They're more, like, guidelines anyways.

thesis: democracy can help lead political leaders move in the right direction

President Hugo Chavez's reforms were just defeated Monday last week by the very people who put him in power (with 63% of the vote just last year); the reforms were defeated 51% to 49%. Mr. Chavez is probably, and understandably, disappointed. But do not despair, o supporters of Chavez! for he has promised to keep fighting for his reforms: "I will not withdraw even one comma of this proposal, this proposal is still alive" he said. Commendable, but undoubtedly not what the people were looking for. However, I imagine he shall definitely relook his proposals, or at least hold off until the opportune moment.

Vietnam, although not democratic, is still affected by pro-democratic protesters. About 300 of them showed up in front of the Vietnamese embassy in Washington to protest the arrest of 6 political activists all the way in Vietnam; two of them happen to be US citizens. They were a part of the group called the "Viet Tan". Officials in Washington protested against imprisoning people for "peaceful assembly", while 11 US lawmakers wrote to Vietnam's prime minister, complaining that these arrests "violate the government of Vietnam's promise to continue to improve its human rights record". Undoubtedly Vietnam will have to respond to these protests, hopefully with positive results.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7124313.stm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071211/pl_afp/vietnamrightsusarrests