Twelve months after the adoption of that Decision, the European Union considers that no progress has been made and that the coup d’état by armed forces on 12 April 2012 has pushed the process significantly backwards.

23. Notes that Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir enjoys a unique status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, granting it greater autonomy than other states in the Union; is pleased to see recent moves in Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen democracy (as evidenced by the 75% turnout in recent local elections), and the moves by Prime Minister Singh to reopen dialogue with the APHC; however, notes that there remain deficiencies in practice with regard to human rights and direct democracy, as evidenced by, for example, the fact that all candidates standing for office in Jammu and Kashmir (as in other states) have to sign an oath o ...[+++]f loyalty to the Constitution of the State of Jammu and Kashmir which upholds the integrity of India; urges India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to exercise its full mandate with regard to any suspected or documented violations and, to lend it even greater credibility, urges the NHRC to make good the absence of any human rights professionals on its governing board; looks forward to enhanced progress in this area, and to positive outcomes from the new laws on child labour and on women and violence; notes with concern reports that large numbers of Kashmiris are detained without due process; deplores documented human rights violations by the armed forces of India, especially if the incidents of killing and rape continue in an atmosphere of impunity; notes with concern that the NHRC has no power under its statutes to investigate human rights abuses perpetrated by the Indian security forces; is nevertheless encouraged by the NHRC's recommendation that the army nominate senior military officers to oversee the implementation of fundamental human rights and the rule of law in their military units, which is being observed; notes the commitment given by the government of India in September 2005 that human rights violations will not be tolerated; and urges the Lok Sabha to consider amending the Human Rights Protection Act in ...

Following the victories of the no campaigns in the French and Dutch referenda on the so-called ‘European Constitution’, it has become clear that for the political forces still running the EU in a brotherhood – the Right and the ‘socialists’ – and for the interests that they represent – the large economic and financial groups – the referenda have only taken place so that the people can say yes to what suits those forces and interests.

Following the victories of the no campaigns in the French and Dutch referenda on the so-called ‘European Constitution’, it has become clear that for the political forces still running the EU in a brotherhood – the Right and the ‘socialists’ – and for the interests that they represent – the large economic and financial groups – the referenda have only taken place so that the people can say yes to what suits those forces and interests.

Based on Bulgaria’s reform efforts and progress, the Socialist Group hopes that Bulgaria will sign and ratify the accession treaty as soon as possible and will become a member of the European Union in 2007.

However, the success of the National Movement for Simeon II and the clear defeat of both the ruling Union of Democratic Forces and the oppositional Bulgarian Socialist Party could very well be interpreted, as several observers have done, as an expression of lack of trust in politicians and political parties.