Posts Tagged ‘Colombia’
Mediocrity and Fraud
Karl-Theodor Zu Guttembertg, German Minister of Defense and star politician of the center right, had to resign in March 2011 when it was revealed that he had copied parts of his doctoral thesis.
Read MoreLawyers and Justice
The State has greater interest in regulating certain professions over others. That depends on how much it affects public interest.
Read MoreOne Step towards Indigenous Citizenship
Sometimes crucial change occurs silently. While the rest of the country debated the minutia of the balance of powers reform, the Government paid its two-decade old debt to indigenous communities: the promise of the 1991 Constitution to grant them the right to administer their territories and organize their affairs with greater autonomy. Without much ceremony, a decree with an unforgettable number (1953) took this past October 7th a memorable step towards the restoration of full citizenship rights to indigenous peoples.
Read MoreDrafts of Promises
Reading the pre-agreements between the government and the FARC, which were published this week, I had the impression of having seen the government plans of the past few presidents of Colombia.
Read MoreThe Right Against Sexual Preference Discrimination
Given the evidence of the arduous situation of people discriminated for exercising non-normative sexualities, the law appears as the quickest option in Colombia to guarantee their possibility to enjoy life fully.
Read More‘Ad Hominem’ Debates
After seeing the last debate between Senator Iván Cepeda and former President Álvaro Uribe I found myself thinking of the following Jules Romain quote: “Elite spirits debate ideas, ordinary spirits debate events, and mediocre spirits debate people.”
Read MoreImportant Trifles
When I go out on the street in Bogotá and I pass through busy areas, it bothers me that people bump into me, or even brush past me, without apologizing or saying “I’m sorry.”
Read MoreA Bittersweet Balance
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights presented this week its new report about Colombia. Analysis.
Read MoreReturning to Life
Last Monday was the 27th anniversary of Héctor Abad Gómez’ murder, who I knew intimately and for whom I felt great admiration and fondness.
Read MoreArmed Spirits
Throwing more words to war is like throwing more wood to fire, once said Fernando Savater.
Read MoreRural Development that Favor Whom?
The rural development model proposed by the National Government, far from facilitating the “democratization” of the land, promotes its concentration and use in favor of large investors.
Read MoreDaydreaming
At this point, with a few hours left until it is time for the traditional grapes and apple cider, the risk-takers have made all the political predictions for next year. Some have already re-elected Santos, other have reached a peace agreement, elected a new Congress and formed parliamentary coalitions.
Read MoreSearching for the Leader of the Year
2013 is ending. It is time to recap the year´s events. Media organizations are making their lists of the best and worst of the year in opinion pieces and articles.
Read MoreWho is the Drug Pirate?
The president of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Raymond Yans, accused Uruguay of piracy for approving home-grown marihuana and its legal, but highly regulated, commercial distribution.
Read MoreCoalition Report UN Resolution 1325 on Peace and Democracy in Colombia
Since 2011, Coalition 1325 has drafted a report on UN Security Council´s Resolution 1325 monitoring the implementation of the Resolution in Colombia. This year, given the peace dialogues between the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP, this report is especially important because Resolution 1325 calls upon signatory states to include women in peace processes and post conflict scenarios, and to guarantee the rights of the women victims of armed conflict.
Read MoreEnvironmental Democracy
While the Inspector General ignores the popular vote in Bogotá, in the rest of the country local democracy is flourishing. Last Sunday was Tauremena’s turn (in Casanare), where they voted against petroleum projects that put the municipalities water sources at risk.
Read MoreSeparate and Unequal: Education and Social Class in Colombia
Elementary and high school students live in two separate and unequal worlds, because the quality of the education they receive is very different. What can we do to close this gap?
Read MoreWith Three Articles
It is possible to limit the greater institutional risks of the Inspector General’s Office and the worst personal excesses of Inspector General Ordóñez without changing the Constitution; we just need a short law with three articles.
Read MoreThe Inspector General’s Short-sightedness
The Inspector General thought that he was playing an ace of diamonds when he removed Petro from office. But this play may lead him to loose the hand.
Read MoreIntimacy in the Digital Age
Don’t let them persuade you that your privacy is worth less on the Internet. The general rule is that everyone has a right to intimacy, an abstract area reserved by the law for oneself, ones friends and family.
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