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France 24
8 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
Olympic chief Kirsty Coventry's steeliness honed by hard knocks
Looming large on the horizon of the 41-year-old Zimbabwean -- the first woman and African to occupy the post of the most powerful single figure in sport -- is US President Donald Trump. With Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympics, Trump will feature often on Coventry's agenda. Trump has not been shy in giving public dressing downs to world leaders -- notably Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa. Judging by Coventry's initial response, after a crushing first-round victory in the presidential election in March, she may have Trump's measure. "I have been dealing with, let's say, difficult men in high positions since I was 20 years old," she said, adding "communication will be key." Unlike Trump, though, Coventry embraces the word failure, for it helped forge her stellar career. "Everything's scary. Embrace that. You have to fail," Coventry told the swimming team at her American alma mater Auburn University last year. "I've learned the best lessons by failing, and I have failed at many things. Life has a really good way of humbling you." At the same time that steely resolve comes to the surface when winning is at stake. "I was banned from playing card games with the family, because they didn't like to deal with me when I lost," she said. A glance at Coventry's CV suggests failure in her life has been relative. Coventry, who had the Olympic rings tattooed on a leg after her first Games in 2000, is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and she has contributed seven of Zimbabwe's overall Games medals tally of eight. She has accrued domestic political experience, as she was Zimbabwe's Minister for Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation from 2019 to this year. That attracted some flak as she was serving in a government whose election in 2023 was declared to be "neither free nor fair" by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). "I don't think you can stand on the sidelines and scream and shout for change," she said in her defence. "I believe you have to be seated at the table to try and create it." Her record as a minister has been heavily criticised by the Zimbabwean arts community in particular. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose predecessor Robert Mugabe labelled Coventry "a golden girl" and awarded her $100,000 after she came back with a gold medal from Beijing in 2008, hit back. "Whoever was not impressed by her can appoint someone else when they become president," said the 82-year-old. 'Very hard times' In 2004, Coventry gave an insight into why she would later accept such a poisoned chalice and how whites in Zimbabwe have to perform a delicate balancing act. "Zimbabwe is my home," she said after returning to a heroine's parade after winning her first gold medal at the Athens Olympics. "It's where I was born. It's my culture. I will always represent Zimbabwe. Colour doesn't matter to me. "I think every country goes through bad years and good years." Coventry had a largely urban upbringing. Her parents Rob and Linn owned a chemicals firm in a suburb of Harare, but the farming evictions -- where predominantly white farm owners were forced off their lands in their early 2000s -- affected her too. "I have had very close family members and friends on farms who have gone through very hard times," said Coventry. Away from the controversies she has shown decisive leadership in dealing with Zimbabwean football chiefs and FIFA. She backed the government body Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) when it suspended the Zimbabwean Football Association (ZIFA) over allegations of fraud and sexual harassment of referees. FIFA has a zero tolerance policy of political interference in its associations and barred Zimbabwe from international football in February 2022. However, by September the same year they were back in the fold. A ZIFA official was later banned for five years for sexually harassing three female referees. Coventry said in 2023 that the process had been "hard, but it was worth it, to have a way forward that's going to benefit us as a country". Those tempted to mess with Coventry in the years to come have been duly warned.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Civil society, activists move Supreme Court against 26th amendment
Listen to article A group of 38 human rights activists and civil society members from across Pakistan has filed a petition challenging the 26th Amendment, calling it unconstitutional and a threat to judicial independence. The petition, filed in the Supreme Court, argues that the amendment grants excessive control to the executive and legislature over judicial appointments and fundamental rights cases. The petitioners contend that it undermines the separation of powers and weakens legal protections against human rights abuses. Unlike previous legal challenges, this petition is led by civil society representatives, including trade unionists, student leaders, and advocates for press freedom and gender equality. They claim the amendment limits legal recourse for marginalised groups, curbs freedoms of expression and assembly, and allows unchecked state power. The petition warns that the amendment could be used to suppress dissent, restrict workers' rights, and interfere in interprovincial resource disputes. It urges the court to strike down the amendment, citing the need to uphold democratic principles and judicial independence. The Supreme Court is expected to review all challenges to the amendment, with legal experts closely watching its response. The 26th Amendment to Pakistan's Constitution, enacted in October 2024, introduced significant changes to the judiciary's structure and appointment processes. Notably, it altered the selection method for the Chief Justice of Pakistan, shifting this responsibility from a seniority-based system to a nomination by a Special Parliamentary Committee from among the three most senior Supreme Court judges, with a fixed term of three years. Supporters of the amendment, including the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, argue that these changes are necessary to curb judicial overreach and restore balance among the branches of government. They assert that past judicial decisions have undermined democratic processes, and this amendment seeks to reinforce parliamentary sovereignty. However, the amendment has faced significant criticism from judicial circles and opposition parties. Critics contend that it undermines judicial independence by granting the legislature excessive influence over judicial appointments. The International Commission of Jurists described the amendment as a "blow to judicial independence," expressing concern that it politicizes the judiciary and threatens the separation of powers. Opposition parties, particularly the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have labeled the amendment as an effort to weaken the judiciary. They argue that it allows the executive to exert undue influence over the judiciary, compromising its ability to act as a check on governmental power. The PTI criticized the amendment's passage, calling it a "black day" in Pakistan's constitutional history.
Arab News
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Tunisia puts 40 opposition figures on trial
TUNIS: A Tunisian court opened a high-profile trial Tuesday in which 40 people, including leading opposition figures, stand accused of conspiring against state security. Activists protested outside, calling it a baseless case and part of a politically driven of the defendants were not allowed to appear at the trial, deemed by the court as too dangerous to release from custody. Their lawyers demanded the right of their clients to appear before a judge, as did the protesters addition to opposition politicians, the accused include former diplomats, business leaders, journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders, and some have spent more than two years in pre-trial detention. Others have fled to lawyers, some defendants risk capital punishment if convicted. The charges include plotting against state security and belonging to a terrorist group for some, while others are suspected of illegal connections with foreign parties and of Tunisian President Kais Saied say the charges are fabricated and the trial is politically motivated. The North African country's president, who was re-elected for a second term last year, says the defendants are 'traitors and terrorists,' as they accuse him of staging a coup in birthplace of the Arab Spring pro-democracy uprisings, Tunisia has seen a significant rollback of freedoms under Saied. Critics, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, have accused Saied's government of using the judiciary to stifle dissent since his 2021 power grab, which dissolved parliament and expanded executive supporters argue his crackdowns are necessary to stabilize a nation grappling with inflation, unemployment, and corruption. Many Tunisians blame political elites for economic rights groups condemned the court case, including treatment of the defendants.'The documented systematic violations of their rights during the pre-trial phase of the criminal proceedings significantly undermine the whole prosecution and the legitimacy, independence and impartiality″ of the trial, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said in a statement.
Associated Press
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Tunisia puts 40 opposition figures on trial. Activists say the move is politically motivated
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — A Tunisian court opened a high-profile trial Tuesday in which 40 people, including leading opposition figures, stand accused of conspiring against state security. Activists protested outside, calling it a baseless case and part of a politically driven crackdown. Nine of the defendants were not allowed to appear at the trial, deemed by the court as too dangerous to release from custody. Their lawyers demanded the right of their clients to appear before a judge, as did the protesters outside. In addition to opposition politicians, the accused include former diplomats, business leaders, journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders, and some have spent more than two years in pre-trial detention. Others have fled abroad. According to lawyers, some defendants risk capital punishment if convicted. The charges include plotting against state security and belonging to a terrorist group for some, while others are suspected of illegal connections with foreign parties and diplomats. Critics of Tunisian President Kais Saied say the charges are fabricated and the trial is politically motivated. The North African country's president, who was re-elected for a second term last year, says the defendants are 'traitors and terrorists,' as they accuse him of staging a coup in 2021. The birthplace of the Arab Spring pro-democracy uprisings, Tunisia has seen a significant rollback of freedoms under Saied. Critics, including the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, have accused Saied's government of using the judiciary to stifle dissent since his 2021 power grab, which dissolved parliament and expanded executive authority. Saied's supporters argue his crackdowns are necessary to stabilize a nation grappling with inflation, unemployment, and corruption. Many Tunisians blame political elites for economic mismanagement. Global rights groups condemned the court case, including treatment of the defendants. 'The documented systematic violations of their rights during the pre-trial phase of the criminal proceedings significantly undermine the whole prosecution and the legitimacy, independence and impartiality″ of the trial, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said in a statement.
