海角大神

Standard Digital / Kenya

Gender equality in Kenya鈥檚 National Assembly

鈥淭he National Assembly has yet again failed to stand up to discrimination based on gender,鈥� . 鈥淸On April 27], the august House failed to raise requisite numbers in voting for a Bill that would provide a mechanism for the realisation of the two thirds gender principle. This principle upholds that no more than two thirds of members of elective or appointive public office shall be of the same gender. This is a constitutional requirement.... That said, the numbers raised in support of the gender Bill, though falling short, showed a rare glimpse of a bridging of the political divide, with members from across all parties supporting the Bill.... [W]e urge the honourable members to stand up for the nation鈥檚 greater good.鈥�

The Asahi Shimbun / Tokyo

How to handle hate speech?

鈥淎 bill to outlaw hate speech, sponsored by the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, is currently under deliberation in the Upper House Legal Affairs Committee,鈥� . 鈥淲ith the opposition camp having already presented a similar bill to the Diet last year, all Japanese political parties are at least in agreement that legislative measures must be taken to eliminate hate speech, which fans vile discrimination against certain ethnic groups. But legal scholars are strongly concerned that such legislation could threaten freedom of expression depending on how it is enforced. Indeed, determining the conditions of enforcement will be a difficult and complex matter.... For the law to fully serve its intended purpose of eliminating all racial and ethnic discrimination, its non-arbitrary and appropriate enforcement must be guaranteed. And thorough discussion is also needed on how to monitor the enforcement of this law.鈥澛�

Ottawa Citizen / Ottawa

Taking action on child labor

鈥淒o we wait until the next catastrophe, or should we do something different in dealing with globalized supply chains?...鈥� . 鈥淚t鈥檚 long past time for governments to practice social responsibility in their trade policy. The best way for governments to pursue responsible trade is to promote best practices, to reward those who exemplify these and punish those who do not. Trade officials should work with Canadian companies abroad to promote best practices, and champion those who practice due diligence with their suppliers. We could create a 鈥楤rand Canada鈥� that would be a competitive advantage.... It鈥檚 time for responsible, responsive action.鈥澛�

The News / Mexico City

Action needed on anti-corruption bill

鈥淎pril 30 finally came by and the Mexican Senate did not fulfill its commitment to come up with the regulations to send to the National Anti-corruption Law bill for approval at the lower house Chamber of Deputies...,鈥� . 鈥淲hat is truly worrisome is the way the senators ignored the people鈥檚 demand that they legislate the Anti-Corruption bill on the double.... [M]illions of Mexican voters are watching this particular piece of legislation as many feel the nine political parties now governing the nation must have a system of checks and balances that gives transparency to their deeds.鈥澛�

The Guardian / London

Animal rights in Britain

鈥淢any say [current animal welfare] laws do not go far enough, and that modern intensive farming techniques are still cruel,鈥� of the treatment of animals. 鈥淩egardless, these techniques are much less cruel because of European regulation, and each new law is a step in the right direction.... We have made impressive advances on animal rights in the UK over the years. But from an animal welfare perspective, we really need continued European Union input. Animal rights are too important to be left to our current government, and if Brexit happens then the chances are that rights for farm animals will either stagnate or be whittled away.鈥澛�