05 April 2007

U.S. Supporting Human Rights and Democracy Strategy

Includes the purpose, human rights week initiatives, and the guiding principles

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Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006
U.S. Department of State
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
April 5, 2007

U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY STRATEGY

Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006 describes the wide range of diplomatic tools we applied last year to support indigenous reform efforts across the globe.

There is no single formula for advancing personal and democratic freedoms. Our efforts focused on the three core components of a working democracy that must be present if human rights are to be effectively exercised and protected: One -- a free and fair elections process, with a level playing field to ensure genuine competition; Two -- good governance, with representative, transparent and accountable institutions operating under the rule of law, including independent legislatures and judiciaries; and Three -- a robust civil society and independent media that can keep government honest, keep citizens engaged, and keep reforms on track. Where these three essential elements of democracy were weak, we worked to strengthen them; where they were under siege, we sought to defend them, and where they were non-existent due to government repression, we spoke out for those who live in fear yet dream of freedom.

As these reports indicate, we tailored our support for human rights and democracy to the challenges particular to each country and region. In the Western Hemisphere, for example, the principal challenge is democratic development -- helping democracies improve their capacity to deliver on the demands of their citizens for a better life. For many countries in Africa, ending violence remains central to improving human rights conditions and advancing governmental reforms. The challenges for human rights and democracy across South, Central and East Asia and the Pacific are as diverse as the countries in that vast expanse. In many cases, we helped democracies better address issues of governance to deepen the progress that they have made. In other cases, where leaders maintain control at the expense of the rights of their citizens, we spotlighted abuses and worked to expose populations to the global flow of ideas and information. In Europe, we continued to cooperate with our European partners to fulfill the vision of a continent that finally is whole, free and at peace. And in the broader Middle East and North Africa region, we responded to the growing demand for political, economic and educational reform through innovative multilateral and bilateral efforts such as the Forum for the Future and the Middle East Partnership Initiative.

Also in 2006, Secretary of State Rice announced two important initiatives in support of human rights and democracy defenders: a Human Rights Defenders Fund; and ten guiding NGO Principles regarding the treatment by governments of nongovernmental organizations.

The Human Rights Defenders Fund will enable the State Department to quickly disburse small grants to human rights defenders facing extraordinary needs as a result of government repression. This funding, which will begin at $1.5 million and will be replenished each year as needed, could go to cover legal defense or medical costs, or short-term support to meet the pressing needs of activists’ families.

The ten guiding NGO Principles will guide our own treatment of NGOs, and we also will use them to assess the actions of other governments. The Principles are meant to complement lengthier, more detailed, UN and other international documents addressing NGOs and other human rights defenders. We hope that our contribution of the ten NGO Principles will help to rally worldwide support for embattled NGOs by serving as a handy resource for governments, international organizations, civil society groups and journalists.

Advances for human rights and democracy depend first and foremost on the courage and the commitment of men and women working for reform in their own countries. Progress also will require sustained and concerted efforts by the United States and fellow democracies in every region of the world. The path forward rarely will be linear. Fragile democracies can founder. Countries whose leaders are not fully committed to democracy can backslide. Those pressing for reform inevitably encounter push back from those who do not welcome change. These are sobering realities. At the same time, we believe that our work for freedom’s cause can help to create new, hopeful realities for men and women across the globe.

PURPOSE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006

This report is submitted to the Congress by the Department of State in compliance with Section 665 of P.L. 107-228, the Fiscal Year 2003 Foreign Relations Authorization Act, which requires the Department to report on actions taken by the U.S. Government to encourage respect for human rights. This fifth annual submission complements the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2006, and takes the next step, moving from highlighting abuses to reporting the actions and programs the United States has employed to end those abuses.

Unlike the Country Reports, Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006 highlights United States efforts to promote human rights and democracy in only selected countries and entities – those facing the most serious human rights challenges. References to Tibet have been incorporated into the China report, and the Serbia report has a separate section on Kosovo. To make the report consistent with the criteria in the legislation, this year’s report deletes a number of countries: Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong from the China report, Malaysia, Solomon Islands, Bhutan, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Suriname, and adds Fiji.

Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006 reflects the dedicated effort of hundreds of officials from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as the employees of numerous non-governmental organizations. US embassies and consulates prepared the initial drafts of the reports. After the posts completed their drafts, the texts were sent to Washington for review by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, in cooperation with other State Department bureaus and offices and other US departments and agencies. As they worked to analyze and edit the reports, the State Department officers drew on their own knowledge of US government programs and activities.

Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006 will be used as a resource for shaping policy, conducting diplomacy and making assistance, training and other resource allocations. It will also serve as a basis for the US Government’s cooperation with private groups to promote the observance of internationally recognized human rights and democracy. As United States officials consider how best to advance the President’s foreign policy goals, they adhere to relevant legislation. A list of significant legislation can be found at www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/42314.htm.

2006 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK INITIATIVES

“Defending the Defenders”

The United States maintains its strong commitment to support those courageous individuals who are fighting for freedom and liberty around the world.

In commemoration of President Bush’s proclamation of December 10, 2006 as Human Rights Day and in recognition of Human Rights Week, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced three new initiatives on December 10, 2006 advancing U.S. Government efforts on democracy and human rights, and responding to a global trend of government crackdowns on non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders.

1. Human Rights Defenders Fund -- In countries where tyranny persists, and even in states with some semblance of democratic institutions, human rights defenders are frequently put in jeopardy by the nature of their work. They are harassed, physically threatened or harmed, and many times detained and imprisoned. The creation of a global Human Rights Defenders Fund will enable the U.S. government to respond to human rights defenders’ emergency needs quickly by providing assistance to activists who are facing extraordinary financial, legal or medical needs as a result of government repression. The Fund will begin with $1.5 million and will be replenished as needed.

2. NGO Principles -- When non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are under siege, freedom and democracy are undermined. The U.S. Government is advancing ten core NGO Principles which guide our own treatment of NGOs and which we use to assess the actions of other governments. The Principles distill and complement lengthier United Nations and other international documents. We hope they will also be a useful tool for rallying worldwide support for embattled NGOs, by serving as a handy resource for governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and the media.

3. Freedom Awards -- Beginning in December 2007, the Secretary of State will present two awards annually to recognize those striving to advance human dignity. The Freedom Defenders Award will be awarded to a foreign activist or NGO which has demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing liberty and courage in the face of adversity. The Diplomacy for Freedom Award will honor the U.S. Ambassador who best advances the President’s Freedom Agenda by working to end tyranny and promote democracy using the full array of political, economic, diplomatic, and other tools. The Ambassador will be recognized not only for individual achievement, but for his or her leadership in engaging the entire Embassy on implementing the Freedom Agenda.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES ON NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

Recognizing that non-governmental organizations (NGOs)/1 are essential to the development and success of free societies and that they play a vital role in ensuring accountable, democratic government,

And recalling the right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association enshrined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders,

We hereby pledge our commitment to the following principles and our determination to work for their full implementation throughout the world:

1. Individuals should be permitted to form, join and participate in NGOs of their choosing in the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

2. Any restrictions which may be placed on the exercise by members of NGOs of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association must be consistent with international legal obligations.

3. NGOs should be permitted to carry out their peaceful work in a hospitable environment free from fear of harassment, reprisal, intimidation and discrimination.

4. Acknowledging governments’ authority to regulate entities within their territory to promote the public welfare, such laws and administrative measures should protect -- not impede -- the peaceful operation of NGOs and be enforced in an apolitical, fair, transparent and consistent manner.

5. Criminal and civil legal actions brought by governments against NGOs, like those brought against all individuals and organizations, should be based on tenets of due process and equality before the law.

6. NGOs should be permitted to seek, receive, manage and administer for their peaceful activities financial support from domestic, foreign and international entities.

7. NGOs should be free to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, including advocating their opinions to governments and the public within and outside the countries in which they are based.

8. Governments should not interfere with NGOs’ access to domestic- and foreign-based media.

9. NGOs should be free to maintain contact and cooperate with their own members and other elements of civil society within and outside the countries in which they are based, as well as with governments and international bodies.

10. Whenever the aforementioned NGO principles are violated, it is imperative that democratic nations act in their defense.

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1/As used here, the term NGOs includes independent public policy advocacy organizations, non-profit organizations that defend human rights and promote democracy, humanitarian organizations, private foundations and funds, charitable trusts, societies, associations and non-profit corporations. It does not include political parties.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)