14 December 2006
NGOs Play Vital Role in Building Free Societies, Rice Says, December 14, 2006(Secretary of state launches new human rights initiatives)
By Michelle Austein
USINFO Staff Writer
Washington -- At a time when nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are under increasing pressure in many countries, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says, "it is imperative that democratic governments work in concert to defend the vital role that NGOs play in building free societies."
Rice on December 14 announced new U.S. initiatives to support NGOs and others who defend human rights worldwide.
"In countries all around the world, often at personal risk and against great odds, nongovernmental organizations and other human rights activists advocate for human rights and expose abuses," the secretary said. "They strive to protect the rights of minorities and workers and women and to stop the trafficking in human beings. They are building vibrant civil societies, pressing for free and fair elections and establishing accountable, law-based democracies."
Many NGOs face great challenges and repression, Rice said. "When NGOs and other human rights defenders are under siege, freedom and democracy are undermined," she said. "We must defend the defenders."
The secretary said the U.S. government is issuing 10 core NGO principles to guide the way governments treat these organizations. The United States will follow these principles and also will use them to assess the actions of other governments, Rice said. The principles are meant to complement existing United Nations and European Union documents dealing with NGOs and will serve as a resource for governments, international organizations, civil society groups and journalists.
The NGO principles include provisions stating that NGOs must be permitted to carry out their peaceful work without facing harassment, must have access to domestic and foreign media, should be free to seek financial support and should only face criminal or civil legal actions that are based on due process and equality before the law.
The principles are one of three new initiatives launched by the State Department to mark Human Rights Week. Another is the creation of a Human Rights Defenders Fund that will enable the U.S. government to respond quickly to human rights defenders' emergency needs by providing grants to activists who are facing financial, legal or medical problems as a result of government repression. The fund, which will be administered by the State Department, will begin at $1 million and be replenished as needed.
The third initiative is the creation of two annual awards to recognize those working to improve human rights. The Freedom Defenders Award will be awarded to a foreign activist or NGO that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to advocating human rights and democracy. The Diplomacy for Freedom Award will be presented to the U.S. ambassador who best promotes democracy using political, economic and diplomatic tools.
The week of December 10 marks the 58th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. "The declaration's precepts are embraced by people of every culture and color, every background and belief," Rice said.
The transcript of Rice's remarks is available on State Department Web site, along with the list of 10 Guiding Principles on Nongovernmental Organizations.
For additional information on U.S. policies, see Human Rights.
