Tuesday 27 May 2008

DEBATE: DEBATE SOBRE ELEICOES NO ZIMBABWE


Centro de Estudos Moçambicanos e Internacionais (CEMO)
DEBATE
ELEIÇÕES NO ZIMBABWE: CENÁRIOS, DESAFIOS E OPORTUNIDADES

14:30h – 15:00h
Chegada e registo dos convidados

15:00h – 15:05h
Boas vindas e problematização: Presidente do CEMO, Manuel de Araújo

15:05h – 16:25h
(Primeiro Painel)
Tema 1: “As Eleições no Zimbabwe e os Princípios e Normas da SADC sobre Eleições Democraticas”
Moderador: Tomás Vieira Mário (MISA-Moçambique)
Orador: Miguel de Brito (Director do EISA) e MINEC (TBC)
Comentador: Machado da Graça

16:25h – 16:40h
Café

16:40h – 18:00h
(Segundo Painel)
Tema 2: “Eleições Presidenciais Zimbabweanas: há condições para a 2ª Volta?”
Moderador: Boaventura Zitha (Conselho Cristão de Moçambique)
Orador: Salomão Moyana (Director do Magazine Independente) Comentador: Fernando Gonçalves (Editor do Savana)

18:00h – 18:15h
Café

18:15h – 19:45h
(Terceiro Painel)
Tema 3: “Diplomacia Silenciosa, Cenários Pós-Eleitorais e Impacto para Moçambique e para a Região”

Orador: Eduardo Namburete
Moderador: Belmiro Rodolfo (Director do CEEI)
Comentador: Egídio Vaz

19:45h – 20:00h
Considerações finais e agradecimentos: Presidente do CEMO, Manuel de Araújo


Data: 29 de Maio 2008 (Quinta-Feira)
Local: Hotel AVENIDA

DHLAKAMA VISITA RESSANO GARCIA E BELULANE

O Presidente da Renamo, Afonso Dhlakama, visitou a fronteira de Ressano Garcia para se inteirar in loco do processo de repatriamento de mocambicanos. Ainda em Ressano Garcia, Dhlakama orientou um encontro com membros e simpatizantes. na ocasiao foram apresentados dois cidadaos que abandonaram ao partido Frelimo, juntando-se ao partido da Perdiz. Para alem de Ressano Garcia, Dhlakama, que se fazia acompanhar por altos quadros do partido e deputados da assembleia da Republica, visitou o Centro de Reassentamento de Belulane onde se inteirou das dificuldades enfrentadas pelos cidadaos regressados da Republica da Africa do Sul. MA

Sunday 25 May 2008

PARABENS PEMBA!

Passei os ultimos dias na Cidade de Pemba em missao de trabalho! Aproveitei a oportunidade para visitar os pontos candentes da cidade: a parte velha da cidade, o famoso bairro Paquitequite, a praia, o Nautilus, O Pemba Beach, o farol etc. Devido a escassez de tempo nao pude vistar a minha praia preferida_-a praia de Murrebwe!

Achei Pemba simpatica, com o comercio informal e o turismo a movimentarem a pequena urbe. Vi uma moldura impressionante na praia celebrando a eleicao mais do que justa da baia de Pemba como uma das mais belas baias do mundo!

O Paquitequite, esse lendario bairro continua imponente, com a sua mesquita a comandar a arquitectura da Cidade. O historico campo de futebol e a escola de jogadores teimam em nao desaparecer da geografia social daquele mini-mundo! As paquitequitenses com a sua fama milenar de 'fazedoras de milagres' emocionais parece nao terem perdido os seus dotes- pelos relatos de esquina que nao nos escaparam!

A abertura da Faculdade de Gestao de Turismo e Informatica da Universidade Catolica naquela parcela do pais foi sem margem para duvidas um gesto visionario de longo alcance! Pena e a pobreza nas areas de extensao e oferta de cursos basicos de pequena duracao! Saudamos o facto de os estudantes escreverem as suas dissertacoes em lingua inglesa!

Um dos ''senaos' nesta maravilha do Indico foi o facto de ter verificado que nao existe nenhuma casa de cambios oficial, o que pressupoe que os turistas trocam os deus dolares no mercado paralelo, com todas as consequencias dai advientes: inseguranca, fuga ao fisco etc, etc, etc.

Outro 'senao'' e a forma meio atabalhoada como as construcoes sao feitas! Sera que Pemba tem um plano Director Urbanistico? Se o tem sera que esta a ser cumprido? E que no nosso pobre entender, Pemba tem um potencial turistico virgem e de grande valor internacional. Se nao respeitarmos o plano urbanistico, no futuro quando as grandes companhias de turismo descobrirem esta perola do indico teremos grandes dificuldades em acomoda-las e isso podera influenciar negativamente no desenvolvimento e promocao do turismo naquela parcela do pais!

Sai que apelamos a quem de direito para que tome as medidads necessarias para que se devolva a Pemba o estatuto turistico que merece!

E uma vez mais parabens cidade de Pemba!

E mais nao disse!

MA

The priority of peace and disarmament for the global community

The priority of peace and disarmament for the global community

Joint statement by Co-Presidents of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament:

Senator Abacca Anjain Maddison ( Marshal Islands ), Hon Marian Hobbs MP ( New Zealand ), Mikyung Lee ( South Korea ),

Alexa McDonough MP ( Canada ) and Uta Zapf MdB ( Germany )

Commemorating May 24 - International Women’s Day for Disarmament

Press release: For immediate use

Contact: Alyn Ware , alyn@pnnd.org

Phone: +1 646 752 8702

Click here for the signed PDF version

On the occasion of International Women’s Day for Disarmament, we appeal to world leaders and all citizens to re-dedicate themselves to implementing the goals of the United Nations for a world of peace and security through disarmament, the non-violent resolution of conflicts, and the reallocation of resources from military budgets to meet social and development goals.

We should immediately abandon the production, deployment and use of weapons such as landmines and cluster munitions which indiscriminately kill civilians, destroy communities, threaten future generations and tear apart the fabric of international law. We thus call for universal support for the international treaties to ban landmines and cluster munitions.

We must also end the out-dated doctrine where-by a few States erroneously believe that their security can be achieved by threatening to destroy other countries with nuclear weapons. The continuing possession of nuclear weapons stimulates proliferation and makes possible the acquisition and use by a terrorist group – something much more devastating than the destruction of the World Trade Centre in 2001. Even more frightening would be the use of multiple nuclear weapons between States - whether by accident, miscalculation or intent. Such use would dwarf the horrors of previous world wars and would generate environmental destruction far worse than the Chernobyl accident and the climate change from carbon emissions. We thus call for negotiations on a global treaty to ban nuclear weapons and ensure universal compliance with such a ban.

The threats to our planet – of climate change, poverty and war – can only be overcome by nations and the global community working in cooperation – something not possible while nations maintain large and expensive militaries and threaten to destroy each other. When one year of global military spending equals six hundred (600) years of the United Nations operating budget- are we truly committing ourselves to a world with increased cooperation and reduced conflicts?

On the other hand, globalization in the 21st Century has made comprehensive disarmament, the abolition of war and the achievement of cooperative security, realistic goals. We now have international mechanisms that can address security concerns, resolve international conflicts and respond to potential aggression in non-violent ways. And we have a growing global awareness and sense of responsibility to each other that can ensure that leaders in our communities and nations turn more to such mechanisms rather than resorting to the threat or use of force. This is enhanced by the involvement of women at all levels of conflict resolution and peacemaking, as promoted by UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

This new reality allows us to drastically reduce the one trillion dollars spent annually on the military and redirect these human and financial resources towards meeting the UN Millennium Development goals and preventing Climate Change.

As women representatives we are all proud of our home countries and our national identities. But we also reach across our national borders to recognize our common human identity and to collaborate on building a peaceful, secure and just world. We invite you to join us.

Senator Abacca Anjain Maddison ( Marshal Islands )

Hon Marian Hobbs MP ( New Zealand )

Mikyung Lee ( South Korea )

Alexa McDonough MP ( Canada )

Uta Zapf MdB ( Germany )

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Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament

PO Box 24-429, Manners Street

Wellington , Aotearoa-New Zealand

Tel: +64 4 496 9629 Fax: +64 4 496-9599

www.pnnd.org

Monday 19 May 2008

NELSON BATA: FORMADO NO ICS E EXPULSO DO ESTADO

No Noticias da Quarta Feira aparece o seguinte texto, que achei interessante partilhar:
A HISTÓRIA deste vigarista começa na cidade da Beira, na província de Sofala, onde diz ter nascido. Segundo suas próprias palavras, fez o ensino básico numa das escolas do distrito de Gorongosa, formando-se depois no Instituto de Ciências de Saúde da Beira, em 1997. Após a sua formação diz ter sido afectado como técnico de farmácia em Caia e mais tarde em Marromeu. Lá, segundo ele, cometeu graves irregularidades e depois foi expulso, tendo regressado à cidade da Beira, já como um desempregado. Em princípios de 2006, Nelson Bata escala Maputo e vem residir em casa de uma sua irmã. Enquanto fazia reconhecimento da cidade, encontrou-se com vários amigos de infância e conterrâneos seus e, a partir destes foi criando outras novas amizades. A uns dizia que tinha se especializado em ginecologia na França e África do Sul e que só estava em Maputo por curto tempo, e a outros dizia que já estava a trabalhar no Hospital Central de Maputo e que só faltava a sua admissão efectiva. Nas suas novas amizades, o trapaceiro foi recolhendo vários contactos e passou a frequentar a roda de amizades onde se identificava como médico recém-formado no estrangeiro. Teria sido nessas suas relações que ele encontrou-se com um amigo de infância, de nome Clésio Ilton Zaqueu e que estudara com ele em Gorongosa. Depois de ter sabido que Clésio Zaqueu é formado em Medicina Geral, pela Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Bata apresentou-se como médico e a partir disso reataram uma antiga relação de amizade quanto mais não fossem todos médicos.
Nelson Bata não explica como é que conseguiu arranjar o crachá que ostentava o logotipo do HCM e as suas funções, mas diz que o estetoscópio, a bata e as calças de médico pediu-os emprestado a Clésio Zaqueu, alegando que o seu uniforme ainda estava por receber, algo, segundo ele, prontamente aceite pelo amigo, porém na condição de que os devolveria. A partir daí começou a ir com mais frequência ao hospital que já o conhecia muito bem, pois lá estivera vezes sem conta na condição de paciente. E quando lá chegou 'encartado' a médico ginecologista diz que os funcionários do hospital não desconfiaram nada, pois a indumentária, o crachá e o estetoscópio conferiam-lhe o ar de um médico especializado em ginecologia.E assim foi enganando meio-mundo até que a bomba rebentou.

NELSON BATA: INSOLITO NA SAUDE: MECANICO COM BATA DE GINECOLOGISTA


PELO MOCAMBIQUEONLINE RECEBI VARIOS TEXTOS SOBRE O INSOLITO CASO DO GINECOLOGISTA. Com a devida venia passarei aqui alguns desses textos. O primeiro foi publicado pelo Noticias!
Salvo desatencao minha nao vi, nem soube de nenhum pronunciamento da Ordem dos Medicos. Sera normal? Tambem nao ouvi nem li nenhum pronunciamento do mediatico Ministro da Saude! Silencio estrategico ou ...

'UM jovem de mil e uma profissões, entre as quais a de mecânico, foi denunciado, desmascarado e posto fora de acção, depois de ter assistido, durante três anos, várias pacientes na qualidade de médico especialista em ginecologia do Hospital Central de Maputo (HCM). Nelson Bata, de 29 anos de idade e natural da Beira, em Sofala, está detido desde segunda-feira numa das esquadras da capital, local para onde se dirigiu, ainda na qualidade de médico ginecologista, a fim de prestar declarações sobre o crime de agressão física à sua esposa, de nome Isa, por sinal, quem o denunciou às autoridades policiais e forneceu pistas para a descoberta da farsa. Maputo, Quarta-Feira, 14 de Maio de 2008:: Notícias
Entretanto, na sua reacção, a Direcção do Hospital Central de Maputo diz ter tomado conhecimento do caso através da Polícia da República de Moçambique, daí precisar de pelo menos 48 horas para investigar o caso e se pronunciar.
A esposa do falso médico, com quem tem um filho de apenas um mês, está a formar-se em Direito, na Universidade Eduardo Mondlane.
Nelson Bata revelou ontem ao nosso Jornal todas as suas artimanhas usadas ao longo desses três anos. Referiu, por exemplo, que já perdeu a conta do número de pacientes que atendeu no período em que vestiu a bata de falso médico. Confessou também que mentiu para os seus pacientes, amigos e alguns familiares, dizendo que trabalhava no maior hospital do país e em clínicas privadas de referência na cidade, tal é o caso da '222', onde o fazia na qualidade de reputado ginecologista moçambicano formado na Europa.
O mecânico, de sangue frio, não só teve a veleidade de entrar na sala de ginecologia e observar pacientes como também improvisava gabinetes em locais como Urologia, Medicina e Anatomia Patológica para atender aos pacientes que, segundo dizia, não ter tempo.
Quanto aos medicamentos que receitava, o trapaceiro disse que os tirava na farmácia, onde já era conhecido como médico. Em relação a este ponto, um dos técnicos de farmácia, de nome Bernardo Fernando Mulhanga, ouvido ontem pela Polícia, confirmou que conhecia Nelson Bata como 'Doutor', e que pela forma como se apresentava e o seu à-vontade na abordagem de assuntos da saúde com outros funcionários nunca chegou a desconfiar que se tratasse de um burlão.
Para além de observar pacientes no HCM e circular livremente em diversas enfermarias onde se apresentava como especialista em ginecologia, Bata angariava pacientes fora e cobrava avultadas somas em dinheiro, e depois pedia aos seus 'colegas' para que os atendesse, alegando estar bastante ocupado. Era assim que sempre agia.
Questionado sobre a facilidade de circulação naquele hospital, o mecânico disse que isso deveu-se às amizades que havia criado com alguns funcionários. Fala, por exemplo, de um enfermeiro de nome Freedson Lourenço Chuanga e do médico generalista Clésio Ilton Zaqueu, que os acusa de terem facilitado toda a sua movimentação, aquisição de medicamentos e tratamento a alguns pacientes.
Entretanto, após a descoberta e denúncia deste indivíduo pela respectiva esposa, várias pessoas dirigiram-se ontem à esquadra para reclamar uma série de burlas cometidas pelo 'médico ginecologista'. No conjunto destas estão uma paciente que foi atendida por Nelson Bata, um outro jovem que reclama mais de 17 mil meticais, quantia referente à compra de indumentária para a sua boa imagem, bem como o pagamento de alguns tratamentos que não chegaram a surtir nenhum efeito.
Quem ficou boquiaberta com esta 'novela' de Nelson Bata foi a sua segunda parceira, de nome Ester Joaquim Neves, 24 anos, que acompanhou a história, via televisão. Mãe de gémeos (com um ano e meio de idade) partiu para testemunhar in loco o que não acreditava ter visto pelos ecrãs.
Chegada à esquadra onde o burlão está encarcerado, foi difícil convencê-la sobre esta história que ouvia pela primeira vez, já que, para ela, Bata, não passava de um simples mecânico de automóveis. Bastante emocionada, chorou copiosamente diante do comandante da esquadra, procurando digerir a nova realidade em que havia caído, já que na véspera haviam estado juntos. 'E agora, o que será de min e os meus filhos?', indagava a jovem entre soluços.

Saturday 17 May 2008

LATEST IANSA NEWS

IANSA Update 16.05.08* Mexico: 6 high-ranking police shot dead* Nepal: Arms proliferation fuelled by lack of government* Bolivia: Confiscation of illegal guns* Austria: €100,000 pledged to UN Asia-Pacific* Spain: DRC activist speaks on peace building* Thailand: Geneva Declaration Conference* REMINDER: Two weeks to the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence* Other news: Workshops in Nepal and Uganda; US campaigner honoured; Reports on peace processes, EU, DRC; Jobs+++Six senior police officials have been shot dead in Mexico in less than a week. Police Chief Juan Antonio Roman was the latest victim of violence against security forces, believed to be in retaliation to a government crackdown on organised crime. IANSA member Guadalupe Gonzalez, from the Centre for Strategic Analysis and International Negotiation (CAENI), said ‘We are increasingly concerned about the growing number of criminal acts committed with aggravated violence and with the use of firearms.’ According to the BBC, 95% of small arms in Mexico originate from gun shops across the border in the US. CAENI is calling for better international tracing to monitor the flow of guns across the US-Mexico border.www.iansa.org The absence of an established government in Nepal has led to a proliferation of small arms in the Terai region, according to local analysts. As political parties struggle for power, criminals and armed groups are taking advantage of the insecurity to import large numbers of weapons. Arms are thought to be coming across the porous border from the Indian state of Bihar. Civil society is calling for the new government to regulate small arms in cooperation with India, and to increase security in the Terai region and at the Nepalese-Indian border. IANSA member SASANet Nepal said, ‘There must be continued dialogue between the Indian and Nepalese government to develop effective security across the border and prevent the proliferation of weapons within the Terai region’.www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=78188 The Bolivian government issued a decree on 30 April ordering the seizure of all illegal guns in civilian hands. It also requires an inventory of weapons held by the Armed Forces and police. IANSA member CEJIP acknowledged the decree as an initial step toward disarmament, but stressed that Bolivia still needs a comprehensive firearms law. www.cejipbolivia.org Austria has pledged €100,000 to the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific. The Centre in Kathmandu (Nepal) seeks to combat arms trafficking in the region. www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26597&Cr=disarmament&Cr1= Flory Kayembe, coordinator of the Congolese Small Arms Network, spoke on DRC’s peace building process at an event held by Fundacio per la Pau in Barcelona (Spain). He highlighted the impact of armed violence and arms proliferation, including the experience of child soldiers. His speech is on our website at: www.iansa.org/regions/cafrica/cafrica.htm A regional meeting on the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development was held in Bangkok (Thailand) on 8-9 May. Several Asian NGOs participated. In total 85 countries have now adopted the Geneva Declaration.REMINDER: Only 2 weeks remain until the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence (2-8 June)! Please contact bruce.millar@iansa.org for information or suggestions, and visit www.iansa.org/campaigns_events/WoA2008/ Just in time for the Week of Action, Control Arms has produced materials for its new campaign ‘The World is Watching’. Download from:www.iansa.org/campaigns_events/WoA2008/ +++Other News:* South-South cooperation: Qamar Nassim of Blue Veins (Pakistan), member of the IANSA Women’s Network, led a fundraising workshop for NGOs in Nepal on 15-16 May, with assistance from South Asia Partnership Nepal. The Women's Network facilitated and supported this regional initiative. * A workshop on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security was held in Uganda on 17-18 April. Canon Joyce Nima, member of the IANSA Women’s Network, taught on Gender, Ethics and Cultural Dimensions in Small Arms Research. A report on the workshop can be found at:www.iansa.org/women * The Rainbow/PUSH coalition in the US has honoured Jennifer Bishop for her work with victims and survivors at the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Jennifer’s sister and her husband were shot dead in a robbery in 1990.www.bradycampaign.org/media/release.php?release=979 * In a new report by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in Geneva, former guerrillas, mediators, and observers of peace processes reflect on how weapons control, violence reduction, and DDR feature in peace talks and agreements. Available in English and (soon) in Spanish: www.hdcentre.org/projects/negotiating-disarmament * ‘The Impact on Domestic Policy of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports’ is the latest policy paper from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).http://books.sipri.org/product_info?c_product_id=359 * IANSA Women's Network member RODHECIC has published its April review of media reports on armed violence in DR Congo.www.iansa.org/regions/cafrica/cafrica.htm * Vacancies are available at North-South Institute, War on Want, Oxfam International, and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.www.iansa.org/jobs

LASTEST NEWS FROM PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR NUNCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION AND DISARMAMMENT


Dear Members and Friends of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament,

We have three exciting international events coming up in the next few months that may interest you:

NATO and the Future Role of Nuclear Weapons
NATO Parliamentary Assembly, German Parliament, Berlin May 25
Includes release of a statement to commemorate International Women’s Day for Disarmament

Nuclear Arsenals in Europe
European Parliament, Brussels July 1
Includes release of a joint parliamentary declaration in support of a treaty to abolish nuclear weapons (nuclear weapons convention)

Pugwash, Parliamentarians and Political Will: Advancing the Agenda for Abolition
Pugwash , Canada , July 10-12.
This is PNND’s annual international conference and will include parliamentarians and disarmament experts from around the world.

Thinkers’ Lodge, Pugwash Nova Scotia
Site for PNND Annual Conference, July 10-12, 2008

Further information is below and at www.pnnd.org

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Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND)
and the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation
cordially invite you to an event at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

NATO and the Future Role of Nuclear Weapons
Sunday May 25 2008, 12:30-2:30p.m.
Deutscher Bundestag, Paul-Löbe-Haus
Berlin

- lunch and refreshments will be provided -
- the conference will be held in English -

Two nuclear weapons experts, Dr. Hans M. Kristensen, Nuclear Information Program of the Federation of American Scientists and Martin Butcher , Acronym Institute, will lead off the discussion together with Bärbel Dieckman, Mayor of the city of Bonn and a member of the worldwide organisation Mayors for Peace.

The focus of the discussion will be on NATO and the role of nuclear weapons. At the same time, we would like to discuss the future development of nuclear strategies and the process of modernization of nuclear weapons as it can currently be observed in several NATO member states. It is our goal to influence the debate within NATO from a parliamentary and civil society perspective.

We are looking forward to an interesting discussion with you.

Sincerely

Uta Zapf, MdB Christos Katsioulis
PNND Co-President Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation

Reply to Christoph Pilger, PNND Germany at chris@pnnd.org
Please include date of birth to facilitate entry into the venue.

Program:
Uta Zapf, MdB, Co-President of PNND: The Role of Parliamentarians in the Development of Nuclear Arms Control and Nuclear Strategies
Martin Butcher, Acronym Institute:The Future of Nuclear Arms Control and the Responsibility of NATO
Dr. Hans M. Kristensen, Director, Nuclear Information Project, Federation of American Scientists :NATO and Nuclear Weapons: Nuclear Strategy and the Need for a Public Debate
Bärbel Dieckmann, Mayor of Bonn , Member of “Mayors for Peace”: Nuclear Weapons and Civil Society

Discussion:
Chair: Ana Gomez, Member of the European Parliament

Uta Zapf, MdB, Co-President of PNND
Concluding Remarks and release of a statement by PNND Co-Presidents to commemorate International Women’s Day for Disarmament


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Nuclear Arsenals in Europe
Tuesday July 1
European Parliament, Brussels
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Participants include:
Girts Kristovskis MEP
Michel Rocard MEP
Annemie Neyts MEP
Senator Patrik Vankrunkelsven
Andre Brie MEP
Ana Maria Gomes MEP
Pierre Villard, Mouvement de la Paix
Rebecca Johnson, Acronym Institute
and others to be announced.

Includes release of a joint parliamentary declaration in support of a treaty to abolish nuclear weapons (nuclear weapons convention)

Co-sponsored by Parliamentarians for Non-proliferation and Nuclear Disarmament (Belgian and European Parliament Sections), Mayors for Peace, Abolition 2000 Europe, Abolition 2000 Belgium , IPPNW and CNAPD.

Contact Pol D'Huyvetter pol@2020visioncampaign.org

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Pugwash, Parliamentarians and Political Will: Advancing the Agenda for Abolition

PNND International Conference and Council Meeting

hosted by Middle Powers Initiative and Pugwash Peace Exchange
Thinkers Lodge, Pugwash , Nova Scotia , Canada

July 10-12, 2008

Legislators from around the world will join with disarmament experts at the Thinkers Lodge in Pugwash in an unprecedented meeting to develop strategies for building the political will necessary for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament steps leading to the achievement of a nuclear weapons free world. Leadership changes in the Nuclear Weapon States are providing new opportunities for progress, provided that effective action is taken and sufficient political will is generated by legislators working in conjunction with experts, officials and key constituencies in civil society. Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (PNND), with over 500 legislators from 70 countries, is well placed to make a significant contribution to advancing the nuclear abolition agenda. This conference and board meeting will provide an opportunity to share successful strategies and develop additional concrete and effective plans.

Participants/speakers include:
Ambassador Sergio Duarte, United Nations High Representative for Disarmament
Senator Romeo Dallaire, Former Commander of UN Forces in Rwanda
Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala, President of Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
Marian Hobbs MP, Former Minister for Disarmament, New Zealand
Alexa McDonough MP, Canada
Uta Zapf MdB, Chair of the German Parliament Sub-Committee on Arms Control, Disarmament and Security
Senator Abacca Anjain Maddison, Marshall Islands
Sergei Kolesnikov MP, Member of the Russian Duma
Jeremy Corbyn MP, United Kingdom
Hallgeir Langeland MP, Norway
Dr Raphael Chegeni MP, Tanzania
Marit Nybakk MP, Norway . Deputy head of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs
and more…

ULTIMAS DO ZIMBABWE/LATEST NEWS FROM ZIMBABWE

DEAR FRIENDS

Yesterday, 15.5.08 the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) gazetted a Statutory Instrument making provision for the Presidential Run-off election to be held within 90 days of the announcement the Presidential Election results on May 2nd. The Bill Watch Special of 15.5.08 explains, the Statutory Instrument invoked the powers given to ZEC in the Electoral Act in order to extend the 21 day period for the run off. Today, 16.5.08 a further Bill Watch Special confirms that the date for the run off was announced today and will now take place on the 27 June 2008 .

In a further update from the region about Zimbabwe, the report made by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum to the 43rd Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) on 11.5.08 in Swaziland . The report was made under Item 7 on the ACHPR agenda and concerns torture in Zimbabwe . Our statement echoes that made by NGOs in the run up to the ACHPR Session and calls upon the ACHPR to set up a Fact Finding Mission to Zimbabwe and to condemn; in the strongest possible terms; the post election violence adversely affecting the people of Zimbabwe

The Media Institute for Southern Africa also made a ubmission to the ACHPR.

Zimbabwe was mentioned in the Final Communiqué issued after the 1st regional meeting of the African Caribbean Pacific – European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly for Southern Africa which took place in Windhoek Namibia on 28 – 30 April 2008. Please see the following web link to read it
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/acp/10_01/pdf/windhoek_communique_en.pdf

Turning to further distressing reports of unabated violence engulfing the country we refer you to the following items:

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) issued a statement yesterday, 15.5.08, to mark the International Day of Families. ZLHR notes that the ongoing political violence, internal displacement of individuals and families means that there is need for the immediate protection of families in the country.

The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) released the Information Alert on 14.5.08. ZPP notes with regret and utter shock the state sponsored violence which they report is unabated. ZPP reports recording politically motivated murders in the in Gokwe Chireya and in Mount Darwin where it alleges four people have been killed over the last few days.

We should like to draw your attention to the following 7 items from the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN). Please find these on the ZESN website at http://www.zesn.org.zw/ we are happy to send any of these items on request to anyone unable to access them.
· On 16.5.08, there were continued attacks on ZESN observers who have been under siege from suspected ZANU PF supporters in various parts of the country. Some have been abducted, severely assaulted and injured whilst others have had their homes burnt.
· On 16.5.05, ZESN released an updated chart from that circulated yesterday showing the total number of local authority seats by political party and province which have so far been published by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

On 15.5.08, an Alert reported alleged abduction of a ZESN observer from Kotwa in Mudzi by known ZANU PF supporters and unsettling reports of his torture at a ‘military style base’ located behind a local primary school. There is also confirmation of the confiscation of the accreditation cards of 8 ZESN observers in the same area.
On14.5.08 an Alert reported attacks on ZESN observers in Mount Darwin who are apparently under siege from ZANU PF supporters and have been forced to flee.
On 14.5.08, ZESN released a statement setting out minimum conditions for a run off of the presidential election.

The Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) issued a News Update concerning the setting of a trial date for two of their members arrested last week for distributing materials ‘likely to cause a breach of the peace’. Further information can be found on the WOZA website at:
http://www.wozazimbabwe.org/

Three Alerts issued by the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition on 13.5.08 and 14.5.08. On 16.5.08 contain further distressing summaries of recent reports and incidents taking place in the country.
- The first reports that the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe was briefly detained by armed police.
- Amongst other concerning items, the second reports that the MDC claims that 32 of its activists and supporters have died since the announcement of the presidential election results.
- An Alert was issued exposing the plight of the detained leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trades Unions and gives chilling details of the lice infestation in Harare Remand Prison and the complaints by the two of ill treatment there.

In another disturbing report from Bulawayo Agenda, The Daily Agenda of 14.5.08 documents distressing incidences of political violence taking place throughout Matabeleland .

Finally, from Harare , the Combined Harare Ratepayers Association (CHRA) also report escalating levels of human rights abuses on its members and on the general residents of Harare . CHRA states that its members face death threats and abductions.

Friday 16 May 2008

DAVID MARTIN HOMENAGEADO EM MAPUTO

Decorreu na tarde de hoje na sede do Sindicato Nacional de Jornalistas (SNJ) uma cerimonia de homenagem a David Martin, conjuntamente organizada pela SARDC e pelo SNJ. David Martin foi um dos jornalistas que na decada sessenta se juntou aos movimentos de libertacao em Africa tendo trabalhado incansavelmente na divulgacao de noticias referentes a estes movimentos na Europa, com maior incidencia no Reino Unido, usando o 'The Observer' como sua plataforma.

Conheci David quando era eu era estudante no ISRI, tendo-o na altura convidado a dar uma palestra sobre os movimentos de libertacao em Africa. dessa palestra nasceu amizade e respeito mutuos que ficaram indeleveis na minha memoria.

Durante a minha estadia em Harare, privei longamente com David tendo desse convivio aprendido inumeras licoes na vida, sendo uma das mais importantes bater-me pelos meus ideias, independentemente dos custos!

David contou-me episodios insolidos dos movmentos de libertacao ate hoje nao divulgados, que guardo com muita honra e respeito!

Terminada a minha formacao no Zimbabwe, trabalhei para a SARDC sob a direccao conjunta de Davis Martin e da Phyllis Johnson. ambos desempenharam um papel crucial para que Mocambique fosse hoje membro da Commonwealth! Lembro-me das interminaveis correccoes e da procura da perfeicao que caracterizava o trabalho de David, quando produziamos o 'Mozambique in the Commonwealth' que foi o cartao de visitas de Mocambique na Cimeira de Edinburg!

Da ultima vez que nos encontramos haviamos combinado terminar a conversa sobre os movimentos de libertacao, as lutas intestinas, as diversas alas e escolas de pensamento e muito mais que David tinha vivido e sobrevivido!!!

Espero que saibamos honrar o vasto espolio historico que Davis collecionou ao longo de decadas para que nossos filhos possam ter uma imagem real nao romantizada dos processos de libertacao da nossa Africa Austral!

Aqui fica pois a minha singela homenagem a este britanico que possivelmente inspirado pelas descobertas do Escoces David Livingstone, abandonou a sua terra e entregou-se de corpo e alma a causa da libertacao da Africa Austral do jugo colonial!


Paz a sua alma,

Manuel de Araujo

JOSUE BILA: 'DUDH E DIREITO A VIDA: O CASO MOCAMBICANO'

DUDH e direito humano à vida: o caso moçambicano*
Josué Bila
A humanidade celebra, no próximo dia 10 de Dezembro de 2008, o 60º aniversário da Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos (DUDH), aprovada pela Organização das Nações Unidas. A DUDH é um documento contemporâneo sobre direitos humanos, cujos articulados expressam, irrefutavelmente, o respeito à dignidade humana. O artigo 3º da DUDH é a isso referente: “Toda pessoa tem direito à vida, à liberdade e à segurança pessoal”, “sem”, segundo o preâmbulo, “distinção de qualquer espécie, seja de raça, cor, sexo, língua, religião, opinião política ou de outra natureza, origem nacional ou social, riqueza, nascimento, ou qualquer outra condição”.
Posto isto, será que os moçambicanos gozam do direito humano à vida e, por consequência, do direito à liberdade e à segurança pessoal? A resposta pode depender do olhar, conhecimento e experiências de cada um. Dando um parecer ingénuo, respondo que os moçambicanos gozam, sim, do direito humano à vida. Porém, o meu sim é bastante condicionado. Por isso, poderei revolver o meu sim bastante condicionado, ao longo do texto.
Começo, antes, por dispor do conteúdo do artigo 40º da Constituição da República de Moçambique (CRM), referente ao direito humano à vida: (1) “Todo o cidadão tem direito à vida e à integridade física e moral e não pode ser sujeito à tortura ou tratamentos cruéis ou desumanos” e (2) “Na República de Moçambique não há pena de morte”.
Ora, em Moçambique, a ideia que salta à mente das pessoas, quando se fala do direito humano à vida, é aquela estritamente ligada (1) às máximas religioso-morais: não matarás; (2) a milhares de moçambicanos que perdeu a vida durante a guerra de desestabilização dos 16 anos (1977-1992); (3) à memória colectiva dos efeitos morais, emocionais e sociais de fuzilamentos instituídos pelo partido-Estado, até ao ano de 1990, consagrados no ordenamento jurídico de então; (4) à luta contra a cultura de brutalização, desumanização e baleamentos mortais dos cidadãos por agentes policiais, sob direcção da Polícia da República de Moçambique, aliada à impunidade, depois de 1990 a esta parte; e (5) ao aborto, por causa dos polémicos debates em torno do mesmo, uns a favor, outros contra e aqueloutros neutros. Em nosso meio, estas ideias têm, certamente, enquadramento quando se fala ou se defende o direito humano à vida. E têm, também, significado na luta pela dignidade das pessoas, como seres éticos, independentemente de suas particularidades.
Contudo, no actual estágio de Moçambique é imperioso desdobrarmos outros significados do direito humano à vida, para preencher algum vazio que o debate dos cinco pontos do parágrafo anterior traz. O direito humano à vida não só tem, a título exclusivo, como fronteira e delimitação a cultura de brutalização, desumanização e baleamentos mortais protagonizados por polícias e outros agentes estatais ou não-estatais, mas, também, se estende ao conjunto de políticas públicas capazes de manter, em qualidade e em dignidade, a vida dos moçambicanos. Por exemplo, a educação, saúde, família, habitação, alimentação, trabalho, segurança e tranquilidade públicas, segurança social e outros direitos – sociais, culturais, económicos, ambientais, sexuais, civis e políticos. Outrossim, um simples respeito pelas regras de trânsito por transeuntes, condutores e motoristas e respectiva colocação de lombas e mais semáforos nas estradas e ruas pelas autoridades municipais e estatais, com participação activa de cidadãos, com o objectivo de evitar atropelamentos ou sustos que podem causar desmaios às pessoas; não poluir o ambiente, por meio de emissão descontrolada de gazes pelas indústrias e viaturas, queimadas de lixo nos meios urbanos, suburbanos e rurais; campanhas anti-indústria de fabrico de armas de brinquedo, bem como a sua respectiva venda e compra; comunicação social pró-ética da vida; e educação sobre direitos reprodutivos e saúde materno-infantil são dos pouquíssimos exemplos-propostas que podem contribuir o bastante para a dignificação do direito humano à vida.
Mau grado, em Moçambique, quase que não existem políticas públicas desenhadas e implementadas sistematicamente para o exercício de cidadania e respeito à dignidade humana, o que é, em si, contraproducente. As autoridades estatais, não raras vezes, se esquivam em assumir um compromisso político consequente para a implementação de direitos humanos, o que afectaria, deste modo, o direito humano à vida. A tentativa de se falar de direitos humanos resvala sempre em falas deslocadas do real problema, por se elevar demagogias ocasionais, ideologias improdutivas, visões e promessas eleitoralistas, em meio ao conhecimento algo romântico e fragmentado do direito humano à vida.
Assim, recorrendo ao Plano de Acção para a Redução da Pobreza Absoluta - PARPA II e ao pensamento anterior, é confirmado o meu sim bastante condicionado sobre a efectivação do direito humano à vida em Moçambique. Os dados do PARPA II apresentam que, dos 20 milhões de moçambicanos, “10 milhões vivem ainda em pobreza absoluta”, ou seja, abaixo de um dólar por dia, como aludem as agências das Nações Unidas. Uma parte extremamente considerável dos restantes 10 milhões, que não vive em pobreza absoluta, também enfrenta privações sociais, razão pela qual a esperança de vida dos moçambicanos não vai além de 40 anos de idade, por o acesso a alimentos, saúde, educação, habitação, emprego, ambiente equilibrado e outros direitos, em quantidade e qualidade, constituir uma utopia, a avaliar pelo quase incomprometimento das autoridades estatais locais em implementar direitos humanos.
Mais: Dados do Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento sobre os Objectivos de Desenvolvimento do Milénio, relatados pelo Governo, indicam que a taxa de mortalidade infantil ronda entre 125, por 1000 recém-nascidos; a taxa de mortalidade de menores de cinco anos situa-se entre 200, em cada 1000 nascimentos. Estes são apenas alguns indicadores que precarizam e descartabilizam o direito humano à vida em Moçambique, dando azo ao supramencionado sim bastante condicionado.
Artigo 25º da DUDH
Baseando-se nos dados do PARPA II e das agências internacionais das Nações Unidas, é inegável que, em Moçambique, hajam e perfilam violações contra o direito humano à vida, que ferem o conteúdo do artigo 25º da DUDH, que assinala que: (1)“Toda a pessoa tem direito a um padrão de vida capaz de assegurar a si e a sua família saúde e bem-estar, inclusive alimentação, vestuário, habitação, cuidados médicos e os serviços sociais indispensáveis, o direito à segurança, em caso de desemprego, doença, invalidez, viuvez, velhice ou outros casos de perda de meios de subsistência em circunstâncias fora de seu controle” e (2)“ a maternidade e a infância têm direito a cuidados e assistência especiais. Todas as crianças, nascidas dentro ou fora do matrimónio, gozarão da mesma protecção social”.
Artigo 11º da CRM
Pode-se dizer ainda que as violações contra o direito humano à vida, em Moçambique, contrariam os objectivos do Estado moçambicano, dispostos no artigo 11 da Constituição da República de Moçambique: (c) a edificação de uma sociedade de justiça social e a criação do bem-estar material, espiritual e de qualidade de vida dos cidadãos; (e) a defesa e a promoção dos direitos humanos e da igualdade dos cidadãos perante a lei; (f) o reforço da democracia, da liberdade, da estabilidade social e da harmonia social e individual. Caso este artigo seja obedecido, por consequência, os objectivos do artigo 40º serão alcançados e vice-versa.
Enfim, os direitos humanos devem ser respeitados e implementados pelo (1) Estado e (1a) Governo, como políticas públicas eficazes e eficientes, entrosados no espírito atitudinal e comportamental de (2) cidadãos, a título individual e colectivo, para que se assista à elevação do direito humano à vida em Moçambique. Vale lembrar que, (3) a assistência e cooperação internacionais são chamadas a intervir, rumo à satisfação do direito humano à vida. A missão é de todos nós, certamente!
*Publicado no jornal ZAMBEZE (15 de Março de 2008)

Thursday 15 May 2008

Conferencia sobre eleicoes na Indonesia


Consolidation or restoration?

11 June 2008
The HagueOrganisation: NIMD

The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) is happy to invite you to a lecture of Dr. Marcus Mietzner about next year’s elections in Indonesia.

In 2009, Indonesia will hold parliamentary and presidential elections. From February until September, Indonesia will be in constant campaign mode, with little policy-making taking place. The outcome of the ballot will determine the course of the country for the next five years.

Most importantly, the polls will decide whether Indonesia can continue its current process of democratic consolidation, or whether it will slip back into political instability and – possibly - authoritarian forms of government.

Dr. Mietzner will discuss these highly divergent scenarios, and will try to make predictions about their likelihood. His presentation is concluded by a discussion with the participants.


About Marcus Mietzner
The German political scientist Dr. Marcus Mietzner is an expert on political parties in Indonesia and has been working in and on Indonesia for more than 15 years. He is currently a Visiting Research Fellow at KILTV (Koninklijk Instituut voor Land, Taal- en Volkenkunde; Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studie) in Leiden.
Date and venue 11 June 200815h30 to 17h00 (Drinks afterwards)NIMD: Passage 31, The Hague In order to guarantee admittance, please register at info@nimd.org / 070- 3115464 (before 4 June 2008).

NIMD Netherlands Institute for Multiparty DemocracyPassage 31
2511 AB The HagueThe NetherlandsT. +31-70-311 5464F. +31-70-311 5465www.nimd.org info@nimd.org

ACA Annual Meeting


ACA E-Update
REGISTER NOW!
"The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty at Forty:Addressing Current and Future Challenges"
Arms Control Association (ACA) Annual Meeting and Luncheon
Monday, June 16, 20089:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,1779 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.
On July 1, 1968, the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) was opened for signature. Forty years later, 188 states have joined the treaty, and there are nine states possessing nuclear weapons, not the dozens anticipated before the NPT came into being.
Yet, as George Shultz, William Perry, Henry Kissinger, Sam Nunn, and others have recently warned, the effort to curb nuclear proliferation is now at a “tipping point.”
You are invited to join ACA members and colleagues for ACA’s Annual Luncheon and Meeting, which will put a special focus this year on strengthening and assessing the future of this vital treaty.
Ambassador Sergio Duarte, United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and President of the 2005 NPT Review Conference, will deliver the keynote luncheon address on strategies to make the 2010 NPT Review Conference a success. Few diplomats, officials, or experts have as many personal and lifelong experiences with the NPT as Ambassador Duarte, and the Association is honored that he will help commemorate the treaty’s first 40 years and address its current and future challenges.
The luncheon address will be preceded by a 9:30 am morning panel discussion on “Addressing the Challenges Facing the NPT” with top experts, including: Amb. Norm Wulf, former President’s Special Representative for Nuclear Nonproliferation (1999-2002) and head of the 2000 U.S. delegation to the 2000 NPT Review Conference; Sharon Squassoni, Senior Associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and Andrew K. Semmel, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy and Negotiations
Following the luncheon address, at 1:00pm , ACA will host a roundtable discussion on “How the Next President Can Strengthen the Nonproliferation Effort.” Representatives of the presidential campaigns have been invited to describe their candidate’s views.
Please RSVP by June 9. For details on how you can RSVP and to register online, go to:
http://www.armscontrol.org/events/20080321_membership_mtg_reg.asp
For further information, you may also contact aca@armscontrol.org or call 202-463-8270 x105.A registration discount is available to ACA members.

Wednesday 7 May 2008

Zimbabwe: Primeiro Ministro Queniano lamente crise criada por Harare




Falando pouco horas após um encontro com o líder do maior partido da oposição no Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, o primeiro-ministro queniano lamentou que a maior parte dos países tenha adoptado uma "atitude de silêncio em relação à crise naquele país".



Joanesburgo (Canal de Moçambique) - O primeiro-ministro do Quénia, Raila Odinga, afirmou que iria apelar à União Africana para agir de forma "mais proactiva" no tocante à crise eleitoral no Zimbabwe. Odinga considerou uma "tristeza" o facto dos resultados eleitorais no Zimbabwe terem demorado mais de uma mês a serem anunciados. Falando pouco horas após um encontro com o líder do maior partido da oposição no Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, o primeiro-ministro queniano lamentou que a maior parte dos países tenha adoptado uma "atitude de silêncio em relação à crise naquele país", salientado que tal "não era bom para a democracia". Odinga é citado pelo jornal de Nairobi, The Nation, como tendo afirmado ser dever dos líderes africanos "erguer as suas vozes bem alto sempre que se cometam injustiças." Em Harare, a Rede de Apoio Eleitoral do Zimbabwe (ZESN) manifestou ontem dúvidas quanta à "credibilidade" dos resultados das presidenciais. Formada por 38 organizações não-governamentais, a ZESN disse que o atraso de um mês em se anunciarem os resultados das eleições de 29 de Março havia "minado a imparcialidade, credibilidade e transparência da Comissão Eleitoral do Zimbabwe". A ZESN salientou que "não podia substanciar os números avançados pela Comissão Eleitoral do Zimbabwe pois desconhecia qual havia sido o método de se manterem as urnas com os votos sob custódia durante o período entre o escrutínio e o anúncio dos resultados". Entretanto, o ministro dos negócios estrangeiros britânico, David Miliband, apelou ontem para o "envio imediato de observadores internacionais" para o Zimbabwe de modo a que a "segunda volta das eleições presidenciais possa ter uma chance de vir a ser realizada de forma legítima". Miliband frisou que "para a segunda volta ser considerada livre e justa deverá pelo menos haver uma cessação imediata da violência, e os observadores internacionais deverão ser desdobrados no terreno com a devida antecedência." O ministro inglês acrescentou que o chefe do regime de Harare estava a fazer "uso da violência numa tentativa desesperada de se manter no poder."
(Redacção / The Nation / News24.com /AFP /Allafrica.com)

Dossier» criminalidade




Informe anual do PGR à AR não espelha justiça no País

"Este informe não devia apenas nos trazer questões sobre o aumento da criminalidade. Devia também nos dar a conhecer o andamento dos processos que estão arquivados nos tribunais, muitos alegadamente por falta de matéria para o seu prosseguimento, o que nem sempre tem sido verdade" – Stélio Nhatumbo, estudante na Universidade Eduardo Mondlhane "O informe do Procurador-Geral da República peca por não incluir casos que tenham a ver com os processos criminais que há tempo aguardam julgamento nos tribunais. Fica difícil perceber se há ou não justiça em Moçambique" – Lizete Zimila, estudante na Universidade Pedagógica
Maputo (Canal de Moçambique) – O Procurador-geral da República (PGR), Augusto Paulino, foi na terça-feira passada, 29 de Abril, à Assembleia da República (AR) apresentar, de outros pontos, o "Informe Anual" sobre a situação da criminalidade no País. A reportagem do «Canal de Moçambique» saiu à rua para colher sensibilidades dos cidadãos quanto ao assunto que de há algum tempo para cá tem tirado sono aos mesmos, o que respeita à tranquilidade e segurança pública. Aqueles cidadãos afirmam nos seus depoimentos que o «Informe Anual» do Procurador-Geral da República não espelha a realidade actual em que o País se encontra. O destaque das intervenções dos nossos interlocutores aponta para o facto do PGR no seu informe não ter tocado com profundidade a questão de processos criminais que nunca são julgados e outros acabam mesmo por ser arquivados supostamente por falta de matéria probatória. Os mesmos cidadãos uma vez que o próprio PGR, no seu informe anual assume que a criminalidade no País conheceu em 2007 um aumento, com a Província de Maputo a liderar a lista, acreditam ser já tempo de se inverterem as estratégias de actuação da polícia e do andamento dos processos nos tribunais". Stélio Nhatumbo, estudante na Universidade Eduardo Mondlhane disse que "é de louvar o informe anual do Procurador-geral da República sobre a criminalidade no País. Isso vem revelar a coragem que teve de publicamente dizer a verdade ao povo moçambicano", mas "é uma verdade não completa por ainda existirem muitos casos criminais com processos pendentes à espera de um julgamento que nunca chega, por isso não espelha a realidade do País no âmbito da justiça". O mesmo interlocutor, referiu ainda que o informe anual do PGR sobre a criminalidade no País, só irá corresponder às expectativas dos cidadãos quando se começar a dar vazão muitos processos que estão nas gavetas dos tribunais. "Eu penso que este informe não devia apenas nos trazer questões sobre o aumento da criminalidade. Devia também nos dar a conhecer o andamento de processos que estão arquivados nos tribunais, muitos alegadamente por falta de matéria para o seu prosseguimento, o que nem sempre tem sido verdade. Quantos casos como o do assassinato do músico Pedro Langa mereceram um desfecho satisfatório em 2007?", indagou a fonte, acrescentando de seguida que "é também sobre estes assuntos que o Governo ainda deve esclarecimentos aos cidadãos porque não basta apenas avançar números e ainda assumir que a criminalidade subiu". Por seu turno, Lizete Zimila, estudante na Universidade pedagógica disse sem evasivas que "o informe do Procurador-geral da República peca por não incluir casos que tenham a ver com os processos criminais que há tempo aguardam julgamento nos tribunais". Ainda de acordo com a interlocutora, com os números avançados por Augusto Paulino, dando conta de que a criminalidade subiu em 2007, "fica difícil perceber se há ou não justiça em Moçambique, e há também que se questionar se a polícia está ou não a trabalhar seriamente no sentido de garantir a segurança dos cidadãos", rematou.
(Emildo Sambo)


Obama takes decisive step toward nomination BY Ben Smith


Sen. Barack Obama took a large and potentially decisive step toward the Democratic nomination Tuesday night, making dramatic symbolic and numerical gains in North Carolina and Indiana.

Obama's emphatic North Carolina victory, and a narrow loss in Indiana, extended his lead in the count of delegates to the Democratic National Convention, and in most counts of the combined popular vote.
As important, they diminished Clinton's rationale for urging Democratic superdelegates to override his delegate lead and give the nomination to her.
Her case to party elders -- that Obama was a flawed, flagging candidate -- lost much of its altitude despite a nail-biting and narrow victory in Indiana. Her bread-and-butter pitch to voters fell prey to the doubts Obama's television campaign raised about her sincerity. What had been, in the best of scenarios an up hill climb, became far steeper.
"There were those who were saying that North Carolina could be a 'game-changer'for Mrs. Clinton," Obama jeered in his Raleigh victory speech. "But today, what North Carolina decided is that the only game that needs changing is the one in Washington, DC."
Obama then pivoted toward the general election, warning of coming Republican attacks and -- after tweaking Clinton's high hopes in North Carolina -- addressing her only with gracious language.
He made no suggestion that she should leave the race, and even congratulated her on her "apparent victory" in Indiana -- which remained very much in the balance as he spoke. Visually and rhetorically he began to reintroduce himself to the broad general election audience, stressing his patriotism and his American roots.
"I know the promise of America because I have lived it," he said, standing before a backdrop of middle-aged white women waving small American flags. He cited "the founding ideals that the flag draped over my grandfather's coffin stands for -- it is life, and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Clinton, meanwhile, promised to forge ahead. In a muted tone, with her husband glum and sun-burned behind her, Clinton pledged to charge ahead "full speed."
"I'm going to work my heart out in West Virginia and Kentucky this month," she said. She cast her potential victory in Indiana -- citing her opponent's words -- as a "tiebreaker" after the two split victories in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
But Clinton also thanked her family, her staff and her supporters at unusually great length, giving the speech a somewhat valedictory tone. She promised to fight for a Democratic victory in November "no matter what happens."
Tim Russert of NBC News reported around midnight that Clinton had canceled her scheduled network morning appearances for Wednesday morning, contributing to the perception that her campaign was thrown back on its heels by the results.
Exit polls suggested that there were no dramatic reversals in the hardened demographic patterns that have determined the outcome of almost every Democratic primary since February. But the outbursts by Obama's former minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, didn't seem to damage his support from white voters.
"The fact that we have done as well as we have done tonight says something about the durability of his candidacy," said Obama's chief strategist, David Axelrod.
The victory, in which he appears to have expanded his lead in pledged delegates by more than 10, also put Obama on course to take a clear majority of pledged delegates on May 20.
Obama's strong night also meant an unconventional gamble of his paid off. Clinton made the issue of the primaries her call for a gas tax holiday, and she portrayed Obama as out of touch for opposing it, on the stump and in a series of television ads.
Obama, flouting conventional wisdom, met her bread-and-butter appeal with a high-minded policy argument and a character attack, calling the plan a gimmick and jabbing at her Achilles' heel, voters' sense that she is untrustworthy.
Clinton hoped her argument would reveal Obama's abiding weakness with working class voters. "What's the matter with Barack Obama?" asked one of her television ads.
Instead, Obama appears to have used the issue to underline her weaknesses.
Clinton's own gamble, meanwhile, cratered. She spent unexpected days in North Carolina, where Bill Clinton made nine stops Monday, and many of her aides held out hope she could win there.
But Obama won by double-digits, picking up more than a third of the white vote in the state. On stage in Indianapolis, her husband's red, sun-soaked face was all he had to show for the days he'd spent there.
Finally, the Indiana results seemed likely to leave a bad taste in the mouths of supporters of both candidates. From the stage in Indianapolis, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh joked about past alleged voting irregularities in Gary, telling the story of a little girl who supported Hillary and suggesting she might be permitted to vote in Lake County.
Meanwhile, Obama's press secretary, Bill Burton, e-mailed reporters twice with claims that conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh had provided Clinton's margin by suggesting that Republicans vote for her maliciously to prolong the race.

Tuesday 6 May 2008


Features
Should Israel Close Dimona? The Radiological Consequences of a Military Strike on Israel’s Plutonium-Production ReactorBy Bennett Ramberg
Bennett Ramberg urges Israel to shut down its Dimona reactor, which produces plutonium and tritium for its suspected nuclear weapons program, and use the closure as an opportunity to win regional support for efforts to prevent nuclear or radiological attacks.
Verifying Nuclear Disarmament: An Inspector’s AgendaBy Andreas Persbo and Marius Bjørningstad
For disarmament efforts to succeed, states need to have confidence that agreements to dismantle nuclear weapons can be accurately verified, yet such verification is a complex task.
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Designers of a nuclear weapons disarmament regime can draw many lessons from the six-year U.S.-Russian-IAEA Trilateral Initiative.
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The European Union has been seeking to become a bigger player on nonproliferation and disarmament issues but has only been partially successful.
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Dear Friends

Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) on 02 May 08 issued a statement calling for the respect for the rights of non-partisan independent election observers as well as the will of the people of Zimbabwe . In its statement ZESN reveals that its members, staff, management and leadership have been subjected to intimidation by the government since its announcement of projections for the presidential election on 31 March 08. ZESN’s mission will however remain to promote democratic elections in Zimbabwe despite the harassment and intimidation.

Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe), our member organisation, has released a statement in commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day tomorrow 03 May 08. MISA-Zimbabwe is however celebrating “against the backdrop of uncertainty and fear arising from the delayed presidential election results amid reports of countrywide retributive violence that has seen scores of innocent citizens being harassed, assaulted, maimed and arrested for exercising their free expression and democratic right to vote.” Those who have been following up freelance journalist Frank Chikowore’s case who had been remanded in custody to 05 May 08, be advised MISA-Zimbabwe advises today that he has been granted bail.

Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Regional has also issued the attached World Freedom Day press statement today in Windhoek . MISA says it is marking May 3 under the shadow of a crisis in Zimbabwe and further expresses concern at the continued use of insult laws by powerful individuals in government, politics and business to silence journalists. MISA will release the 14th edition of its annual state of the media publication, “So This Is Democracy?” to mark the World Press Freedom Day. This report documents and comments on the 181 media freedom and freedom of expression violations recorded by MISA in 2007. The flagship publication will be officially launched at a cocktail evening today 02 May 2008 during the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day celebrations to be held in Maputo , Mozambique . The full report can be accessed from the link below and reference to Zimbabwe is made on pages 123 to 142.
http://www.misa.org/researchandpublication/democracy/So%20this%20is%20democracy.pdf

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJPZ), circulated on 02 May 2008 a press statement expressing its grave concern over the “fast deteriorating political and security situation in Zimbabwe” CCJP believes the prevailing situation is not conducive to holding free and fair elections should there be need for a run-off election. CCJP also recommends that SADC and African Union observe the run-off whilst United Nations supervises to guarantee the legitimacy of the poll results. Please find the attached statement.

Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) has released a statement today joining the rest of the world in commemorating World Press Freedom Day. ZINASU is concerned by the closure of media houses considered violent towards the government and urges all journalists to remain vigilant and continue providing their services without fear.

Reporters Without Borders have issued a press release condemning the freelance journalist Precious Shumba in a police raid on Harare office of the international aid NGO, ActionAid. They are concerned that Shumba is the 10th journalist to be arrested since the general elections. Please see the link below.
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=26805

The Botswana Civil Society Solidarity Coalition for Zimbabwe (BOCISCOZ) issued a statement yesterday urging the government of Botswana to engage with SADC member states to ensure that the situation in Zimbabwe is resolved peacefully.

MMPZ reported in their Prime Time Daily Monitoring Report that there was a presentation of the 2008 First Quarter Monetary Policy Statement by Reserve Bank governor and no mention of election results on all ZBC stations. However the governor was reported to have acknowledged that Zimbabwe needs a political solution to its economic crisis but exonerates himself and the government from the economic decline.
In the Daily Media Update, MMPZ reports that The Herald continued to divert the public’s attention from Zimbabwe ’s post election crisis. The Herald is also said to have reported that UN had “fingered” the opposition as being responsible for violence. The private media is reported to have highlighted the growing international irritation with Harare ’s continued suppression of the presidential election result. Please find the attached reports.

Following the UN Security Council discussions on Zimbabwe, Gugulethu Moyo, a prominent Zimbabwean Lawyer commented on the way forward for Zimbabwe on 29 April 2008 which can be accessed from the following link:
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/gugulethu_moyo/2008/04/decision_day_for_zimbabwe.html
Gugulethu said, “it seems inconceivable that without robust international action, Mugabe's hidebound regime will change course and open the way to a democratic transition.”

Chatham House Africa Programme
News and Events Update May 2008

Scroll down for more information on:

Belgium: senior diplomats on priorities in the Great Lakes 9th May
Germany’s resurgent engagement with Africa 12th May
British policy to Africa under Labour– Book launch 12th May
Learning from the fight against HIV 19th May
Kenya’s role in counter-terrorism 19th May
UK Government launch of new Congo development strategy 19th May
Major new report on growth & development launch 21st May


News

Both the Sudanese Foreign Minister and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States spoke at Chatham House last month and discussed the crisis in Darfur and the strained North-South agreement in Sudan . The Foreign Minister’s meeting was under the Chatham House Rule, but he gave an opening statement on the record which will shortly be on the Chatham House website - www.chathamhouse.org.uk/africa.

Chatham House is at the centre of a growing number of international policy research networks devoted to supporting more informed policy in an ever more complex global policy environment. The newest of these networks is the Europe Africa Research Network (EARN), a joint initiative by political research institutes across the African and European Unions to address common challenges. Chatham House and the Mozambican Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI) are leading on governance work for the network and we hope this will evolve into a significant and effective tool for improved policy making across our two continents.

Outreach continues in other directions too. The Head of the Africa Programme Alex Vines recently briefed American lawmakers in Washington DC on the growing role of China in Africa . In a few days time Africa Programme Coordinator Lizzy Donnelly will travel to Washington to support the Chair of the Nigeria All Party Parliamentary Group, John Robertson MP, as he builds consensus between the UK and US legislatures on how best to support Nigeria . Meanwhile, Associate Fellow Sally Healy OBE is in Canada to brief officials there on the emerging outcomes of our Horn of Africa work, the report on which is to be launched in June.

Last month saw Chatham House launch a briefing paper addressing the worrying global food scarcity, which is impacting Africa particularly heavily. The paper – Rising food Prices: Drivers and Implications, by Alex Evans, is available from our website, alongside all our other publications and public meeting transcripts – www.chathamhouse.org.uk.




Events

All the events below take place at Chatham House unless otherwise stated. Entry is free of charge but is sometimes restricted. If you would like to attend please e-mail Ahmed Soliman: asoliman@chathamhouse.org.uk


Friday 9th May 1000 - 1130, Chatham House
Belgian Priorities in the Great Lakes Region

Speakers:
Guy Trouveroy, Africa Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium
Jozef Smets, Belgian Special Envoy for the Great Lakes


Following a high level visit to the region by three senior Belgian government ministers, Mr Trouveroy and Mr Smets will discuss their impressions from the visit and Belgium ’s policy to the region.

Space at this meeting is limited and entry restricted. If you would like to attend please apply to the email above.



Monday 12th May 1500 - 1600, Chatham House
Germany’s Foreign Policy towards Africa

Speakers:
Matthias Mülmenstädt, Director for Africa, Federal Foreign Office of Germany

Africa was in 2007 a focus of Germany ’s EU and G8 Presidencies. Germany is once again deepening its engagement in Africa including in Angola , which benefited in 2007 from a US$ 1 billion credit line directed to the post conflict reconstruction effort and the opening in 2008 of a direct air link to Frankfurt by Lufthansa. Mr Mülmenstädt was appointed Director for Africa , German Federal Foreign Office in 2007. He will explain Germany ’s growing interest in Africa over the last couple of years and what is driving it.

Space at this meeting is limited and entry restricted. If you would like to attend please apply to the email above.



Monday 12th May 1730 - 1830, with reception after, Chatham House
Britain in Africa – Book Launch

This event is held in association with the Royal African Society and Zed Books

Speakers:
Tom Porteous, Author and UK Director of Human Rights Watch
Justin Forsyth, Special Advisor to Prime Minister Gordon Brown

Why has Africa become a priority for New Labour’s foreign policy? What interests and values is the UK seeking to promote? Why has aid to Africa more than tripled over the past decade? How has the UK ’s involvement in counter-terrorism affected its aims in Africa ? Expanding on an article originally written for International Affairs, Tom Porteous, who was a conflict management advisor to the FCO from 2001 to 2003, sets out the balance sheet of Britain’s Africa policy since 1997 and explores its disconnects.



Monday 19th May 1100 – 1230
Sustainable development and HIV

Speakers:
Jenni Gillies, Group HIV Consultant, SABMiller
Dr. Brian Brink, Vice President Health, AngloAmerican

HIV is a major threat to growth in the developing world and there is a growing awareness of the role of work place HIV reduction strategies in combating the spread of HIV. SABMiller and AngloAmerican are acknowledged to be pioneers in developing successful, innovative workplace strategies. In recent years both companies have been encouraging other employers to take workplace HIV reduction seriously whether they are government, private, or NGO sector. This meeting is intended to stimulate frank and open discussion regarding best practice and ideas for improving HIV reduction strategies in the work place.

Space at this meeting is limited and entry restricted. If you would like to attend please apply to the email above.



Monday 19th May 1300 – 1400
Civil society, aid and security in Kenya post- 9/11

Speakers:
Jude Howell - Director of the Centre for Civil Society at LSE
Jeremy Lind - Researcher for The `Global War on Terror', Non-Governmental Public Action and Aid project

Kenya is considered strategically important in the 'Global War on Terror' that was declared in the aftermath of 9/11. The Kenyan government, under considerable diplomatic and aid pressure to cooperate, has instituted a new counter-terrorism regime. Counter-terrorism measures have proven divisive in Kenya and have been implemented against a shifting political backdrop and the fragmentation of civil society around ethnic and regional interests, as was seen in its response to the recent post-election violence.

The meeting will examine the impacts of post-9/11 counter-terrorism measures, laws and practices on civil society in Kenya as well as its responses to these new structures. The talk will also highlight the role of aid in counter-terrorism in Kenya and the challenges faced by democracy, governance and human rights groups in this context.




Monday 19th May 1600 – 1700, Parliament
Launch of the DFID Country Strategy for the Democratic Republic of Congo
Held jointly with the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Great Lakes

Speakers:
Douglas Alexander MP – Secretary of State , UK Department for International Development
Oliver Kamitatu – Minister of Planning, Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Eric Joyce MP – Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Great Lakes

To be followed by the launch of the APPG’s “ Congo : Unheard Voices” exhibition

Please note this meeting is to be held in Parliament, room to be confirmed by email to rsvps.



Wednesday 21st May 1100 – 1230
The Growth Report

The Panel:
Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator, the Financial Times (Moderator)
Michael Spence, Commission Chair, Nobel Laureate and Professor Emeritus Stanford University
Lord Browne of Madingley, Commissioner and former Chief Executive Officer, BP
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Commissioner, Former Finance Minister, Nigeria , Managing Director, World Bank
Professor Anthony J. Venables, Professor of Economics, the University of Oxford and Chief Economist, UK Department for International Development.
What does it take to achieve high, sustainable and inclusive growth in developing Countries such as in Africa ? An Examination of Lessons Learned and Key Policy Ingredients for Inclusive Growth.
This event will launch the 'Growth Report' - the result of two years work by some of the world's leading policy makers and economists on the requirements for sustained and inclusive growth in developing countries.
The Commission is supported by the Governments of Australia, Sweden , the Netherlands , and United Kingdom and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the World Bank Group.






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The work of the Africa Programme is principally supported by:


FCO, SHELL INTERNATIONAL, BHP BILLITON , SABMILLER, BG GROUP, SAVE THE CHILDREN, BP, ONE WORLD ACTION , ROC OIL, BANCO AFRICANO DE INVESTIMENTOS, DE LA RUE, DEBEERS, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH, MARATHON, MWANA AFRICA, LIMJE, ANGLO AMERICAN, STATOIL, EXXONMOBIL, CHRISTIAN AID, CRS, GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, GOVERNMENT OF NORWAY, GOVERNMENT OF DENMARK, , REVENUEWATCH, STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, VIRGIN NIGERIA, DFID, THE STAVROS NIARCHOS FOUNDATION


Many thanks for your support.


Best wishes,

Tom Cargill

Africa Programme Manager
Chatham House
The Royal Institute of International Affairs
10 St James’s Square
SW1Y 4LE
0207 957 5718