ConstitutionNet Updates: July 2018

Dear Reader,

In the July newsletter, we share with you two original Voices from the Field pieces and a number of updates on constitutional reform processes in different parts of the world.

A popular constitutional amendment initiative in Croatia has raised concerns regarding the rights and representation of minority groups. The experience shows the importance but insufficiency of judicial mechanisms to address enduring minority concerns. In another piece covering issues of minorities, Pakistan has finally amended its constitution to bring to the mainstream legal framework previously excluded regions and citizens in Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Nevertheless, the manner with which the amendment was introduced and the visible influence of the military apparatus in the process calls for mechanisms to safeguard against rushed amendments and encourage sober deliberation and popular input.

The remaining updates cover reforms around the world from Cuba to New Zealand and Comoros to Bulgaria. The Newsletter also includes the Draft Constitution of the Philippines that has been submitted for parliamentary consideration, as well as a link to all thematic publications of the Constitution Building Programme of International IDEA.

Finally, please also note the Consultancy opportunity below

ConstitutionNet Analyses - Voices from the Field
	A single polity at last? Pakistan’s unfinished efforts to mainstream Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) by Muhammad Zubair	Croatia’s constitutional dilemma: Popular initiatives versus minority rights by Djordje Gardasevic

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What we are reading this month
	Op-ed: Why voting is compulsory in some countries	Op-ed: There is one clear way for The Philippines to move forward on conflicting constitutional revision proposals	Op-ed: What place should the environment have in the constitution?	Op-ed: Japan: Constitutional revision referendum campaign rules should be clarified

Africa	Comoros holds constitutional referendum on presidential term extension Op-ed: Kenya: Only civil society can stop elites changing the constitution Benin to organize a referendum to amend the constitution Nigerian senate begins constitutional amendment for state, community police South Sudan wants to alter constitution to extend Kiir’s presidency Op-ed: Ghana: Time to amend the constitutional powers of the electoral commission(er)
Asia and the Pacific	New Zealand: Proposed amendment that could allow party leaders to dismiss MPs criticized Sri Lanka: Government to insert federal constitution to 20A: Gammanpila Op-ed: Myanmar's aim of becoming a federalist state remains a dream Philippines: Duterte’s push to alter constitution clashes with majority of voters Lawmakers call for Kurdistan region constitution Philippines: Duterte wants new constitution to bar him from reelection
Europe	Bulgaria’s Constitutional Court rules that European treaty to combat violence against women violates constitution France: Macron's proposed constitutional reforms weaken separation of powers, critics say Spanish bid for gender neutral constitution sparks row Poroshenko says he plans to secure in Constitution Ukraine’s desire to join NATO Macron to address French parliament on constitutional reform Ireland 'step closer' to gender equality after referendum on women’s place in home clause announced Bulgarian court has recognized the rights of a same-sex couple
Latin America and the Caribbean	The most significant changes in the new Cuban constitution Lopez Obrador's path to changing the constitution in Mexico
West Asia - North Africa	Libyan assembly postpones debate over constitutional referendum Israeli law declares the country the ‘Nation-State of the Jewish People’ Op-ed:Libya needs its old constitution if it wants to survive

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ConstitutionNet Updates: July 2018

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