68 Issue | Zarb-e-Jamhoor e- Newspaper | 22-28 Apr, 2012

Earth Day Worldwide - A p r 2 2

Earth Day is a day early each year on which events are held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth's natural environment. Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day. Earth Day is planned for April 22 in all years at least through 2015.

The name and concept of Earth Day was allegedly pioneered by John McConnell in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by San Francisco, the City of Saint Francis, patron saint of ecology. Earth Day was first observed in San Francisco and other cities on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This day of nature's equipoise was later sanctioned in a Proclamation signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations where it is observed each year. About the same time a separate Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970. While this April 22 Earth Day was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues.

St. George's Day - Apr 23 Canada, Spain, U.K.

St George's Day is celebrated by the several nations, kingdoms, countries, and cities of which Saint George is the patron saint. St George's Day is celebrated on 23 April, the traditionally accepted date of Saint George's death in AD 303. For Eastern Orthodox Churches who use the Julian calendar, 23 April corresponds to 6 May on the Gregorian calendar.

As Easter often falls close to St George's Day, the church celebration of the feast may be moved from 23 April. In 2011 and 2014, the Anglican and Catholic calendars celebrate St George's Day on the first Monday after Easter Week (2 May and 28 April, respectively). Similarly, the Eastern Orthodox celebration of the feast moves accordingly to the first Monday after Easter or, as it is else called, to the Monday of Bright Week.

St George's Day is known as the Feast of Saint George by Palestinians and is celebrated in the Monastery of Saint George in al-Khader, near Bethlehem. It is also known as Georgemas.

Besides the 23 April feast, some Orthodox Churches have additional feasts dedicated to St George. The country of Georgia celebrates the feast St. George on 23 April and, more prominently, 10 November (Julian Calendar), which currently falls on 6 May and 23 November (Gregorian Calendar), respectively. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the dedication of the Church of St George in Kiev

by Yaroslav I the Wise in 1051 on 26 November (Julian Calendar), which currently falls on the Gregorian 9 December.

In the General Calendar of the Roman Rite the feast of Saint George is on 23 April. In the Tridentine Calendar it was given the rank of "Semidouble". In Pope Pius XII's 1955 calendar this rank is reduced to "Simple." In Pope John XXIII's 1960 calendar the celebration to just a "Commemoration." In Pope Paul VI's revision of the calendar, that came into force in 1969, it was given the equivalent rank of a "Memorial", of optional use. In some countries, such as England, the rank is higher.

St George's feast is ranked higher in England and in certain other regions. It is the second most important National Feast in Catalonia, where the day is known in Catalan as La Diada de Sant Jordi and it is traditional to give a rose and a book to a loved one.

UNESCO declared this day the International Day of the Book, since 23 April 1616 was the date of death of both the English playwright William Shakespeare (according to the Julian calendar) and the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes (according to the Gregorian calendar).

Castilla y Leon Day Spain - Apr 23

Castile and León Day (Spanish: Día de Castilla y León) is a holiday celebrated on April 23 in the autonomous community of Castile and León, a subdivision of Spain. The date is the anniversary of the Battle of Villalar, in which Castilian rebels were dealt a crushing defeat by the forces of King Charles I in the Revolt of the Comuneros on April 23, 1521.

Commemoration of the Battle of Villalar was closely associated with liberal politics in Spain from the late 18th century until the 1970s, as conservatives generally sympathized with the royal government. With the demise of General Franco's government, the day has broadened to a more general celebration of Castilian nationalism rather than only liberal politics. The government of Castile and León established August 23 as an official holiday in 1986, and festivals have since been held yearly at Villalar.

April 23 is the same day as St. George's Day, with there being some crossover between the two holidays.

Origins

The birth of the Battle of Villalar as a rallying symbol for Spanish liberals dates back to the late 17th and early 18th centuries. León del Arroyal, an illustrious economist and protoliberal, stated that Villalar was "the last breath of Castilian freedom" in the latter half of the 18th century. The Castilian comuneros received their first major recognition during the Trienio Liberal, the three years of liberal government from 1820-1823. Resistance fighter Juan Martín Díez organized an expedition to Villalar to search for the remains of Padilla, Bravo, and Maldonado, the executed leaders of the revolt. These events took its climax with a festival and celebration of the comuneros in the plaza of the Villalar on April 23, 1821. Members of left-leaning secret societies often referenced the revolt in their names, such as "Los comuneros" or "Sons of Padilla." They also employed the purple banner, the flag flown by the comuneros rebels. While dormant for a time after the Bourbon Restoration to the Spanish throne, occasional recognition of Villalar and the comuneros came from some of the short-lived liberal governments of the period. For instance, President Francisco Pi y Margall of the First Spanish Republic stated that "Castile was among the first nations of Spain who lost their freedoms in Villalar under the first king of the House of Austria."

In the early years of the 20th century there were other attempts to celebrate at Villalar. Among them was a proposal

by José María Zorita Díez, a liberal deputy for Valladolid, who made a special request for funds to commemorate the battle of Villalar. There were also various requests and preparations to celebrate the fourth centenary of the Battle in 1923; the city council of Palencia proposed in early 1923 that "on next April 23, all the representatives of Castile go to the fields of Villalar and swear upon the Castilian Holy Grail, at the scene of the Fall ... On the same day and at the same time all the cities of Castile dedicate a minute of silence to the heroes of Villalar." Little came of these attempts to celebrate April 23, however.

Official recognition:

By the early 70s, much of the reputation of the comuneros had been rehabilitated after generally positive portrayals by historians such as José Antonio Maravall, Juan Ignacio Gutiérrez Nieto, and Joseph Pérez. In 1976, a gathering of about 400 people met at Villalar. While they were dispersed by the Guardia Civil, the meeting the next year was far larger, with almost 20,000 attendees to celebrate the Battle and organize pro-Castilian groups. The meetings continued on an unofficial basis until 1986, when the government of the recently recognized autonomous community of Castile and León granted its official stamp of approval.

Modern observance:

The acts normally begin on the evening of April 22, with performances by musical groups and a zone of free camping for the night. On the morning of April 23, the main ceremonies take place alongside the monolith erected in tribute to the comuneros. Each political party makes a floral offering to the monolith and gaves a speech. Throughout the day, political activities and speeches alternate with dances, music concerts, sports, exhibitions, street theatre, and other Castilian-themed recreational activities.

The entity responsible for organizing the celebration in modern times is the "Villalar Foundation of Castile and León."

World Copyright Day Worldwide - Apr 23

World Book and Copyright Day (also known as International Day of the Book or World Book Days) is a yearly event on 23 April, organized

by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. The Day was first celebrated in 1995 and in 2012 the UK World Book day was celebrated on March 1, 2012.

World Book Day was celebrated for the first time on April 23. The connection between 23 April and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Spain as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day.

In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on this date because of the Catalonian festival and because the date is also the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare, the death of Miguel de Cervantes, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Josep Pla, and the birth of Maurice Druon, Vladimir Nabokov, Manuel Mejía Vallejo and Halldór Laxness.

Although 23 April is often stated as the anniversary of the deaths of both William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, this is not strictly correct. Cervantes died on 23 April according the Gregorian calendar; however, at this time England still used the Julian calendar. Whilst Shakespeare died on 23 April by the Julian calendar in use in his own country at the time, he actually died ten days after Cervantes because of the discrepancy between the two date systems. The apparent correspondence of the two dates was a fortunate coincidence for UNESCO.

World Book Day by country Spain:

To celebrate this day Cervantes' Don Quixote is read during a two-day "readathon" and the Miguel de Cervantes Prize is presented by the King in Alcalá de Henares.

Catalonia:

In Catalonia, Spain, since 1436, St. George's Day has been 'The Day of the Rose', where the exchange of gifts between sweethearts, loved ones and respected ones is effectuated. It would be the analogous to Valentine's Day. Although the World Book and Copyright Day has been celebrating since 1995 internationally, the first time that books where also exchanged in 'The Day of the Rose' in Catalonia, was in 1926; also to commemorate the death of Cervantes and Shakespeare.

Sweden:

In Sweden, the day is known as Världsbokdagen (world book day), and the copyright part is seldom mentioned.

Normally celebrated on April 23, it was moved to avoid a clash with Easter to April 13 in the year 2000 and 2011.

UK and Ireland:

In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, World Book Day is held annually on the first Thursday in March.

Although it might be argued that this makes it more a "UK and Ireland Book Day" than a World Book Day as such, it was decided to avoid the established international 23 April date due to clashes with Easter school holidays, as well as the fact that it is also the National Saint's Day of England, St George's Day. In 2011 it was held on Thursday 3 March and was observed on Thursday 1 March 2012.

Armenian Genocide Memorial Day Armenia - Apr 24

Genocide Remembrance Day (Armenian: Եղեռնի զոհերի հիշատակի օր) or Genocide Memorial day, is a national holiday in Armenia and is observed by Armenians in dispersed communities around the world on April 24. It is held annually to commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide from 1915 to 1923. In Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, hundreds of thousands of people walk to the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial to lay flowers at the eternal flame.

The date 24 April commemorates the Armenian notables deported from the Ottoman capital in 1915, of hundreds of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders, most of whom would be executed, which was a precursor to the ensuing events.

Monuments country Montebello Genocide Memorial

• • • •

Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial Marseille Genocide Memorial List of Armenian Genocide memorials

Independence Day Sierra Leone - A p r 2 7

Sierra Leone officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa.

It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of 71,740 km2 (27,699 sq mi) and has an estimated population of 6.3 million. It was a colony under the auspices of the Sierra Leone Company from March 11, 1792 until it became a British colony in 1808.

Sierra Leone has a tropical climate, with a diverse environment ranging from savannah to rainforests.

Freetown is the capital, largest city as well as its educational, economic, cultural and financial center. The second largest city is Bo. Other major cities are Kenema, Makeni and Koidu Town.

Sierra Leone is divided into four geographical regions: the Northern Province, Eastern Province, Southern Province and the Western Area; which are subdivided into fourteen districts. The districts have their own directly elected local government known as district council, headed by a council chairman. The country's six municipalities of Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Koidu Town and the coastal town of Bonthe have their own directly elected city councils headed by mayors.

Sierra Leone is a constitutional representative democratic republic, whereby the President is both the head of state and the head of government. Legislative power is vested by the House of Parliament of Sierra Leone. The Fragments of prehistoric pottery from Kamabai Judiciary of Sierra Leone is independent of Rock Shelter the executive and the legislative and is headed by the Supreme Court. Since Independence in 1961 to present, Sierra Leone's politics have been dominated by two major political parties: the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and the All People's Congress (APC). Other political parties have also existed throughout but with no significant supports.

The country has relied on mining, especially diamonds, for its economic base. It is among the top diamond producing nations in the world, and mineral exports remain the main foreign currency earner. Sierra Leone is also among the largest producers of titanium and bauxite, and a major producer of gold. The country has one of the world's largest deposits of rutile. Sierra Leone is also home to the third largest natural harbour in the world where shipping from all over the globe berth at Freetown's famous Queen Elizabeth II Quay. Despite this natural wealth, 70% of its people live in poverty.

Sierra Leone is a predominantly Muslim country, though with an influential Christian minority. Sierra Leone is ranked as one of the most religiously tolerant nations in the world. People are often married across ethnic and religious boundaries.

Muslims and Christians collaborate and interact with each other peacefully. Religious violence is very rare in the country.

The population of Sierra Leone comprises sixteen ethnic groups, each with its own language and custom. The two largest and most influential are the Mende and Temne. The two are about equal in numbers and each comprises just over 30% of the population . The Mende are predominantly found in South-Eastern Sierra Leone; the Temne likewise predominate in Northern Sierra Leone.

Although English is the language of instruction in schools and the official language in government administration, the Krio language (derived from English and several indigenous African languages) is the primary language of communication among Sierra Leone's different ethnic groups, and is spoken by 95% of the country's population. The Krio Language unites all the different ethnic groups, especially in their trade and interaction with each other.

Between 1991 and 2002 the Sierra Leone Civil War devastated the country leaving more than 50,000 people dead, much of the country's infrastructure destroyed, and over two million people displaced in neighbouring countries; mainly to Guinea, which was home to around one million Sierra Leonean refugees. ECOMOG used Bai Bureh, leader of the cluster bomb in the war against convention. The war was resolved in 2002 after 1898 rebellion against the Nigerian-led ECOMOG troops were heavily reinforced by a British force spear- British rule headed by 1st Bn The Parachute Regiment, supported by the British Royal Navy The arrival of this force resulted in the defeat of rebel forces and restored the civilian government elected in 1996.

On January 18, 2002 President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah declared the civil war officially over. Since then the country has re-established a functioning democracy.

Early inhabitants of Sierra Leone included the Sherbro, Temne and Limba peoples, and later the Mende, who knew the country as Romarong, and the Kono who settled in the east of the country. In 1462, it was visited by the Portuguese explorer Pedro da Cintra, who dubbed it Serra de Leão, meaning "Lion Mountains". Sierra Leone later became an important centre of the transatlantic trade in slaves until March 11, 1792 when Freetown was founded by the Sierra Leone Company as a home for former enslaved from (or freed by) the British Empire. In 1808, Freetown became a British Crown Colony, and in 1896, the interior of the country became a British Protectorate; in 1961, the two regions combined and gained independence.

History

Early history:

Archaeological finds show that Sierra Leone has been inhabited continuously for at least 2,500 years, populated by successive movements from other parts of Africa. The use of iron was introduced to Sierra Leone by the 9th century, and by AD 1000 agriculture was being practiced by coastal tribes. Sierra Leone's dense tropical rainforest largely protected it from the influence of any pre-colonial African empires and from further Islamic influence of the Mali Empire, the Islamic faith however became common in the 18th century.

European contacts within Sierra Leone were among the first in West Africa. In 1462,Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra mapped the hills surrounding what is now Freetown Harbour, naming shaped formation Serra de Leão (Portuguese for Lion Mountains). The Italian rendering of this geographic formation is Sierra Leone, which became the country's name.

Soon after Portuguese traders arrived at the harbour and by 1495 a fort that acted as a trading post had been built. The Portuguese were joined by the Dutch and French; all of them using Sierra Leone as a trading point for slaves.

In 1562, the English joined the trade in human beings when Sir John Hawkins shipped 300 enslaved people, acquired 'by the sword and partly by other means', to the new colonies in America.

Early colonies:

In 1787 a settlement was founded in Sierra Leone in what was called the "Province of Freedom". A number of "Black Poor" arrived off the coast of Sierra Leone on 15 May 1787, accompanied by some English tradesmen.

Many of the "black poor" were African Americans, who had been given their freedom after seeking refuge with the British Army during the American Revolution, but also included other West Indian, African and Asian inhabitants of London. After establishing Granville Town, disease and hostility from the indigenous people eliminated the first group of colonists and destroyed their settlement. A second Granville Town was established by 64 remaining Sir Milton Margai, lead Sierra Leone to Independcolonists.

Through the impetus of Thomas Peters, the Sierra Leone Company was es- ent in 1961 and became the tablished to relocate 1,196 black Americans, most of whom had escaped en- country's first prime minisslavement in the United States by seeking protection with the British Army ter. during the American Revolution. They had been given land in Nova Scotia and a few had died from the harsh winters there. These colonists built the second (and only permanent) Colony of Sierra Leone and the settlement of Freetown on March 11, 1792. In Sierra Leone they were called the Nova Scotian Settlers or 'Nova Scotians' but were commonly known as the Settlers. The Settlers built Freetown and introduced architectural styles from the American South as well as Western fashion and American courtesy. In the 1790s, the Settlers voted for the first time in elections, as did women. The Sierra Leone Company refused to allow the settlers to take freehold of the land. Some of the Settlers revolted in 1799. The revolt was only put down by the arrival of over 500 Jamaican Maroons, who also arrived via Nova Scotia. In 1800, Jamaican Maroons from Trelawny Town, Jamaica were settled via Nova Scotia.

After sixteen years of running the Colony, the Sierra Leone Company was formed into the African Institution. The Institution met in 1807 to achieve more success by focusing on bettering the local economy, but it was constantly split between those British who meant to inspire local entrepreneurs and those with interest in the Macauley & Babington Company which held the (British) monopoly on Sierra Leone trade.

Beginning in 1808 (following the abolition of the slave trade in 1807), thousands of formerly enslaved Africans were liberated in Freetown. Most of these Liberated Africans or 'Recaptives' chose to remain in Sierra Leone. Cut off from their homes and traditions, the Liberated Africans assimilated the Western styles of Settlers and Maroons and built a flourishing trade of flowers and beads on the West African coast. These returned Africans were from many areas of Africa, but principally the west coast. During the 19th century many black Americans, Americo Liberian 'refugees', and particularly West Indians immigrated and settled in Freetown creating a new ethnicity called the Krio.

Colonial era:

In the early 20th century, Freetown served as the residence of the British governor who also ruled the Gold Coast (now Ghana) and the Gambia settlements. Sierra Leone also served as the educational centre of British West Africa.

Fourah Bay College, established in 1827, rapidly became a magnet for English-speaking Africans on the West Coast.

For more than a century, it was the only European-style university in western Sub-Saharan Africa.

During Sierra Leone's colonial history, indigenous people mounted several unsuccessful revolts against British rule.

The most notable was the Hut Tax war of 1898. The Hut Tax War consisted of a Northern front, led by Bai Bureh, and Southern front that were sparked at different times and for different reasons. Bureh's fighters had the advantage over the vastly more powerful British for several months of the war. Hundreds of British troops and hundreds of Bureh's fighters were killed. Bai Bureh was finally captured on 11 November 1898 and sent into exile in the Gold Coast (now Ghana), while 96 of his comrades were hanged by the British.

The defeat in the Hut Tax war ended large scale organised resistance to colonialism; however resistance continued throughout the colonial period in the form of intermittent rioting and chaotic labour disturbances. Riots in 1955 and 1956 involved "many tens of thousands" of natives in the protectorate.

One notable event in 1935 was the granting of a monopoly on mineral mining to the Sierra Leone Selection Trust run by De Beers, which was scheduled to last 98 years.

In 1924, Sierra Leone was divided into a Colony and a Protectorate, with separate and different political systems constitutionally defined for each. Antagonism between the two entities escalated to a heated debate in 1947, when proposals were introduced to provide for a single political system for both the Colony and the Protectorate. Most of the proposals came from the Protectorate. The Krio, led by Isaac Wallace-Johnson, opposed the proposals, the main effect of which would have been to diminish their political power. It was due to the astute politics of Sir Milton Margai that the educated Protectorate elite was won over to join forces with the paramount chiefs in the face of Krio intransigence. Later, Sir Milton used the same skills to win over opposition leaders and moderate Krio elements for the achievement of independence.

In November 1951, Sir Milton Margai oversaw the drafting of a new constitution, which united the separate Colonial and Protectorate legislatures and—-most importantly—-provided a framework for decolonization. In 1953, Sierra Leone was granted local ministerial powers, and Sir Milton Margai, was elected Chief Minister of Sierra Leone. The new constitution ensured Sierra Leone a parliamentary system within the Commonwealth of Nations. In May 1957, Sierra Leone held its first parliamentary election. The SLPP, which was then the most popular political party in the colony of Sierra Leone, won the most seats in Parliament. Margai was also re-elected as Chief Minister by a landslide.

On April 20, 1960, Sir Milton Margai led the twenty four members of the Sierra Leonean delegation at the constitutional conferences that were held with Queen Elizabeth II and British Colonial Secretary Iain Macleod in the negotiations for independence held at the Lancaster House in London. . All of the twenty four members of the Sierra Leonean delegation were prominent and well-respected politicians including Sir Milton's younger brother lawyer Sir Albert Margai, the outspoken trade unionist Siaka Stevens, SLPP strongman Lamina Sankoh, outspoken Creole activist Isaac Wallace-Johnson, educationist Mohamed Sanusi Mustapha, Dr John Karefa-Smart, professor Kande Bureh, lawyer Sir Banja Tejan-Sie, former Freetown's Mayor Eustace Henry Taylor Cummings Paramount chief Ella Koblo Gulama, educationist Amadu Wurie, and Creole diplomat Hector Reginald Sylvanus Boltman. On the conclusion of talks in London, however, the outspoken trade unionist Siaka Stevens was the only delegate who refused to sign Sierra Leone's declaration of Independendence on the grounds that there had been a secret defence pact between Sierra Leone and Britain; another point of contention by Stevens was the Sierra Leonean government's position that there would be no elections held before independence which would effectively shut him out of Sierra Leone's political process . Upon their return to Freetown on May 4, 1960, Stevens was promptly expelled from the People's National Party (PNP).

An Independent nation and Sir Milton Margai Administration:

On April 27, 1961, Sir Milton Margai lead Sierra Leone to Independent from Great Britain and became the country's first Prime Minister. It retained a parliamentary system of government and was a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. In May 1962 Sierra Leone held its first general election as an Independent nation. The Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) won plurality of seats in parliament and Sir Milton Margai was re-elected as prime minister. The years just after independence were prosperous with money from mineral resources being used for development and the founding of Njala University.

An important aspect of Sir Milton's character was his self-effacement. He was neither corrupt nor did he make a lavish display of his power or status. Sir Milton's government was based on the rule of law and the notion of separation of powers, with multiparty political institutions and fairly viable representative structures. Margai used his conservative ideology to lead Sierra Leone without much strife. He appointed government officials with a clear eye to satisfy various ethnic groups.

Margai employed a brokerage style of politics by sharing political power between political groups and the paramount chiefs in the provinces.

In 1962, Outspoken critic against the SLPP government, Siaka Stevens, formed an alliance with several prominent northern politicians like Sorie Ibrahim Koroma, Christian Alusine-Kamara Taylor, Mohammed BashTaqui, S.A.T. Koroma and S.A. Fofana to form their own political party called the All People's Congress (APC). Stevens used the Northern part of Sierra Leone as his political base.

Sir Albert Administration:

Upon Sir Milton's death in 1964, his half- APC political rally in the northern town of Kabala brother, Sir Albert Margai, was appointed as outside the home of supporters of the rival SLPP in Prime Minister by parliament. Sir Albert's 1968 leadership was briefly challenged by Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister John Karefa-Smart, who questioned Sir Albert's succession to the SLPP leadership position.

Kareefa-Smart received little support in Parliament in his attempt to have Margai stripped of the SLPP leadership.

Soon after Margai was sworn in as Prime Minister, he immediately dismissed several senior government officials who had served under his elder brother Sir Milton's government, as he viewed them as traitors and a threat to his administration.

Unlike his late brother, Sir Milton, Sir Albert proved unpopular and resorted to increasingly authoritarian actions in response to protests, including enacted several laws against the opposition All People's Congress (APC) and attempting to establish a single-party state. Unlike his late brother Milton, Sir Albert was opposed to the colonial legacy of allowing the country's Paramount Chiefs executive powers and he was seen as a threat to the existence of the ruling houses across the country. In 1967, Riots broke out in Freetown against Sir Albert's policies; in response Margai declare a state of emergency across the country. Sir Albert was accused of corruption and of a policy of affirmative action in favor of his own Mende ethnic group Sir Albert had the opportunity to perpetuate himself in power, but he elected not to do so even when the opportunities presented themselves. He had the police and the army on his side and nothing could have prevented him from achieving his ambition to hold on to power, but he chose not to and called for a free and fair elections

Three Military Coups, 1967-1968:

The APC, with its leader Siaka Stevens, narrowly won a small majority seats in Parliament over the SLPP in a closely contested 1967 Sierra Leone general election and Stevens was sworn in as Prime Minister of April 26, 1968. Within hours after taking office, Stevens was ousted in a bloodless military coup lead by the commander of the army Brigadier General David Lansana, a close ally of Sir Albert Margai who had appointed him to the position in 1964.

Brigadier Lansana placed Stevens under house arrest in Freetown and insisted the determination of office of the Prime Minister should await the election of the tribal representatives to the house. On March 23, 1968, A group of senior military officers in the Sierra Leone Army lead by Brigadier Andrew Juxon-Smith overrode this action by seizing control of the government, arresting Brigadier Lansana, and suspending the constitution. The group constituted itself as the National Reformation Council (NRC) with Brigadier Andrew Juxon-Smith as its chairman and Head of State of the country . In April 1968, a group of senior military officers who called themselves the Anti-Corruption Revolutionary Movement lead by Brigadier General John Amadu Bangura overthrew the NRC junta. The ACRM juntas arrested many senior NRC members. The democratic constitution was restored, and power was handed back to Stevens, who at last assumed the office of Prime Minister.

Anzac Day International - Apr 25

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for their countries. Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tonga. It is no longer observed as a national holiday in Samoa.

History Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought

by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand, a rare instance of two sovereign countries not only sharing the same remembrance day, but making reference to both countries in its name. When war broke out in 1914, Australia and New Zealand had been dominions of the British Empire for thirteen and seven years respectively.

Gallipoli campaign:

In 1915, Australian and New Zealander soldiers formed part of an Allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula, according to a plan by Winston Churchill to open the way to the Black Sea for the Allied navies. The objective was to capture Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, which was an ally of Germany during the war. The ANZAC force landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Army commanded by Mustafa Kemal (later known as Atatürk). What had been planned as a bold strike to knock the Ottomans out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight An Australian veteran on months. At the end of 1915, the Allied forces were evacuated after both Anzac Day. sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. The Allied casualties included 21,255 from the United Kingdom, an estimated 10,000 dead soldiers from France, 8,709 from Australia, 2,721 from New Zealand, and 1,358 from British India. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians and New Zealanders at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which they remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

Though the Gallipoli campaign failed to achieve its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking the Ottoman Empire out of the war, the actions of the Australian and New Zealander troops during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity in both countries. This has shaped the way their citizens have viewed both their past and their understanding of the present.

Foundations of Anzac Day:

On 30 April 1915, when the first news of the landing reached New Zealand, a half-day holiday was declared and impromptu services were held. The following year a public holiday was gazetted (officially declared) on 5 April and services to commemorate were organised by the returned servicemen.

The date 25 April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916; in that year it was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia and New Zealand, including a commemorative march through London involving Australian and New Zealand troops. Australian Great War battalion and brigade war diaries show that Anzac Day at Manly, Brisbane, Australia, on this first anniversary, units including those on the front line, made efforts to solemnise the memory of those who 1922 were killed this day twelve months previously. A common format found in the war diaries by Australian and New Zealand soldiers for the day commenced with a dawn requiem mass, followed mid-morning with a commemorative service, and after lunch organised sports activities with the proceeds of any gambling going to Battalion funds. This occurred in Egypt as well.

The small New Zealand community of Tinui, near Masterton in the Wairarapa, was apparently the first place in New Zealand to have an Anzac Day service, when the then vicar led an expedition to place a large wooden cross on the Tinui Taipos (a 1,200 ft (370 m) high large hill/mountain, behind the village) in April 1916 to commemorate the dead.

A service was held on 25 April of that year. In 2006 the 90th anniversary of the event was commemorated with a full 21-gun salute fired at the service by soldiers from the Waiouru Army Camp.

In London, over 2,000 Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets of the city. A London newspaper headline dubbed them "The Knights of Gallipoli". Marches were held all over Australia in 1916; wounded soldiers from Gallipoli attended the Sydney march in convoys of cars, accompanied by nurses. Over 2,000 people attended the service in Rotorua. For the remaining years of the war, Anzac Day was used as an occasion for patriotic rallies and recruiting campaigns, and parades of serving members of the AIF were held in most cities. From 1916 onwards, in both Australia and New Zealand, Anzac memorials were held on or about 25 April, mainly organised by returned servicemen and school children in cooperation with local authorities.

Anzac Day was gazetted as a public holiday in New Zealand in 1920, through the Anzac Day Act, after lobbying by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, the RSA. In Australia at the 1921 State Premiers' Conference, it was decided that Anzac Day would be observed on 25 April each year. However, it was not observed uniformly in all the states.

During the 1920s, Anzac Day became established as a National Day of Commemoration for the 60,000 Australians and 18,000 New Zealanders who died during the war. The first year in which all the Australian states observed some form of public holiday together on Anzac Day was 1927. By the mid-1930s, all the rituals now associated with the day—dawn vigils, marches, memorial services, reunions, sly two-up games—became part of Australian Anzac Day culture. New Zealand commemorations also adopted many of these rituals, with the dawn service being introduced from Australia in 1939.

Anzac Day since World War II:

With the coming of the Second World War, Anzac Day became a day on which to commemorate the lives of Australians and New Zealanders lost in that war as well and in subsequent years. The meaning of the day has been further broadened to include those killed in all the military operations in which the countries have been involved.

Anzac Day was first commemorated at the Australian War Memorial in 1942, but, due to government orders preventing large public gatherings in case of Japanese air attack, it was a small affair and was neither a march nor a memorial service. Anzac Day has been annually commemorated at the Australian War Memorial ever since.

In New Zealand, Anzac Day saw a surge in popularity immediately after World War II. However this was short-lived, and by the 1950s many New Zealanders had become antagonistic or indifferent to- Flags on the cenotaph in Wellingwards the day. Much of this was linked to the legal ban on commerce ton for the 2007 Dawn Service. on Anzac Day, and the banning by many local authorities of sports From left to right, the flags of New events and other entertainment on the day. Annoyance was particu- Zealand, the United Kingdom and larly pronounced in 1953 and 1959, when Anzac Day fell on a Sat- Australia urday. There was widespread public debate on the issue, with some people calling for the public holiday to be moved to the nearest Sunday or abolished altogether. In 1966 a new Anzac Day Act was passed, allowing sport and entertainment in the afternoon.

From the 1960s, but especially in the 1970s and 1980s, Anzac Day became increasingly controversial in both Australia and New Zealand. The day was used by anti-Vietnam War protesters to agitate against that war and war in general, and ceremonies were later targeted by feminists, anti-nuclear campaigners, Maori activists and others. From about the late 1980s, however, there was an international resurgence of interest in World War I and its commemorations.

Anzac Day attendances rose in Australia and New Zealand, with young people taking a particular interest. Protests and controversy became much rarer.

Australians and New Zealanders recognise 25 April as a ceremonial occasion to reflect on the cost of war and to remember those who fought and lost their lives for their country. Commemorative services are held at dawn, the time of the original landing, mainly at war memorials in cities and towns across both nations and the sites of some of Australia and New Zealand's more-recognised battles and greatest losses, such as Villers-Bretonneux in France and Gallipoli in Turkey.

One of the traditions of Anzac Day is the 'gunfire breakfast' (coffee with rum added) which occurs shortly after many dawn ceremonies, and recalls the 'breakfast' taken by many soldiers before facing battle. Later in the day, ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen meet and join in marches through the major cities and many smaller centres.

Dawn service:

After the First World War, returned soldiers sought the comradeship they felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn. With symbolic links to the dawn landing at Gallipoli, a dawn stand-to or dawn ceremony became a common form of Anzac Day remembrance during the 1920s.

The first official dawn service was held at the Sydney Cenotaph in 1927. Dawn services were originally very simple and followed the operational ritual; in many cases they were restricted to veterans only. The daytime ceremony was for families and other well-wishers and the dawn service was for returned soldiers to remember and reflect among the comrades with whom they shared a A large commemoration march in Wagga special bond.

Before dawn the gathered veterans would be ordered to Wagga, New South Wales (April 2008) "stand-to" and two minutes of silence would follow. At the start of this time a lone bugler would play "The Last Post" and then concluded the service with "Reveille". In more recent times the families and young people have been encouraged to take part in dawn services, and services in Australian capital cities have seen some of the largest turnouts ever. Reflecting this change, the ceremonies have become more elaborate, incorporating hymns, readings, pipers and rifle volleys. Others, though, have retained the simple format of the dawn stand-to, familiar to so many soldiers.

Typical modern dawn services follow a pattern that is now familiar to generations of Australians, containing the following features: introduction, hymn, prayer, an address, laying of wreaths, recitation, the playing of "The Last Post", a minute of silence, "Reveille", and the playing of both New Zealand and Australian national anthems. At the Australian War Memorial, following events such as the Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services, families often place artificial red poppies beside the names of relatives on the Memorial's Roll of Honour. In Australia, sprigs of rosemary are often worn on lapels and in New Zealand poppies have taken on this role.

Commemoration:

In Australia and New Zealand, Anzac Day commemoration features solemn "Dawn Services", a tradition started in Albany, Western Australia on 25 April 1923 and now held at war memorials around both countries, accompanied by thoughts of those lost at war to the ceremonial sounds of The Last Post on the bugle. The fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon's poem For the Fallen (known as the "Ode of Remembrance") is often recited. [edit] Australia Anzac Day is a national public holiday and is considered by many Australians to be one of the most solemn days of the year. Marches by veterans from all past wars, as well as current serving members of the Australian Defence Force and Reserves, with allied veterans as well as the Australian Defence Force Cadets and Australian Air League and supported by members of Scouts Australia, Guides Australia, and other uniformed service groups, are held in cities and towns nationwide. The Anzac Day Parade from each state capital is televised live with commentary. These events are generally followed by social gatherings of veterans, hosted either in a public house or in an RSL club, often including a traditional Australian gambling game called two-up, which was an extremely popular pastime with ANZAC soldiers. The importance of this tradition is demonstrated by the fact that though most Australian states have laws forbidding gambling outside of designated licensed venues, on Anzac Day it is legal to play "two-up".

Despite federation being proclaimed in Australia in 1901, many[who?] argue the "national identity" of Australia was largely forged during the violent conflict of World War I, and the most iconic event in the war for most Australians was the landing at Gallipoli. Dr. Paul Skrebels of the University of South Australia has noted that Anzac Day has continued to grow in popularity; even the threat of a terrorist attack at the Gallipoli site in 2004 did not deter some 15,000 Australians from making the pilgrimage to Turkey to commemorate the fallen ANZAC troops.

Although commemoration events are always held on 25 April, most states and territories currently observe a substitute public holiday on the following Monday when Anzac Day falls on a Sunday. When Anzac Day falls on Easter Monday, such as in 2011, the Easter Monday holiday is transferred to Tuesday. This followed a 2008 meeting of the Council for the Australian Federation in which the states and territories made an in principle agreement to work towards making this a universal practice. However in 2009, the Legislative Council of Tasmania rejected a bill amendment that would have enabled the substitute holiday in that state.

Australian postage stamps:

Australia Post has issued stamps over the years to commemorate Anzac Day, the first being in 1935 for the 20th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

The full list of issued stamps is as follows: 1935 20th Anniversary (2 values) 2d Red and 1/- Black featuring the London Cenotaph.

• 1965 50th Anniversary (3 values) 5d Khaki, 8d Blue and 2/3 Maroon featuring Simpson and his don• key.

1990 75th Anniversary (5 values) 41¢ x 2, 65¢, $1, and $1.10 all featuring various Anzac themes.

• 2000 ANZAC legends (4 values) 45¢ x 4 featuring Walter Parker, Roy Longmore, Alec Campbell and • the Anzac medal.

In 1955, the then current 3½d Purple Nursing commemorative stamp was privately overprinted with the • words "ANZAC 1915-1955 40 YEARS LEST WE FORGET" and a value ranging from 1d to £1 was also added which was the fundraising amount in addition to the legal cost of stamp of which the denomination was 3½d. Eight values were issued and were intended to raise funds for the Anzac commemorations. It is believed these stamps were authorised by the secretary of a leading Melbourne RSL club.

Australian Football:

During many wars, Australian rules football matches have been played overseas in places like northern Africa, Vietnam, and Iraq as a celebration of Australian culture and as a bonding exercise between soldiers. In 1975, the VFL/AFL first commemorated Anzac Day and the Anzac spirit with a match of Australian rules football between Essendon and Carlton in a one-off match in front of a large crowd of 77,770 at VFL Park, Waverley, with Essendon coming out winners.

The modern-day tradition began in 1995 and is played every year between traditional AFL rivals Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG. This annual blockbuster is often considered the biggest match of the AFL season outside of the finals, sometimes drawing bigger crowds than all but the Grand Final, and often selling out in advance; a record crowd of 94,825 people attended the inaugural match in 1995. The Anzac Medal is awarded to the player in the match who best exemplifies the Anzac Spirit – skill, courage, self-sacrifice, teamwork and fair play.

Rugby League Football:

Beginning in 1997, the ANZAC Test, a rugby league test match, has commemorated Anzac Day, though it is typically played a week prior to Anzac Day. The match is always played between the Australian and New Zealand national teams, and has drawn attendances between 20,000–45,000 in the past.

Domestically, matches have been played on Anzac Day since 1926 (with occasional exceptions). Since 2002, the National Rugby League (NRL) has followed the lead of the Australian Football League, hosting a match between traditional rivals St George Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters each year to commemorate Anzac Day in the Club ANZAC Game, although these two sides had previously met on ANZAC day several times as early as the 1970s.

New Zealand New Zealand's Commemoration of Anzac Day is similar. The number of New Zealanders attending Anzac Day events

in New Zealand, and at Gallipoli, is increasing. For some, the day serves as a reminder of the futility of war. For most New Zealanders though, the day is an occasion on which to formally pay tribute and to remember.[] Dawn Parades and other memorials nationwide are typically attended by the New Zealand Defence Force, the New Zealand Cadet Forces, members of the New Zealand Police, New Zealand Fire Service, Order of St John Ambulance Service (Youth and Adult Volunteers) as well as Scouting New Zealand, GirlGuiding New Zealand and other uniformed community service groups including in most places the local Pipe Band to lead or accompany the parade march, and sometimes a Brass Band to accompany the hymns.

Anzac Day now promotes a sense of unity, perhaps more effectively than any other day on the national calendar.

People whose politics, beliefs and aspirations are widely different can nevertheless share a genuine sorrow at the loss of so many lives in war.

Paper poppies are widely distributed by the Returned Services Association and worn as symbols of remembrance.

This tradition follows that of the wearing of poppies on Remembrance Sunday in other Commonwealth countries.

The day is a public holiday in New Zealand. Shops are prohibited from opening before 1pm as per the Anzac Day Act 1966. A prior Act passed in 1949 prevents the holiday from being "Mondayised" (moved to the 26th or 27th should the 25th fall on a weekend), although this has drawn criticism from trade unionists and Labour Party politicians.

Turkey In Turkey the name "ANZAC Cove" was officially recognised by the Turkish government on Anzac Day in 1985. In

1934, Kemal Atatürk delivered the following words to the first Australians, New Zealanders and British to visit the Gallipoli battlefields. This was later inscribed on a monolith at Ari Burnu Cemetery (ANZAC Beach) which was unveiled in 1985. The words also appear on the Kemal Atatürk Memorial, Canberra, and the Atatürk Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand: "Those heroes that shed their blood And lost their lives.

You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.

Therefore rest in peace.

There is no difference between the Johnnies And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side Here in this country of ours.

You, the mothers, Who sent their sons from far away countries Wipe away your tears, Your sons are now lying in our bosom And are in peace After having lost their lives on this land they have Become our sons as well."

In 1990, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, Government officials from Australia and New Zealand (including Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke and New Zealand Governor-General Paul Reeves) as well as most of the last surviving Gallipoli veterans, and many Australian and New Zealand tourists travelled to Turkey for a special Dawn Service at Gallipoli. The Anzac Day Gallipoli Dawn Service has since attracted upwards of 15,000 people. Until 1999, the Gallipoli Dawn Service was held at the Ari Burnu War Cemetery at Anzac Cove, but the growing numbers of people attending resulted in the construction of a more spacious site on North Beach, known as the "Anzac Commemorative Site" in time for the year 2000 service.

In 2005, criticism surrounded the daybreak service at Anzac Cove after the screening of a rock concert-style commemoration of popular musical artists, with the site being left strewn with rubbish.

Other overseas ceremonies

In Kanchanaburi, Thailand, a dawn service is held at Hellfire Pass, a rock cutting dug by allied Prisoners • of War and Asian labourers for the Thai-Burma Railway. This cutting is where the greatest number of lives were lost during railway construction. The dawn service is followed by a "gunfire breakfast" (coffee with a shot (or two) of rum) recalling the 'breakfast' taken by many soldiers before facing battle. At 11am a second ceremony is held at the main POW cemetery in the city of Kanchanaburi, where 6,982 POWs are buried, mostly British, Australian, Dutch and Canadians. Over the years, both services have been attended by some Anzac ex-POWs and their families travelling from Australia, as well as ambassadors from the Australian and New Zealand consulates, the Kanchanaburi Provincial Governor, and others. The closest Saturday to Anzac Day also sees the ex-POWs attend an Australian Rules football match between the Thailand Tigers AFL club and a team invited from neighbouring Asian countries.

In the Cook Islands, Niue and Tonga Anzac Day is also commemorated to honour their soldiers who • participated in the campaign.[] In Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea there is a dawn service at the Bomana War Cemetery.[] Bomana • is the location of thousands of graves of Australian and New Zealand Servicemen who were killed during the New Guinea campaign of World War II. In Newfoundland, Canada, the Gallipoli offensive is commemorated each year on 25 April by the Royal • Newfoundland Regiment who hold a march from Government House through the streets of St. John's ending at the National War Memorial. Members of both the Australian and New Zealand armed forces are invited each year to participate in the march and wreath laying ceremonies. Other Canadian communities also mark Anzac Day; Calgary has had a Cenotaph Service annually at Central Park with participation from the local military.

In London, England, a dawn service is held, alternating between the Australian War Memorial, and the • more recently constructed New Zealand War Memorial, both of which are at Hyde Park Corner. The day is also marked by a parade and wreath-laying at Whitehall, which is attended by official representatives and veterans associations of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and other countries.[] In France in the towns of Le Quesnoy and Longueval and in the town of Villers-Bretonneux (on the next • closest weekend) because on 25 April 1918, the village of Villers-Bretonneux was liberated by the Anzacs. The Australian Government holds an annual dawn service at the Australian National Memorial just outside the small town of Villers-Bretonneux.

In French Polynesia, Anzac Day has been commemorated with an official ceremony held in Papeete • since 2006. The 2009 ceremony was attended by French Polynesia President Oscar Temaru, who praised the "courage and liberty" of Australian and New Zealand soldiers in a statement.

In Germany, Anzac Day is commemorated in Berlin, at the Commonwealth Kriegsgräber, Charlotten• burg. (Commonwealth War Graves).

In Hong Kong, a simple dawn commemorative service is held at The Cenotaph (Hong Kong) in Central, • with a member of the Hong Kong Police Band playing "The Last Post" and "Reveille" from the balcony of the nearby Hong Kong Club.

In Indonesia, Anzac Day is commemorated in Jakarta, Balikpapan, Bangka Island, Bandung, Denpasar • and Surabaya.[] In Kiribati, Anzac Day is commemorated at the Coast Watchers Memorial on the islet of Betio, Tarawa, • hosted by the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions.

In Israel Anzac Day is commemorated at the Commonwealth War cemetery on Mount Scopus in • Jerusalem.[] In Hodogaya a suburb of Yokohama, Japan, there is a small service held in the Commonwealth War • Graves cemetery.[] In the United States, Anzac Day is commemorated at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood, • California. The New Zealand and Australian Consulates-General rotate hosting the service. The largest expatriate community of New Zealanders and Australians are in Southern California, hence this location. In New York a small mid-morning tribute to Anzac Day is held in the roof garden in the British Empire Building in Rockefeller Plaza, 620 5th Avenue, overlooking St. Patrick's Cathedral, on the Sunday nearest 25 April; it is an annual tradition that has been held at this locale since 1950. In Washington DC, Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women observe Anzac Day at a dawn service at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on 25 April each year. In Hawaii the Marine Corps hosts an Anzac Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as "The Punchbowl", where several dignitaries from many countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S. attend to commemorate the memory of all who have fallen for their country. In Santa Barbara, CA, Anzac Day is remembered by the expatriate Australian and New Zealand communities. In the absence of an official World War I remembrance, several dignitaries from many countries including Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. attend an 11.11am morning service held at the Elings Park Veteran’s Memorial Walk on 25 April of each year. Two-up and a sausage sizzle follows the event.[] • In Ireland, Anzac Day is remembered by the expatriate New Zealand and Australian communities. In the absence of an official World War I remembrance, and in honour of Irish soldiers who fought and perished in the Dardanelles and elsewhere, Anzac Day commemorations are also attended by members of veterans groups and historical societies, including the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, O.N.E.T., the Royal British Legion, UN Veterans, and more.

Since the mid-1980s, an evening service has been organised by the New Zealand-Ireland Association, which currently takes place in St Ann's Church, Dawson St, Dublin 2. For the 90th anniversary in 2005, a daylight service was held for the first time in the re-furbished Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin 7. A Turkish Hazel tree, planted by the Ambassadors of Australia, New Zealand and Turkey, commemorates this occasion. It can be found to the south of the limestone Memorial Wall. Since this date, a dawn service has been held at this location. At the Ballance House in County Antrim, the official New Zealand centre in Northern Ireland, a midday Anzac reception and act of remembrance takes place. An Anzac Tea Dance is held every year by the Dun Laoghaire branch of the RBL.[] • In Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England, a parade is held on the nearest Sunday to Anzac Day. The service is held in a graveyard with several war graves of service men from Australia and New Zealand. Veterans and cadets from the local ATC squadron attend. In 2009, Filton cadets provides a band.[] • A service of remembrance to commemorate Anzac Day and Gallipoli is held at the National Memorial Arboretum. This commences with a service in the chapel followed by wreath laying at the Gallipoli memorial.

Criticism and protests

Anzac Day has been criticised by a number of Australians and New Zealanders. One early controversy occurred in 1960 with the publication of Alan Seymour's classic play, The One Day of the Year, which dramatised the growing social divide in Australia and the questioning of old values. In the play, Anzac Day is critiqued by the central character, Hughie, as a day of drunken debauchery by returned soldiers and as a day when questions of what it means to be loyal to a nation or Empire must be raised. The play was scheduled to be performed at the inaugural Adelaide Festival of Arts, but after complaints from the Returned Services League, the governors of the Festival refused permission for this to occur.

Anzac Day has also been marked by protests against contemporary wars; for instance, protests against the Vietnam War were common Anzac Day occurrences during the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1980s, Australian feminists used the annual Anzac Day march to protest against rape and violence in war and were banned from marching. There were also Anzac Day protests in New Zealand, mostly in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1967, two members of the left-wing Progressive Youth Movement in Christchurch staged a minor protest at the Anzac Day ceremony, laying a wreath protesting against the Vietnam War. They were subsequently convicted of disorderly conduct, but that was not the last time that the parade was used as a vehicle for protest. In 1978, a women's group laid a wreath dedicated to all the women raped and killed during war, and movements for feminism, gay rights, and peace used the occasion to draw attention to their respective causes at various times during the 1980s. More recently, protest groups have expressed concern about New Zealand's involvement in 18 United Nations missions including Afghanistan, Solomon Islands and East Timor. Following Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, interest in Anzac Day reached its lowest point. On 26 April 1975, The Australian newspaper covered the passing of Anzac Day in a single story. Anzac Day now draws record crowds, with an increasing number of those attending being young Australians, many of whom attend ceremonies swathed in Australian flags, wearing green and gold T-shirts and beanies and with Australian flag tattoos imprinted on their skin. This phenomenon has been perceived by some as a reflection of younger generations of Australians wanting to honour the sacrifices made by the previous generations. However, critics contend that the revived interest in Anzac day is a result of the efforts of former Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, to encourage a greater feeling of national pride in the Australian populace, involving an "uncritical and self-serving embrace of the Anzac spirit". Although the Anzac revival was well under way before Howard came to office, his critics claim the Prime Minister encouraged this phenomenon through his willingness to emphasise the Anzac tradition and its significance in contemporary Australia.

Some critics have suggested that the revival in public interest in Anzac Day amongst the young is tempered by the fact that these younger Australians have not themselves experienced war. For decades, there have been concerns that the participation of young people in Anzac Day events has injected a carnival element into what is traditionally a solemn occasion. This was highlighted by a rock concert-style performance at Anzac Cove in 2005 where people drank and slept between headstones. After the event the site was left strewn with rubbish.

In October 2008, former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating stated that he believes it is misguided for people to gather each year at Anzac Cove to commemorate the landing at Gallipoli, because it is "utter and complete nonsense" to suggest that the nation was "born again or even, redeemed there." former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd rejected Keating's views, saying the Gallipoli campaign is "part of our national consciousness, it's part of our national psyche, it's part of our national identity, and I, for one, as Prime Minister of the country, am absolutely proud of it."

Other criticisms have revolved around a perceived overzealousness in Australian attachment to the event, at the expense of remembrance of the contribution of New Zealand. John Howard shunned the New Zealand Anzac service at Gallipoli in 2005, preferring instead to spend his morning at a barbecue on the beach with Australian soldiers. In 2009, New Zealand historians noted that some Australian children were unaware that New Zealand was a part of Anzac.

Independence Day Togo - Apr 27

Togo, officially the Togolese Republic is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east, and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately 57,000 square kilometres (22,000 sq mi) with a population of approximately 6.7 million. Togo is a tropical, sub-Saharan nation, highly dependent on agriculture, with a climate that provides good growing seasons. While the official language is French, there are many other languages spoken in Togo, particularly those of the Gbe family. The largest religious group in Togo are those with indigenous beliefs, but there are significant Christian and Muslim minorities. Togo is a member of the United Nations, African Union, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, La Francophonie and Economic Community of West African States.

From the 11th to the 16th century, various tribes entered the region from all directions. From the 16th century to the 18th century, the coastal region was a major trading centre for Europeans in search of slaves, earning Togo and the surrounding region the name "The Slave Coast". In 1884, Germany declared Togoland a protectorate. After World War I, rule over Togo was transferred to France. Togo gained its independence from France in 1960. In 1967, Gnassingbé Eyadéma led a successful military coup, after which he became president. At the time of his death in 2005, Eyadéma was the longest-serving leader in modern African history, after having been president for 38 years. In 2005, his son Faure Gnassingbé was elected president. In April 2012, Togo was ranked 156th in Gross National Happiness - GNH World Happiness report published by the earth institute.

History

During the period from the 11th century to the 16th century, various tribes entered the region from all directions: the Ewé from the east, and the Mina and Guin from the west. Most settled in coastal areas.

The slave trade began in the 16th century, and for the next two hundred years the coastal region was a major trading center for Europeans in search of slaves, earning Togo and the surrounding region the name "The Slave Coast".

In 1884 a treaty was signed at Togoville with the King Mlapa III, whereby Germany claimed a protectorate over a stretch of territory along the coast and gradually extended its control inland. In 1905, this became the German colony of Togoland. During World War I this German territory was invaded by British troops from the neighbouring Gold Coast colony and French troops coming from Dahomey. Togoland was separated into two League of Nations mandates, administered by Britain and France. After World War II, these mandates became UN Trust Territories. The residents of British Togoland voted to join the Gold Coast as part of the new independent nation of Ghana in 1957, and French Togoland became an autonomous republic within the French Union in 1959.

Independence for French Togoland came in 1960 under Sylvanus Olympio. He was assassinated in a military coup on 13 January 1963 by a group of soldiers under the direction of Sergeant Etienne Eyadema Gnassingbe. Opposition leader Nicolas Grunitzky was appointed president by the "Insurrection Committee", headed by Emmanuel Bodjollé.

However, on 13 January 1967, Eyadema Gnassingbe overthrew Grunitzky in a bloodless coup and assumed the presidency, which he held from that date until his sudden death on 5 February 2005 after 38 years in power, the longest occupation of any dictator in Africa. The military's immediate but short-lived installation of his son, Faure Gnassingbé, as president provoked widespread international condemnation, except from France. However, some democratically elected African leaders such as Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria supported the move, thereby creating a rift within the African Union. Faure Gnassingbé stood down and called elections which he won two months later. The opposition claimed that the election was fraudulent. The developments of 2005 led to renewed questions about a commitment to democracy made by Togo in 2004 in a bid to normalise ties with the European Union, which cut off aid in 1993 over the country's human rights record.[] Up to 500 people were killed and around 40,000 fled to neighbouring countries in the political violence surrounding the presidential poll, according to the United Nations.

National Day of Mourning Canada - Apr 28

The National Day of Mourning is observed in Canada on 28 April. It commemorates workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness due to workplace related hazards and incidents.

Workers' Memorial Day was started by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in 1984, and the Canadian Labour Congress officially declared it an annual day of remembrance in 1985 on April 28. In December 1990, this day became a national observance with the passing of the Workers Mourning Day Act, so that on April 28, 1991, it was officially the National Day of Mourning for persons killed or injured in the workplace; making April 28, an official Workers’ Mourning Day..

Since its inception, the observance has spread to over 80 countries around the world, but is known is most other countries as the Workers' Memorial Day. The date 28 April was picked because on that day in 1914, the Workers Compensation Act received its third reading.In 2001 the International Labour Organization first observed World Day for Safety and Health at Work on this day.

Typically the Canadian flag on Parliament Hill is flown at half-mast, and workers and employees observe this day in various ways including lighting candles, donning ribbons and black armbands, and observing moments of silence.

The purpose of Day of Mourning is twofold- to remember and honour those lives lost or injured and to renew the commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace - to prevent further deaths, injuries and diseases from work.

HUNGARY Hungary is becoming one of the most competitive country 20 (Online Apr) A new biotechnology plant for the pharmaceutical company R i c h t e r Gedeon was opened in Deon brecen Thursday. The project is worth HUF 25bn. At opening the ceremony, the Prime Minister said that this similar and projects indicate that Hunhas gary begun to re- Viktor Orbán (photo: Károly Árvai) cover from the failures of the past and to move for- that a new era has begun worldwide, that ‘the world of speculation is in deward.

The Prime Minister said that devel- cline’ and now the time has come for opments in Hungary are signs that those who want to make a living from the country has started to ‘recover work. Once more the guide is comfrom the failures of the past and has mon sense, which has always taught started to find its feet, albeit slowly us that expertise combined with hard and with some difficulty. Hungary is work creates prosperity. gradually finding its way back to the Mr. Orbán said that he is sure that right path, and is returning to where underlying the investments of Hunit naturally belongs: among the win- garian companies is the fact that Hungary is becoming one of the ners.’

The Prime Minister said that every most competitive countries in the investment sends the message that Central European region, which is itHungary is moving forward. Hungar- self advancing once more. ‘If we do ian businesspeople have understood not allow ourselves to be dissuaded and diverted from our path, if we can

utilize the opportunity presented by the fact that the role of this region is becommore ing important in the continent and the whole world, than the next five to ten years will see the strengthening and advancement of Central the European rethe gion,’ Prime Minister said.

The Richter reproject ceived nearly HUF 1.4bn of state funding. The investment will increase the local competitiveness of the North Alföld region of Hungary. The plant, which has a minimal environmental footprint, will initially start working on samples needed for clinical tests, which have extremely high intellectual and technological added value, and which will also appear on the market. Production will start in 2014. The resulting drugs will be protein products of mammalian cells grown in bioreactors, such as antibodies for treatment of cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Proposed amendment of media regulation to go before Parliament (Online 20 Apr) The Press Office of the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice said that the Ministry has taken note of the Hungarian Constitutional Court’s decision on oversight of print and online news media, is-

sued on Tuesday. Proposed amendments to media regulation are being prepared, and will be submitted to the Hungarian parliament in May. Last December, the Hungarian Constitutional Court found several parts

of the Media Act to be unconstitutional. Following a request from the Government for the Court to provide detailed interpretation of its ruling on Tuesday, the Court rejected the Government’s submission.

The proceedings in regard to HU vs. EU Commission currently ongoing at the EU Court (Online 20 Apr) In the past couple of days several articles have been published by various newspapers about the legal proceedings between Hungary and the European Commission which were launched because of the financing of VAT expenditures from EU funds. The ministry for National Economy provides the following information about the lawsuit as far as it concerns the budget Every single investment financed by EU funds requires the prior, case-bycase approval of the European Commission. In regard to the support of the construction of the M43 motorway section between Szeged and Makó as well as the reconstruction of the railway line between BudapestKelenföld and Székesfehérvár-Boba the European Commission had come to the decision that they would consent to the projects, however, they had excluded the amount of

non-refundable VAT as costs which are financeable from EU funds.

The Government of Hungary appealed against these resolutions to the first instance European legal authority – currently the European Court of Justice – and requested that the provision which bans the financing of non-refundable VAT be repealed.

According to the position of the Government of Hungary, the provisions of community law unambiguously imply that in relevant legal actions the amount of non-refundable VAT is defined as expenditures which are financeable from EU funds, as beneficiaries are not entitled to reclaim VAT. It is a key argument that there are several examples for the EU financing of non-refundable VAT. During the ongoing legal proceedings, however, the Government of Hungary – in accordance with the

resolutions of the European Commission adopted in this regard – does not book EU funds to cover the “disputed” VAT costs of the projects; therefore it does not run the risk of repayment. As a consequence, as far as the amounts contested by the proceedings are concerned, the Hungarian budget can rather expect a positive future impact. In case of a favourable verdict for Hungary, the currently contested amount can be booked as fiscal revenues. That outcome would further improve the government budget balance and, at the same time, increase the amount of utilized EU funds.

At the court hearing of 18 April 2012 international experts defended the Hungarian position. The Government of Hungary trusts that the European Court of Justice will eventually deliver a favourable verdict.

J oint m e e t ing of N ATO f or e ign a nd de f e nc e m inis t e r s (Online 19 Apr) The joint meeting of NATO foreign and defence ministers was held in Brussels on 18-19 April, 2012. Hungary was represented at the meetings by Minister for Foreign Affairs János Martonyi and Minister of Defence Csaba Hende.

The primary purpose of the joint meeting was to prepare the Chicago Summit of the Alliance to be held in May, 2012. The main topics on the agenda, therefore, covered those that will be discussed at the Chicago Summit (Afghanistan, partnerships, defence capabilities).

Hungary expects as one of the main outcomes of the Chicago Summit the reinforcement of the transatlantic link which needs to be underpinned by concrete decisions. The Declaration

of the Visegrad Countries “Responsibility for a Strong NATO”, presented during the joint ministerial meeting, serves this objective. NATO member states strongly supported the individual as well as collective defence capability development initiatives of the Alliance.

Allies have confirmed their long-term support to the Afghanistan mission.

However, with the ongoing transfer of responsibility to the Afghan forces, the NATO engagement is going to change its character after 2014.

Hungary has reiterated its commitment to the „in together – out together” principle -- Hungary’s presence in Afghanistan will continue beyond 2014.

NATO’s partnerships will also be in

the spotlight at Chicago. At the summit Hungary expects the reinforcement of NATO’s "open door" policy and sending credible, individually tailored positive messages to the countries aspiring for NATO membership, especially to the countries of the Western-Balkans region, notably Montenegro, Macedonia (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Georgia.

During the meeting of the NATORussia Council Hungary reaffirmed its commitment to the spirit of cooperation of the Lisbon NRC Summit which needs to be continued and strengthened. The best way to build confidence and transparency is through fostering cooperation.

Hungary will take legal action if the Slovak citizenship law is amended (Online 19 Apr) Under current rules, Slovakian citizens applying for citizenship of another country must renounce their Slovak citizenship – dual citizenship is not possible, even though this prohibition is in conflict with the Slovakian constitution.

Robert Fico’s government has said that it plans to amend its Act on citizenship to legalise dual citizenship, but not for those applying for Hungarian citizenship.

The proposed amendment would therefore discriminate against ethnic Hungarians living in Slovakia, many of whom have already experienced serious disadvantages resulting from their loss of Slovakian citizenship.

In an interview on public Television on Tuesday evening, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén said that Hungary will take legal action at an international level if the Slovakian government amends its Act on dual citizenship, as was announced at the beginning of the week.

Mr. Semjén said that it is not possible in law for Hungarians in Slovakia to be singled out and deprived of their Slovakian citizenship.

According to Mr. Semjén, Slovakia has two options: either withdraw the Act in its entirety, or keep the current rules, which have adversely affected Hungarians in Slovakia. He doubted the possibility of the latter.

He said that Hungary will take action on every international forum, and that ‘We will win, one hundred per cent.’

The Slovak Prime Minister discussed the amendment on Monday with his newly-appointed cultural minister, Marek Madaric.

The Slovak government has argued that the current Act on dual citizenship should continue to apply to ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia because it was introduced in reaction to Hungary’s own Act on citizenship. Slovakia objects to the latter, which Hungary has refused to amend.

Electronic cross-border justice system (Online 19 Apr) Cross-border legal procedures are increasingly common at EU level. To deal with these effectively, cooperation between the justice systems of Member States is indispensable. To assist the information flow necessary for this, an e-justice communication system based on transfer of data over the Internet has been created.

This is known as e-CODEX, and it has been launched with the involvement of fourteen Member States and Turkey, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) and the Council of the Notariats of the European Union (CNUE). Hungary is tak-

ing part in the process as an active observer. Numerous EU regulations enable judicial cooperation within the EU in criminal and civil cases, but in practice citizens rarely make use of these. E-CODEX, however, makes possible the secure, user-friendly pursuit of cases online.

As part of a pilot programme, some procedures can be carried out electronically from the end of 2013. The focus will initially be on certain civil and criminal cases, but the scope will later be expanded in stages. An example of the use of the system is that a European citizen or business can pursue a claim of relatively low

monetary value within the jurisdiction of another Member State. The electronic documentation needed for this is already available on the e-justice portal https://e-justice.europa.eu.

Also available on this site is documentation for settling cross-border financial claims which are not subject to dispute.

The overall aim of the project is more effective cross-border cooperation in legal matters. Legal procedures will be more transparent and economical, and access to justice will be easier for citizens, businesses and lawyers.

Gross wages increased dynamically in Hungary 19 (Online Apr) In February 2012 avergross age inwages creased by 6.9 in percent thenational economy, net while wages excluding family tax benefits were higher by 3.7 in percent comparison to the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the communication of Source: Central Statistics Office Central the Statistics Office published earlier this sideratio4 the favourable impact of family benefits which can be remorning.

The average gross wage for the full- ceived for children. This means that two years, in comparison to after time employed in February 2012 was 216 600 HUF in the national econ- February 2010, gross wages and net increased by 23 000HUF and wages omy and net wage was 140 000 HUF, which does not take into con- 12 000 HUF, respectively.

The average gross wage of a private sector employee after a yearinon-year crease of 8.9 percent is currently 225 500 HUF, whereas the net wage after an increase of 5.4 percent is 145 HUF. 6000 The gross average wage for a public emsector ployee after an increase of 2.1 percent is now 197 400 HUF. Wages have still been the highest for those employed in the financial and insurance sectors, followed by information and communication, and the energy sectors. Wages have been the lowest in the hotel trade and catering sectors.

PM Orban meets Russia's Gazprom chief (Online 18 Apr) Prime Minister Viktor Orban held talks with Gazprom chief executive Alexey Miller on Tuesday to discuss current issues connected with Russian-Hungarian energy cooperation, the prime minister's spokesman Peter Szijjarto said on Tuesday.

Gazprom also reported the event on

its homepage, noting that the officials reviewed progress of the planned South Stream gas pipeline project, agreeing that it was running according to schedule. They also discussed ways to make South Stream a project of national significance, it added.

Miller and Orban stressed that it was

very timely and important to carry on with South stream because it meets the strategic interests of both countries, as well as Europe as a whole, Gazprom said in a statement.

The South Stream project is designed to carry Russian gas to the west, bypassing Ukraine.

Security, Efficiency and the Rate of Developments Are Key Aspects (Online 18 Apr) Of course, ISAF will not let Afghanistan down, it is only the current system that will be transformed radically. This was stated at a conference recently held in Camp Pann o n i a , Afghanistan.

The event was organized on the initiative of the HDF Provincial Rec o n s t r u c t i o n (photo: MH PRT) Team (HUN PRT) with the aim of providing a venue for brainstorming and analyzing the lessons learned in the provinces of the northern region that had been involved in earlier phases of the transition process.

“The objective of this day is to discuss together the tasks ahead of us and the foreseeable difficulties, and (photo: MH PRT) to get ready for the transition to the best of our ability.

We need to be able to learn from the earlier situations and identify those critical areas in time where we need to improve things until the transition” – said Lt.-Col. János Somogyi, the commander of the HUN PRT in his opening speech at the conference.

The event was attended by the deputy governor of Baghlan Province, the commander of the Operations Coordination Center – Provincial (OCC-P), the legal representative of the provincial police, the representatives of the Regional Command-North (RC-N) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Baghlan as well as the leaders of the HDF Provincial

Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT).

The transition is a necessary and irreversible process that needs to be implemented by a deadline. The Afghan governmental and security organs should gradually take over security responsibility from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). They have been preparing for this over the past years, and the time has now come. This was how Maj. Barry Le Belle, a renowned expert on the topic from the Regional Command-North started his presentation.

He said that of course, ISAF would not let Afghanistan down – it is only the current system that would be radically transformed.

In answering some questions at the end of the presentation, Maj. La Belle stressed that the transition process has just begun in earnest. Six of the nine provinces belonging to the Regional CommandNorth have already been handed over, and the seventh one will be handed over in 2012, but the process has not been completed in any of the provinces. The remaining provinces – including Baghlan Province, the HUN PRT area of operations – will be handed over in 2013-2014.

During this process the key aspects will be the security situation, the efficiency of governance and the rate of developments. Each province is coping with different problems. The analysis of the lessons learned is in progress. Baghlan Province is in an especially important strategic and geographical situation because it functions as the “gateway” between the northern and southern regions of the country. First and foremost, the key to successful transition is the good and organized functioning of the governmental organs.

At the end of the conference the participant unanimously accepted the PRT commander’s proposal for setting up a joint working team to set the stage for the transition.

János Áder nominated for President of Hungary 17 (Online Apr) Péter Szthe ijjártó, Prime Minist e r ’ s spokesperson, announced yesterday that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had nominated MEP János Áder as President of Hungary.

The Prime Minister met with the leadership of his party, the Cabinet and the parliamentary groups of the governing parties before making the official nomination.

Mr. Orbán thinks that János Áder can offer security and predictability to Hungary and the Hungarian political system, and will be able to strengthen the new constitutional

order.

In a press release on Monday evening, Mr. Áder said that he sees the nomination as an honour, and after considering the importance of the task and the personal responsibility involved, he has decided to ac-

cept the nomination. He will resign from his membership of the European People’s Party and Fidesz as a result.

He said that his political role model is Ferenc Deák, the 19th-century statesman and Justice Minister for Hungary, who is often described as ’The Wise Man of the Nation’.

The allied parliamentary groups of the governing parties unanimously support Mr. Áder’s nomination, and have advised Sándor Lezsák, the acting Speaker, to arrange for election of the new president in Parliament on 2 May.

Hungary is interested in building stability and peace in Central Asia, Mr László Felkai (Online 16 Apr) As in the past Hungary is ready to support the security and stabilization process in Central Asia in the future too – emphasized Mr László Felkai State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior at the ministerial conference of the Central Asia Border Security Initiative (CABSI) held in Vienna.

Central Asia is currently one of the most conflicted regions in the world – said Mr Felkai. Armed conflicts in Afghanistan have impact on the whole region. In addition to the conflicts significant part of the world demand for heroin, opium derivatives and marihuana is produced in Afghanistan which will be largely used up abroad.

The non-negligible scale of illegal immigration from Central Asian countries is a common phenomenon.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan became independent 20 years ago and inherited the law enforcement structure and border security system of the former Soviet Union. Systems have been modernized in some countries during the last years although not all countries had appropriate recourses for necessary investments, asset procurement and development – reminded the State Secretary and added: significant length of unmarked borders, conflicts over distribution of land and water resources, barriers to movement of people and goods, national, ethnical and religious tensions, cross-border organized crime, corruption and migration pose major security challenges to

the region and with the effects to other countries too.

“Countries of the region need the support of the international community which has beneficial effect on security on regional level too. By the end of 2014 combat units of western coalition will leave Afghanistan.

Therefore other effective methods should be applied to handle security problems” – underlined Mr László Felkai. “In the following 6-8 years we will need the support of other foreign donors in any case. Four main donors in the region are the United States, the European Union, Russia and China. The donors vital interest is the effective fight against crossborder organized crime” – said the Deputy Secretary.

Hungary is directly affected by illegal Afghan immigrants, several Afghan groups of different sizes arrive to Hungary weekly and many immigrants enter the country via irregular channels. Hungary has to devote significant financial resources to prevent, supply and transport home illegal migrants. Hungary is interested in building stability, peace and welloperating economy in the region and is ready to support Central Asia in the future too – emphasised Mr László Felkai and added: Hungary has

achieved remarkable results in global law enforcement cooperat i o n .

International Border Enforcement Conference is one of the best examples of the results which will be held in Budapest for the 20th time and it provides opportunity for border security managers, experts and international organizations for professional discussion and debate uniquely in the world.

Hungarian law enforcement organizations are in a particularly good position in the regard of development projects with CIS countries to be carried out as Hungary has experience in the Soviet-type border security system based on military and in the European system of law enforcement too. Hungary is involved in the activity of CABSI since 2006.

The Central Asia Border Security Initiative (CABSI) was founded in 2003 by the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior to provide a forum for coordination and discussion programme activities and strategic objectives of the European Union funded assistance programme BOMCA (Border Management in Central Asia). Austria as the main donor and supporter of CABSI is the key-coordinator of the initiative. Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior is responsible for the administrative tasks. Participant countries of CABSI are United Kingdom, Finland, France, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Hungary. Croatia and the United States take part in the work as independent partners.

Open Government Declaration, a major step in the fight against corruption (Online 16 Apr) Hungary is joining the international Open Government Declaration, Bence Rétvári, Minister of State for Public Administration and Justice said. The purpose of the programme is to achieve transparent, effective and accountable government and to initiate commitments designed to facilitate measures against corruption with the cooperation of governments and the civil sector.

The document was originally signed by the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Norway, Brazil, In-

donesia, Mexico, the Philippines and the Republic of South Africa on 20 September 2011.

In consequence of signing the declaration, Hungary recognises the provisions thereof as binding. Following this, Hungary is required to create an action plan to be presented for a wide social debate. Independent reports will thereafter be prepared on the implementation of the action plan. Rétvári added that several organisations, including Transparency International, had pre-

viously urged Hungary to join the declaration.

The Government has recently approved an anti-corruption programme in public administration and has also decided on the measures necessary for its implementation.

This is a major step forward in the fight against corruption as there had been no government-level anti-corruption programme in Hungary since the change of regime.

Deputy State Secretary Gergely Prőhle on Official Visit to the United States (Online 16 Apr) Deputy State Secretary Gergely Prőhle arrived in Washington on April 15, 2012. The purpose of his visit is to continue bilateral talks with his American counterparts in the State Department.

He will be meeting, among others, Tomicah Tillemann, Senior Advisor for Civil Society and Emerging

Democracies to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Mr. Tillemann is the grandson of the late Congressman Tom Lantos who is widely respected in Hungary. Mr. Prőhle will also be laying a wreath at the Raoul Wallenberg bust on Capitol Hill. The Hungarian Government, to commemorate 100th anniversary of

the birth of the renowned Swedish humanitarian rescuer, has declared 2012 as Wallenberg Year.

Deputy State Secretary Gergely Prőhle held a lecture about the democratic transformation of Hungary at a conference entitled The New Europe, hosted by Yale University, on the first day of his official visit.

Stop designer drugs!

(Online 16 Apr) The Hungarian Government adopted Government Decree No. 66/2012.

(IV. 2.) on licensed activities with narcotics and psychotropic substances, as well as new psychotropic substances, including the listing and amendment of the listing of these substances. The legislation became necessary following the rapidly growing trade of these new types of so called „designer drugs”, which are mainly distributed via the internet.

The increasing popularity of designer drugs is confirmed by the experiences of police authorities and the constantly growing number of drug-users requiring treatment due to the use of designer drugs. That is why several EU Member

States, including Hungary, adopted appropriate regulations in order to control designer drugs.

Designer drugs are made by modifying the chemical structure of strictly controlled substances qualified as narcotic drugs, thereby retaining a similar psychotropic effect of the original substance. Since these new psychotropic substances were not listed on the drug prohibition list published in the related legislation, they could be legally traded and consumed. Regular chemical modifications could ensure an almost unlimited possibility of creating new designer drugs.

Therefore, the amended Decree lists not only specific compounds, but groups of compounds as well. However,

these substances might be more destructive than conventional drugs, which, due to their easy, legal availability, represents a special risk: young users do not realize the destructive effects designer drugs have on their bodies.

It is important that, from prohibition point of view, designer drugs fall under the same category as drugs, since this is the only way to prevent the uncontrolled trade and distribution of these substances.

Any unlicensed activity involving these substances shall be penalized by up to three years in prison.

Following the European Commission’s approval, the Decree came into effect at the end of March 2012.