· July, 2013

Stories about Governance from July, 2013

Back from Germany, Workers Demand Promised Wages in Mozambique

  31 July 2013

Every Wednesday, dozens of Mozambican citizens march in the main streets of the capital city, Maputo, wearing German flags or raising them in their hands. They are called ‘Magermans’, meaning those who returned from Germany. For more than 20 years they have been protesting for outstanding wage claims from the...

India Sees Dolphins as “Non-human Persons”

  31 July 2013

The eco-friendly blog Treehugger salutes the Indian law that now sees dolphins as “non-human persons”. This law shows India's leading role in many rights-based arguments: (…) India became the largest of four countries to ban the practice — which includes Costa Rica, Hungary, and Chile. (…) [The] (…) thoughtful reasoning...

Germany: Demonstrations Against Surveillance

  29 July 2013

#stopwatchingus was the motto of demonstrations that took place last Saturday in Germany. The participants were protesting against surveillance by the secret services and government inaction.

Bhutan's First Female Minister

  28 July 2013

According to Bhutan's Buddhist traditions and values men and women are seen as equals. However, women are rarely seen in high positions. Blogger Nawang P. Phuntsho celebrates election of the country's first female minister. Aum Dorji Choden, an MP elect from Trashigang, has recently been appointed as the Minister for...

Denouncing Abuses via Social Networks in Mexico and Brazil

  26 July 2013

Cellular phone cameras have become a powerful tool for journalists and citizens in reporting requests for bribes and other excessive uses of power. In Mexico, cellular phones and social networks have also become a popular form to broadcast abuses of power, attempts at electoral fraud, and demonstrations of citizens against the police. In Brazil images...

Protests for Election in Madagascar Lead to Violence, Arrest

  23 July 2013

Vola R of Ma-Laza reports that 7 were hurt [fr] following police repression of protests demanding elections in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The party leading the protest states that the current administration has no intention of organizing elections this year and is just hanging on to their position of power. The leader of...

Indian MP Crowdsources Questions for Parliament

  23 July 2013

Indian Member of Parliament (MP) Rajeev Chandrasekhar has started an initiative called ASK (Ask Seek Know) through which he welcomes questions and queries from citizens via his website, Facebook, and Twitter for discussion in the Parliament, reports Media Nama.

Poland Bans Ritual Slaughter of Animals

  21 July 2013

Online magazine Commentary and many others have been discussing the decision of the Polish government to ban ritual slaughter of animals, in accordance to humane slaughter practices, which many EU countries have recently been leaning towards. For Poland however, this decision is a controversial one, in light of its history...