MINELRES: Fwd: EUMAP Call for Papers: Independent Monitoring

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: Alphia Abdikeeva <AAbdikeeva@osi.hu>


Call for papers

http://www.eumap.org

Keeping an Eye on Government: Independent Monitoring

"Although only a few may originate a policy, we are all able to judge
it" - Pericles of Athens.

Throughout Europe east and west, governments have introduced laws and
policies designed to eliminate discrimination, ensure equal
opportunities and access to public goods, to combat corruption and
strengthen and promote the rule of law. Do these practices lead to real
change or are they largely a matter of window-dressing or public
relations. How are we to check whether government efforts are really
sincere or, perhaps more important, effective? Who will keep an eye on
governments for those whose voice is often unheard? Similarly, do
independent monitors fulfil an important public service or are they
ineffective, unsuccessful aspirants to public office?

EUMAP is seeking articles and opinion pieces on the value of independent
monitoring of government legislation, practices and policies to ensure
human rights and the rule of law. We invite papers on the general topic
of independent monitoring, touching on law and practice at both EU and
state level, the specific problems in EU candidate and member state
countries, and how the enlargement process can be used to promote
effective steps to resolve them. Quality papers will be featured on the
Program website (www.eumap.org) with the intention of framing and
encouraging debate on this issue. Papers should be 1,500-2,000 words.
Accepted authors will receive an honorarium of EUR 180.

Papers are invited on the following themes, for submission by 21 October
2002.

- "Critique is the province of academics." Is this a fair statement on
the effectiveness of independent monitors , or is  it rather a deeply
anti-democratic sentiment?

- Is there anything candidate states can learn from their future
European partners - or vice versa - in creating and encouraging the
culture of monitoring, particularly by independent actors, of the status
of human rights in a given country and governmental responses to
identified human rights problems?

- Independent monitoring: pro's and con's. What are the benefits - and
shortcomings - of non-governmental monitoring, as compared to
intergovernmental bodies?

- What if anything can governments gain by embracing independent
monitoring initiatives?

- Is there effective independent monitoring of legislation and policies,
both at EU-level and domestically, concerning protection from
discrimination and respect for diversity and minority rights? If not,
what should be done to encourage/improve it?

- What specific problems - legal and practical - are faced in the
process of monitoring minority rights, corruption, judicial reform,
and/or equal opportunities for women and men?

Please send papers to: submissions@eumap.org

Contact person: Alphia Abdikeeva

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6 NOVEMBER, WATCH THIS DATE!

EUMAP's 2002 reports will be released on 6 November 2002.

They will cover:

- Minority Protection
- Corruption
- Judicial Capacity
- Equal Opportunities for Men and Women

To find out more click on http://www.eumap.org/articles/fyi/020.

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EUMAP is an on online centre for comprehensive resources, news, and
analysis on human rights and the rule of law in Europe generally and the
EU accession countries in particular. EUMAP is committed to delivering
information on, and generating debate round, human rights, the rule of
law and EU enlargement.

EUMAP is the website of the OSI EU Accession Monitoring Program.

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