Freedom

UN Gets New Bigger & Better Body

- Adam Clare

The UN has created a new peace-building commission to help countries not renew the violence from previous conflicts. A lot of conflicts around the world tend to re-ignite after the peace-keeping mission departs, the new commission aims to ensure that this doesn’t happen.

Now, the UN would not only train security forces, but also ensure that the infrastructure is in place so the security force can be effective. It would also look into other ways to ensure that violence will not start through, what can be considered, traditional ways. A proactive approach rather than a continually reactive one.

Americans Get Freedoms Back

- Adam Clare

Last Friday, the Senate of the United States rejected a motion to prolong the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act infringed on the rights of many Americans by removing limitations on what law enforcement can and can’t do.

“Much of the controversy involved powers granted to law enforcement agencies to gain access to a wealth of personal data, including library and medical records, in secret, as part of investigations into suspected terrorist activity”

Bush Backs Torture Ban Bill

- Adam Clare

President of the United State, George W. Bush, has finally given into pressure to back a bill that bans torture.

The White House was hesitant to back the bill, but, as a result of domestic and international presurre the Bush administration has taken a stance against torture.

Online Rights Canada

- Adam Clare

Online Rights Canada is a new grassroots that aims to promote the rights of Canadians online. They are sponsored by the EFF and CIPPIC.

From the ORC site:

“We believe that Canadians should have a voice in copyright law, access to information, freedom from censorship, and other issues that we face in the digital world.”

Engaging Youth in Democracy

- Stewy

Good democracyElection time is upon us here in Canada, and all political parties have been quick off the mark with takes on the usual promises to the electorate. Among the more intersting debates that emerged during the first few weeks of the campaign centred on the notion of lowering the legal voting age to 16.

In a country where 16 year olds have many rights and responsibilities already, it is unfortunate that Canada has not yet extended the right to vote to this group of citizens. With voter turnout rates expected to be at record lows for January’s election, Canada needs seriously examine how to get more people participating in one of the essential hallmarks of a democracy. By encouraging 16 year olds to vote, especially while they are in high school and can be educated on the democratic process, it is hoped that youth may be encouraged to participate in democracy at an earlier age, and for a lifetime.

A Member of Parliament during the last session put forth a private members’ bill that would have lowered the voting age to 16. The bill was defeated in June, but he has used the current campaign to promote this important idea once again. Vote16.ca is a website dedicated to “engaging Canada’s youth in politics,” specifically through lowering the legal voting age to 16.

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