Uddrag af det amerikanske udenrigsministeriums årlige rapport om menneskerettigheder, forfølgelse og tortur verden over. Her den generelle omtale af Afrika samt et amerikansk bistandsinitiativ.
Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2003-2004. Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
A decade ago single-party states and military dictatorships were the norm in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2004 Freedom in the World report, using its stringent criteria, lists 11 African countries as free and 20 as partly free.
Many more countries have made significant strides toward free and fair elections, effective governance and respect for internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Mauritania, for example, passed a law providing severe criminal sanctions for those convicted of trafficking in persons and using forced labor. Some long-term civil wars, including those in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia and Sudan, have concluded or may be near resolution.
Nonetheless, democracy efforts and human rights in Africa face severe challenges. These result from continuing conflict in some countries and regions, weak institutions and leadership, disunity among racial, linguistic, religious and tribal groups, corruption and poor governance.
Two years after deeply flawed presidential elections, the brave people of Zimbabwe continue to struggle under the heel of a despotic regime. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the end of apartheid in South Africa and the Rwandan genocide. The anniversary of both events continues to raise awareness on the need to promote and respect universal human rights.
Some African leaders recognize the challenge; one promising initiative is the New Partnership for Africas Development (NEPAD). To be effective, both NEPAD and the African Union must demonstrate their credibility by holding each participating state to high standards of democracy and human rights and imposing consequences for those African nations that fail to uphold them.
Sub-regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community and Economic Community of West African States also have important roles to play.
The United States is buttressing African efforts through election support and corporate responsibility programs. We have focused on efforts to resolve conflicts, defuse religious tensions and strengthen rule of law, free media and civil society.
Building upon the Community of Democracies, democratic nations from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean gathered in Miami in June 2003 for a “Dialogue on Democracy,” to exchange experiences and develop inter- and intra-regional dialogues, institutions and strategies to strengthen the global framework of democracy.
We continue to seek ways to expand capacity building and to professionalize African militaries. The African Growth and Opportunity Act encourages reform efforts. The Millennium Challenge Account, President Bushs landmark initiative to produce new accountability and results in foreign aid, also stands to benefit Africa.
ALVA WOMENS POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT PROJECT
The State Departments Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor allocated 400.000 dollar from its Human Rights and Democracy Fund to support the ALVA Consortiums Womens Leadership Program in East Africa. This innovative regional project is currently under way in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda and due to its success the project is expanding to include Angola.
The project equips candidates with the skills necessary to run an effective campaign, including developing platforms, grassroots outreach, research techniques, incorporating the media into their campaigns and giving presentations. Women traditionally have been underrepresented in the political process and therefore often lack the skills needed to seek their place in a representative government.
Empowering women in these countries will lead to a better informed citizenry and increased participation in political and economic decision-making. Upon completion of the program, a core group of women in each country will have the experience and skills necessary to establish sustainable leadership programs.
The project has enjoyed remarkable success in each country. For example, in Rwanda the project led to the development of the Rwanda Womens Leadership Caucus Conference (RWLC), which has been an important step in the development of representative democracy in Rwanda.
Of the 20 Rwandan women taking part in the project, 15 from the initial RWLC won political office in the September-October 2003 parliamentary elections. President Paul Kagame has appointed three of the women to serve as members of the Senate, the upper body of the emerging bicameral parliamentary system.
In December 2002, just 30 days before national elections, the ALVA Consortium led a similar program in Kenya. Working closely with Egerton University in Njoro, Kenya, ALVA crafted a program to strengthen political campaign management skills among 24 Kenyan women candidates.
Six of the 24 won their initial primary elections, and three went on to win in the general elections. One of the participants has since been appointed by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki to serve as the Assistant Minister of Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services.
“We affirmed our mutual desire to further deepen our cooperation for the benefit of the United States and Kenya. The U.S. supported the efforts made by Kenya in consolidating democracy, particularly after the successful general elections of December 2002. We share the common desire to promote and entrench democracy in Africa, and the need to support Kenya as a model of democracy.”
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, October 7, 2003
