Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Quebec students signal they could be ready to compromise on tuition hikes

MONTREAL—Quebec student leaders are signalling they may be ready to compromise on the core of their dispute with the government — the province’s plan to raise tuition.

Leaders of the province’s three main student associations could meet the province’s education minister as early as Monday.

Martine Desjardins, a leader for one of the groups, says both sides must be prepared to compromise for the crisis to come to an end.

Another student leader, Leo Bureau-Blouin, made headlines Saturday when he told CBC Radio he would be willing to accept some form of tuition increase.

Bureau-Blouin tried to clarify in an interview later in the day, saying the students are willing to make adjustments if the government is prepared to do so as well.

The comments come as Quebec’s controversial emergency law designed to put an end to student protests came under more criticism — this time from Amnesty International.

The human-rights organization said the legislation violates freedoms of speech, assembly and movement in breach of Canada’s international obligations.

“Bill 78 is an affront to basic freedoms that goes far beyond what is permissible under provincial, national or international human rights laws,” Amnesty spokesman Javier Zuniga said in a statement.

“It is unreasonable and unacceptable to require citizens to apply to the authorities in advance any time they wish to exercise a basic human right. Quebec’s national assembly should rescind this restrictive law immediately.”

The organization first became involved in the conflict in April, when it expressed concern over the tuition increases and called on the government to tone down police measures.

Original Article
Source: the star
Author: CP

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