Panama's government under pressure

Navigating between transparency and accusations of corruption in the fight against the virus

After a consistent, transparent and unagitated course in the fight against the coronavirus, the government of President Laurentino "Nico" Cortizo is facing a rapid loss of confidence due to the irresponsible behaviour of members of the government. Until a few days ago, the severe restrictions on the freedom of movement and action that accompanied the drastic measures to combat the pandemic were supported by the vast majority of the Panamanian population without complaint. The government gambled away this broad consensus through questionable procurement projects bordering on audacity, which almost force the presumption of attempted corruption. At the centre of the accusations is José Gabriel "Gaby" Carrizo, Panama's vice president and head of the presidential ministry.

Albania: Autocratic Measures in the Shadows of Corona

Demolition of the Albanian National Theatre in Cloak-and-Dagger Operation

The Mayor of Tirana engaged in a cloak-and-dagger operation to demolish the capital´s historic National Theatre. This is not the only controversial decision taken by the ruling socialists during the Corona crisis.

Economic Perspectives for Lithuania in Times of COVID-19

Economic Promotion Programme and a Corona Package of Measures to Help the Shrinking Lithuanian Economy

Various institutions estimate that we can expect the Lithuanian economy to shrink from 7.3 to 8.1 per cent in the year 2020 owing to the coronavirus pandemic. In March, the Parliament adopted a programme concluded by the government to promote the economy and mitigate the effects of Covid-19. One of the newly planned measures met with sharp criticism.

Weekly overview of developments in multilateral Geneva on COVID-19

(30 April - 13 May)

The „Geneva Telegram“ analyses current developments in the multilateral organiza-tions in Geneva relative to current events. During these weeks, it focuses on devel-opments in the Geneva-based organizations related to COVID-19. The pandemic does not only have a health dimension but also substantial consequences for the future of the global economy, world trade, work, flight and migration, the humanitarian sector and human rights. It also affects the multilateral system as a whole.

The case of KÖVESI v. ROMANIA

The European Court of Human Rights rules: Kövesi's dismissal as head of the Romanian anti-corruption agency was illegal

The current head of the newly created European Public Prosecutor's Office, Laura Codruța Kövesi, comes from Romania. There, she served as Attorney General for six years and heades the Romanian Anti-Corruption Agency (DNA) from 2013, until she was released in July 2018 in a controversial case and after a decision by the Romanian Constitutional Court. Kövesi appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg against this dismissal. On May 5, 2020, the ECtHR ruled that her release has run against the standards of the European “Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms” (ECHR). In this (particularly in Romania) highly anticipated decision, the Court found that the Romanian state's dismissal of Ms Kövesi had violated her rights to freedom of expression and fair trial as laid down in Article 10 and Article 6 ECHR.

Côte d'Ivoire and Benin weaken the African Court of Human Rights

Withdrawal of major special declaration

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The Network Enforcement Act 2020 reloaded – improved as well?

Status of the Network Enforcement Act (Netzwerkdurchsetzungsgesetz, NetzDG), innovations and evaluations. Since 2017, the Network Enforcement Act has provided the framework for removing hate crime and other criminal content from social networks. Now the NetzDG is being reformed.

Curfew unconstitutional

Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina (more precisely, its entity “Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina” which covers slightly more than half of the country, including its capital Sarajevo) at the beginning of the corona pandemic has imposed one of the strictest curfews in Europe for two groups: minors and elderly people above 65. This curfew has now been subject of a decision by the Bosnian Constitutional Court. The court did not completely annul the measure, but ordered a revision. The imposed curfew is considered to not meet the required proportionality. It is one of the first Constitutional Court decisions on the legality of emergency measures imposed during the Corona crisis. Other Constitutional Courts in South East European countries are also expected to take decisions soon.

First steps of the "Alliance for Multilateralism"

Map of the Month 04/2020

The "Alliance for Multilateralism" that was launched on 26 September, 2019 is a flexible network for states, institutions and non-state actors that are committed to work on the preservation and enhancement of the rules-based order in various policy areas. So far, the Alliance has launched six initiatives. On 16 April, members of the Alliance (supported by other countries) published a Joint Declaration urging for closer global cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The following maps show the participants of the Alliance, of some of its initiatives as well as the signatories of the Joint Declaration.

Bhutan on its peak

Press Freedom Ranking 2020

The small kingdom of Bhutan counts as one of the countries with the highest ranking in press freedom in Asia. This is a result of the Press Freedom Ranking 2020 by Reporters without Borders which was recently published. Why is that? The Media Programme Asia visited Bhutan in 2019.