Serbia Has Failed its People & Dented its Future in Europe, a Democracy Campaigner Claims. The EU is Watching Closely, says EU Delegation
Banning Belgrade’s Pride Parade means Serbia has failed to maintain the basic human rights of freedom of expression and the right of assembly, an advocate for democracy has said. By outlawing public demonstrations, further progress towards EU membership would be ‘absurd’, said Ivana Howard, of theNational Endowment For Democracy. All this at a time when the EU say it is watching Serbia closely.
Serbia’s European future could be on the skids after its Interior Minister slapped a ban on the Pride Parade and all public demonstrations proposed for this weekend. The move was due to threatened violence and extreme action from nationalist hooligans and far right-wingers being deemed a threat to national security. In what amounted to an admission that it could not protect its people on the streets, Serbia has failed, said the Senior Programme Officer.
Civil Society Needs to Unite to Protect Democracy and Human Rights in Serbia, a Council of Europe Chief Says
Too few people feel able to stand up for the protection of basic human rights in Serbia, said Belgrade’s chief for the Council of Europe.
“There are not many faces that fight homophobia in Serbia. I miss faces from the government, from Parliament and public administration, Antje Rothemund said. “This is part of a living democracy and, even if people have to overcome some of their own hesitations, it shouldn’t be a problem to stand up for democracy. Too few opinion leaders and politicians have taken a very firm stand against homophobic expressions, discrimination and violence. This is also true in other spheres. There are very few well-known actors, musicians or sports people who have come out and openly stand up against homophobia because they fear disadvantages.
Stand Up Jack… Your Days Are Numbered
One subject is sure to divide the opinion of consultants. In at least one area, they are likely to offer advice on what is best, based on their own experience and life choices: whether it is better to be a specialist or a generalist.
While many believe that these harsh trading times call for consultants to be generalists, able to undertake a wide range of projects for a broad base of clients, others say that nowadays more than any other, business demands specialists. They proclaim that these conditions are best for people who are knowledgeable and focussed in one key area of proficiency, people who know their subject inside out and can write, speak and advise with credibility and expertise. They argue in support of the adage that proclaims a generalist as a jack of all trades, and a master of none.
Professor Wangari Maathai: Remembering a Great Woman, Friend & Colleague
It is autumn in England. Instead of light winds and falling leaves of amber and gold, we are experiencing a spell of unseasonably good weather. The trees outside my window are enjoying one last burst of green life before they have to give up their leaves to rest awhile and prepare to be reborn again in a few months.
Kenya’s Nobel Peace laureate, activist and former government minister Wangari Maathai loved trees more than most other people could imagine. She appreciated them as the lungs of our world and recognised the role that we all play in the interwoven scheme of life. But her work did not end in the forests of Kenya. Wangari Maathai was a visionary, an academic and a campaigner. She was a great environmentalist and a driving force that empowered people to improve their own lives.
