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Thoraya Obaid - Working for Women

Thoraya Obaid, the first Saudi Arabian Executive Director of the United Nations' Population Fund (UNFPA), enjoys a reputation as a fighter and a 'pioneer for the education of women'. Sigrid Dethloff and Renate Bernhard took a look at what her job entails.

Reforming Turkey

Turkey wants to join the European Union, and is making great efforts to fulfil the political criteria for acceptance. In the judicial system, in particular, there is still a great deal to be done.

Morsi under Fire for anti-Israel Remarks

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has cultivated the image of a political pragmatist. But he made inflammatory remarks against Israel in old TV interviews, raising questions about whether he harbors anti-Semitic views. Nils Naumann reports

"The Situation Is Worse Than Before"

When the Human Rights Council was established in March 2006, it replaced the UN Commission on Human Rights, which was often criticised for the high-profile positions it gave to member states with bad human rights records. In this interview, Council member Günter Nooke talks about the work of the new institution

Germany Gripped

It may be taking place thousands of miles away, but the trial of an Afghan convert to Christianity in Kabul and a possible looming death sentence have whipped up emotions in Germany and other Western nations. Sonia Phalnikar reports

The Importance of Not Playing Down the Risks

Former German state secretary Jürgen Chrobog and his family have been kidnapped in East Yemen. Kidnapping of foreign citizens is not a rare occurrence in Yemen, where clan traditions play a major role in society. Peter Philipp reports

Democracy under Pressure

As voters in Azerbaijan go to the polls on 6 November, they will do more than choose a new parliament. They will take part in a vote seen as a gauge of stability and commitment to democracy. Marianna Yahilevich reports

Helpless Help

Despite the best of intentions, development aid doesn' accomplish much, says Kiflemariam Gebre-wold. Without a thorough overhaul of the foreign aid machinery of assistance, the world will not reach the Millennium Development Goals

A Triumph for Islamist Hardliners

In a surprise victory, Teheran's archconservative mayor Ahmadinejad has won the presidential election – in large part, Peter Philipp argues, due to low voter turnout and calls for a boycott on the part of Iranian dissidents in exile.

Hope for the "Invisible" of Society

Among the nearly three million immigrants living in Spain, many still have no residence or work permit. The Zapatero government has decided to finally get a grip on this problem and has begun a new program to legalize immigrants. By Gina Pellarini