The World is moving closer to global democracy and international human rights legislation has had significant effect.

There have been moves towards partial democracy in the hitherto closed societies of Burma (Myanmar) and Tibet. Democracy has superseded autocracy in Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Free elections have put democratic heroes in power in East Timor and Iran. Repressive regimes have taken control in Turkey, Morocco and Cameroon, but the Brazilian government has now made democratic concessions to its indigenous population.

Great strides have been made to end the illegal "ownership" of workers in the Dominican Republic and exploitation of child labour in India and Bangladesh.

The death penalty has been abolished in all but three US states and Britain's new Bill of Rights has provided a boost for civil rights. SC