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VOA标准英语2012--Handbook Explains How to Create Durable and Inclusive Constitutions

时间:2012-05-23 06:23来源:互联网 提供网友:nan   字体: [ ]
    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)

 

Handbook Explains How to Create Durable1 and Inclusive Constitutions

The book is called Constitution-Making and Reform: Options for the Process.

Its authors say the process for designing and implementing3 a constitution is important: it is instrumental in rebuilding or strengthening states and political systems, and securing a durable peace.

For that reason, they say the guide pays particular attention to the special needs of constitution making in divided societies. It also focuses on ways to make sure the process is inclusive, transparent4, participatory and nationally owned and led. The guide draws from the decades of experience of the authors as well as dialogue with dozens of practitioners5 in global workshops to discuss what has worked where -- and why.

Scott Weber is the director-general of Interpeace, a Geneva-based international organization that helps societies afflicted6 by war to build a durable peace. It works with more than 300 peace builders, the United Nations and other partners in 16 conflict zones around the world, including, Burundi, Rwanda, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and the Somali region.

He said the handbook is not meant as a one-size-fits-all recipe for every country. Constitution makers7 are invited to use those parts of the guide that work best based on the historical, cultural and political context of a given country.

Women wait in line to vote during Somaliland parliamentary elections in 2005 (in Hargeisa). 

"That’s why the handbook is so important," said Weber. "It’s not a cookbook that says you start with this and you end up with this. It’s a guide that helps practitioners in society make choices when there are many options available to them and helps them to see the pros8 and cons2 of each."

Handbook overview9

The handbook, which is also available online on Interpeace’s website is divided into four parts, including an overview of the roles played by constitutions and of the challenges involved in creating them in conflict situations. 

The opening chapters look at some of the tasks that are part of the constitution-making process and the institutions and procedures often used to achieve them. Among the tasks are establishing timetables, creating interim10 constitutional arrangements and conducting public education and consultations11

Other parts of the book look at the various institutions that can play a role in establishing rules, topics for consideration and drafting of a constitution. Among the institutions and bodies that can be used to help ensure a participatory and inclusive process are roundtables, constitutional commissions and assemblies, the courts and legislatures.

The final section provides guidance for civil society, media and other external parties involved in constitution-making.

Lessons drawn12 from experience

Weber said the handbook includes several lessons learned from decades of experience.

One of them involves ownership of the (constitution-making) process. He says priorities must be determined13 locally and determined by dialogue that will lead to a document based on consensus14

"These processes should not be designed by the outside," said Weber. "Too often when you have a large international involvement, there’s a sense that part of the process to bring closure to conflict is going to be the drafting of a constitution. There’s no more sovereign act for a society than to draft its own constitution, and when you have too much of an international presence in a society it tends to influence the process too much."

Role of the international community 

Michele Brandt is a constitutional lawyer with experience in constitution-making in several countries, including Afghanistan, East Timor and Cambodia.

She is currently advising on several Arab Spring countries and is one of the authors of the handbook.

"The international community should respect that the constitution-making is a sovereign process and is also deeply political," said Brandt. "This is not to say that there is no role for the international community. At times, international actors play a key role in brokering15 a peace agreement. 

"When the international community is involved in advising on peace agreements, it should ensure that it does not repeat common mistakes from the past. For example, suggesting [as in Cambodia and East Timor] that the process adopt a constitution within a 90 day time frame.

"That’s not enough time," she continued, "to educate the public, build trust between the key actors, and consult either before – or after – they draft the constitution. This can be contrasted with truly nationally led and owned processes like in South Africa, which took many years.

"Short-time frames prevent a participatory process because there is not sufficient time to educate to promote dialogue, and also build consensus. This precludes16 the ability of the process to serve as a peace-building and conflict resolution tool. When it is requested to do so, the international community should share comparative examples and not simply advocate for a constitutional model used in its own country."

Weber warns against a rushed process, whether the timetables are set by foreign partners or by domestic actors.

"We have situations like in Egypt right now where the authorities are trying to rush the process far too quickly," he said. "The result of that is a constitution that might be adopted in a national referendum, but will always have a contested legitimacy17."

Participation18

Scott Weber said another lesson taken from the experience of constitution-builders is the importance of including a broad section of society in the process, including in the make-up of the constitutional assembly. 

Among its duties is the supervision19 of the process from the draft of the proposed constitution through its final approval.

The assembly may be a forum20 for debate or amendment21 of the draft and of certain details. Its members may be chosen in a number of ways, including by direct election by the public or indirectly22 by local government councils or other political bodies.

Weber said Interpeace suggests including in assemblies or other negotiating bodies as many stakeholders as possible. 

Sometimes, that may mean including warlords, or politicians tied to the existing order.

"It represents a certain power structure, a certain level of vested interests, and, [if not included], they can often spoil a process if they feel like it’s running away with itself," he said. "

"So this is how we [at Interpeace] deal with spoilers in constitution-building and in a peace process: it’s to include them and everyone else at the same time. It dilutes24 their influence; they can’t say they were left out. It does integrate the good ideas they may have because that old elite25 often has technocratic26 experience. So you involve them but by involving a much wider cross section of society you dilute23 that influence as well. You get the best of both worlds."

However, Brandt said it’s not always possible or even desirable to have elements of a (discredited28) regime in negotiations29.

"The goal of a constitution-making process is to end up with a legitimate30 constitutionm," she said. "If the inclusion of a discredited regime would discredit27 the process, the old elite may be excluded. However, the goal is to have all key stakeholders around the constitution-making table. 

"It may not be possible to include all groups at the start of a process. However, the goal is to make the process as inclusive as possible in divided societies and to build in enough time for key actors or communities who have been in conflict to gain more trust as they go through the process. And as you make the process inclusive, you build in more participation." 

Strengthening bonds

Building trust must not take place between the constitution-makers but also within the broader society. In a divided society public participation can bring a break with the past where voices were suppressed at the point of a gun.

When possible, the handbook recommends a public awareness31 campaign, including public information and civic32 education.

"People need to understand what’s at stake, what are the options," said Weber. "[They need to know] how those messages are transmitted upstream to the experts and to the constitutional commission or constitutional assembly. That’s where you often have a contested process. 

"So it’s important to have feedback loops built into the system so people feel what they are contributing is being heard. If you have that, at least if their ideas are not adopted, it’s OK, they’ll accept that. But if it goes into a black hole [is not considered at all], and what emerges at the end of the process is so vastly different from the subjects discussed with them, then you have a problem."

Referendum – pros and cons

Many countries offer the public a chance to show their support or disapproval33 of the proposed constitution through a referendum at the end of the process.

Brandt says the handbook includes the benefits and drawbacks of such a vote. 

It also includes ways to improve referenda. 

One suggestion encourages having the public participate in the earlier stages of the constitution-making process. This way, people become aware of the issues and the debates and are able to make an informed choice at the referendum. Another suggestion includes a code of conduct that prohibits political parties from hate speech and the deliberate misleading of voters about the draft.

"What the handbook says," explained Brandt, "is that a referendum in a divided society can often undo34 the careful compromises that have been taking place through a representative process. That’s because the constitution can become about one issue like in Kenya abortion35 became a big issue in the referendum and spoilers can come in and manipulate the voters about what the key issues are in the constitution. The handbook stresses that if the process is representative, inclusive and participatory a referendum is not necessary for the final constitution to be considered legitimate."

Weber said one lesson that Interpeace has learned is the occasional confusion between peace-making and the process of creating a new constitution.

"The issues that need to be negotiated and resolved in a peace process," he explained, "are ones that are quite different from the issues that need to form the basis of a national dialogue on the future of the country and ultimately into a constitution that might emerge after a conflict."

Others say constitutional making issues, if central to the resolution of a conflict, must be addressed in the peace agreement.

Interim alternative

The handbook does however note that there are other options aside from adopting a finalized36 constitution. Instead, parties may wish to adopt an interim one.

The guide notes that it’s important that an agreement on a cease-fire during conflict be concluded quickly. But it says a long-term settlement, often seen as including a new constitution dealing37 with the underlying38 causes of conflict usually needs more time. The book says it may be premature39 to start negotiations on a new political order when many issues normally dealt with in a peace agreement have not been resolved -- including disarmament, integration40 of armies and resettlement of the displaced.

The handbook says it may be necessary to delay creating a constitution until the opposing parties have an interim period in which they can build trust. A transitional document may be needed to provide the legal framework for the running of the country. During this time, former enemies may decide to share state power and conclude the peace process.

A final constitution may still be negotiated, but at a later date.

An Arabic version of the guide is scheduled for release within the next few months.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 durable frox4     
adj.持久的,耐久的
参考例句:
  • This raincoat is made of very durable material.这件雨衣是用非常耐用的料子做的。
  • They frequently require more major durable purchases.他们经常需要购买耐用消费品。
2 cons eec38a6d10735a91d1247a80b5e213a6     
n.欺骗,骗局( con的名词复数 )v.诈骗,哄骗( con的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • The pros and cons cancel out. 正反两种意见抵消。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • We should hear all the pros and cons of the matter before we make a decision. 我们在对这事做出决定之前,应该先听取正反两方面的意见。 来自《简明英汉词典》
3 implementing be68540dfa000a0fb38be40d32259215     
v.实现( implement的现在分词 );执行;贯彻;使生效
参考例句:
  • -- Implementing a comprehensive drug control strategy. ――实行综合治理的禁毒战略。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
  • He was in no hurry about implementing his unshakable principle. 他并不急于实行他那不可动摇的原则。 来自辞典例句
4 transparent Smhwx     
adj.明显的,无疑的;透明的
参考例句:
  • The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明,可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
  • The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。
5 practitioners 4f6cea6bb06753de69fd05e8adbf90a8     
n.习艺者,实习者( practitioner的名词复数 );从业者(尤指医师)
参考例句:
  • one of the greatest practitioners of science fiction 最了不起的科幻小说家之一
  • The technique is experimental, but the list of its practitioners is growing. 这种技术是试验性的,但是采用它的人正在增加。 来自辞典例句
6 afflicted aaf4adfe86f9ab55b4275dae2a2e305a     
使受痛苦,折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • About 40% of the country's population is afflicted with the disease. 全国40%左右的人口患有这种疾病。
  • A terrible restlessness that was like to hunger afflicted Martin Eden. 一阵可怕的、跟饥饿差不多的不安情绪折磨着马丁·伊登。
7 makers 22a4efff03ac42c1785d09a48313d352     
n.制造者,制造商(maker的复数形式)
参考例句:
  • The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
  • The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》
8 pros pros     
abbr.prosecuting 起诉;prosecutor 起诉人;professionals 自由职业者;proscenium (舞台)前部n.赞成的意见( pro的名词复数 );赞成的理由;抵偿物;交换物
参考例句:
  • The pros and cons cancel out. 正反两种意见抵消。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • We should hear all the pros and cons of the matter before we make a decision. 我们在对这事做出决定之前,应该先听取正反两方面的意见。 来自《简明英汉词典》
9 overview 8mrz1L     
n.概观,概述
参考例句:
  • The opening chapter gives a brief historical overview of transport.第一章是运输史的简要回顾。
  • The seminar aims to provide an overview on new media publishing.研讨会旨在综览新兴的媒体出版。
10 interim z5wxB     
adj.暂时的,临时的;n.间歇,过渡期间
参考例句:
  • The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
  • It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。
11 consultations bc61566a804b15898d05aff1e97f0341     
n.磋商(会议)( consultation的名词复数 );商讨会;协商会;查找
参考例句:
  • Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
12 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
13 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
14 consensus epMzA     
n.(意见等的)一致,一致同意,共识
参考例句:
  • Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗?
  • What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么?
15 brokering 705ae07895065052bbf90488b4ff19fb     
v.做掮客(或中人等)( broker的现在分词 );作为权力经纪人进行谈判;以中间人等身份安排…
参考例句:
  • Intertwined with these were rivalry, power brokering, and patronage. 然而也不乏有抗争、强权操纵与任命特权交织其中。 来自互联网
  • Kingston Quest Can Assist Your Company In Negotiations, Brokering, Agency Services, Sourcing Factories Or Property. 金士顿追求,可帮助您的公司在谈判中,经纪,代理服务,货源工厂或财产。 来自互联网
16 precludes a6099ad5ef93a1df2eb33804a8db6373     
v.阻止( preclude的第三人称单数 );排除;妨碍;使…行不通
参考例句:
  • Lack of time precludes any further discussion. 由于时间不足,不可能进行深入的讨论。
  • The surface reactivity of many nonblack fillers generally precludes strong bonding with this type of matrix. 许多非碳黑填料的表面反应性一般阻碍与该种基质形成牢固的粘结。 来自辞典例句
17 legitimacy q9tzJ     
n.合法,正当
参考例句:
  • The newspaper was directly challenging the government's legitimacy.报纸直接质疑政府的合法性。
  • Managing from the top down,we operate with full legitimacy.我们进行由上而下的管理有充分的合法性。
18 participation KS9zu     
n.参与,参加,分享
参考例句:
  • Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
  • The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。
19 supervision hr6wv     
n.监督,管理
参考例句:
  • The work was done under my supervision.这项工作是在我的监督之下完成的。
  • The old man's will was executed under the personal supervision of the lawyer.老人的遗嘱是在律师的亲自监督下执行的。
20 forum cilx0     
n.论坛,讨论会
参考例句:
  • They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
  • The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。
21 amendment Mx8zY     
n.改正,修正,改善,修正案
参考例句:
  • The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
  • The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。
22 indirectly a8UxR     
adv.间接地,不直接了当地
参考例句:
  • I heard the news indirectly.这消息我是间接听来的。
  • They were approached indirectly through an intermediary.通过一位中间人,他们进行了间接接触。
23 dilute FmBya     
vt.稀释,冲淡;adj.稀释的,冲淡的
参考例句:
  • The water will dilute the wine.水能使酒变淡。
  • Zinc displaces the hydrogen of dilute acids.锌置换了稀酸中的氢。
24 dilutes c70603482dcf2181edd76243deabd652     
稀释,冲淡( dilute的第三人称单数 ); 削弱,使降低效果
参考例句:
  • On the plus side, wind dilutes and scatters air pollutants, and carries pollen. 从好处来说,风能稀释和驱散空气中的污染物质,传播花粉。
  • Ubiquity might not be toxic to authenticity, but it certainly dilutes it. 普遍性或许不至于毒害原真性,但确实会削弱它。
25 elite CqzxN     
n.精英阶层;实力集团;adj.杰出的,卓越的
参考例句:
  • The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
  • We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。
26 technocratic dd957e96c7b0d90a69a67074fe6d0189     
adj.由技术专家官员组成的;受技术官僚影响的
参考例句:
  • But there is method in Europe's technocratic madness, the official went on. 但欧洲的专家政治论者的愤怒是有原因的,这个位官员接着说道。 来自互联网
  • Mr Juppé was floored in part by his contemptuous, technocratic attitude towards union leaders. 朱佩对工会领导蛮横与不屑,是导致他一败涂地的部分原因。 来自互联网
27 discredit fu3xX     
vt.使不可置信;n.丧失信义;不信,怀疑
参考例句:
  • Their behaviour has bought discredit on English football.他们的行为败坏了英国足球运动的声誉。
  • They no longer try to discredit the technology itself.他们不再试图怀疑这种技术本身。
28 discredited 94ada058d09abc9d4a3f8a5e1089019f     
不足信的,不名誉的
参考例句:
  • The reactionary authorities are between two fires and have been discredited. 反动当局弄得进退维谷,不得人心。
  • Her honour was discredited in the newspapers. 她的名声被报纸败坏了。
29 negotiations af4b5f3e98e178dd3c4bac64b625ecd0     
协商( negotiation的名词复数 ); 谈判; 完成(难事); 通过
参考例句:
  • negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
  • Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。
30 legitimate L9ZzJ     
adj.合法的,合理的,合乎逻辑的;v.使合法
参考例句:
  • Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
  • That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。
31 awareness 4yWzdW     
n.意识,觉悟,懂事,明智
参考例句:
  • There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
  • Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。
32 civic Fqczn     
adj.城市的,都市的,市民的,公民的
参考例句:
  • I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
  • The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。
33 disapproval VuTx4     
n.反对,不赞成
参考例句:
  • The teacher made an outward show of disapproval.老师表面上表示不同意。
  • They shouted their disapproval.他们喊叫表示反对。
34 undo Ok5wj     
vt.解开,松开;取消,撤销
参考例句:
  • His pride will undo him some day.他的傲慢总有一天会毁了他。
  • I managed secretly to undo a corner of the parcel.我悄悄地设法解开了包裹的一角。
35 abortion ZzjzxH     
n.流产,堕胎
参考例句:
  • She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
  • A number of considerations have led her to have a wilful abortion.多种考虑使她执意堕胎。
36 finalized 73d0ccbca69b94ee4cd7fc367a8ac9fc     
vt.完成(finalize的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • The draft of this article has been finalized [done]. 这篇文章已经定稿。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The draft was revised several times before it was finalized. 稿子几经删改才定下来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
37 dealing NvjzWP     
n.经商方法,待人态度
参考例句:
  • This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
  • His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。
38 underlying 5fyz8c     
adj.在下面的,含蓄的,潜在的
参考例句:
  • The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
  • This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。
39 premature FPfxV     
adj.比预期时间早的;不成熟的,仓促的
参考例句:
  • It is yet premature to predict the possible outcome of the dialogue.预言这次对话可能有什么结果为时尚早。
  • The premature baby is doing well.那个早产的婴儿很健康。
40 integration G5Pxk     
n.一体化,联合,结合
参考例句:
  • We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
  • This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。
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