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Impunity is the exercise of power without accountability, which becomes, in its starkest form, the commission of crimes without punishment. In a phrase, impunity is the idea that “the law is for suckers,” a notion that human rights leaders fear is on the rise in political institutions around the world. From behaviour…
The Atlas of Impunity is here – and the rankings may surprise you
Impunity is the exercise of power without accountability, which becomes, in its starkest form, the commission of crimes without punishment. In a phrase, impunity is the idea that “the law is for suckers,” a notion that human rights leaders fear is on the rise in political institutions around the world. From behaviour in conflict to economic exploitation, and environmental degradation to democratic backsliding, the battle between impunity and accountability is a critical lens for understanding what is happening worldwide. The Atlas of Impunity is a comprehensive tool designed to track the abuse of power across five key societal dimensions –…
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Minneapolis Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com/opinion/otherviews/127616808.html Promoting Literacy to Support the Rule of Law Help promote the rule of law… Even for those of us who have seen a great deal in our long lives, the popular uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East have been exciting and inspiring. They underlined that people,…
Promoting Literacy to Support the Rule of Law
Minneapolis Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com/opinion/otherviews/127616808.html Promoting Literacy to Support the Rule of Law Help promote the rule of law… Even for those of us who have seen a great deal in our long lives, the popular uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East have been exciting and inspiring. They underlined that people, whatever their background, want their rights respected and a voice in their country’s future. They put on notice, too, leaders everywhere who believe they can restrain the democratic aspirations of their people. But history also shows such progressive movements, whether against colonial masters or repressive regimes, are no…
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This speech was originally made by Kofi Annan to the Swedish Parliamentary Ombudsman Conference, Stockholm, Sweden, June 9, 2009. “Sovereignty shared is not sovereignty given up. The collective interest in the new century is also a national interest if we are to find fair, effective and lasting solutions.” I am very pleased…
‘Sovereignty – The State and the Individual’
This speech was originally made by Kofi Annan to the Swedish Parliamentary Ombudsman Conference, Stockholm, Sweden, June 9, 2009. “Sovereignty shared is not sovereignty given up. The collective interest in the new century is also a national interest if we are to find fair, effective and lasting solutions.” I am very pleased to be in Stockholm for the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of one of Sweden’s greatest gifts to the world – the Ombudsman system. The modern Ombudsman may have started here but it has since been adopted and adapted right across the world as is clear from the…
