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For more information on announcements, click on Announcements.
The April 2008 issue of the IJCSL Journal is now available
online.
The July issue of the IJCSL-N Newsletter is now available online.
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PROMOTING AN ENABLING LEGAL ENVIRONMENT FOR CIVIL SOCIETY AND CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
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Formed in 2003 by legal professionals and social entrepreneurs Leon Irish and Karla Simon, ICCSL is a unique international organization. It seeks to protect human freedoms by improving the laws that affect the freedoms of belief, expression, association, assembly, information, and participation. It operates both on its own and through its affiliates (the African Centre for Civil Society Law and the Asian-Pacific Centre for Civil Society Law) with various partners, such as universities, associations of civil society organizations, individuals, governments, and individual CSOs and foundations. Because its principals have been active in the field since its inception, ICCSL is an unparalleled legal resource for global civil society.
ICCSL pursues its mission through four separate but inter-related
programs: The International Journal of Civil Society Law; research
and publications; technical assistance; and education and professional
development.
ICCSL's publications are free online or through email subscription. Donations to help defray costs of production are gratefully accepted. ICCSL is a 501 (c) (3) public charity, and donations are tax deductible within the limits of U.S. law. For information on how to make donations, please consult our contact information.
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| Highlights: |
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| April 2008 |
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April 14, 2008: Broken Trust author speaks at Catholic University
Prof. Randall Roth of the University of Hawai’i’s Richardson School of Law spoke at the Catholic University of America's
Columbus School of Law on April 14 at 2 PM. He discussed his book "Broken Trust," which was reviewed in the July 2007 issue of IJCSL.
For more details, please contact Prof. Karla W. Simon.
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| March 2008 |
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 After a long two years and five months in prison, the two Ethiopian anti-poverty campaigners Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie were released from prison on 28 March 2008. Daniel and Netsanet were the last two people who remained detained in the high profile treason trial that originally charged 131 journalists, politicians, and civil society leaders with a range of charges from genocide to treason. They were among thousands who were detained following protests accusing the government of rigging the 15 May 2005 parliamentary elections. Daniel, who is a Board member of ACCSL, has now been returned to his family. ICCSL and ACCSL, along with their many partners such as ActionAid, CIVICUS, etc., welcome the release of Daniel and Netsanet.
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| December 2007 |
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Prof. Karla Simon participated in the "International Symposium on Legal Issues for NPOs" held in Beijing, China.
The seminar was sponsored by GTZ, the German international development agency, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MoCA).
The report on the symposium, which details the discussions and conclusions, is currently being translated into Chinese for use
by the Ministry in the development of new legislation (the proposed Charity Law) and regulations. More photos from the symposium
are available in the Picture Gallery.
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| What our partners are saying: |
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From an IJCSL-N subscriber:
As usual the December (2006) newsletter is very useful, including material I just had not seen elsewhere. Many thanks for all your hard work.
From an NGO activist in Mongolia:
Thanks for care about the tax law; your comments were very helpful for us.
From a Japanese civil society researcher and activist:
Thanks again for helping to reform Japanese legal system for not-for-profit organizations. I am sure you and Lee played very important roles. In the quite near future, I would like to trace your roles for the Japanese reform.
From a Chinese law professor and researcher:
I have owned a copy of your long report (144 pages) on taxation of Chinese NPOs. This is the first authoritative research and detailed analysis; now all other Chinese research articles refer to your report. Interestingly, you two are the important drafters. Thanks for your hard work for my country.
From a South African civil society activist:
Thanks to ICCSL for a really strong and in-depth report. Our Board will be impressed by the solid work you have done.
From USAID:
"The most successful" academic legal education in civil society law in Central and Eastern Europe is the "NPO law course" taught at Central European University by Profs Leon Irish and Karla Simon. USAID evaluation, 11 April 2006.
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For more information on
news items, click on ICCSL News.
June 2008
Zimbabwe - New Update June 27
The Standard reported on 22 June that war veterans and Zanu PF youth militia continue to block relief agencies and HIV and Aids service organizations from accessing areas in dire need of aid in rural and peri-urban areas. This is despite recent assurances from the government that the NGOs could resume their humanitarian operations, the national association of NGOs has said.
Turkey - Headscarf Availability For Women Attending University Overturned
The Turkish military has been quick to endorse the 5 June 2008 ruling of the country’s Constitutional Court annulling the attempts by the ruling Justice
and Development Party (AKP) to create a legal framework for lifting the ban that currently prevents women wearing headscarves from attending the university.
Zimbabwe - Clarification Issued on Suspension Order For NGOS/PVOS
The Government of Zimbabwe wrote on 13 June 2008 to all NGOs/PVOs to give clarification on the order to suspend the field operations of all NGOs/PVOs.
In a press release on its website, NANGO, the National Association
of NGOs, states that according to the letter of clarification from the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Sidney Mhishi,
the suspension of field operations on 7 June 2008 does not imply banning or deregistration of PVOs/NGOs.
May 2008
United States - Vermont Legislation on L3C's Becomes Effective At End Of May
Vermont has recently become the first state in the nation to enact a statute permitting a new form of organization: the low-profit limited liability company ("L3C"). This form of organization is intended to blend elements of for-profit and nonprofit corporations.
China - New Open Government Regulations Become Effective
In a move that Chinese officials claim is intended to combat corruption, increase public oversight and participation in government, and allow citizens access to government-held information,
the State Council on April 5, 2007, issued the first national Regulations on Open Government Information (OGI Regulation), which took effect May 1, 2008.
England and Wales
The Charity Commission has published the 2008 Charity Commission Study into Public Trust and Confidence in Charities. This is based on independent research
conducted by Ipsos MORI which shows there has been an increase in public trust and confidence since the research was last undertaken in 2005.
US – New Model Nonprofit Corporations Act Exposure Draft
There is a June 1, 2008, deadline for comments on the ABA Business Law Section’s January 2008 Exposure Draft of the revised Model Nonprofit Corporations Act.
The exposure draft is available on the ABA website: Part 1 and Part 2.
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