World News Summary - 030709

Last Updated on Friday, 03 July 2009 19:17 Friday, 03 July 2009 19:17

Plan for African unity
At a summit in Libya, African Union members have agreed a plan to enhance the powers of its executive arm. This will allow it more control over diplomatic, trade and defence matters. The African Authority will have a president, a vice-president and a secretary of peace and security and common defence. Its main aim will be to coordinate key policies but it will only be able to act with the consent of its members. The proposal still needs to be ratified by member states. The move is seen as a step towards the consolidation of a federal government for the continent.

Obama primed for Ghana visit
US President Barack Obama told the news agency AllAfrica that he intends to highlight successful models of democracy in Africa during his visit to Ghana next week. Obama said Ghana's new president, John Atta Mills demonstrated the kinds of democratic commitments that ensure stability in a country. The president told reporters that Africa needs better governance to fulfil its potential. He also called for better trade opportunities in the continent and said less economic development assistance should be spent on administrative costs and Western consultants with more money going to those who need it.

UN chief seeks Suu Kyi's release
The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-Moon arrived today in Myanmar to seek the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The current trial of Suu Kyi, set to start today, was postponed for a week. Mrs Kyi who has spent 13 years under house arrest is accused of violating the terms of her house arrest after an American man swam across a lake to her home. She denies the charges. The UN chief hopes to meet the detained leader. During his visit he will meet leaders of registered political parties and former armed groups who have signed a truce with the government.

NGO: War on terror harms minorities
A new report by Minority Rights Group International claims countries are using the "war on terror" to crack down on minority groups. For the fourth year straight, Somalia, Iraq, Sudan and Afghanistan topped the group's annual index of countries where minorities are most at risk of genocide, mass killings or violent repression. All these countries have faced real terror threat, according to the rights group but efforts to curb terrorism have affected the wider civilian population. This includes disappearances, torture and extrajudicial executions. African states make up half the report's top 20 list.

Italy: hardline migrant law
Italy's Senate has approved a tough law designed to curb illegal immigration. From now on migrants deemed to be illegally in the country can be fined up to 10,000 Euros and anyone who knowingly houses illegal migrants can face up to three years in prison. The detention period for illegal migrants was extended to six months. Another controversial measure is the establishment of so-called uniformed citizens' patrols to help police keep law and order. They have been compared to Benito Mussolini's fascist supporters. The new law has been strongly criticised by human rights groups and the Vatican.

Colombia spied on rights defenders
In Brussels, the International Federation of Human Rights and the Colombian NGO Colectivo de Abogados Jos Alvear Restrepo have denounced state surveillance of human rights activists in Colombia. Their spokesperson Soraya Gutirrez told the European Union that Colombia's Security Department collected information on their members from 2004 to 2006 to restrict or wipe out their activities. She also said the State Department created internal clandestine groups to keep permanent vigilance on human rights defenders in violation of civil liberties and privacy rights. The Colombian government denies intentionally spying on defenders and claims members of the security services did so on their own. The country's attorney general has launched an inquest into the allegations.