Full Coverage: Democracy

29.04.2003 A cinq jours de la date limite du dépôt des candidatures pour l'élection présidentielle du 1er juin 2003 au Togo, Amnistie internationale exprime ses vives craintes que le scrutin à venir ne débouche sur des troubles graves et des violations des droits humains qui pourraient plonger le pays dans le chaos.

25.04.2003 The Nigerian government should act immediately to address the political violence and intimidation that occurred during the recent elections, a rights group urged today.

24.04.2003 Peter Tatchell urges United States and British withdrawal from Iraq and military aid to the opposition.

23.04.2003 Swaziland's King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarch and unelected head of state, reasserted the doctrine of the divine right of kings during an Easter weekend religious observation that turned into an anti-democracy rally.

22.04.2003 President Olusegun Obasanjo's presidential campaign in Nigeria relied much on his natural warmth and good heartedness - but the rough, tough side is also there, notes Jonathan Power.

22.04.2003 An Indian government proposal to impose a total ban on cow slaughter has generated a controversy in the country, with critics alleging that it threatens democracy and minority rights.

22.04.2003 Barring unforeseen circumstances, President Olusegun Obasanjo is expected to be sworn in as Nigeria's President on 29 May for a second term of office.

21.04.2003 Early results from Saturday's presidential election in Nigeria gave the incumbent, Olusegun Obasanjo, a commanding lead over his closest challenger, Muhammadu Buhari, but there were opposition protests over alleged electoral malpractices.

21.04.2003 The main opposition party in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, has reportedly rejected the results of last week's presidential elections.

18.04.2003 As retired United States General Jay Garner declared that "a free and democratic Iraq will begin today", US troops were protecting a man many Iraqis consider one of the worst of the old regime, reports Julie Flint.

18.04.2003 As retired United States General Jay Garner was declaring that "a free and democratic Iraq will begin today", US troops were protecting a man many Iraqis consider one of the worst of the old regime, reports Julie Flint.

17.04.2003 The United Nations (UN) has been asked to take action and intervene to assist students in Zimbabwe. In a strongly-worded petition, the Zimbabwe National Students’ Union (ZINASU) told UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, that they were concerned at the manner in which the government responded to the students grievances and have requested UN intervention.

17.04.2003 Afghanistan's attempt to draft a new constitution could prove a 'meaningless exercise' without stepped up efforts to improve security in the country's provinces. An international expert has said the priority should be to curtail the power of warlords as failure to do so could result in renewed conflict.

16.04.2003 Perhaps Washington would hear supporters of peace better if they spoke loud and clear at the ballot box. TomPaine.com urges everyone who supports peace to register five new voters and make sure they get to the polls in November.

16.04.2003 Irate student groups in Nepal have called for three days of general strike on April 20, 28 and 29 to press for democracy. Student leaders of nearly a dozen organisations have threatened to continue their agitation to restore people's rights till the King agrees to their demands.

15.04.2003 The world must listen to Africa's hard-learned lessons that peace, democracy and development cannot be imposed by might, say Abdul Mohammed and Alex de Waal.

15.04.2003 The world must listen to Africa's hard-learned lessons that peace, democracy and development cannot be imposed by might, say Abdul Mohammed and Alex de Waal.

15.04.2003 The people of Iraq now have colonialism, which is worse than tyranny and war combined, an Asian rights group said in a statement yesterday.

15.04.2003 The people of Iraq now have colonialism, which is worse than tyranny and war combined, says an Asian rights group.

15.04.2003 Democracy in Africa and the credibility of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) - a programme to kick-start the economic and social development of the continent - are tested as Nigeria goes to the polls to elect a new government.