African leaders have agreed to a Libyan-driven push to transform the African Union (AU) and greatly extend its powers.
The document drafted at the AU summit of heads of states in Libya intends to simplify the AU structure and boost its power over defence, diplomatic and international trade matters.
The accord was viewed as a milestone for the build-up to what Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has long envisioned as a federal government overseeing a "United States of Africa."
The new structure will have to resolve doubts voiced by many African leaders about unifying Africa, including concerns about national sovereignty, division of resources and power.
Most African leaders’ voice support for more unity but some of the continent's wealthier nations, led by Nigeria and South Africa, appeared to be resisting the move.
African diplomats say that there are worries the new structure could become overbearing, especially if it is led by Mr Gadhafi.
Saturday 4 July 2009
New legislation puts Italy on 'fascist path'
It has been reported by one of sources in Italy that it's parliament has given final approval to frightening legislation that allows vigilante-style citizen patrols to operate in the alleged fight against illegal immigration.
The legislation passed yesterday also calls for jail terms of up to three years for people who knowingly house illegal immigrants and lengthens the amount of time that migrants can spend in detention.
The Conservative government of Premier Silvio Berlusconi insists that the measure will increase security.
The new legislation makes entering or staying in Italy without permission a crime punishable by a fine of 5,000-10,000 euros (£4,286-£8,572) and lengthens the amount of time that migrants can spend in detention from two to six months.
The legislation has drawn criticism by centre-left politicians and human rights groups.
Amnesty International said that the measures "affect negatively the vulnerable people in the country" and "heavily impinge on the rights of migrants."
Adding to such fears has been the recent creation of a citizens' patrol group billing itself as the Italian National Guard, whose uniforms bear fascist and nazi-like symbols.
After the group announced that it would soon start patrolling the streets, Interior Minister Roberto Maroni claimed that any right-wing patrol that can be associated with fascist and nazi-era guards would not be permitted.
Mr Maroni said that he would start meeting local officials next week to work out details and set limits for the unarmed patrols.
The measures were passed with a 157-124 vote in the Senate.
The government also won three confidence votes in the past two days tied to the measures.
Critics insist that the measures would further marginalise those living in Italy illegally without actually improving security.
A group of Italy's best-known writers have signed an open letter attacking the legislation.
"The Berlusconi government, using security as a pretext, has imposed laws the like of which we have not seen in this country since the passing of the fascist Race Law," the letter read.
The letter was signed by Sicilian writer Andrea Camilleri and Nobel prize winner Dario Fo.
The legislation passed yesterday also calls for jail terms of up to three years for people who knowingly house illegal immigrants and lengthens the amount of time that migrants can spend in detention.
The Conservative government of Premier Silvio Berlusconi insists that the measure will increase security.
The new legislation makes entering or staying in Italy without permission a crime punishable by a fine of 5,000-10,000 euros (£4,286-£8,572) and lengthens the amount of time that migrants can spend in detention from two to six months.
The legislation has drawn criticism by centre-left politicians and human rights groups.
Amnesty International said that the measures "affect negatively the vulnerable people in the country" and "heavily impinge on the rights of migrants."
Adding to such fears has been the recent creation of a citizens' patrol group billing itself as the Italian National Guard, whose uniforms bear fascist and nazi-like symbols.
After the group announced that it would soon start patrolling the streets, Interior Minister Roberto Maroni claimed that any right-wing patrol that can be associated with fascist and nazi-era guards would not be permitted.
Mr Maroni said that he would start meeting local officials next week to work out details and set limits for the unarmed patrols.
The measures were passed with a 157-124 vote in the Senate.
The government also won three confidence votes in the past two days tied to the measures.
Critics insist that the measures would further marginalise those living in Italy illegally without actually improving security.
A group of Italy's best-known writers have signed an open letter attacking the legislation.
"The Berlusconi government, using security as a pretext, has imposed laws the like of which we have not seen in this country since the passing of the fascist Race Law," the letter read.
The letter was signed by Sicilian writer Andrea Camilleri and Nobel prize winner Dario Fo.
Aung San Suu Kyi
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon arrived in Burma, as the regime once more delayed Aung San Suu Kyi's trial. When he arrived Ban Ki-Moon said it was his top priority to secure the release of all of Burma's political prisoners - this is a breakthrough for us as that's what we've been campaigning for him to do for many months.
We need to ensure that Ban turns words into action. The regime is hoping that by stringing out Aung San Suu Kyi's trial the world will forget her; we can't let that happen. We need tens of thousands of people across the world to show that they haven't forgotten her by demanding that the regime release Suu Kyi and all of Burma's political prisoners at http://www.64forSuu.org
The global movement calling for the release of Suu Kyi has never been stronger. With over 16,000 messages, and the backing of political leaders, major celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney and Bono, 64forSuu.org has demonstrated the scale of global outrage. Over a hundred thousand people support her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/aungsansuukyi, and thousands are supporting her on Twitter (by using the hashtag #ASSK64 Twitter).
TAKE ACTION: LET'S KEEP THE PRESSURE UP
Aung San Suu Kyi is Burma's most high profile political prisoners but across Burma there are 2,154 other political prisoners enduring appalling conditions inside Burma's squalid prisons. They face brutal torture, are banned from receiving family visits and denied proper medical care. Please go to http://www.64forSuu.org now and leave a message calling for their release.
With your help we can show that no matter what the regime try the world will never forget Burma's brave political prisoners.
We need to ensure that Ban turns words into action. The regime is hoping that by stringing out Aung San Suu Kyi's trial the world will forget her; we can't let that happen. We need tens of thousands of people across the world to show that they haven't forgotten her by demanding that the regime release Suu Kyi and all of Burma's political prisoners at http://www.64forSuu.org
The global movement calling for the release of Suu Kyi has never been stronger. With over 16,000 messages, and the backing of political leaders, major celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney and Bono, 64forSuu.org has demonstrated the scale of global outrage. Over a hundred thousand people support her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/aungsansuukyi, and thousands are supporting her on Twitter (by using the hashtag #ASSK64 Twitter).
TAKE ACTION: LET'S KEEP THE PRESSURE UP
Aung San Suu Kyi is Burma's most high profile political prisoners but across Burma there are 2,154 other political prisoners enduring appalling conditions inside Burma's squalid prisons. They face brutal torture, are banned from receiving family visits and denied proper medical care. Please go to http://www.64forSuu.org now and leave a message calling for their release.
With your help we can show that no matter what the regime try the world will never forget Burma's brave political prisoners.
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