British MP Peter Tatchell. A commission created by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has [...]

Success of Georgia Police Reform Is a Function of Sovereignty

Jamestown Foundation correspondent Giorgi Kvelashvili below discussesthe de-Sovietization of Georgia, its progress based on the work and recent writings of President Saakashvili. Though the unorthodox relationship with Russia has hindered the mechanisms of autonomy in the post-Soviet state, the boom we  begin to see with respect to police reform, a crucial element to ongoing civil [...]

Sri Lanka – Where Losing the Election Means Losing Your Freedom

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the Sri Lankan capital Tuesday to demand the immediate release of the country’s opposition leader, an ex-army chief facing a court-martial on charges including participating in politics while still in uniform. These charges have been called ‘baseless‘, as many feel they are trumped up from his running for office against the [...]

Shell - Most Oil Companies Shunning Venezuela

The tone of this blog has sometimes veered off its original intent, every so often appearing similar to that of an international human rights watchdog.  Quite frequently however, we refer to the geopolitical and economic ramifications from the actions of an erratic authoritarian, of which there are unfortunately many, and not only the human cost.
Today, [...]

China and the Human Cost of Losing Google

In the wake of the latest threat by the Chinese government, Google Inc.’s only choice is to pack up and exit the Chinese market, wholesale. In lieu of this, Chinese authorities on Friday told local news websites that if Google China does close, they will be required to use only official news accounts of situations, [...]

Kenya’s Politicians Scramble to Avoid Justice

Two years after the violence that devastated Kenya, the country shuffles forward on a razor’s edge. Very soon, the International Criminal Court will decide whether to allow prosecutors to open investigations in to those believed to be responsible for mass expulsions and killings following a controversial election.
This occurs parallel to the uncoordinated political agenda we [...]

Venezuela: If At First You Don’t Succeed, Null The Election

Rule of law is hardly adhered to in Venezuela, nor is democracy, for that matter – casualties of the revolution our favorite erratic autocrat repeatedly claims is on the rise. Judges who rule against the favor of the government’s wishes have been known to be thrown in jail themselves. Those in the executive cabinet that [...]