14 July 2005

Weekly Review of Developments in Human Rights and Democracy, July 14, 2005

(Srebrenica anniversary; Central Asia Democracy and Human Rights Act; Albright in Azerbaijan; U.S. support for Andijan probe; Kyrgyz election; Kazakh release of Uzbek refugee Shamsitdinov)

Following are some of the most significant recent U.S. government policy pronouncements, hearings and reports on human rights and democracy concerning Eurasia, as well as some noteworthy materials released by international organizations and nongovernmental organizations:

10TH ANNIVERSARY OF MASSACRE AT SREBRENICA OBSERVED

Thousands gathered in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, July 11 to observe the 10th anniversary of the worst massacre in Europe since World War II.

A U.S. presidential delegation led by Pierre-Richard Prosper, U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues, represented the United States at the ceremony.

President Bush offered America’s “deepest condolences and expression of sympathy” to the victims of this “horrific event” and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to ensure “that those responsible for these crimes face justice, most notably Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic.” (See related article.)

In anticipation of the 10th anniversary of the massacre, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate passed identical resolutions honoring the victims and expressing the sense of the House and Senate that the massacre was an act of genocide.  The perpetrators “should be held accountable for their actions,” the resolutions said.

CENTRAL ASIA DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACT INTRODUCED

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to withhold American aid to governments of Central Asia that fail to democratize and respect human rights.  The bill – H.R. 3189 -- is called the Central Asia Democracy and Human Rights Act (CADHRA) of 2005 and would apply to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The objective of the legislation is “to encourage real reform, which ultimately promotes long-term stability and security in the region and supports American values,” according to Representative Christopher H. Smith, the bill’s author and the co-chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, a U.S. government agency that monitors progress in the implementation of the provisions of the 1975 Helsinki Accords.

If enacted in its current form, CADHRA would condition all nonhumanitarian assistance to Central Asian governments – including military assistance -- on the president certifying that the country is making "substantial, sustained and demonstrable progress toward democratization and full respect for human rights."  U.S. assistance would be reduced by 33 percent for each year a positive determination cannot be made.  In the third year, all aid to that government would be discontinued, unless the president restores 33 percent on national security grounds.  Assistance could be restored over a three-year period if a country is certified to be making progress on democratization and human rights.

"The governments of the Central Asia region need to be aware that they endanger the length and breadth of their relationship with the United States when they fail to respect human rights,” said Smith, a Republican from New Jersey, according to a statement on the legislation issued July 12 by the Helsinki Commission.

Under CADHRA, withheld funds would be redirected toward nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) for democratization and human rights projects.

To become law, CADHRA must be passed by majorities in the House and Senate and signed by the president.

A statement on the introduction of CADHRA in the House is available on the Helsinki Commission Web site.

The proposed text of CADHRA is available in the Congressional Record.

FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT VISITS AZERBAIJAN

Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright visited Azerbaijan in her capacity as chair of the U.S.-based National Democratic Institute.

"My meetings here would indicate that the United States and nongovernmental organizations and the National Democratic Institute [are] very interested in moving forward on democratic parliamentary elections. It's the most important thing that Azerbaijan can do to give the people the opportunity to state their views," Albright told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Azerbaijani Service July 13.

An article on her two-day visit and mounting international pressure for free and fair parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan is available from RFE/RL.

U.S. SUPPORTS U.N. CALL FOR INDEPENDENT PROBE OF ANDIJAN EVENTS

The United States continues to work with partners in the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations in support of an independent international probe into the events that took place May 18 in Andijan, Uzbekistan. 

On July 12, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Louise Arbour again called for an international investigation into the events at Andijan.  (See related article for links to primary sources.)

KYRGYZ ELECTION HAILED AS "SIGNIFICANT STEP" TOWARD DEMOCRACY

The United States congratulated the winner of the July 10 elections in Kyrgyzstan, acting President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, as well as the people of Kyrgyzstan.

For more information on the U.S. response to the elections and links to the preliminary report of the international election observation mission, see related article.

U.S. WELCOMES KAZAKH DECISION ON UZBEK REFUGEE SHAMSITDINOV

The United States welcomes Kazakhstan's decision to allow Uzbek human rights defender Lutfullo Shamsitdinov and his family to travel to a third country.

For the text of the U.S. statement, see related article.

For additional coverage of the topics listed above and related issues, see Europe and Eurasia.