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52. The Ferguson Conjuncture: Why the Humanities Matter Now
- Author:
- George Lipsitz
- Publication Date:
- 03-2016
- Content Type:
- Video
- Institution:
- Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues
- Abstract:
- The killing of Michael Brown and the callous and cruel responses to it by legally constituted authorities have rightly been perceived as evidence of failures of the criminal justice system and the political system. In addition, the events, actions and ideas emerging from the crucible of conflict in Ferguson also reveal a betrayal of the promise of the humanities to teach discernment, judgment and empathy as tools for envisioning a common and creative human existence.
- Topic:
- Human Rights, Race, Law Enforcement, Inequality, State Violence, and Protests
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
53. Private Security in Practice: Case Studies from Southeast Europe
- Author:
- Franziska Klopfer, Nelleke van Amstel, Ola Çami Arjan Dyrmishi, Rositsa Dzhekova, Donika Emini, Anton Kojouharev, Marko Milošević, Žarko Petrović, and Mentor Vrajolli
- Publication Date:
- 01-2016
- Content Type:
- Case Study
- Institution:
- Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
- Abstract:
- Why and how should private security be regulated? A group of researchers from Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Serbia and Switzerland has been examining these questions as part of a multi-year project called the Private Security Research Collaboration Southeast Europe (“PSRC”) 1 . The interest of the state in interfering with the activities of private security companies is twofold: first, to ensure that basic pillars of the modern democratic state such as the protection of human rights and the democratic order are not threatened. Second, because the stability of the state and the happiness and prosperity of its citizens also depend on factors such as functioning security and economy. In order to better target its regulation of private security, it would therefore be important for the state to know how private security companies (PSCs) impact on a country’s human rights situation, the democratic order, a functioning security and (to a lesser extent) economy. For Private Security in Practice: Case studies from Southeast Europe the PSRC researchers assembled eight case studies that explore the impact that private security has on security, human rights and the democratic order in four Southeast European countries: Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo and Serbia. Since regulation should not only limit the negative impact but also foster the positive contribution that private security can make, the authors specifically looked at how challenges posed by PSCs could be avoided and how opportunities can be seized.
- Topic:
- Security, Governance, Law Enforcement, and Weapons
- Political Geography:
- Geneva, Europe, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Albania
54. Citizens of Ukraine on Security: Personal, National, and its Elements
- Author:
- Alla Chernova and Valeriya Klymenko
- Publication Date:
- 01-2016
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
- Abstract:
- BACK TO RESOURCES CITIZENS OF UKRAINE ON SECURITY SURVEY 2016 Abstract This publication presents the results of a nationwide sociological survey conducted by the Razumkov Centre's Sociological Service in the framework of Ukraine's security governance challenges monitoring project, implemented by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), jointly with Razumkov Centre, with support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The survey and the publication were made possible through financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The assessments and conclusions made by the authors do not necessarily coincide with official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The survey was conducted by the Razumkov Centre's Sociological Service on 27-31 May 2016, in all regions of Ukraine, except Crimea and the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. 2,019 respondents aged above 18 years were polled. The sampling error does not exceed 2.3%.
- Topic:
- Security, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Sociology, Law Enforcement, Reform, Conflict, and State
- Political Geography:
- Geneva, Europe, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe
55. The Privatisation of Security in Africa: Challenges and Lessons from Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal
- Author:
- Alan Bryden, Aliou Diouf, Edem K. Comlan, Kadidia Sangaré Coulibaly, Aly Sagne, and Emmylou Boddi
- Publication Date:
- 01-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
- Abstract:
- Private security in Africa is booming. Whether from the perspective of major multinational players or small-scale local enterprises, the market for commercial security has expanded and evolved over recent years. However, policy makers rarely address private security, national parliaments and regulatory bodies provide limited oversight in this area, and the attention of African media and civil society is localized and sporadic. In short, a fundamental shift in the African security landscape is taking place under the radar of democratic governance. "The Privatisation of Security in Africa: Challenges and Lessons from Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal" provides expert accounts which portray the realities of the contemporary private security industry in Africa. The volume analyses key characteristics of security privatisation in Africa, offers new insights into the significance of this phenomenon from a security sector governance perspective and identifies specific entry points that should inform processes to promote good governance of the security sector in Africa.
- Topic:
- Security, Privatization, Governance, Law Enforcement, and Multinational Corporations
- Political Geography:
- Africa, Senegal, Mali, and Côte d'Ivoire
56. The Complaint-Handling System and Civilian Oversight of the Palestinian Security Sector
- Author:
- Mahmoud Alawna, Nora-Elise Beck, Vlatko Cvrtila, Fatima Itawi, Saša Janković, Arnold Luethold, Frederic Maio, and Felix Tusa
- Publication Date:
- 08-2016
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
- Abstract:
- This working paper aims to support the ongoing efforts of the Palestinian executive authorities, security forces, independent institutions, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media to strengthen the Palestinian complaints system. It identifies deficits in the complaints system of the Palestinian security sector and proposes recommendations to rectify them. It particularly stresses the need to improve coordination between the vast number of complaints units and calls for greater clarity on the role of civil society and the media. It hopes to raise awareness for these issues among Palestinian decision-makers and citizens and international actors. When fully functioning, the complaint handling system can be an effective source of information for the government to improve its performance and develop its services. The paper builds upon the discussions of the complaints working group, consisting of Palestinian government officials and representatives of the security forces, civil society and the media. DCAF presented the recommendations to senior Palestinian decision-makers in late September 2016, providing these with cases of international best practice.
- Topic:
- Security, Civil Society, Human Rights, Governance, and Law Enforcement
- Political Geography:
- Geneva, Europe, Palestine, and West Bank
57. Corruption Reports 2016: Hidden Economy in Turkey
- Author:
- Hasan Kirmanoğlu and K. İpek Miscioğlu
- Publication Date:
- 12-2016
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
- Abstract:
- SELDI network have proposed to prepare a hidden economy overview to contribute to understanding the hidden economy and tracing its links with corruption that are significant for both anti-corruption practices and increasing welfare in Southeastern Europe (SEE) countries. Anti-corruption policies alone are unlikely to produce wide societal support, unless they are imbedded in economic reform and increase in prosperity. Therefore, a broadening of the anti-corruption debate from sheer law enforcement towards more economic grounded rationale, such as addressing the nexus between corruption and hidden economy, is needed.
- Topic:
- Corruption, Law Enforcement, Economy, Business, and Tax Systems
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Turkey, and Middle East
58. Monitoring and Evaluating the Rule of Law in Serbia
- Author:
- Andrej Stefanovic, Bojan Elek, Katarina Djokic, and Sofija Mandić
- Publication Date:
- 11-2016
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Belgrade Centre for Security Policy
- Abstract:
- This national study on monitoring and evaluation of the rule of law in Serbia reflects on the development in the areas Political criteria, Chapter 23 and 24 from the acquis, for the period after the 2015 Country Report by the European Commission. The purpose of this policy study is to assess the trends in the areas under analysis in Serbia.
- Topic:
- International Law and Law Enforcement
- Political Geography:
- Serbia
59. An Appraisal of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act
- Author:
- Mehwish Rani and Parvez Tariq
- Publication Date:
- 08-2015
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- United States Institute of Peace
- Abstract:
- Pakistan passed the Anti-Terrorism Act in 1997 in response to the rising threat of terrorism within its borders. The law was designed to help law enforcement combat terrorism. Instead, conceptual difficulties within the law and procedural problems in implementing it have led to an alarmingly high number of acquittals. This report examines the weaknesses in the Anti-Terrorism Act and suggests ways to improve the law and its application to better fight terrorism in Pakistan.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, Terrorism, and Law Enforcement
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan
60. Reforming the Liability Regime for Air Pollution in India
- Author:
- Shibani Ghosh
- Publication Date:
- 12-2015
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Centre for Policy Research, India
- Abstract:
- The recent uproar about the toxic levels of pollution in the country’s national capital region has once again brought to fore the failure of the regulatory and legal mechanisms in India to control air pollution. Despite an early legislative acknowledgment of the issues relating to air pollution, and regulatory mechanisms set up consequently, India has not been able to restrict the sharp upward trajectory of air pollution. While several issues with regard to the legal and regulatory regime governing air quality in the country deserve serious and urgent consideration, this paper focuses on one issue in particular – the liability regime for violation of air quality standards. The paper is divided into three parts. The first part discusses the relevant provisions of the law pertaining to liability - civil and criminal - for causing air pollution. The second part identifies three critical issues that have emerged in the current liability regime: (1) the Pollution Control Boards do not have the power to levy penalties; (2) criminal prosecution is not an effective solution; and (3) the National Green Tribunal Act does not provide complete relief. The third and final part of the essay proposes a way forward. It is suggested that the Pollution Control Boards need to be granted additional enforcement powers, and administrative fines for violations should be introduced, albeit with certain conditions.
- Topic:
- Environment, Health, Governance, Law Enforcement, Law, Reform, and Pollution
- Political Geography:
- South Asia, India, and Asia