Stories

Nicaragua 2009 Democracy Survey: Sharp Drop in Confidence in Public Institutions

The confidence of Nicaraguan citizens in their public institutions has declined significantly over the past two years, according to a new survey of Nicaraguan public opinion.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2009

CONTACT: Kathy Gest, NDI Director of Public Affairs
[email protected], 202-728-5535

WASHINGTON – The National Democratic Institute (NDI) today condemned the decision by Burma’s military junta to sentence Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to 18-months house arrest on charges that she violated the terms of her previous house arrest sentence.

Public access, transparency and balance of power in government were among topics covered in a recent study mission to the United States by members of the Cambodian National Assembly (MPs) seeking to strengthen democracy in their country.

Challenges Facing Iran’s Grassroots Movement

By Kourtney Pompi, NDI citizen participation program manager

Seen and Heard: August 4, 2009

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Published on August 4, 2009

Hourglass turned over fate of Iran vote detainees
– headline in the Iranian run English-language PressTV

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) expresses its condolences to family, friends and supporters of former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, who died Aug. 1.

Described by NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright as a trailblazer with courage and charisma, Aquino received the NDI W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award in 2004, some 18 years after she was elected to the presidency as part of a “people power” movement that swept dictator Ferdinand Marcos from office.

By Sophie Bordbar

Background Brief: Governance of Civil Society

Article 26 of the Iranian constitution provides for civil society organizations (CSOs), stating that organizations are permitted if they “do not violate the principles of independence, freedom, national unity, the criteria of Islam, or the basis of the Islamic Republic.” Subsequently, Iran’s 1982 “Law Concerning the Activities of Parties, Associations, Political Associations and Guild Associations, Islamic Associations or the Associations of Recognized Religious Minorities” outlines four types of allowable organizations.

By Elizabeth Spiro Clark

Millions of Iranians reacted with outrage to the June 12 election that has returned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power. In the days that followed, massive numbers turned out in the streets to protest the election results that they believe were determined by fiat of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and not by Iranian voters. Some seven weeks later, protestors have not retreated, even in the face of brutal repression.

The Iran Bulletin is a biweekly publication covering domestic political and election issues in Iran.

Nicaragua 2009 Democracy Survey: Sharp Drop in Confidence in Public Institutions

NDI Condemns Conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi

Cambodian Parliamentarians' U.S. Study Mission Focuses on Issues of Government Transparency, Power Balance

Challenges Facing Iran’s Grassroots Movement

Seen and Heard: August 4, 2009

NDI Mourns the Death of Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino

Civil Disobedience in Iran Takes on New Forms

Background Brief: Governance of Civil Society

The Erosion of Legitimacy in Iran: The role of International Election Standards

August 4, 2009 — Vol. 1, Issue 11

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