Content
Asia
Democratisation and human rights,
good governance and conflict transformation
A great many countries in Asia have shortcomings, some more pronounced than others, in regard to the efficiency and legitimacy of their state structures. Frequently the opportunities for popular participation are inadequate, as are the observance, protection and guarantee of human rights. Corruption too is a widespread problem.
In many Asian countries, latent political and social tensions can also be seen, which could erupt into violence. In some countries, such as Afghanistan and the Philippines, armed hostilities have already broken out. Other countries are in a post-war phase. The reasons for most of the armed conflicts currently being waged in Asia are to be found in the challenges that accompany the transition from traditional to modern societies.
For this reason, German development cooperation supports programmes that help to strengthen democratic institutions and strengthen popular participation in political decision-making processes. The measures target four thematic areas:
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Strengthening the rule of law: for example, provision of advice and training to the judiciary to improve the quality of legislation and application of the law.
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Improving the efficiency and transparency of state action: advice to governments on allowing more decisions to be taken at local level; introduction of measures to prevent corruption at all levels of administration.
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Promoting political inclusion and popular participation: women and men are given access to knowledge so that they are better informed and thus better able to take part in democratic processes (elections, votes) or negotiate with players from the private sector, for example within the framework of trade unions.
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Empowering women: by helping women to achieve economic independence, for example by providing micro loans, and giving women the training they need to hold political office. In addition, partner countries are helped in their efforts to combat violence against girls and women.
Since human rights violations, in some cases on a massive scale, are seen in many Asian countries, Germany is stepping up its human rights dialogue in Asia. The German side actively pushes for the realisation of human rights both in meetings with the governments of partner countries and in the context of projects and programmes.
In the conflict regions of Asia Germany is engaged in two areas:
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Crisis prevention: development programmes help find peaceful solutions to the structural causes of conflict (for example, over resources such as forests, land or water), and institute popular participation in political decision-making, as well as establishing dispute settlement mechanisms.
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Activities in the context of structural conflicts in post-war situations: reintegration of former soldiers into their villages, rebuilding the social and economic infrastructure and launching job creation programmes. Support is also provided for establishing and/or developing a security sector (judiciary, police) under civilian control.
Information
Publications
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Strategy for Development Cooperation with Global Development Partners
(PDF 543 KB, accessible) -
Human rights in practice: Fact sheets on a human rights-based approach in development cooperation
BMZ Information Brochure
(PDF 1.5 MB, accessible) -
Strengthening the Participation of Women in Development Cooperation
Topics 173
(PDF 585 KB, accessible)
