Reviewer Acknowledgements (Vol. 4, No. 2)

International Journal of Law and Public Administration (IJLPA) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this volume. Many authors, regardless of whether IJLPA publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this volume.Reviewers for Volume 4, Number 2Andrea Kajcsa, University of Medicine, RomaniaDragoljub Popović, Union University School of Law, SerbiaEncarnación Abad Arenas, National University of Distance Education (UNED), SpainJohn Mark R. Asio, Gordon College, PhilippinesJosé Sebastián Kurlat Aimar, University of Buenos Aires, ArgentinaMarcin Roman Czubala Ostapiuk, Universidad Nacional de Eduación a Distancia, SpainTaylisi de Souza Corrêa Leite, Anhanguera University, Brazil

Family and Community Dynamics That Contribute to Female Involvement in Terrorist Activity in Nigeria

Since 2013, Boko Haram has significantly contributed to gendered violence against women. This study examines the experiences of 16 women and girls who lived in the Boko Haram camp from 2014-2018 and had varying levels of engagement in the organization's activities. The study employs a qualitative phenomenological in-depth interview methodology. Semi-structured interviews conducted in Nigeria yielded data on the respondents' experiences before, during, and after their times with Boko Haram. Based on the analysis of interview responses and field notes, several themes emerged. Overall findings suggest that family and community dynamics play a significant role in terrorism in Nigeria. More specifically, early child marriage and the lack of access to education increase girls' vulnerability to abductions by Boko Haram, which, in turn, contributes to involvement in terrorism. Boko Haram members take control over the most disadvantaged and vulnerable victims and, through direct threats or non-consensual marriage, force these women to succumb to their pressure. Respondents reported facing barriers to reintegration into the community, although those with more formal education tended to fare better. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for future research and counter-terrorism efforts in Nigeria.

Israel's Trade Alliances Strategy: Enjoying the Best of All Worlds

This article revisits Israel's trade and political alliance with the European Union – its major trade partner. The article examines the position calling to water down Israel-EU trade relations, considering EU's insistence on linking economic benefits with political advancement in the region, insights gained by the COVID-19 pandemic and substantial recent regional developments: Israel's trade diversification policy, the conclusion of Abraham Accords and the discovery of gas in the Eastern Mediterranean basin. Concluding that such a strategy may not serve the parties' interests best, the article explores ways to leverage these developments to further enhance EU-Israel partnership.

Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation: The Next Frontier in Global Politics

National parliaments have become significantly active in international arena particularly in advancing democracy and national interests within a globalized context. This report assesses the role that inter-parliamentary organizations play in regional and global political scenes under the umbrella of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The article views these regional institutions in the context of their relations to the IPU through content analysis of available literature. Three of the regional bodies of interest in the report are the Arab Parliament, Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), and the European Union Parliament. The findings drawn from available literature shows that these organizations have become the new frontier for political movements as they take center stage in global affairs. The objectives of these regional bodies are largely aligned with those of the IPU, and it is not surprising that they frequently collaborate or agree on several issues. The article concludes that the Inter-parliamentary diplomacy and the pursuit of democracy through collective efforts of regional parliamentary bodies have made it possible for IPU to have a higher political currency in different jurisdictions.

Ukraine's Cultural Diplomacy in the Black Sea Region

The article analyzes the achievements, prospects and issues of Ukrainian cultural diplomacy in the Black Sea region. It outlines different levels of cultural cooperation in the region, in which the goals of Ukraine's cultural diplomacy can be realized: cooperation within UNESCO, cooperation within the Eastern European Partnership, cooperation within the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), cooperation within bilateral cultural contacts. It is emphasized that all formats of cultural interaction complement each other and can have a synergistic effect. It is noted that Ukraine is one of the few countries that has participated in the ICDS testing, and together with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan can set a precedent for the regional application of this methodology by UNESCO. Ukrainian cultural diplomacy in the Black Sea region is also considered in connection with the state’s European integration obligations under the "Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU". Summarizing the level of activity in the field of cultural diplomacy in the region, it is noted that Ukraine is not fully aware of the importance of cultural diplomacy tools for resolving the conflict situation related to the occupation of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian Federation. Examining the content of the "Strategy of Public Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 2021-2025", a recommendation was made to supplement the list of target regions for cultural diplomacy of Ukraine with the Black Sea region as an integral socio-cultural object.

Peru: From Exclusionary Constitutionalism to a Transformative One, Progress and Remaining Challenges

This article covers the evolution of key gender relations issues in Peruvian constitutions for almost a century, from 1931 to 2021. It analyses the path travelled from the exclusion of women as citizens to the achievement of parity in political participation; the transformation of the equality clause into one that has the possibility to incorporate discrimination based on sexual orientation as a prohibited category; as well as changes in the conception of maternity protection by the State, until one arrives at a provision that recognizes the right of people to decide individually about their reproductive choices. The article also reports on the participation of women in the struggle for these gains, their initiatives both in formal and informal spaces, as well as the demands of first and second wave feminist movements. All these points are organised through categories coined by Ruth Rubio Marín, to understand constitutionalism from a gender perspective: exclusionary, inclusive, participatory, and transformative constitutionalism.

Reviewer Acknowledgements

International Journal of Law and Public Administration (IJLPA) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this volume. Many authors, regardless of whether IJLPA publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this volume.Reviewers for Volume 4, Number 1Adrian Cristian Moise, Spiru Haret University of Bucharest, RomaniaAndrea Kajcsa, University of Medicine, RomaniaAntonio Fortes Martín, Carlos III University of Madrid, SpainBranko Dimeski, St. Kliment Ohridski University, MacedoniaDragoljub Popović, Union University School of Law, SerbiaEncarnación Abad Arenas, National University of Distance Education (UNED), SpainIvan Kosnica, University of Zagreb, CroatiaJohn Mark R. Asio, Gordon College, PhilippinesJosé Sebastián Kurlat Aimar, University of Buenos Aires, ArgentinaRose Casimiro, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, PhilippinesTatiana Bachvarova, Special Tribunal for Lebanon, BulgariaTaylisi de Souza Corrêa Leite, Anhanguera University, BrazilThomas Prehi Botchway, University of Education, Winneba, GhanaBennett BrownEditorial AssistantInternational Journal of Law and Public Administration--------------------------------------------------------------------Redfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USATel: 1-503-828-0536 ext. 511Fax: 1-503-828-0537E-mail: [email protected]: http://ijlpa.redfame.com

Does Ecuador Comply with International Tax Information Exchange Standards Required to Apply the Multilateral Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters?

The exchange of tax information is essential to prevent fraud and tax evasion. Accordingly, states and international organizations have developed international conventions regarding the exchange of tax information. One example is the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. Some States, including Ecuador, have signed and ratified this Convention. However, it is unclear whether Ecuador currently meets almost all Convention's requirements.In this article, I investigated the Ecuadorian regulations and showed that Ecuador complies with most of the Convention’s standards. However, Ecuador does not have a specific comprehensive law that regulates information exchange. Therefore, Ecuador should develop policies and norms that exclusively regulate tax information exchange to facilitate practical information exchanging with other tax authorities.

General Introduction of the Shura Council in Saudi Arabia and Parliamentary Diplomacy

Aim: The thesis aims to evaluate the role of the Shura Council in Saudi Arabia's transition and identify if Shura Council can be a catalyst for change in the nation's foreign policy. Saudi's economy is over-relying on oil production, which increases the Kingdom's vulnerability due to uncertainties in the oil markets and other risks. Saudi's vision 2030 aims to decrease Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil and expand the Kingdom's economic resources. The vision 2030 is anchored on three pillars: solidifying the Kingdom's locus in the heart of the Arab and Islamic nations; the quest to become an international investment powerhouse; the Kingdom's strategic site with the capacity to be a hub that connects three continents Africa, Asia, and Europe.Method: The thesis adopts literature review as the main method to establish the composition and effectiveness of the Shura council its design functions.Findings: As currently constituted, the Shura council cannot freely champion effective foreign policies and regulations that support the Kingdom's goals. Shura council is fully under the kings' absolute power, denying them the opportunity to meet their democratic mandate.Concision: The Shura studies and interpret the laws, development plans, and the annual reports of Ministries and Government Sectors. Hence, the council also proposes and amend laws. As long as the Shura Council Members are still King's appointees, the political, social, and economic reforms that Saudi Arabians are eagerly waiting for will take decades to come by. Human rights violations are still evident.Recommendations: The study recommends constitutional monarchy adoption, need for human rights, and fundamental freedom laws to be upheld and allow public participation in legislative process. Strengthening the parliament's oversight roles require the Kingdom to grand Shura Council's independence granting power to partake a vote of no confidence, hearing, interpellation and make committees of inquiry where need be to help Saudi to attain vision 2030 goals.

An Assessment of the Legal Provisions for the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in India

Longevity is a fundamental dream of all living things. In traditional Indian culture, elders have been accorded a high status and a symbol of reverence. Each child has a virtuous duty to hold his parents as true images of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, which God has put on them. However, the winds of change are blowing all around us, and new situations are arising. The elderly have faced economic, social, and political challenges as a result of the nuclear family structure, modernization, industrialization, population growth, globalisation, rising unemployment, and poverty, among other factors. Physical, physiological, and emotional violence, as well as a lack of financial support, add insult to injury. Is it for this that a parent has dedicated his whole life? This shift in conduct necessitates the provision of defence and social welfare. Parents were increasingly oppressed, as they were compared to Godly creatures and addressed as "Matru-deo Bhava," "Pitrudeo Bhava," and so on, which was not the customary common practise. The author was moved to tears by the current situation, so he conducted this research study on the legislation for The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, in accordance with the provisions of Article 41 read with Entry 23 of the Concurrent List (Schedule VIII) of the Constitution of India. To bring to light which protective legislations, as well as Penal Provisions, were designed to provide social protection to elderly parents? And what amendments to current laws would be needed to improve Indian cultural roots? And how effective has the judiciary been in promoting and preserving the right of this vulnerable group of people, namely older parents and senior citizens, to live in dignity?