The Role of State Constitutions in Protecting ... - International IDEA
The Role of State Constitutions in Protecting ... - International IDEA
The Role of State Constitutions in Protecting ... - International IDEA
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Executive Summary<br />
Executive Summary<br />
This report is based on the proceed<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong> two workshops jo<strong>in</strong>tly organized by the<br />
<strong>International</strong> Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (<strong>IDEA</strong>) and<br />
National Reconciliation Program (NRP) <strong>in</strong> New Delhi, India, and Chiang Mai,<br />
Thailand, from November 1–5, 2002.on <strong>The</strong> <strong>Role</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>State</strong> <strong>Constitutions</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
Protect<strong>in</strong>g Nationality and M<strong>in</strong>ority Rights Under Federalism: Dialogues <strong>in</strong> support<br />
<strong>of</strong> a democratic transition <strong>in</strong> Burma,<br />
<strong>International</strong> <strong>IDEA</strong> has facilitated this process <strong>of</strong> dialogues <strong>in</strong> support <strong>of</strong> a<br />
democratic transition <strong>in</strong> Burma, by shar<strong>in</strong>g comparative experiences from South<br />
Africa on negotiat<strong>in</strong>g political settlements and the experiences <strong>of</strong> women’s groups<br />
proactive <strong>in</strong> peace talks – draw<strong>in</strong>g on experiences <strong>in</strong> Sri Lanka, South Africa,<br />
Guatemala and Northern Ireland.<br />
<strong>The</strong> National Reconciliation Program (NRP) is committed to support<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
democratic transition that is based on respect for the rights <strong>of</strong> ethnic nationalities.<br />
This commitment has directed the NRP to hold <strong>in</strong>tra-ethnic and <strong>in</strong>ter-ethnic<br />
dialogues to secure these rights with<strong>in</strong> a united and democratic Burma.<br />
<strong>The</strong> aims <strong>of</strong> the <strong>IDEA</strong>/NRP workshop were to provide <strong>in</strong>formation to the<br />
Burmese participants on:<br />
◆ <strong>The</strong> basic pr<strong>in</strong>ciples <strong>of</strong> power relations between federal government, state<br />
governments, and local governments.<br />
◆ <strong>The</strong> different federal systems (Indian, Australian and Nigerian), their<br />
constitutional histories and experiences <strong>in</strong> protect<strong>in</strong>g m<strong>in</strong>ority rights, and<br />
◆ Create a forum at which Burmese participants could reflect on these<br />
experiences and draw their own conclusions on what may be relevant to<br />
their own aspirations.<br />
<strong>The</strong> specific themes explored at the workshops <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />
◆ <strong>The</strong> rationale for federalism:<br />
• Is it affordable?<br />
• Will it exacerbate religious and ethnic conflict, and be an impetus for<br />
secession?<br />
◆ <strong>The</strong> structure <strong>of</strong> the federal unit :<br />
• Should it be determ<strong>in</strong>ed on the basis <strong>of</strong> historical boundaries or<br />
ethnic / l<strong>in</strong>guistic or religious criteria?<br />
• <strong>The</strong> advantages and disadvantages <strong>of</strong> us<strong>in</strong>g historical boundaries,<br />
ethnic or religious criteria <strong>in</strong> determ<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g boundaries, or the creative<br />
draft<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> new boundaries;<br />
• How federalism and decentralization can ensure ethnic rights?<br />
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