ConstitutionNet Updates: February 2017

Dear Reader,

Our February newsletter includes two original Voices from the Field and updates on the most recent developments in the constitution reform processes around the world.

The Russian government has presented a new constitution for Syria arguing that it may serve as a “guide” for the future peace process. The document draws on Eurasian constitutional exceptionalism, viewing Syria’s main problem to be the complete breakdown of the unity of the state. For now, it is impossible to predict what role will this draft constitution play in ending the conflict in the country. Political life in Burkina Faso over the last months has been dominated by works on the country’s new constitution the draft of which, among others, strengthens the Bill of Rights, limits terms of office of the president and MPs, balances presidential powers as well as introduces unicameral parliamentary system.

The remaining updates cover a wide array of constitutional developments in countries ranging from Colombia to Kazakhstan, Gambia to The Netherlands.

ConstitutionNet Analyses - Voices from the Field
	Understanding the Origins of Russia’s Constitutional Solution to the Syrian Conflict William Partlett		Innovations in the draft Constitution of Burkina Faso Sawadogo Lamoussa Carol
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What we are reading this month
	Op-ed: Kazakhstan constitutional reform should recognize crucial role of political parties	Op-ed: Can Ireland reconcile conflicting views in the constitutional debate on abortion?	Op-ed: Chileans mobilize to replace a constitution adopted during military dictatorship	Op-ed: Somali president should be granted the power to appoint and dismiss prime minister in the new constitution

Africa	Gambia plans constitution review process; criminal justice and media law priorities Zimbabwean CSOs oppose proposed constitution amendment on appointment of highest judges Kenyan court invalidates criminal defamation law as unconstitutional Malawi passes a landmark bill securing protection of children from early marriage and amending Constitution South African High Court declares notice on withdrawal from the ICC unconstitutional and invalid Nigerian constitution should be amended to discourage political defection of party members
Asia and the Pacific	Philippine Vice President urges amendments to constitution, not overhaul Sri Lankan president initiates talks to break apparent impasse on constitution Pakistan Senate seeks constitutional amendments toward a ‘true’ federation Sri Lanka to prioritize constitutional reform over accountability mechanism South Korean parliament to curb president’s powers after Park scandal Thai constitutional amendments submitted for royal endorsement without first disclosing them to the public Nepal starts parliamentary debate on constitutional amendments Bangladeshi High Court issues rule over Constitutional provisions on judges’ appointments
Europe	Poland resists EU Commission pressure on Con Court; proposals for periodic rule of review made Turkey’s CHP not to submit draft constitution to Constitutional Court Faroe Islands to vote on constitution paving way for independence from Denmark Turkey sets constitutional referendum for April 16 after Erdogan approves amendments Dutch parliament considers amending constitution to specifically protect gays ad persons with disabilities Amendments to Turkish constitution submitted for Erdogan’s approval Op-ed: Russia’s proposals on a draft of a new Syrian constitution do not bind Syrians Moldovan president plans amendments to the Constitution to increase executive powers
North Africa/Middle East	Egypt’s top religious authority rejects reform to law allowing men to verbally divorce their wives as unconstitutional Sudanese Islamists reject proposed amendments to the Constitution Bahrain amends Constitution allowing civilians to be tried in military courts Egypt rejects abolition of death penalty as unconstitutional and against Islamic Sharia Sudanese opposition groups accuse government of obstructing constitutional reforms
North America	Canada’s Trudeau abandons electoral reform promise
Latin America and the Caribbean	Guyana's Prime Minister stresses the role of integrity legislation in the constitutional reform process Colombia approves a bill that introduces a transitional article in the Constitution ensuring the peace agreement

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ConstitutionNet Updates: February 2017

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