Democracy Update: 27th March 2006

Here's a few quick links to Democracy news across the globe at 17:06 GMT

• Apparently Kazakhstan could lead the OSCE in 2009. I've commented on this issue before, and still feel it is unlikely. However President Nazarbayev has been paying lip service to Democracy, whilst building Western support in recent weeks.

• The U.S. has called on Tbilisi to strengthen Democratic Institutions, on the same day that troops put down a potential Prison Break.

• The Zimbabwean government further intrenches the police state. New Terror Laws will allow Mugabe to ban and detain any group deemed to be a terrorist organisation (read MDC).

• And a Belarusian court has jailed more opposition supporters as Alexander Milinkevich called for further protests. In my opinion the opposition may be best served by easing off demonstrations for a while. The more that take place the less impact on the nation, and the world. Thailand is showing that right now. If Milinkevich does call further rallies expect a long summer of discontent for Lukashenka.

That's all folks for now!

Matt Jay