The salience of the due process issue varies considerably among states. Concerns are highest among European states that are constitutionally and politically bound to the enforcement of rigorous human rights standards. Many of these states also have concerns about broader UN reform issues related to the representativeness of the Security Council and the legitimacy of its working methods. For other states the controversy over due process reinforces a general skepticism about sanctions, and may serve as an excuse for inaction.
Topic:
United Nations, Sanctions, Policy Implementation, and UN Security Council
David Cortright, George A. Lopez, Linda Gerber-Stellingwerf, Eliot Fackler, Sarah Persinger, and Joshua Weaver
Publication Date:
11-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Fourth Freedom Forum
Abstract:
International sanctions intended to counter terrorism have been criticized for violating human rights and failing to comply with due process legal standards. Blacklisting practices have impeded the work of certain civil society groups and charities. The resulting controversy has eroded the credibility of UN Security Council counterterrorism sanctions and made it more difficult for some states and regional organizations to comply with these measures. Action is urgently needed to reform current listing and delisting procedures through a strengthening of due process procedures.
Topic:
Human Rights, United Nations, Sanctions, Counter-terrorism, and UN Security Council
Southeast Asian nations are embarking on a pursuit for nuclear energy. While this promises to help satisfy the region’s growing energy thirst in a more cost-efficient and climate-friendly way, nuclear power also has its perils. The specter of proliferation looms large and the potential for nuclear accidents remains high in a region prone to natural disasters and averse to strong institutional safeguards and export controls.
Topic:
Energy Policy, Natural Disasters, Risk, Carbon Emissions, and Nuclear Energy
Of all the asymmetric weapons or “assassin maces”?China has been developing and deploying across the Taiwan Strait, perhaps none has been as poorly understood and as chronically underreported as China’s rapidly emerging DH-10 (DongHai-10), “East Sea-10″? cruise missile program.
Vietnam has an infrastructure problem in almost all sectors. It has an airport problem. It has a road problem. And Vietnam has a port problem. The real potential for Vietnam to benefit from China’s massive economy – or to benefit from any regional economic activity – lies on the water, and in the ports, which are currently too small and too shallow to effectively realize their economic potential.
Gleaming with confidence in the wake of its success in space, China is emerging as a global commercial aviation player. Its ambitions in commercial aviation are one facet of a broader vision to develop a modern, world-class, and integrated national air and surface transportation system.
Taiwan’s photovoltaic (solar) industry is rapidly establishing itself as a major international player. Currently ranked fifth in global production, it has tremendous long-term growth prospects.
Topic:
Economic Growth, Renewable Energy, Industry, and Solar Power
What explains the levels of both participation and enthusiasm during the 2009 elections in Kabul Province? Although some voters were motivated by a sense of national duty, and a desire to take part in the democratic process, the majority voted for a variety of other, overlapping reasons. This paper argues that to understand voting attitudes in Kabul Province it is necessary to also look at social pressure, material incentives, a desire to demonstrate community strength, and a desire to “back the winning horse.”
Topic:
Elections, Democracy, Voting, Participation, and Community
According to recent estimates, one in four Afghan children aged seven to 14 is engaged in some form of work. This briefing paper explores the issue, drawing on findings from an in-depth, qualitative study of poor households that use child labour, as well as those that do not. The report looks beyond poverty to explore the range of social and cultural factors that affect a household’s decisions regarding child labour, particularly the crucial way in which a household weighs the costs and benefits of work versus school, which leads them to increase or limit their investment in education based on their perceptions of the potential for future returns.
Over the years the calls for improved governance in Afghanistan have become increasingly urgent. Understanding the various ways in which governors and district governors are appointed, and the different influences that affect the process, is important if ways are to be found to improve overall governance in Afghanistan. This new discussion paper from AREU explores this issue, examining existing appointment practices and suggesting a number of ways that the process could be improved, along with the shifts in emphasis needed to make them happen.
Topic:
Governance, Leadership, State Formation, and State Building