Posted: March 2nd, 2012 | Author: Carmen | Filed under: Economics, Government, Governmental Policies, Human Rights
Say No to ACTA, Provided by Deviant Art.
In February was a lot of commotion against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). Thousands of people protested against it in many countries around the world, forcing state leaders to stop or freeze the process of the ratification of the agreement. The treaty seeks to protect digital copyright, for example, music and movies, but opponents say it restrict freedom of expression and leads to censorship for people all over the world.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is a multinational treaty for the purpose of establishing international standards for intellectual property rights enforcement. The agreement aims that it should establish an international legal framework for targeting counterfeit goods, generic medicines and copyright infringement on the Internet. ACTA establishes the ACTA committee as its own governing body outside existing international institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) or the United Nations. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: March 2nd, 2012 | Author: Tom van der Made | Filed under: Government, Politics, Thailand
The joint sitting of senators and members of House of Representatives early Saturday morning agreed in principle to rewrite the 2007 Constitution to make it more democratic. This as suggested in an earlier blog, namely “Cabinet approved changes to Thai Charter” published on the 15th of February. Which was argued to be the first step with, as the title suggested, the approval by the cabinet.
Although no changes to the charter have been proposed, the change will be in the drafting responsibility for the new constitution. Voters will elect 77 Charter Drafting Assembly (CDA) members, one for each province and the Parliament will choose the 22 others for the CDA.
Chalerm Yubamrung
The parliamentary debate however did not go without a hiccup. Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung made a scene Friday night and this lead to claims suggesting that he was drunk. This was supported by the way he talked, acted and even lost his balance. Chalerm Yubamrung however denies this and even joked that he was just “intoxicated by love”, although admitting to having a few drinks before the debate at a wedding ceremony. In how far this is true is to be discussed, however, a YouTube video capturing the situation even surfaced. According to the Deputy Prime Minister it are all false allegations, and said that an inner-ear disorder which affects his balance may have led Democrat politicians to believe he was intoxicated. Read the rest of this entry »
