Arab Parliaments: Research and Publications

Prepared by the General Directorate of Information and Studies, Lebanese Parliament - UNDP. This paper compares between the current law organizing political party life in Lebanon and the proposed law in terms of defining a party, conditions for establishing it, and prohibitions in establishing, managing, and financing it, in addition to its democratic practices.

A Development Agenda for Arab Parliaments [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2000 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR). [brief description]

A Guide to Legislative Research on the Internet: An Introduction to Parliamentary and Policy Oriented Web Sites [ English ]. 2000 - National Democratic Institute [brief description]

This guide, Published by NDI, is a starting point for using the internet for research. It presents useful links on some topics such as: legislative, budget, constitutions, ethics, and international organizations.

The Handbook, prepared by the UNDP, assesses the rationale for working with political parties, and looks at the evolution of party assistance, inside and outside UNDP. It offers basic information for understanding political systems, from their mechanics to the challenges faced by parties especially in post-conflict situations. It also considers questions related to UN neutrality. The handbook outlines the process of shaping a programme, with a focus on exploring opportunities and entry points, and assessing risks. It concludes with information on funding options under the current UNDP programming framework. Furthermore it examines partnerships in political party programming, and describes the process of monitoring and evaluating party programmes, and elaborates on how to assess appropriate results indicators.

A Media Guidebook for Women: Finding Your Public Voice [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2005 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs [brief description]

This guidebook jointly produced by NDI-USAID, is designed to help women in dealing and benefiting from media to get media recognition for their cause. the handbook provides useful information on how to plan a media strategy, and how to use the different media options such as printed media, electronic media, audio-visual media as well as how to prepare for interviews, press releases speeches and presentations, and public speaking.

A Training for Trainers Manual. Nominating for Change: Strengthening Women's Position in Political Parties [ English ]. 2003 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs [brief description]

This manual is based on a Training of Trainers workshop “Nominating for Change: Strengthening Women’s Position in Political Parties” delivered by NDI. It aims at supporting other programs, which promote women’s political participation – through the nomination process or otherwise. It was prepared as a Training of Trainers tool to prepare participants to deliver workshops that help increase women’s skills to get themselves nominated by their political parties.

An Abstract of the Paper “The Role of Arab Councils in Fighting Corruption” [ English ]. 2004 [brief description]

An Alternative to Regulating Political Parties and Demonstrations: How Developed Legislation Guarantees Freedom of Political Activity [ Arabic ]. 2005 [brief description]

Analysing Legislation: How to Read Bills Critically [ English ][ Arabic ]. 1997 - National Democratic Institute [brief description]

This National Democratic Institute (NDI) handbook discusses the simple techniques that parliamentarians can use to better understand proposed legislations. In particular, these methods focus on determining the major issues of policy contained in a bill; identifying the problems or issues that a bill addresses; and analyzing the solutions it proposes.

Arab Parliamentary Development Symposium [ English ]. 2000 - United Nations Development Programme. [brief description]

Written by Dr. Raghid El Solh. This paper focuses on where Arab political parties stand in terms of democracy, in light of the political changes witnessed in the Arab region. It reviews the historical background of the rise and development of these parties.

Budget and Finance Glossary [ Arabic ]. 2000 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs [brief description]

Building Confidence in the Voter Registration Process: An NDI Monitoring Guide for Political Parties and Civic Organizations [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2001 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs [brief description]

This guide addresses ways that political parties and civic organizations can monitor and promote improvements to the voter registration process. This guide serves as a roadmap for political parties and civic organizations to monitor the voter registration process. It focuses on issues related to national elections, but most of the information contained within it is also applicable to voter registration processes in sub-national polls. The guide is divided into four parts. The first part identifies issues that should be considered when approaching the voter registration process. Techniques for monitoring the voter registration process are presented in the second part, while the third part offers practical suggestions for organizing, planning, recruitment, training, reporting and advocacy. The final part comprises appendices with sample forms that can be useful in monitoring the voter registration process, as well as sample monitoring reports by domestic organizations.

Building Democracy in Egypt: Women's Political Participation, Political Party Life and Democratic Elections [ Arabic ]. 2003 [brief description]

Prepared by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in coordination with the Arab NGO Network for Development. This study reviews the progress of women in plitics in Egypt, analyzes the literature written on Egyptian political parties, and examines the constitutional and legislative framework for multipartism in Egypt, as well as the authorities' position regarding it. It also lists the political party map highlighting its main characteristics, and debates the challenges and the future of multipartism in Egypt, and the trends in political and democratic reform in Egypt.

Building Democracy in Jordan: Women's Political Participation, Political Party Life and Democratic Elections [ Arabic ]. 2003 [brief description]

Prepared by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in coordination with the Arab NGO Network for Development. This paper studies the development of political party life in Jordan between 1921 and 2003, the development of the relevant legislations, and the position of women within the political sphere. It also sheds light on the current situation of parties in terms of size, structure, orientations, political performance, and relationship to citizens.

Building Democracy in Yemen: Women's Political Participation, Political Party Life and Democratic Elections [ Arabic ]. 2003 [brief description]

Prepared by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in coordination with the Arab NGO Network for Development. In addition to reviewing the status of women in politics in Yemen, this study sheds light on the constitutional and legal basis for Yemeni political parties between 1990-2001, and provides a historical background on the evolution of laws related to political party freedom. It analyzes the internal relations within parties, their evolution, and the extent to which they abide by democratic practices. The study deals with the topic through four main axes: the constitutional basis of Yemeni political parties, the legal framework for multipartism, the nature of the application of legislation, and the main characteristics of Yemeni political parties and the factors influencing them.

Building Open and Honest Government: Anti-Corruption Tools [ English ]. - Transparency International Slovakia [brief description]

Building Political Parties: Reforming Legal Regulations and Internal Rules [ English ]. 2004 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

This report, prepared by IDEA, is designed to provide an overview of the contemporary literature comparing the role of political parties in good governance and democratization. It discusses the essential functions of parties in a democracy, examines the legal framework regulating the process of nomination, campaigning, and election, and analyzes the formal party rules governing the internal decision-making processes within specific parties.

Code of Conduct for Political Parties - Campaigning in Democratic Elections [ English ][ French ]. 1999 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

This IDEA publication aims at outlining a code of conduct for political parties while campaigning in democratic elections. It highlights its development, reasons for using it, negotiating it, and prescriptions generally accepted as applicable to the behavior of political parties during a democratic election campaign.

Committees in Legislatures: A Division of Labor [ English ][ Arabic ]. 1996 - National Democratic Institution [brief description]

This research paper, published by NDI, sheds light on legislative committees. It defines the legislative committee, lists the types of committees, discusses the committee meetings and hearings as well as committee membership, leadership, and staff.

Comparative Study Between the UN Convention on Fighting Corruption and Arab Legal Instruments [ Arabic ]. 2005 [brief description]

Concept Paper on Legislatures and Good Governance [ English ]. 1999 - United Nations Development Programme. [brief description]

Constituency Relations: A Two-Way Street, A Workshop for Members of the Palestinian Legislative Council [ English ][ Arabic ]. 1997 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs [brief description]

This document is a report of the workshop held by NDI in Palestine in 1996 titled "Constituency Relations: A Two - Way Street". The goal of the workshop was to discuss the different methods and tactics available to develop effective relations with the public despite shortages in resources.

Consultations with Moroccan Political Parties and Civic Organizations: Trip Report [ English ]. 1997 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs [brief description]

This Report covers the series of consultations conducted by NDI, with political leaders and representatives from Moroccan NGOs. The consultations aimed at providing political actors with information on election monitoring and assessing opportunities for future democratic institution building

Controlling Corruption: A Parliamentarian's Handbook [ English ]. 2005 - Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption. [brief description]

This handbook, published by the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, is a guide to parliamentarians around the world interested in good governance and combating corruption. It discusses the relation between the parliament and good governance, the causes and consequences of corruption, controlling corruption, parliaments and coalition building tools and tasks, and building parliamentary networks.

Controlling Corruption: A Parliamentarian's Handbook. Second Edition. [ English ]. 2000 - Parliamentary Centre, Canada [brief description]

This handbook, produced jointly by the Parliamentary Centre of Canada and the World Bank, provides a practical referance tool to parliamentarians, members of civil society, and other interested individuals on the issue of globalized corruption and the role of parliaments and parliamentarians in controlling it.

This guide, published by ARPAC, deals with the challenges of governance in the Arab countries and the role of parliaments in promoting accountability, transparency and participation. It introduces the notion of corruption and enumerates the five main elements to fight corruption: political accountability, institutional regulations on political power, a competitive private sector, public sector governance and civil society participation. It places emphasis on the main role of parliaments which consists in calling for reforms to fight corruption and realizing these reforms by building parliamentary networks and alliances. This guide is supplemented with annexes, namely the United Nations Convention against Corruption, articles from the bill on the fight against corruption in Algiers, as well as case studies from Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Palestine and Jordan.

Creation of a Parliamentary Research Centre [ English ]. 2000 - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions [brief description]

Defence Procurement 2006, First Report of Session 2006–07. House Of Commons, Defense Committee, UK [ English ]. 2006

Defense Procurement: Full Funding Policy — Background, Issues, and Options for Congress [ English ]. 2007

Democracy and Deep-Rooted Conflict [ English ]. 1998 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

The handbook, published by IDEA, provides practical advice on how to broker peace in countries emerging from deep-rooted conflict and outlines options negotiators can draw upon when trying to build or rebuild democracy. The handbook provides a thorough overview of democratic levers - such as power-sharing formulas, questions of federalism and autonomy, options for minority rights, constitutional safeguards and many others.

Democracy in the Arab World [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2004 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

This report is based on the outcome of a project carried out by International IDEA, in cooperation with the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), aimed at discussing democratic reform in Egypt, Jordan and Yemen. Some of the main topics discussed are electoral laws and systems, enhancing women’s political participation, political parties, and the challenges and opportunities facing political reform in the Arab world.

Democracy in the Arab World: Challenges, Achievements and Prospects [ English ]. 2000 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

Based on a roundtable discussion organized by IDEA, this is a review of democracy in the Arab World Region during the nineties looking at the main challenges in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Yemen. It analyses issues such as the role of religion in politics, the participation of women, globalization, elections, democratic institutions and the freedom of association.

Democracy in the Making: Key Options in Iraq's Democratization Process [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2005 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

This policy paper is aimed at the Iraqi political and social leadership representing different and conflicting visions, but is also relevant to those sectors of the international community called to provide technical, financial and political support to the transition process in Iraq. This policy paper addresses three discrete areas: constitution building processes, electoral system design and political parties in divided societies. It is based on a comparative global analysis undertaken by IDEA. It is meant to offer practical options on how to strengthen democratic institutions and processes.

Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Pursuing Peace in the 21st Century (Volume 1) [ English ]. 2006 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

This IDEA publication tackles questions on how democracies can deliver social and economic rights, include all citizens in decision making and reduce poverty. It explores ways in which democratic practice can contribute to the management of contemporary conflicts and promote the realization of security and development objectives. It is aimed at different stakeholders concerned with problems such as social exclusion, the quality of democracy and new forms of authoritarian regimes.

Democratic Dialogue: A Handbook for Practitioners [ English ]. 2007 - IDEA-UNDP-OAS [brief description]

This study, published jointly by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), International IDEA, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to provide decision-makers, dialogue promoters and practitioners with a practical guide on how to organize, facilitate and assess dialogue processes. It combines conceptual and practical knowledge, while providing practitioners with an extensive repertoire of relevant tools, experiences and approaches adapted to the issue at stake, the local context and the stakeholders involved.

Designing an Effective Campaign Plan - Partners in Participation - Women's Campaign Initiative [ Arabic ]. 2003 [brief description]

This handbook, prepared by NDI, aims at identifying the basic pillars for an electoral campaign and the candidate's role in it such as team building, recruiting volunteers, campaign planning, fundraising, communication, and what is to be done on election day.

Designing for Equality: Best-Fit, Medium-Fit and Non-Favourable Combinations of Electoral Systems and Gender Quotas [ English ]. 2007 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

Women and Political Participation in the United Arab Emirates: Political Participation This publication brings together the insights provided in the two International IDEA Handbooks: Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers (2005) and Electoral System Design: the New International IDEA Handbook (2005). It provides an overview of the ‘fit’ of the various electoral systems with different kinds of quota and thereby assesses how increased women’s representation can be achieved under different combinations of electoral systems and quotas.

Developing a Parliamentary Research Service, the Experience of Egypt [ English ]. 1999 - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions [brief description]

Developments in Party Communications [ English ]. 2005 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs [brief description]

This paper, published by NDI, identifies two broad, complimentary strategies. The first suggests how political parties can improve their capacity to communicate with supporters and the general public. And the second suggests how governments can develop communication policies through appropriate democratic reforms within each country to improve freedom of the media and to produce fair regulation of party competition.

Discussion of Budget of Armed Forces (Army, Internal Security Forces, General Security, State Security) in the Finance and Parliamentary Budget Committee and General Council (1993-2005) [ Arabic ]. 2007 [brief description]

Draft International Law for Youth: Arab Countries and Legislations Related to Youth Rights and Duties. Second Study [ Arabic ]. 2007 [brief description]

This study, prepared by the Scouts Union for Arab Parliamentarians, the Parliamentary Program in Cairo University, with the support of UNDP. The study aims at observing the best practices in Arab legislation (focus of this study), as well as modern international legislation (the focus of the first study “Draft International Law for Youth: Survey of International Youth Related Legislation”) as it is a legislative and institutional mechanism for Arab youth empowerment.

Draft International Law for Youth: Survey of International Youth Related Legislation. First Study [ Arabic ]. 2007 [brief description]

This study, prepared by the Scouts Union for Arab Parliamentarians, the Parliamentary Program in Cairo University, with the support of UNDP. The study aims at observing the best practices in modern international legislation (the focus of this study) as well as Arab legislation (focus of the second study “Draft International Law for Youth: Arab Countries and Legislations Related to Youth Rights and Duties”), as it is a legislative and institutional mechanism for Arab youth empowerment.

Effect of Legislation on Political Parties. From the book Political Parties in the Arab World: Current Status and Future Horizons [ Arabic ]. 2004 [brief description]

Published by Al-Quds Center for Political Studies. This chapter discusses some of the legislative and social barriers facing political freedom in Jordan, and criticizes some of the articles of the political party law in Jordan.

Effect of Political Party Legislation on Democratization of Political Parties: the Case of Jordan [ Arabic ]. 2006 [brief description]

Effective Electoral Assistance - Moving from Event-based Support to Process Support: Conference report and Conclusions [ English ]. 2006 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

The Ottawa Conference on Effective Electoral Assistance, held in May 2006 by IDEA in cooperation with CIDA, brought together many electoral stakeholders to share thoughts and experiences on electoral assistance. Participants included representatives from donor agencies engaged in the provision or funding of electoral assistance, from electoral management bodies, and other organizations in countries that are or have been recipients of electoral assistance and funding, from organizations which have been actively engaged in the provision and implementation of donor-funded electoral assistance, and from others, including national and international electoral observers and individual experts in electoral technical assistance worldwide. The conference has launched a dialogue towards common guidelines for electoral assistance, and called for the development both of effective situation analysis tools for donors and of effective training courses in electoral assistance.

Egyptian Legislation and Jurisprudence [ English ][ Arabic ][ French ]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR) [brief description]

Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook [ English ]. 2006 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

The Electoral Management Design Handbook is written for electoral administrators, electoral administration designers and other practitioners involved in building professional, sustainable and cost-effective electoral administrations which can deliver legitimate and credible free and fair elections. It is a comparative study that shares best practices and know-how from around the world on financing, structuring and evaluation of Electoral Management Bodies.

Electoral System Design [ English ][ French ]. 2002 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

This handbook, published by IDEA, gives a comprehensive overview of the electoral systems in use in more than 200 states and territories. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different electoral systems, the factors to consider when modifying or designing an electoral system and provides insights into why certain countries choose particular systems. It also describes which electoral systems have proven advantageous for specific cultural, social and economic conditions and how electoral systems can increase participation, reach out to minorities and facilitate representation of women.

Engaging Parliaments in The Millenium Development Goals: a Key Part of National MDG Strategies [ English ]. 2006 - United Nations Development Programme [brief description]

This study, published by UNDP, presents input made by several UNDP specialists around the world, who shared their experiences and information about how UNDP has supported parliaments in several countries in engaging in the promotion and achievement of Millennium Development Goals. The main topics discussed are: The role of parliamentarians in rich and developing countries in meeting the MDGs; Legislatures in pursuit of the MDGs: a key part of national MDG strategies; Best practices for European Union parliamentarians to meet the MDGs; references on parliamentary work on MDGs.

This paper was presented by NDI in the International Conference on Parliaments, Crisis Prevention and Recovery organized by UNDP in Belgium. The paper highlights the role of the international community in providing support in post conflict environments. Particularly, their role in engaging political parties in the peace process and in the parliament.

Engaging the Electorate: Initiatives to Promote Voter Turnout From Around the World [ English ]. 2006 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

The intention of this study, published by International IDEA, is to examine some of the efforts made throughout the world to stem and/or reverse the decline in voter turnout and to attempt to maximize turnout at electoral events of all types, including elections, referendums and citizens’ initiatives.

Executive, Legislative and Judicial Powers, Checks and Balances and Judicial Independence: A Paper Prepared for the UN Project on Constitution Making in Iraq [ Arabic ]. 2005 - National Democratic Institute [brief description]

Final Report: Political Party Strategies to Combat Corruption Workshop [ English ]. 2002 - National Democraticn Institute for International Affairs /Council of Asians Liberals and Democrats [brief description]

This report, published by NDI and The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), includes the proceedings of the workshop titled “Political Party Strategies to Combat Corruption.” The workshop consisted of presentations on the environment in which parties function, the advantages and disadvantages of external legislation, and political party reform strategies and discussed various reform tactics.

Financing Political Parties and Election Campaigns – Guidelines [ English ]. 2003 - Council of Europe [brief description]

Financing Political Parties in Ghana: Policy Guidelines [ English ]. 2005 - Ghana Center for Democratic Development [brief description]

This paper, prepared by Ghana Center for Democratic Development, sheds light on political party funding in Ghana. It discusses the arguments for and against public funding, the policy guidelines, sources of funding, eligibility criteria, financial discloser and sanctions imposed. It also suggests a funding formula for the disbursement and use of funds.

Freedom of Information and Access to Government Record Laws Around the World [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2006 [brief description]

From Grassroots to the Airwaves - Paying for Political Parties and Campaigns in the Caribbean [ English ]. 2005 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

This publication is the result of a joint effort by the Office for the Promotion of Democracy of the Organization of American States (OAS) and by International IDEA, under the framework of the Inter-American Forum on Political Parties. The overall objective of this study was to provide comparative analysis of the 34 member states of the OAS, assessing not only the normative framework of political party and campaign financing, but also how legislation is actually put into practice. The specific themes addressed included Disclosure, Enforcement, Public and Private Financing, Access to the Media and Gender.

Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns [ English ]. 2003 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

The IDEA Handbook on Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns aims to increase the knowledge about the law and practice of political finance around the world. The focus is on the financing of political parties during and between election campaigns, that is, all funds raised and spent in order to influence the outcome of elections as well as the parties’ routine operations.

Funding of political parties and election campaigns in the Americas [ English ]. 2005 - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance [brief description]

The general objective of this study is to gather, systematise, analyse and disseminate the main characteristics of political funding systems in the 18 countries it covered. Furthermore, it aims to find, on the one hand, points of agreement and differences to better understand this central aspect of the functioning of democracy in Latin America; on the other hand, it aims to identify the major trends of reform and their possible repercussions for political party systems and democratic regimes throughout the region. Political finance in Latin America is examined from three perspectives: a comparative regional analysis based on five thematic approaches –i.e. political funding systems, access to the media, account-rendering and disclosure, controlling entities and system of sanctions, and the gender perspective; a comparative, sub regional analysis (including Central America, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, the Andean sub region, and the Southern Cone); in addition to 18 country case studies.

Gender Indicators Manual [ Arabic ]. 2004 - United Nations Development Fund For Women (UNIFEM) [brief description]

This manual, published by the United Nations Development Fund For Women (UNIFEM), is part of the leading training manuals aimed at building the capacities of the persons working in statistics departments and provides gender indicators in priority areas of concern. Indeed, indicators are an essential means enabling planners and decision-makers to measure gender inequalities. These indicators also provide the necessary information used by gender statistics experts to claim policies that lead to effective gender equality. This manual is intended to train the concerned parties or those who might join working groups commissioned to draw up gender statistics in their countries, introducing statistical saff and users to the various elements constituting gender issues, and training male and female participants to analyze and present gender statistics.

Genderware – The Council of Europe and the Participation of Women in Political Life [ English ]. 2003 - Council of Europe [brief description]

This paper, published by the Council of Europe, provides a historical background on women political participation in Europe, and discusses some major themes such as: gender equality and democracy, equality through law, positive political action, young women political participation, and women's individual voting rights. the paper concludes by highlighting the importance of political parties as necessary vehicles for democracy.

Global Capacity-Building Initiative for Parliaments on Sustainable Development [ English ][ French ]. 2005 - Inter - Parliamentary Union [brief description]

This publication is a report of the conference held by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in 2005, on parliamentary capacity-building in the field of sustainable development. Experts and legislators from over 70 countries discussed the role that parliaments and parliamentarians can play in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and in advancing the agenda for sustainable development.

Governing Systems and Executive-Legislative Relations (Presidential, Parliamentary and Hybrid Systems) [ English ]. 2000 - United Nations Development Programme. [brief description]

A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report examines three aspects of executive-legislative relations, the separation of powers, the removal from office and the structure of legislative parties and leadership.

Government Institutions Strengthening Component Local Government and Parliament Project Report [ English ]. 2004 - State University of New York - Center for Legislative Development [brief description]

This report highlights the achievements of the Center for Legislative Development of the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY/CLD) since 1993, in providing technical and administrative assistance to the Government of Lebanon through the Lebanon Relief and Redevelopment Project

Guidebook for Implementing Legislative Programs [ English ]. 2000 - National Democratic Institute [brief description]

This Guidebook is intended to assist staff implementing legislative programs in developing democracies. Some of the topics discussed are: the training methods; training the members of the legislature in effective committees, oversight and relations with the executive, and dealing with the public. It also sheds light on the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) experience in legislative drafting, institutional assistance such as staff training, libraries and publications, and information technology.

Handbook for Legislators on HIV/AIDS, Law and Human Rights [ English ][ Arabic ]. 1999 - Inter - Parliamentary Union [brief description]

The handbook provides examples of best legislative and regulatory practices gathered from around the world. Best practices are given for each of the twelve guidelines contained in the International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights published in 1998 by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). It also presents concrete measures that legislators can take to protect human rights and promote public health in responding to the epidemic.

Handbook for Parliamentarians Refugee Protection: A Guide to International Refugee Law [ English ][ French ]. 2001 - Inter-Parliamentary Union [brief description]

This handbook features a comprehensive and educational presentation of international refugee law and its development over the 50-year period following the adoption of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It gives an overview of the issues and explains what parliamentarians can do to help provide protection to refugees and displaced persons. It also proposes model instruments and reference materials to facilitate the work of legislators.

This handbook, jointly produced with the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women, offers a comprehensive and educational presentation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which is the most comprehensive international instrument on women's rights, and its Optional Protocol. The handbook presents the background to and content of the Convention and the Optional Protocol and describes the role of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which secures implementation at the national level.

Handbook for Parliamentarians: Combating Child Trafficking [ English ]. 2005 - Inter-Parliamentary Union [brief description]

Jointly produced by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UNICEF, this Handbook focuses on concrete measures that parliamentarians can take to combat child trafficking. The Handbook serves as a catalyst for action, providing concrete examples of ways and means of building a protective environment for children and parliamentarians role in this regard.

Handbook for Parliamentarians: Combating Child Trafficking [ English ][ French ]. 2005 - Inter - Parliamentary Union [brief description]

Jointly produced by the IPU and UNICEF, this Handbook focuses on concrete measures that parliamentarians can take to combat child trafficking. The Handbook serves as a catalyst for action, providing concrete examples of ways and means of building a protective environment for children and parliamentarians' role in this regard.

Handbook for Parliamentarians: Eliminating the Worst Forms of Child Labour [ English ][ French ]. 2003 - Inter-Parliamentary Union [brief description]

This handbook offers an educational approach to this complex subject and to Convention N° 182, the cornerstone of international action to combat the worst forms of child labour. It provides examples of best practices and gives an overview of what parliamentarians can do to help eradicate the various forms of abuse to which child workers are exposed. It also proposes model instruments and reference material as aids designed to facilitate the work of legislators.

Handbook for Parliamentary Elections Observer [ Arabic ]. 2005 - Egypt- National Council for Human Rights [brief description]

The IDEA State of Democracy project has developed a comprehensive methodological tool that interested stakeholders can use to assess the functioning of their own democratic systems. The assessments are aimed at raising public awareness, sparking discussions and helping identify areas for reform. The project does not place countries in a ranking order, but rather focuses on progress or setbacks. The methodology was tested in eight pilot countries.

Handbook on Legislative Strengthening [ English ]. 2000 - United States - Agency for International Development. [brief description]

The USAID policy handbook, intended to assist the agency's field staff make informed decisions with regard to legislative strengthening strategies, outlines a framework for assessing the needs of legislative bodies and designing appropriate responses.

Handbook on Parliamentarians and Policies to Reduce Poverty [ English ]. - Parliamentary Centre, Canada [brief description]

This handbook, published by the World Bank Institute in collaboration with the Parliamentary Centre, examines the interplay between governance challenge, and the policy efforts being made to highlight action against poverty. It considers the most basic steps in poverty reduction strategies as well as the role of parliament in supporting poverty reduction via budget cycle. It also focuses on broader accountability of the executive and examines the constituency side of the parliamentarian's job. Finally, it discusses parliamentary capacity building to work against poverty.

Handbook: A Guide to Parliamentary Practice [ English ]. 2004 - Inter-Parliamentary Union [brief description]

This Handbook is a practical guide on parliaments and their working methods. It is a tool for officials of international organisations who interact with parliaments to promote co-operation between these organisations and parliaments. It also provides useful hints to parliamentarians on the work of international organisations and how they can access the resources available in these organisations in the accomplishment of their mandate. The Handbook focuses on the policies and strategies of UNESCO with whose cooperation it has been written.

Jointly produced by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UNICEF, this Handbook covers a wide range of themes related to child protection, including trafficking of children, violence against children, female genital mutilation, the sexual exploitation of children, children and war, and juvenile justice. The Handbook serves as a catalyst for action, providing concrete examples of ways and means of building a protective environment for children.

How to Conduct a Legislative Needs Assessment [ English ]. 2000 - United Nations Development Programme. [brief description]

A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report discusses the legislative needs assessment, what should it do for decision-makers? When should UNDP respond to a request for assistance? From whom should requests for assistance come? What should an assessment review? How well does the legislature perform its lawmaking and oversight functions? And who should conduct the assessment? Sample Terms of Reference for Legislative Needs Assessment

How to Do a Gender - Sensitive Budget Analysis: Contemporary Research and Practice [ Arabic ]. 1998 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs+Australian Agency for InternationalND - Australian Agency for International Development and Commonwealth Secretariat, [brief description]

This paper, published by USAID and the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with NDI, provides an introduction to gender-sensitive budgets. Government budgets discuss and review gender-sensitive budget analysis tools. They also discuss mainstreaming care in economy and the means to prepare a gender-sensitive budget.

Published jointly by the IPU and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the handbook is intended for parliamentarians who want to familiarize themselves with the framework that has been set up since 1945 by the United Nations and regional organizations to protect and promote human rights. It presents the notion of human rights and the core contents of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It specifies the obligations of states to protect and promote human rights, and contains suggestions as to action that parliaments and their members may take to contribute to their implementation.

Implementing Intra-Party Democracy [ English ]. 2005 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs [brief description]

This paper, published by NDI, will discuss the advantages and risks of intra-party democracy, examining some of the specific questions parties may face in implementing more internally inclusive decision-making procedures.

Initial Reading of the Draft Palestinian Political Party Law [ Arabic ]. 2005 [brief description]

This paper was presented in a seminar organized by the Coalition for Accountability and Integrity titled "In Light of Special Palestinian Circumstances, What Political Party Law Do We Want?". It discusses the current law governing political parties and debates some of the main points of the new draft law such as conditions on establishing and dissolving parties, internal democracy of parties, rights and liberties of parties and party finance.

Internal Organization of the Legislative Branch [ English ]. 2000 - United Nations Development Programme. [brief description]

International Seminar for Chairpersons and Members of Parliamentary Human Rights Bodies [ English ][ French ]. 2004 - Inter - Parliamentary Union [brief description]

This publication is a report of the seminar that was jointly organized by the IPU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Members of parliamentary human rights committees gathered to learn from each other, as well as to explore ways and means of enhancing cooperation with different national and international stakeholders.

Introduction by Mr. Herman De Croo, Chairman of the House of Representatives Advisory Committee for European Questions, Honorary Speaker of the House, Minister of State, Belgium [ English ]. 2007

Iraq - Summary of the National Study on the Representative Function of Parliament [ Arabic ]. 2008

Iraq - Summary of the National Study on the Role of Parliament in Promoting Decentralization [ Arabic ]. 2008

Iraq - Summary of the National Study on the Role of Parliament in the Fight against Corruption [ Arabic ]. 2008

Italy - National Study on the Representative Function of Parliament [ English ]. 2008

Italy - National Study on the Role of Parliament in Promoting Decentralization [ English ]. 2008

Italy - National Study on the Role of Parliament in the Fight against Corruption [ English ]. 2008

Italy - Summary of the National Study on the Representative Function of Parliament [ English ]. 2008

Italy - Summary of the National Study on the Role of Parliament in Promoting Decentralization [ English ]. 2008

Italy - Summary of the National Study on the Role of Parliament in the Fight against Corruption [ English ]. 2008

Jordan - Summary of the National Study on the Representative Function of Parliament [ Arabic ]. 2008

Jordan - Summary of the National Study on the Role of Parliament in Promoting Decentralization [ Arabic ]. 2008

Jordan - Summary of the National Study on the Role of Parliament in the Fight against Corruption [ Arabic ]. 2008

Jordanian Woman's Participation in Politics: Analytical Study of the Parliamentary conduct in the Fourteenth Parliament Council [ Arabic ]. 2007 - United Nations Development Fund For Women [brief description]

This report, published by the United Nations Development Fund For Women (UNIFEM) in collaboration with the National Committee for Women, aims at shedding light on and studying the situation of Jordanian women in terms of political participation and the role of political will in guaranteeing the presence and integration of women in decision-making processes in Jordan. It also deals with the obstacles and challenges facing women in politics, and places emphasis on women political participation in Jordan since the beginning of 2003 when Provisional Law No. 34, dated 2001on Parliamentary Elections, known as the Women Quota Law, was amended. The report contains an anaysis and comparison between the strengths and weaknesses in the law within the national context.

Lawmaking and Stages of Legislative Procedure [ English ]. 2000 - United Nations Development Programme. [brief description]

Leading to Choices: A Leadership Training Handbook for Women [ English ][ Arabic ][ French ]. 2002 - Women's Learning PartnershipFor Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP), Association Démocratique des Femmes du Maroc (ADFM) [brief description]

This Handbook was drafted by the Women’s Learning Partnership For Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP), the Association Démocratique des Femmes du Maroc (ADFM), BOABAB for Women’s Human Rights of and the Staff for Palestinian Women Issues. The Handbook deals with a new form of vertical leadership and democracy which contributes to women empowerment and discusses many important topics, particularly: developing the self for leadership capacities, communicating with other and building learning partnerships.

Lebanese Center for Policy Studies - the Lebanese Parliament: Dynamics and Assessment, 1997 [ English ]. 1997 [brief description]

English abstract of the monograph "The 1992-1996 Lebanese Parliament" published originally in Arabic. The research focused on the performance of the Lebanese Parliament as the legislative branch of the government.

Lebanon - Summary of the National Study on the Representative Function of Parliament [ Arabic ]. 2008

Lebanon - Summary of the National Study on the Role of Parliament in Promoting Decentralization [ Arabic ]. 2008

Lebanon - Summary of the National Study on the Role of Parliament in the Fight against Corruption [ Arabic ]. 2008

Legislative Chambers: Unicameral or Bicameral? [ English ]. 2000 - United Nations Development Programme. [brief description]

Legislative Committee System [ English ]. 2000 - United Nations Development Programme. [brief description]

Legislative Ethics: A Comparative Analysis [ English ]. 1999 - National Democratic Institute [brief description]

This National Democratic Institute (NDI) publication discusses the role of legislatures in fighting corruption. It emphasizes the need for an effective ethics regime and compares the ethic regimes in 20 countries. It sheds light on the code of conduct practiced in some countries. It further discusses the financial disclosure requirements, and the conflict of interest restrictions, and different institutional designs and enforcement mechanisms.

The booklet was published by the Urdun Al Jadid Research Center in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. The chapter on political parties highlights the historical development of political parties legislation, and analyzes the 1992 political party law. It also criticizes some of its articles such as those related to defining a political party, conditions of its establishment, party membership, bylaws, and other aspects contributing to controlling political party life.

Legislative Framework for Political Party Registration in Palestine [ Arabic ]. 2005 [brief description]

This paper was presented in a seminar organized by the Coalition for Accountability and Integrity titled "In Light of Special Palestinian Circumstances, What Political Party Law Do We Want?". The paper discusses the current status of party registration in Palestine, and how the central electoral committee deals with issue. It also discusses oversight of political party finance in the light of the recent presidential elections. Finally, it sheds light on the new draft law in terms of party registration.

Legislative Functions of the Arab Parliaments: Comparative Study [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2000 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR). [brief description]

Legislative-Executive Relations: Governing in Partnership, A Workshop for Members of the Palestinian Legislative Council [ English ]. 1997 - National Democratic Institute [brief description]

This is a report of the workshop organized by NDI in collaboration with Associates in Rural Development and the Center for Palestine Research and Studies, titled “Legislative – Executive Relations: Governing in Partnership”.

Legislature and Constituency Relations [ English ]. 2000 - United Nations Development Programme. [brief description]

A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report discusses the importance of legislative constituency relations, the key issues and challenges faced by legislatures in developing countries with regard to the legislative-constituency relations and the activities and structures to enhance these relations, such as reforming the electoral systems, opening the legislature to the public, public hearings, strengthening civil society groups, civic education, etc.

Legislatures and the Budget Process: An International Survey [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2003 - National Democratic Institute [brief description]

This NDI paper reviews the trends in developed democracies and in countries making the transition to democracy, and provides examples of nations seeking to alter and improve the process by which they develop and implement their annual budgets. It examines a range of issues that affect legislature’s ability to play a role in influencing the budget such as: the legislative role in the budget process, the timetable for this process, the procedures and structures for legislative budgeting, legislative resources for budget analysis, and the legislative branch oversight capacity.

This guide provides an introduction to various approaches and techniques for lobbying parliament. It includes an overview of lobbying campaigns, tactics for lobbying individual members of parliament and party caucuses, and guidelines for preparing a written submission to a parliamentary committee.

Media Monitoring to Promote Democratic Elections: An NDI Handbook for Citizen Organizations [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2002 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs [brief description]

This handbook was prepared by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) to assist civic organizations, journalist associations, political parties and others worldwide who are working to support freedom of the press, to ensure that political competitors are able to communicate their messages to the public through the mass communications media and to guarantee citizens the information necessary to make informed political choices. This handbook takes a step-by-step approach to organizing a media monitoring project. It covers considerations in deciding whether to initiate a project, the project’s planning and organization, as well as media monitoring methodologies for various media and political subjects. The reader will find specific instructions for monitors in the text and discussion of reporting the findings of monitors. The appendices present examples of monitoring forms, non-partisanship pledges and codes of conduct, relevant international human rights provisions and sample reports from several media monitoring projects.

Minimum Standards for General Principles in Political Party Laws [ Arabic ]. 2008 [brief description]

Money in Politics: A Study of Party Financing Practices in 22 Countries [ English ]. 2005 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs [brief description]

This study, prepared by NDI, compares the information gathered from 22 countries on party financing practices, highlighting themes common to most countries, yet indicating differences based on a country or region. It also profiles each of the countries individually, providing current information about the nature of political parties; a description of electoral system; a discussion of relevant party financing laws; a summary of research findings; and recommendations for reform.

Monopolizing Power: Egypt’s Political Parties Law [ English ]. 2007 - Human Rights watch [brief description]

This paper, published by the Human Rights Watch, provides recommendations for Egypt's political party law. It discusses the current law, its 2005 amendments, the law in practice, and how it compares to the international law.

Moroccan Political Party Draft Law: Between Reforming the Parties and Controlling Them [ Arabic ]. 2005 [brief description]

Written by Mr. Abdel Razzaq Bennan Filali. This article discusses the Moroccan draft law on political parties. It analyzes the nature of the activity of political parties and its main characteristics. It also provides a brief comparison between the two draft laws submitted highlighting the amendments that had been introduced, and assessing its weaknesses.

Moving Towards a Partisan Policy? The Islamic Constitutional Movement in Kuwait [ Arabic ]. 2007 - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace [brief description]

This paper, prepared by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, sheds light on the Islamic constitutional movement in Kuwaiti politics. It discusses the rise of this movement, its efforts to gain an Islamic and constitutional dimension and its capacity to use and strengthen parliamentarian tools, as well as the possibility for an opposition coalition to undertake political reforms in Kuwait.

Multupartism: A reading of the Egyptian Political Party Law from a Legal Perspective. From the book Political Parties in Egypt: Current Statues and the Future - Papers of the Fourth Conference for the Democratic Development Group on Political Parties [ Arabic ]. 1999 [brief description]

Written by Mr. Shawqi Al Sayyed. This document examines the history of Egyptian political parties before and at the promulgation of the current law. It also reviews the list of all applications submitted for registering political parties and discusses some aspects of the current law such as the party activity rights, party funding, and practices. It concludes with an analysis of the current condition of political parties in Egypt.

Nationality and Statelessness: A Handbook for Parliamentarians [ English ][ French ]. 2005 - Inter - Parliamentary Union [brief description]

Published jointly by the IPU and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the handbook provides parliamentarians with a broad description of the international principles regulating nationality and statelessness; discusses the rights and obligations of stateless persons as protected under international law; highlights the main causes of statelessness and suggests practical steps parliamentarians can take to help reduce the incidence of statelessness.

Notes of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights on the Moroccan Political Party Draft Law [ Arabic ]. 2004 [brief description]

Official Structures in the Service of Research and Information in the Egyptian Parliament [ English ]. 2005 - Zentrum fur Entwicklungsforschung (ZEF) Center for Development Research [brief description]

The Egyptian Parliament offers technical and administrative assistance to its members through different organs, with the main objective of empowering MPs to carry out their legislative and control tasks and in this study an attempt is made to describe and evaluate the official institutional structures that offer information and research services in Parliament.

Oman: Political Development and the Majlis Ash'shura [ English ]. 1995 - International Republican Institute [brief description]

The International Republican Institute (IRI) has conducted a survey of the development of popular governmental participation and the Majlis Ash'Shura (Consultative Assembly) in the Sultanate of Oman, one of the world's last remaining monarchies. This report provides an examination of these Omani political reforms and offers insight into their future.

One Chamber or Two? Deciding Between a Unicameral And Bicameral Legislature [ English ]. 1996 - National Democratic Institute [brief description]

This research paper, published by the National democratic Institute (NDI), highlights the structure of legislative chambers and discusses the question of cameral selection. Its sheds light on the unicameral and bicameral legislatures, patterns of legislative structures and legislatures in practice. It discusses methods of reconciliation in a bicameral system as well as cameral change.

Organization of the Parliamentary Session: Balancing Democracy and Efficiency [ English ][ Arabic ]. 1997 - National Democratic Institute for International Affairs [brief description]

This document is a report of the workshop held by NDI in Palestine in 1997 titled "Organization of the Parliamentary Session: Balancing Democracy and Efficiency". The goal of the workshop was to discuss methods of increasing the efficiency of the plenary procedures, organizing the plenary in the absence of party mechanisms.

Oversight Role of Arab Parliaments: Comparative Study [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2000 - United Nations Development Programme - Programme on Governance in the Arab Region (UNDP-POGAR). [brief description]

Palestine - Presidency versus Parliament [ English ]. 1998 - University of Sussex - Institute of Development Studies - Civil Society and Governance Programme. [brief description]

The Panorama, published by IPU, offers a revealing snapshot of the major electoral events of the preceding year. It provides an eight-page overview of the year's direct parliamentary elections, illustrated by graphics on the situation of parliaments in the world, voter turnout, power shifts and women 's representation. The brochure also presents key statistics from the IPU's database on national parliaments, accompanied by brief thematic narratives.

Parallel Structures for Parliamentary Research and Studies in Egypt [ English ]. 2005 - Zentrum fur Entwicklungsforschung (ZEF) Center for Development Research [brief description]

This report reviews the parallel information structures of the Egyptian People’s Assembly. It seeks to place these structures within a theoretical framework that facilitates a comparison with other cases in the area of performance evaluation and raising alternatives to enhance information efficiency in parliamentary debates.

Parliament and Access to Information: Working for Transparent Governance [ English ]. 2004 - World Bank Institute [brief description]

This report explains how implementing effective freedom of access to information helps increase the flow of information to the people, improve the performance of parliaments and media outlets in their respective democratic duties and strengthen the societies in which we all live.

Parliament and the Budgetary Process, Including from a Gender Perspective: Arab Regional Seminar [ Arabic ]. 2004

Parliament and the Media: Building an Informed Society [ English ]. 2003 - World Bank Institute [brief description]

This report is issued by the World Bank Institute (WBI) and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) that are seeking to urge Parliaments and their Members to champion the protection of the media in support of good governance and democracy.

Parliamentary Accountability and Good Governance: A Parliamentarian's Handbook [ English ]. - Parliamentary Centre of Canada [brief description]

This handbook contains a collection of essays that focus on parliamentary accountability, the role of parliament as an important link in the chain of accountability between government and citizens. Each of the chapters focuses on some aspect of the challenge that parliaments must confront if they are to serve as institutions of accountability, one of the global requirements of good governance.

Parliamentary Human Rights Committees [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2005 - National Democratic Institute [