The Consociational System of Democracy in Kosovo: Questioning Ethnic Minorities' Special Status in Kosovo's Constitutional Regime

This article examines the constitutional position of ethnic minorities in Kosovo, the individual features, and the key protection mechanisms applied therein. At the outset, the article provides a general introduction to the topic, illustrating the character of Kosovo's state model. Subsequently, it builds upon the view that Kosovo was shaped under an international supervision, which aimed to establish a state freed from mono-ethnicity, which is regarded as both multi-ethnic and a state of citizens. The article proceeds to explain the institutional mechanisms established with the objective to protect and uphold the ethnic minorities’ position at both central and local levels. Furthermore, it discusses the affirmative human rights law standards granted to ethnic minorities—both at personal and collective levels. The article concludes by suggesting that the constitution of Kosovo provides for a broad degree of self-rule to ethnic minorities, which, in turn, provides them with the capacity to enjoy a rather constitutive position as regards the essential components of the polity.     

Consistency in constitutional design and its effect on democracy

ABSTRACT

Does the art of crafting and amending a constitution lead to an internal consistency among constitutional provisions, and if so, what effect does that have on countries’ democratic performance? Drawing from theoretical claims on the separation of power and electoral legitimacy, this article develops a concept that identifies the institutional characteristics of consistency and inconsistency in the constitutional design with the example of the presidency. Empirically, this concept is focused on aligning or counterbalancing the mode of presidential election and the de jure power of the president. Based on a comparative perspective of republican parliamentary and semi-presidential systems, the article focuses on the empirical trends of consistent and inconsistent design and addresses their effect on democratic development. The findings show a balance between consistent and inconsistent design in terms of quantity. The influence on democratization varies considerably across different measures but I find significant support for a positive effect of inconsistency on liberal democracy, freedom, horizontal accountability and the rule of law.     

中美非法证据排除规则的规制与适用比较研究——兼析我国“非法证据排除第一案”

美国非法证据排除规则的内涵是,警察在调查取证时,如果违反宪法第四修正案（免于非法搜查）、第五修正案（不得自证其罪）以及第六修正案（获得律师帮助）所保障的宪法基本权利,获得的证据将不会被法院所采用。美国法院还进一步创设了“毒树之果”、“米兰达规则”以及相应限制规则,实现了对该规则的双向规制。我国新修订的刑事诉讼法以成文法形式规定了非法证据排除规则,从立法层面来看,我国并没有完全吸收其宪法基本权利的保障内涵;从适用层面来看,我国法院适用得当,但是说理不足,使该规则并不具有法定可预期性。加强非法证据排除规则的宪法理论研究是更好实施该规则的前提。     

Do government sponsored marriage promotion policies place undue pressure on individual rights?

The dominance of social science research in the debate over the Bush Administration’s Healthy Marriage Initiative may explain why questions regarding the proper role of government in regulating adult intimacy have received little attention. Social science research focuses on outcomes such as well-being and health. In contrast, rights-based legal theory considers whether state action undermines the rights of individuals. In this article, I intend to shift the debate over marriage promotion policy from questions of child well-being to questions of individual rights. I will ask the following questions: Do individuals have a liberty interest in making their own choices about intimate relationships, such as marriage? Do federally-financed (and frequently state-run) marriage programs compromise this liberty interest? Are there any constitutional grounds for objecting to marriage promotion policy?     

关于警察院校开设宪法判例与事例课程的思考

在人民警察的培养过程和人民警察活动准则的确立中,宪法学科知识起着重要的作用。尤其是宪法判例与事例课程的开设,对推动警察院校学生树立宪法价值理念,形成宪法思维,并学会在未来的执法实践中寻找宪法问题的焦点,运用宪法思维解释和解决各种法律问题具有积极的促进作用。     

The Veterans' Movements and the Early Republican State in Cuba

This article analyses the Cuban Association of Veterans and Patriots of 1923–1924. This was one among many of such organisations in the early republican period in Cuba. Its formation was motivated by a need to put political pressure on the incumbent administration of the nation for political, social and economic demands. Of particular interest is the insight an analysis of this movement gives us into early state formation in the early republican period, and how ties of loyalty from the wars of independence helped shape the politics and political party formation of post‐independence Cuba.     

“临终关怀”的法律之维——法理基础、宪法依据与实体法规制

临终关怀是对临终病人进行姑息性照护,而非治疗性照护,关注的是如何减少临终病人痛苦,不以延长生命为主要目的。现代人权理念的内在要求、社会契约论对弱势群体的当然保护、法的效益价值的现实体现,是临终关怀正当性的法理基础。临终关怀具有充分的宪法依据。临终关怀必须依法进行,以确保患者的权利不被剥夺。在刑法上,临终关怀属于"正当行为",但要防止以临终关怀为理由而实施的遗弃罪和不作为形式的故意杀人罪,同时防范其他犯罪。在民法上,要规范临终关怀的决定主体、实施条件和操作程序。     

晚近腐败犯罪立法、司法解释之回顾与展望简

腐败犯罪是世界性的社会问题,也是困扰当代中国社会的难题.加强腐败犯罪的预防和控制、积极开展反腐败斗争,是推进改革开放、促进经济发展、维护社会稳定的必要条件.如何有效化解民众关切、诉求强烈的腐败犯罪难题,是立法、司法机关面临的一项紧迫而突出的重要任务.面对民众的呼声,晚近（2006－2012年）全国人大常委会及两高抓紧出台了一系列的立法、司法解释,旨在加大反腐败的力度,以遏制腐败现象的蔓延.它对细化腐败犯罪法律规定,保证现行腐败刑事法律制度得到严格执行发挥了重要作用.     

如何科学解读《刑法修正案（八）》第6条？——兼与陈金林同志商榷

修正后的刑法第65条“但书”规定中“过失犯罪”的表述之后是否存在“的”字,并不会导致“犯罪”与“犯罪分子”的区别;刑法第65条的“但书”对“前罪”和“后罪”均起限制作用,而不是“不满十八周岁的人犯罪的除外”的表述对“前罪”和“后罪”均有限制作用,但“过失犯罪除外”的表述仅对“后罪”有限制作用.另外,要正确把握“累犯的本质”和“累犯从重处罚的依据”这两个概念的内涵.     

健全宪法实施监督机制

宪法的生命在于实施,宪法的权威也在于实施。因此,宪法的贯彻实施尤为重要。为了保证宪法得到全面而正确的实施,就必须加强对宪法实施的监督。我国目前的宪法监督机制,虽然实行已久但还是存在着一些明显的缺陷和问题,不利于我国公民宪法权利的保障和宪法的顺利实施,所以在相关理论和具体制度方面提出建议以对我国的宪法实施监督机制进行健全、完善。