18 December
The general elections of December 20 in Spain will transform the political landscape of the past 40 years. The sharp decline of the two main parties, the conservative Popular Party and the socialist PSOE, is set to benefit the new party Ciudadanos. According to the latest polls Ciudadanos, led by 36-year old Albert Rivera, could win more than 20% of the vote and become the second largest party, ahead of the PSOE. Ciudadanos has ruled out taking part in coalition governments.
But, the party will play a crucial role in supporting the new government (probably led by the PP) and in defining the policies implemented in the next legislature.
To support the next Spanish government, Ciudadanos has promised to demand economic and political reforms. The party includes in its ranks some leading figures of Spanish liberalism, like Luis Garicano, professor of economics at the LSE, who could play a key role in Spanish economic policy in the coming years. In addition, the party may emerge as the first political force in Catalonia and will be a key player in reforming the Spanish territorial model and in crafting a solution to the challenge of Catalan independence.
Is Ciudadanos a party of the left, right or centre? Which voters will the party attract? What kind of internal cohesion and territorial representation can it count on?
In the article - Going National: Ciudadanos from Catalonia to Spain, - Professors Juan Rodríguez Teruel and Astrid Barrio of the University of Valencia present the 'identity card' of the political party that, together with Podemos, could introduce radical change in a party system which has remained very stable for over 30 years.
Read the full article online:
Leaked UN paper makes landmark calls for decriminalising drug use
December 18, 2015
The war on drugs has taken an interesting turn. In a blog post recently, published by business magnate Richard Branson who said that the 'United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime' (UNODC) was planning to release a statement at the international Harm Reduction Conference in Malaysia recommending that governments decriminalise all illegal drugs.
Branson caused a global uproar by actually leaking the UN document that clearly proposes decriminalising drug use and possession "for personal consumption."
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, is a member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy; a high-level international panel that says the 'war on drugs' has been a failure. He wrote on his blog that he was "delighted" about the "exciting" stance taken by UNODC.
"Together with countless other tireless advocates, I've for years argued that we should treat drug use as a health issue, not as a crime," Branson said. "While the vast majority of recreational drug users never experience any problems, people who struggle with drug addiction deserve access to treatment, not a prison cell."
The Global Commission on Drug Policy is a panel of world leaders, who have argued that the War on Drugs is a colossal failure.
Leaked UN Report Causes World Uproar
The Leaked UN report on headed agency notepaper claims it "clarifies the position of UNODC to inform country responses to promote a health and human-rights approach to drug policy".
"Treating drug use for non-medical purposes and possession for personal consumption as criminal offences has contributed to public health problems and induced negative consequences for safety, security, and human rights," the document recommends that UN members consider "decriminalising drug and possession for personal consumption".
The paper further argued, "arrest and incarceration are disproportionate measures".
The document was prepared by Dr Monica Beg, chief of the HIV/AIDs section of the UNODC in Vienna. It was prepared for the international harm reduction conference held recently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sources within the UNODC informed the BBC the document was never sanctioned by the organisation as policy. One senior figure within the agency described.
Dr Beg as "a middle-ranking official" who was offering a professional viewpoint.
UN Conference Delegates Demand Official Release of Report
More than 500 conference delegates from around the world, including leading medical professionals, researchers, and activists were hugely disappointed at the UNODC Malaysia conference.
In fact, delegates urged the UN drugs office to officially release the leaked policy paper in which it makes the landmark call for decriminalisation, but it never happened!
The UNODC said, "there has been an unfortunate misunderstanding about the nature and intent of this briefing paper."
In a statement it admitted, that the paper was intended for presentation in Kuala Lumpur, but said it remained under review and was not "a final nor formal document."
"UNODC emphatically denies reports that there has been pressure on UNODC to withdraw the document," it said, that "it is not possible to withdraw what is not yet ready."
The UN general assembly plans to hold a special session next April to discuss ways of addressing the drug problem.
Locally - Growing Number of People Support Decriminalisation of Illegal Drugs
Locally, I know there is slow but growing number of people who also advocate the decriminalisation of illegal drugs like cannabis. Having penned countless articles in Panorama over the years on the local drug problem, I am not surprised these calls are also getting louder on the Rock. I have also been approached by a number of people regarding the drug decriminalization issue.
The war on drugs pervades every level of society. Every year, vast sums of money are spent by governments to control drug use and to enforce laws enacted to protect society from the dangers caused by drug use. Some people believe the war on drugs has been effective but they contend enforcement and communities themselves are not fighting hard enough to stop drug use and that laws are too few and too lenient.
Others argue that a fight against drugs is not needed, that society has already lost the war on drugs and the only way to remedy the problem is to end the fighting altogether by ending the criminalisation of drug use.
Many Conflicting Opinions to Legalise or Not
Many conflicting views exist on whether or not legislation has had the intended result of easing the problems of drug use. Many argue that legislation and the criminalisation of drugs have been counterproductive in controlling drug problems. Some suggest the criminalisation of drugs has actually contributed to and worsened the social ills associated with the misuse of drugs.
However, despite cannabis decriminalisation calls gathering momentum in places as diverse as Uruguay, Israel and the American state of Washington, Gibraltar's two major political parties have both generally held the opinion that decriminalising cannabis for instance, is a bad idea.
Many people agree with the principle that drug users should not be treated like hardened criminals. I know a number of people who believe there is still a lot of prejudice around talk of drug reform or decriminalisation. The impression they have is that if you speak about these things, then you're pro-drugs or something similar, locally, there may be need to move beyond that sort of mentality.
The basic facts are that drugs are illegal because they are harmful, society still has to be persuaded that giving a free hand to people to possess and consume dangerous substances without having an effective deterrent in place will solve (the harmful aspect) to this problem.
Substance abuse and trafficking have not diminished over the last 24 years in fact quite the opposite, drugs remain accessible to countless children and youths and the not so young!
My biggest concern is that, for many young people, the consumption of drugs and alcohol has started to form a major part of their uncontrollable hedonistic culture, especially at weekends. It is a culture of alienation and an escape from reality. There are people who are taking a 'trip' and never returning."
My opinion is that Gibraltar, should tread carefully, avoid rushing, and learn from what is being done in other countries. We can afford to let other countries do the experiments… that is, if any (experiments) are to be had.
It is without doubt, a global 'game changer' if the United Nations is now openly, supporting decriminalising Illegal drugs!
18-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
New Primary Care Centre Appointments System from next month
December 18, 2015
The Government has lost no time in taking a decision on the planned changes to the Primary Care Centre appointments booking system, as had previously announced they would do.
In order to streamline its appointment service the PCC will be introducing a 48 hour pre-bookable appointment system, which will become operational as from Monday 4th January 2016. Appointments will no longer be released exclusively on the 1st working day of each month as has been the case for the past few years.
HOW THE SYSTEM WILL WORK
The way the new system works will be as follows:
o On Mondays - release Wednesdays Appointments
o On Tuesdays - release Thursdays Appointments
o On Wednesdays - release Fridays Appointments
o On Thursdays - release Mondays Appointments
o On Fridays - release Tuesday's Appointments
In cases of Bank Holidays patients will be offered an appointment for the next working day after the holiday; if Monday is a Public Holiday, on the previous Thursday patients will be able to obtain an appointment for Tuesday.
Since 2011 the GHA appointment system has been under constant improvement and continuous review, in a stage-by-stage process. This revision of the appointment booking system is being implemented after close consultation with Primary Care Centre staff, doctors and patients, in response to the needs of the community.
Leaflets explaining the new appointment system are available at the Primary Care Centre and are printed in English, Spanish and Arabic. Appointments can be booked as usual either via telephone 20052441 or in person at the Primary Care Centre counters.
Minister for Health, Dr John Cortes, said: "We continue to improve Primary Care Services and as announced several weeks ago this system aims to decongest the Primary Care Centre on the 1st of the month and allow patients access to appointments on an ongoing basis as required. Patients have been informed over past two months by press releases and leaflets issued at the Health Centre."
18-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Raised Eyebrows as Supreme Court Hands Down Light Sentences in two Cocaine Cases
December 18, 2015
This week, the Supreme Court in Gibraltar raised a few eyebrows when in two different Supreme Court cases involving the class 'A' drug Cocaine, individual Supreme Court Judges imposed what some have already said are "soft sentences".
In the first case, a young 22-year-old man was given an 11-week sentence suspended for one year for the possession of 2.5g of cocaine.
Puisne Judge Karen Ramagge Prescott sentenced this man to 16 weeks in prison, reduced to 11 weeks for an early guilty plea. The sentence is suspended for a year, which in reality means that if the defendant does not appear in front of a judge again within that time the suspended sentence will not be activated.
In the other case, another young man who also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of 5.79 grams (6 wrappers of) cocaine was also given the opportunity to redeem himself to the court by demonstrating he is able to kick his drug habit, the defendant was given six months to prove himself in this respect.
Chief Justice Anthony Dudley adjourned the case for six months to allow the defendant to undergo voluntary random drug tests.
The defendants brief, told the court, the 'defendant was a good kid from a good family who got caught up with the wrong people and was perfect example of the dangers of drugs'
Comments, have already been made questioning, if local courts are now adopting a new sentencing policy regarding possession of drugs. However, it may be more like the two judges in question were coincidental in passing similar type sentences involving cocaine possession.
18-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
