Governance
Introduction
Several developments in 2006 raised serious concerns about the Government's commitment to principles of good governance and the rule of law. The crisis of democratic governance through the course of 2006 was highlighted by the failure to re-constitute the Constitutional Council and other 17th Amendment-mandated independent commissions. In addition to this, the crisis of democratic governance and rule of law in the country was further evident by the increasingly overt politicization of the judiciary and, particularly, the Supreme Court, the re-invocation of draconian legislations which
challenged human rights in the country, the attacks against NGOs and INGOs as well as passage of legislation signifying the lack of accountability and transparency in the law-making process. These, in turn, had implications for the peace process, the protection of human rights and the growing culture of impunity witnessed during the year.
Conclusion
The cumulative effect of the cavalier disregard for the Constitution, the consequent politicization of key democratic institutions, the continuing politicization of the judiciary – in most constitutional democracies, the last refuge against an authoritarian Government and an ineffective legislature – the concerted attacks on civil society and voices of dissent, and the growing culture of impunity raises serious concerns about the protection of basic norms of Constitutionalism and democracy in 2007.
The weak and fractured opposition and the rise in the influence of the armed forces as they inflict military defeats on the LTTE, introduce two additional factors that could also contribute to the shrinking of democratic space for alternative opinions and dissent. Concerned citizens and the international actors who attach importance to principles of democracy and good governance should address these disturbing trends and recognize the linkages between the concerns of governance and
human rights and the pursuit of peace.
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