> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Independence and the politics of therapy – The Week in 1 Minute: April 7 – 13 on openDemocracy - URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/independence-and-politics-of-therapy-week-in-1-minute-april-7-13-on-opendemocracy-0/ - Published: 2014-05-13T11:05:41.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-23T01:39:10.000Z - Description: An unofficial referendum on Veneto breaking away from Italy gains widespread support, while Spain struggles to appease Catalonia. The European elections will influence the Scottish referendum, as will the promise of a new direction in foreign policy. Meanwhile OurKingdom has launched an appeal to - Author: openDemocracy Supporters - Tags: The Week in 1 Minute, #Migrated, #en, #Import 2026-04-09 17:46, #appended-excerpt In Algeria, a week before elections, the Barakat citizens’ movement [refuses to be silenced](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/e72f3fc8f7&ref=opendemocracy.net). We assess [Ukraine’s presidential election](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/f5b4fc14af&ref=opendemocracy.net) candidates and ask whether India’s PM hopeful Modi has really moved beyond his [Hindu Far Right beginnings](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/e675b7e068&ref=opendemocracy.net). While we should celebrate the repudiation of nationalist Geert Wilders in Holland, it's [wise to be wary.](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/789994a0fa&ref=opendemocracy.net) In Turkey, Erdogan continues to [enjoy unwavering support](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/a713238203&ref=opendemocracy.net), while the real loser is the [rule of law](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/137065278a&ref=opendemocracy.net). Meanwhile, **Myanmar’s long walk to democracy** [gets longer](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/65aee84dd9&ref=opendemocracy.net). The human rights tradition is [undeniably global](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/c3b0037cd1&ref=opendemocracy.net), but are India and South Africa [betraying](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/66eedd9449&ref=opendemocracy.net) this proud history? In Britain, asylum seekers' rights are violated by [shocking conditions in detention centres](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/9b1b2bdfc1&ref=opendemocracy.net) and [America's secret no-fly-list ](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/eca5ec8523&ref=opendemocracy.net)undermines its claims to liberty. It's 20 years since **the Rwanda genocide**, and international justice [has failed](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/71cfe5d012&ref=opendemocracy.net) to deliver for the victims and survivors. And are we [respecting the rights](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/7024734b8a&ref=opendemocracy.net) of sex workers, when we silence them in debates on abolitionist policy? A new book by Srilatha Batliwala [urges us](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/c2d9a894dd&ref=opendemocracy.net) to **reclaim feminist visions of empowerment**. The first woman chief mediator [signs a peace agreement](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/c3319e4994&ref=opendemocracy.net) in the Philippines. But within the [grassroots](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/c86684864a&ref=opendemocracy.net)of the Syrian revolution, [women remain silenced](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/4b3ce3a408&ref=opendemocracy.net), as activist Razan Ghazzawi explores. We dissect the idea of the ‘[smart city](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/71b9f93c7b&ref=opendemocracy.net)’ and confront the [brutal ‘rejuvenation’](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/7f747b6182&ref=opendemocracy.net) in Glasgow ahead of the Commonwealth Games. As Sochi ends, Russia’s [portrayal of the nation](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/819dd5b0e0&ref=opendemocracy.net) contrasts sharply with the ethnic diversity put on show by the Soviet Union. Does the **west still fail to understand Russia** and its [actions in Crimea](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/3f64edade2&ref=opendemocracy.net)? Undoubtedly, a new [Russian power bloc](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/a3229531e9&ref=opendemocracy.net) is forming. What about Bulgaria? An [interview with Dimitar Bechev](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/4154145e6e&ref=opendemocracy.net) offers a window into a country at a crossroads. Transformation gives us an account of the [importance of strangers to healing](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/81e30f3aab&ref=opendemocracy.net), and an [exploration](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/040378c9c5&ref=opendemocracy.net) of **politics as therapy**. Plus three pieces on environment: one calls on us to [demand green products and services](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/040c3722a2&ref=opendemocracy.net); the other argues green growth is[not transformative enough](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/b21eb19384&ref=opendemocracy.net), while the third presents a positive vision of [energy descent](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/57d8e996d0&ref=opendemocracy.net). **Also**: the World Bank-advised [PFI hospital](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/8151145cba&ref=opendemocracy.net) that is eating more than half a nation’s health budget, and the [British university training Qatari cops](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/17f45e82ef&ref=opendemocracy.net). And finally, **openDemocracy is honoured to be nominated for the European Democratic Citizenship Awards** in the category [**Citizen Media**, along with other great outlets](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/5b6fa2dfb3/option=com%5Fcontent&view=article&id=297:le-media-citoyen-2014&catid=1:presentation&lang=en&ref=opendemocracy.net). You can [cast your vote here](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/ebe0104043&ref=opendemocracy.net). **Links not to miss:** - Nikolas Leontopoulos: In restricting civil liberties, [Athens is simply following the German and European paradigm](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/857866ee72&ref=opendemocracy.net) - Ian Cobain: ['Delay, delay, delay': Northern Ireland Troubles inquests still outstanding](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/24792162f6&ref=opendemocracy.net) - Zarina Banu: [Indonesia elections: Infusing democracy](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/a11c9277b4&ref=opendemocracy.net) An unofficial referendum on [Veneto breaking away](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/f25262d10c&ref=opendemocracy.net) from Italy gains widespread support, while Spain [struggles to appease Catalonia](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/8492755fab&ref=opendemocracy.net). The European elections [will influence ](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/5787cbea53&ref=opendemocracy.net)the Scottish referendum, as will the promise of a [new direction ](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/88a739e282&ref=opendemocracy.net)in foreign policy. Meanwhile OurKingdom has [launched an appeal](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/ffb173bd1f/7262321cfa/bccb94e281&ref=opendemocracy.net) to fund its**debate on Scotland’s future**.