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A1 Plus | 18:14:45 | 29-03-2005 | Politics |
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELEASES REPORT ON US SUPPORT TO HUMAN RIGHTS
Armenia
The Government's human rights record remained poor; although there were
some improvements in a few areas, serious problems remained.
The president, who is directly elected, has extensive powers that are
not checked by the legislature or judiciary. Recent elections v
including the controversial 2003 presidential election v have not met
international standards. There were some limits on freedom of assembly,
the media and religious freedom.
However, in a positive step toward religious freedom, the Government
registered the Jehovah's Witnesses. Judges remained subject to pressure
from the executive branch and corruption was a problem. Some members of
the security forces committed a number of human rights abuses. Security
forces beat pretrial detainees, and impunity remained a problem. There
were instances of arbitrary arrests and detentions. In April, police
used excessive force to disperse an opposition rally, detained
opposition politicians and raided opposition party offices. The
Government's assistance with the creation of a civilian prison
monitoring board and decision to permit independent monitoring of prison
conditions were positive developments. While the Government took steps
to limit trafficking in persons, violence against women and trafficking
of women and children remained problems. The U.S. human rights and
democracy strategy focused on the promotion of democratic institutions
and processes, the development of a vibrant civil society, fundamental
freedoms, rule of law, human rights and anti-trafficking measures.
United States officials regularly met with Armenian government
officials, parliamentary opposition leaders, religious minorities and
human rights activists regarding these issues. In 2004, the United
States sent two high-level State Department officials to Armenia who
engaged leaders on a variety of human rights issues. United States
officials raised human rights concerns during all high-level encounters
with Armenian officials, including during the meetings of the
U.S.-Armenia Task Force in May and October. The Embassy hosted numerous
representational events and roundtables during the year to raise
awareness and encourage dialogue in support of these objectives.
To promote democratic institutions and processes, the United States
supported programs designed to strengthen the separation of powers.
Toward that end, the United States funded programs in Armenia to augment
the national legislative abilities to respond to citizen concerns. The
Armenian National Assembly provided its members with information they
previously lacked, such as drafts of past legislation and
non-governmental organization (NGO) literature. The United States helped
the National Assembly's Control Chamber to improve legislative oversight
of the national budget and helped the Government improve the published
budget. The United States helped Armenian citizens access information on
pending legislation. With U.S. support and encouragement, the National
Assembly improved its transparency by holding committee hearings,
publishing draft laws in newspaper inserts and developing a tracking
system for citizen inquiries and communications. The program also
provided citizens with information about the National Assembly through
the creation of a website and publication and dissemination of draft
legislation.
The United States targeted its assistance to expand civic participation,
strengthen institutions of governance, and empower citizens to hold
government accountable by encouraging laws and policies needed to create
a democratic governance framework in Armenia. United States-funded
programs helped local governments improve internal management systems,
implement transition reforms, strengthen oversight and fiscal
responsibilities and increase public accessibility and accountability.
With U.S. help, more than 13,000 people participated in 240 town hall
meetings to discuss citizen concerns with community leaders. In more
than 660 dialogue groups held around the country, citizens discussed the
law on the legal status of property, community schools, privatization,
community development and apartment building administration, among other
issues. The impact of these programs was reflected in the concrete
actions taken by initiative groups that formed as a result of the
dialogues. Successful efforts included renovation of a local state
college and establishment of a library fund for the college,
legalization of supplementary constructions by building residents and
improvements in the sanitary situation in communities. Through these
programs, citizens created tangible improvements in their communities by
engaging in democratic processes at the local level.
To promote the development of a vibrant civil society, the United States
gave grants and technical assistance to advocacy NGOs and continued to
foster citizen participation at the grassroots level. The United States
supported public awareness campaigns, including campaigns to address the
societal costs of corruption and the shared responsibility for combating
it. The United States also launched a program to strengthen Armenian
NGOs through 82 grants in various sectors. This program has demonstrated
success as citizen advocacy programs deepen and broaden, and according
to USAID's NGO Sustainability Index, NGOs in Armenia have significantly
increased their self-sustainable capacity.
The United States also provided 38 small grants in 2004 to NGOs and
independent media outlets that work to strengthen democratic
institutions and promote civil society in Armenia. These embassy-based
"Democracy Commission Small Grants" addressed issues such as citizens'
use of the newly passed Law on Freedom of Information, patients' rights,
environmental education, the promotion of volunteerism, media literacy
and the integration of disabled youth into society. Following the
Government's excessive reaction to peaceful opposition protests, the
Department of State issued a Statement in April which observed that
"Physical assaults, raids on political party offices and widespread
arrests and detentions of opposition activists by the police do not
contribute to creating an atmosphere conducive to political dialogue."
The United States also sponsored international visitors to observe
political parties in action during the U.S. elections.
To promote freedom of the media, the United States provided equipment
and technical assistance to increase journalists' level of
professionalism and objectivity. A U.S-funded International Visitors
Program on media ethics introduced Armenian journalists to democratic
media practices in the United States.
To promote the rule of law, the United States continued to engage with
the Armenian Ministry of Justice and legal institutions. With the
assistance of a U.S.-funded NGO, the Government enacted legislation
creating a bar association for defense lawyers. Human rights advocates
believe that the new association will increase the legal defense of
human rights by improving the training and organization of defense lawyers.
Senior U.S. officials consistently engaged government officials on the
rights of women, children, minorities and the disabled. In 2004, the
United States began a Children's Tolerance Education Program in
elementary schools and closely monitored and engaged the Government on
issues of intolerance.
United States officials urged greater respect for religious freedom. As
a direct result of international engagement, the Government of Armenia
legally registered Armenia's Jehovah's Witnesses and enacted new laws to
allow conscientious objectors an alternative to mandatory military service.
The United States increased its assistance to anti-trafficking efforts
in Armenia, aiding the Government, local NGOs and international
organizations in their efforts. With U.S. assistance, the Government
began training consular officers to recognize and assist potential
victims of trafficking, and the United States invested in informational
and child-protective prevention efforts. The United States established
programs to research trends in trafficking and assisted in the creation
of anti-trafficking legislation. The United States continued to engage
the Government diplomatically on trafficking issues. The United States
also significantly assisted NGOs in creating, maintaining and
publicizing victim assistance programs nationwide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELEASES REPORT ON US SUPPORT TO HUMAN RIGHTS
Armenia
The Government's human rights record remained poor; although there were
some improvements in a few areas, serious problems remained.
The president, who is directly elected, has extensive powers that are
not checked by the legislature or judiciary. Recent elections v
including the controversial 2003 presidential election v have not met
international standards. There were some limits on freedom of assembly,
the media and religious freedom.
However, in a positive step toward religious freedom, the Government
registered the Jehovah's Witnesses. Judges remained subject to pressure
from the executive branch and corruption was a problem. Some members of
the security forces committed a number of human rights abuses. Security
forces beat pretrial detainees, and impunity remained a problem. There
were instances of arbitrary arrests and detentions. In April, police
used excessive force to disperse an opposition rally, detained
opposition politicians and raided opposition party offices. The
Government's assistance with the creation of a civilian prison
monitoring board and decision to permit independent monitoring of prison
conditions were positive developments. While the Government took steps
to limit trafficking in persons, violence against women and trafficking
of women and children remained problems. The U.S. human rights and
democracy strategy focused on the promotion of democratic institutions
and processes, the development of a vibrant civil society, fundamental
freedoms, rule of law, human rights and anti-trafficking measures.
United States officials regularly met with Armenian government
officials, parliamentary opposition leaders, religious minorities and
human rights activists regarding these issues. In 2004, the United
States sent two high-level State Department officials to Armenia who
engaged leaders on a variety of human rights issues. United States
officials raised human rights concerns during all high-level encounters
with Armenian officials, including during the meetings of the
U.S.-Armenia Task Force in May and October. The Embassy hosted numerous
representational events and roundtables during the year to raise
awareness and encourage dialogue in support of these objectives.
To promote democratic institutions and processes, the United States
supported programs designed to strengthen the separation of powers.
Toward that end, the United States funded programs in Armenia to augment
the national legislative abilities to respond to citizen concerns. The
Armenian National Assembly provided its members with information they
previously lacked, such as drafts of past legislation and
non-governmental organization (NGO) literature. The United States helped
the National Assembly's Control Chamber to improve legislative oversight
of the national budget and helped the Government improve the published
budget. The United States helped Armenian citizens access information on
pending legislation. With U.S. support and encouragement, the National
Assembly improved its transparency by holding committee hearings,
publishing draft laws in newspaper inserts and developing a tracking
system for citizen inquiries and communications. The program also
provided citizens with information about the National Assembly through
the creation of a website and publication and dissemination of draft
legislation.
The United States targeted its assistance to expand civic participation,
strengthen institutions of governance, and empower citizens to hold
government accountable by encouraging laws and policies needed to create
a democratic governance framework in Armenia. United States-funded
programs helped local governments improve internal management systems,
implement transition reforms, strengthen oversight and fiscal
responsibilities and increase public accessibility and accountability.
With U.S. help, more than 13,000 people participated in 240 town hall
meetings to discuss citizen concerns with community leaders. In more
than 660 dialogue groups held around the country, citizens discussed the
law on the legal status of property, community schools, privatization,
community development and apartment building administration, among other
issues. The impact of these programs was reflected in the concrete
actions taken by initiative groups that formed as a result of the
dialogues. Successful efforts included renovation of a local state
college and establishment of a library fund for the college,
legalization of supplementary constructions by building residents and
improvements in the sanitary situation in communities. Through these
programs, citizens created tangible improvements in their communities by
engaging in democratic processes at the local level.
To promote the development of a vibrant civil society, the United States
gave grants and technical assistance to advocacy NGOs and continued to
foster citizen participation at the grassroots level. The United States
supported public awareness campaigns, including campaigns to address the
societal costs of corruption and the shared responsibility for combating
it. The United States also launched a program to strengthen Armenian
NGOs through 82 grants in various sectors. This program has demonstrated
success as citizen advocacy programs deepen and broaden, and according
to USAID's NGO Sustainability Index, NGOs in Armenia have significantly
increased their self-sustainable capacity.
The United States also provided 38 small grants in 2004 to NGOs and
independent media outlets that work to strengthen democratic
institutions and promote civil society in Armenia. These embassy-based
"Democracy Commission Small Grants" addressed issues such as citizens'
use of the newly passed Law on Freedom of Information, patients' rights,
environmental education, the promotion of volunteerism, media literacy
and the integration of disabled youth into society. Following the
Government's excessive reaction to peaceful opposition protests, the
Department of State issued a Statement in April which observed that
"Physical assaults, raids on political party offices and widespread
arrests and detentions of opposition activists by the police do not
contribute to creating an atmosphere conducive to political dialogue."
The United States also sponsored international visitors to observe
political parties in action during the U.S. elections.
To promote freedom of the media, the United States provided equipment
and technical assistance to increase journalists' level of
professionalism and objectivity. A U.S-funded International Visitors
Program on media ethics introduced Armenian journalists to democratic
media practices in the United States.
To promote the rule of law, the United States continued to engage with
the Armenian Ministry of Justice and legal institutions. With the
assistance of a U.S.-funded NGO, the Government enacted legislation
creating a bar association for defense lawyers. Human rights advocates
believe that the new association will increase the legal defense of
human rights by improving the training and organization of defense lawyers.
Senior U.S. officials consistently engaged government officials on the
rights of women, children, minorities and the disabled. In 2004, the
United States began a Children's Tolerance Education Program in
elementary schools and closely monitored and engaged the Government on
issues of intolerance.
United States officials urged greater respect for religious freedom. As
a direct result of international engagement, the Government of Armenia
legally registered Armenia's Jehovah's Witnesses and enacted new laws to
allow conscientious objectors an alternative to mandatory military service.
The United States increased its assistance to anti-trafficking efforts
in Armenia, aiding the Government, local NGOs and international
organizations in their efforts. With U.S. assistance, the Government
began training consular officers to recognize and assist potential
victims of trafficking, and the United States invested in informational
and child-protective prevention efforts. The United States established
programs to research trends in trafficking and assisted in the creation
of anti-trafficking legislation. The United States continued to engage
the Government diplomatically on trafficking issues. The United States
also significantly assisted NGOs in creating, maintaining and
publicizing victim assistance programs nationwide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress