Clinton warns democracy being crushed
(Yahoo): Intolerant governments across the globe are "slowly crushing" activist and advocacy groups that play an essential role in the development of democracy, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clintion said Saturday. She cited a broad range of countries where "the walls are closing in" on civic organizations such as unions, religious groups, rights advocates and other nongovernmental organizations that press for social change and shine a light on governments’ shortcomings. "Some of the countries engaging in these behaviors still claim to be democracies," Clintonsaid at an international conference.
"Democracies don’t fear their own people. They recognize that citizens must be free to come together, to advocate and agitate."
President Barack Obama, in a statement released in Washington, said the United States is particularly concerned about "the spread of restrictions on civil society, the growing use of law to curb rather than enhance freedom and widespread corruption that is undermining the faith of citizens in their governments."
Category: World News
