In June, an Egyptian court handed down jail terms of several years to two employees of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Our office in Egypt was declared permanently closed. Yet we still consider it our mission to foster democratic developments, provide support to political parties and actors of civil society and facilitate dialogue in an atmosphere of trust. Of course, minorities being given an opportunity to be heard and to participate forms a part of this.

by Gerhard Wahlers

Degree of Integration, Political Representation and Social Status of the Turkish, Pomak and Roma Peoples

The Muslim community in Bulgaria formed during the 500 years of the Ottoman Empire and included Turkish migrants, Muslim migrants from neighbouring and distant provinces of the Empire and locals who converted to Islam under Ottoman rule. This development generally led to Islam co-existing peacefully alongside other cultures in the Balkans, something that today continues to distinguish it from the Salafist form of Islam found in Arab lands.

by Marco Arndt

The Integration of the Russian-speaking Minority in Latvia

During the Soviet era, ethnic Latvians became only a scarce majority of the population due to massive immigration into Latvia of people from other Soviet republics. After the restoration of independence, most of them decided to stay in Latvia, so becoming a part of society and politics in the newly re-established state. Although Latvia has not had massive outbursts of violence, like Estonia, interethnic relations are far from excellent as of today.

by Ivars Ijabs

The Perpetual Struggle of the Indigenous Peoples in Southwest Mindanao

A group that has been consistently overlooked when observing the peace process on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao are the non-Islamised and also non-Christianised indigenous peoples (IP). It is absolutely crucial to ensure that they will not become even more discriminated in the future. Reforms that ensure representation at local and regional level as well as actions towards protecting the IP’s livelihood security must become priorities for the future Bangsamoro.

by Miriam Fischer, Atty Benedicto Bacani

Despite Victory, Government Coalition Emerges Weakened from the Parliamentary Elections

The parliamentary elections on 5 May 2013 did not fulfil the hopes of the opposition and their supporters for a change of government and new politics in Malaysia. The vehement commitment of civil society, the high turnout and country-wide gains for the opposition all provide clear evidence of the political awakening of the Malaysian people. The National Front has governed without interruption since Malaysia gained independence. For the first time, the National Front feared being voted out and was only narrowly able to ensure electoral victory with considerable losses.

by Jan Senkyr

The „Boko Haram“ Dimension

Boko-Haram was relatively unknown as a violent or terrorist group before the 21st century. Today, the mention of Nigeria in any social discourse directs focus to issues bordering on insecurity, poverty, ethno-religious clashes, corrupt enrichment, kidnapping, and particularly, Boko Haram terrorism. The over 300 ethnic groups that had enjoyed relative cordiality in the past, even after a few years of civil war, have suddenly become “strange bed fellows” due to the insurgence of the Boko Haram in the northern part of Nigeria.

by Tajudeen Akanji