Europe and Eurasia

Through diplomacy and targeted assistance, the United States showed its commitment to promoting democratic reform and respect for human rights in Europe and Eurasia in 2004. The United States encouraged dialogue between governments, independent and opposition political parties, and civil society and provided non-partisan capacity-building support to create an environment conducive to the development of democratic institutions. In keeping with the President’s policy of helping others attain their own freedom, the U.S. strategy in the region was based on identifying and supporting local reform initiatives.

United States programs to foster elections that meet international standards relied on local initiatives to educate voters, increase voter participation and monitor the electoral process. These programs laid the groundwork for transparent and credible elections by providing non-partisan technical assistance in support of electoral processes. The United States also promoted the development of election laws and accountability for electoral fraud. Strengthening democratic institutions, including legislatures, courts and municipal governments, was central to the U.S. strategy. The United States advocated for government transparency and supported efforts to combat corruption. When the presidential election in Ukraine was marred by widespread fraud and abuse, hundreds of thousands of peaceful demonstrators took to the streets. While Ukraine’s "Orange Revolution" was a positive development, several governments in the region continued to ignore their obligations to comply with international democracy and human rights norms.

Civil society development in some countries made great strides, though governments in Central Asia and Belarus increasingly restricted the activities of international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The United States urged the repeal of onerous laws and regulations restricting the freedom of NGOs, repeatedly raising concerns about the treatment of NGOs with host governments. The U.S. Congress’ passage of the Belarus Democracy Act, which calls for an immediate end to the Government of Belarus’ persistent assault on democracy and human rights and continued U.S. support for local defenders of liberty, demonstrated the depth of U.S. concern for freedom in Belarus. Throughout the region, U.S. support to local organizations encouraged civic leadership and citizens’ participation. By focusing special attention on working with youth, U.S. programs provided the next generation of leaders with important tools to promote democracy and human rights at home.

Fostering independent media and free access to information were priorities for U.S. policy across the region. The United States advocated for repeal of flawed laws or restrictive regulations that hinder independent media. The United States engaged representatives of the independent media, supported journalists willing to report the truth, and exposed promising professionals to modern best practices. Focusing on training, production assistance, equipment grants and media management, U.S. assistance helped improve the quality and objectivity of reporting and media business practices. Facilitating access to the Internet and nonofficial sources of information in several societies where most media is state-controlled was also a priority.

In countries where the human rights records remained poor, U.S. policy emphasized the importance of bringing legislation and practice into line with international standards and ensuring respect for rule of law and human rights. Combating torture remained a top concern. The United States worked with victims’ families, local human rights workers and defense attorney, and international NGOs to investigate allegations of torture and raise them with senior host government officials. Uzbekistan took some notable steps to combat torture, and U.S. support for efforts to investigate suspicious deaths in custody bolstered the principle of accountability. The United States urged Russia to ensure accountability for human rights abuses in Chechnya. In cooperation with the EU, the United States imposed travel restrictions on Belarusian officials responsible for human rights abuses.

In this religiously diverse region, the United States monitored and advocated on behalf of religious freedom and emphasized the importance of tolerance as essential to security and stability. United States programs supported interfaith dialogues and the development of curricula to foster religious tolerance. International Visitors Programs exposed local leaders to the diversity of religious practice in the United States.

Support for legislation and public education was an essential component of the U.S. strategy to combat trafficking in persons in the region. The United States supported training for law enforcement, immigration and consular officials and prosecutors to prevent trafficking and strengthen the capacity to prosecute traffickers. Regional projects were also important in addressing trafficking. The United States supported training and trans-border activities for Moldovan law enforcement agencies. In Ukraine, U.S. funding assisted trafficking victims and supported information hotlines.

Ukrainian Election Observers

In late 2004, the Ukrainian people’s courage and determination spearheaded the peaceful "Orange Revolution" that significantly advanced liberty in Ukraine and buoyed pro-democracy supporters worldwide. In order to promote a free and fair presidential election scheduled for the fall of 2004, the United States funded an unprecedented number of international observers through the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO) - an association of election monitoring non-governmental organizations from Europe and Eurasia - and domestic observers, including the Committee of Voters of Ukraine (CVU), who were deployed in all regions of Ukraine for each electoral round. In total, the OSCE deployed some 2,500 monitors, ENEMO approximately 2,000, and CVU about 30,000 for the three rounds of the presidential election. Their actions, reports and statements helped inspire thousands of Ukrainians to stand up for democracy despite substantial government intimidation and severe winter weather.

The first round of balloting on October 31 was plagued by numerous problems and irregularities and was considered a step backwards, as detailed in the reports by the OSCE, ENEMO and CVU. The second round on November 21, a run-off between Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko, featured even greater and more widespread fraud, intimidation and abuse of administrative resources. International and domestic observer teams immediately publicized thorough, credible reports indicating the extent to which the election was manipulated. The Ukrainian people and the international community drew from these reports to form their opinions of the election. For example, presidential envoy Senator Richard Lugar’s statement on the election noted that there was "a concerted and forceful program of election day fraud and abuse…with either the leadership or cooperation of the governmental authorities." Similarly, ENEMO’s statement observed that there was "a coordinated, systematic pattern of major violations leading to an outcome that does not reflect the will of the Ukrainian people."

These reports contrasted sharply with the November 22 announcement of the preliminary results by the Ukrainian Central Election Commission (CEC), which claimed Yanukovych was in the lead. Fueled by credible domestic and international observers’ reports of abuse and fraud, Yushchenko supporters began pouring into the streets of Kiev and other cities wearing orange ribbons and scarves, the campaign color of the opposition, to peacefully protest the fraud. These reports also prompted the United States and other members of the international community to refuse to accept the results of the November 21 vote as legitimate. This further buoyed demonstrators in the streets, particularly in Kiev where they eventually numbered in the hundreds of thousands, despite sub-zero wind chill temperatures and heavy snowfall. A number of municipal and regional councils in western Ukraine declared Yushchenko the rightful president. Many government officials from various institutions declared their allegiance to the opposition. The documented reports of election fraud and abuse prompted the Ukrainian Supreme Court to invalidate the results of the November 21 vote and order a repeat run-off to be held on December 26. Tens of thousands of demonstrators remained in Kiev.

Despite some irregularities, the December 26 re-vote of the second round was a great improvement. According to the OSCE, the election "brought Ukraine substantially closer to meeting OSCE election commitments and Council of Europe and other European standards." Ukraine’s reformed CEC recognized the elections as valid, as did ENEMO. The final results showed Yushchenko winning with approximately 52 percent of the vote to Yanukovych’s 44 percent and gave the Ukrainian people a president selected by their own free will.

Albania

Albania is a republic with a multiparty parliament that elected Prime Minister Fatos Nano and President Alfred Moisiu. International observers judged the October 2003 local elections to be an improvement over previous elections, despite isolated irregularities, violence and problems with voter lists. Political interference in the media occurred less frequently than in previous years. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary; however, corruption and political pressure limited the judiciary’s ability to function efficiently. Albania's progress on promoting the rule of law and respect for human rights was hindered to varying degrees by corruption, weak institutional capacity and the lack of a democratic tradition.

The Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were serious problems. There were a number of documented cases in which police beat and abused suspects, detainees and prisoners. Prison conditions remained poor. The police occasionally arbitrarily arrested and detained persons. Prolonged pretrial detention and official impunity were problems. The Government occasionally infringed on citizens' privacy rights. Police reportedly used excessive force against protestors. Individual vigilante action, mostly related to traditional blood feuds, resulted in some killings and an atmosphere of fear in some regions. Societal discrimination against Roma, the Egyptian community and homosexuals persisted; violence and discrimination against women and children were serious problems. Child labor was a problem. Trafficking in persons (TIP) remained a problem, which the Government took some steps to address.

The U.S. strategy for promoting democracy and human rights focused on encouraging Albania to implement the necessary reforms to join Euro-Atlantic institutions and supporting Albania's contribution to fighting terrorism worldwide. In particular, the United States focused on improving election administration and transparency, expanding citizen involvement in public affairs, strengthening legislative and civil institutions, including independent media, and improving the Government's capacity to fight crime (especially organized crime), corruption and TIP. The United States sent various government officials and nongovernmental representatives on International Visitors Programs in 2004 to learn more about combating trafficking, grassroots democracy, religious tolerance/mutual understanding, financial crime and money laundering, court administration, the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), election administration and monitoring, and state and local government. The United States funded local organizations’ initiatives on anti-trafficking, anti-corruption, independent media, civic education and participation in governance processes.

Some key successes included passage of landmark laws - all with strong U.S. support - addressing organized crime, terrorism financing, witness protection, investigative techniques and technical assistance to new government offices aimed at implementing 2003 laws requiring the disclosure of assets by public officials and establishing a modern anti-money-laundering system. The Albanian Government also had some success in convicting officials and police on charges of abuse of office and in holding traffickers accountable. Citizens' advocacy groups supported by the United States played a greater role in speaking out against government corruption and mismanagement.

The United States actively engaged in promoting democratic elections in Albania. The United States consistently urged the Albanian Government to create the conditions for democratic parliamentary elections in 2005. The United States also provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Local Government and Decentralization, the Central Election Commission and municipal governments in many aspects of election processes, such as voter registration, preparation of accurate voter lists, spatial mapping of polling districts and updating civil registries. Officials from the U.S. Government coordinated election assistance with other donors, including the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and many bilateral and multilateral donor organizations. The United States established framework agreements for the deployment of a large-scale, domestic election monitoring effort for the 2005 parliamentary elections. Officials from the U.S. Government encouraged political party leaders and members of parliament to endorse the agreements and implement fully the country's new election law.

Peace Corps volunteers from the United States worked with municipal governments and local communities throughout Albania to make government more transparent and accountable. Peace Corps efforts contributed to increased civic participation and enhanced government capacity. The Peace Corps also encouraged local governments, NGOs and businesses to work together to improve their communities.

The United States opened two American Corners to make information available to Albanians about human rights, democracy and other topics. In public and private, the United States consistently stressed to Albanian officials the importance of media freedom. The United States funded local and U.S.-based training and exchange programs to help increase professionalism in the media and enhance its watchdog role. Programs also sought to help media increase financial independence and transparency. Albanian media expanded coverage of "Hapur," an exposé-style investigative news show produced with U.S. support.

Corruption and weak rule of law remained among the greatest obstacles to promoting human rights and democracy in Albania. Officials from the U.S. Government used every opportunity to emphasize to the Albanian authorities and people the need to strengthen the rule of law. The United States funded anti-corruption initiatives, including the Albanian Coalition Against Corruption, an umbrella organization representing 210 NGOs and individuals involved in the fight against corruption. The United States also supported the Citizens’ Advocacy Office, an NGO offering legal assistance to private citizens who were victims of corruption. The result was an unprecedented level of cooperation between the Government and civil society on corruption resulting in improved transparency and accountability for central and local government activities.

The United States supported the creation and training of the Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), launched in March 2004, which brings together an elite group of police and prosecutors to fight organized crime and corruption. The OCTF is an important component of the Court of Serious Crimes Prosecution Office. As a result of U.S. training programs for judges and prosecutors, the climate for successful prosecutions of previously "untouchable" criminals improved. Four judges, as well as over 200 judicial and penal system officials, were dismissed for abuse of office or failure to perform their duties. Anti-crime and corruption efforts were bolstered by the ongoing implementation of a large and comprehensive Total Information Management System, a sophisticated tool to better control border activity, manage and investigate criminal cases, and utilize police information more effectively and efficiently.

In the area of law enforcement, the U.S. International Criminal Investigative Training and Assistance Program (ICITAP) continued development, training and equipment support for the Office of Internal Control (OIC) in the Ministry of Public Order. The OIC investigates internal corruption and aims to build a more professional police force. In 2004, ICITAP also provided support to the Albania State Police to develop merit-based human resource management, improved administrative regulations and training initiatives to enhance staff capabilities and professionalism.

The United States is a member of the steering committee of the International Consortium (IC), an informal coordinating mechanism for the many international donors who are supporting legal reform efforts in Albania. The United States funds the IC secretariat. Advisors from ICITAP and the U.S. Department of Justice’s resident legal advisor chaired several of the IC's working groups which focus on legal and justice reform, law enforcement training and information technology. The United States also participated in working groups that addressed community policing, crime prevention, integrated border management and organized crime.

Through the Expanded International Military Education and Training (E-IMET) program and Counter Terrorism Fellowship Programs, the United States sent 52 regular and non-commissioned officers and 13 students to the United States to receive military as well as human rights, democracy and civics training. Through the U.S.-funded E-IMET program, the U.S. Defense Institute for International Legal Studies conducted in-country seminars to help prepare the Albanian Government to combat terrorism and promote legal policies and standards that uphold democratic values in governmental and civic institutions. Both seminars had strong human rights and democracy building in public agencies components. The seminars trained 90 Albanian civilian and military professionals from a broad range of agencies. In total, U.S security assistance programs trained 142 Albanians in democracy, civilian control over the military and human rights in 2004. All training and exchange program participants were vetted, consistent with Leahy Amendment requirements, to ensure that they were not responsible for human rights violations.

As part of the U.S. effort to promote religious freedom in Albania, U.S. officials urged the Government to resolve outstanding religious property claims and return church property to the denominations that lost them under communist rule. Officials from the United States, including the Chief of Mission, met frequently with the heads of the major religious communities in the country. A U.S.-supported civic and faith-based education project was launched to develop ways to introduce civics into religious school curricula. The United States provided grants to local organizations to promote interfaith tolerance and understanding and to support the teaching of civic affairs and religious tolerance in secondary schools, including schools operated by faith-based organizations. During 2004, faith-based organizations received U.S.-funded community development training, and small grants were designed to facilitate the design and implementation of development projects that benefit the entire community, regardless of faith orientation.

The United States also supported a series of roundtable discussions on religious tolerance in local communities. A follow-on U.S. grant entitled "Tolerance Days in Religious Schools" helped secular and religious community leaders, government officials and others explore how to strengthen mutual understanding among faiths.

In May 2004, the United States launched a two and a half year project on fostering religious tolerance entitled "Fostering Religious Harmony in Albania." Through training workshops, religious leaders became equipped with the tools and skills they need to manage conflict among their own members and interact more constructively with other religious groups. Public forums and innovative techniques, such as community drama, helped citizens articulate the problems they are facing and work towards common solutions. Journalists, academics, and other voices in society played a critical role in this project.

Officials from the United States continued to engage actively with the Albanian Government to fight TIP bilaterally as well as regionally, via the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative Center and the Stability Pact. The United States helped Albanian authorities in the implementation of their National Strategy Against Trafficking and in meeting the standards stipulated in the Trafficking Victims’ Protection Act. The United States funded the Albanian Citizens' Advocacy Office, which provided legal services to victims of trafficking as well as legal education to citizens and local governments. Programs supported by the U.S. Government promoted the strengthening of women's legal rights as they relate to trafficking, domestic violence and the new Albanian family code.

The United States funded programs designed to prevent trafficking by providing legitimate employment and economic opportunities to trafficking victims and women and girls at risk. These projects trained 330 women from rural and economically disadvantaged areas in job skills and business development. The United States funded the launch and implementation of a program to strengthen the capacity of civil society to provide services to trafficking victims with a focus on prevention, reintegration, coordination and NGO capacity building. A U.S.-funded program, the Transnational Action Against Child Trafficking (TACT) strengthened its partnerships with Greek and Italian anti-trafficking NGOs and more than doubled its nationwide efforts to decrease the trafficking of children along five axes of intervention: prevention, protection, assisted voluntary return, reintegration and coordination. Responding to the threat of increased trafficking of children due to the large tourist market expected to attend the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, the United States provided additional resources to help TACT monitor and take preventive action to reduce the trafficking of children prior to, during and immediately following the Games. The U.S. Government’s efforts to improve security and control at ports of entry in turn helped combat trafficking in persons. Complementary efforts included U.S. assistance to Albania’s organized crime directorate and the specialized OCTF to fight organized crime, which is responsible for the majority of trafficking enterprises.

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 – including the controversial 2003 presidential election – 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.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's human rights record remained poor. Recent elections, including the controversial October 2003 presidential election, have been marred by numerous serious irregularities and therefore have not met international standards. Many of the trials of those in the opposition convicted of post-presidential election violence did not meet international standards. Prison conditions continued to be harsh and life threatening, and pretrial detention remained lengthy. The judiciary was corrupt, inefficient and dominated by the executive branch. Members of the security forces continued to commit serious abuses, including beating and torturing persons in custody. The president pardoned many but not all individuals considered to be political prisoners. The Government restricted freedom of assembly by denying permission for any opposition political party demonstrations during the year, at times detaining those who protested without permission. Freedom of speech and of the press were also at times subject to attack, as journalists faced disproportionately high libel judgments for slander committed against government officials. However, this did not silence loud and critical attacks on the Government and its policies. The Government restricted some religious freedom rights of Muslims and Christians, citing its right to protect society from radical Islam and social instability. The Government initiated a national action plan to combat trafficking in persons (TIP), but has only begun implementation.

The U.S. human rights and democracy strategy for Azerbaijan addressed a wide range of critical issues, including respect for democratic processes, civil society, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, human rights and anti-trafficking efforts.

In support of the U.S. strategy, U.S. officials regularly met with a range of human rights and democracy activists, representatives of pro-reform political parties and religious minorities, as well as with government officials. Then-Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage, Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary Laura Kennedy, and Members of Congress and Congressional staff traveled to Azerbaijan in 2004 to reinforce support for U.S. objectives.

The United States sustained efforts to address electoral processes that do not meet international standards through high-level government intervention and training programs. For the December municipal elections, U.S. efforts focused on the need to correct the irregularities of the past, in preparation for the November 2005 parliamentary elections. In the wake of the controversial 2003 presidential election, U.S. officials emphasized the need for the Government to demonstrate that the people could trust the electoral system. The Ambassador engaged high-level officials on the need to conduct credible and transparent elections. He also stressed the need for practical steps, such as proper training for election officials and accurate voter lists. In October, the Ambassador and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) resident Ambassadors met with the Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) to stress the need for a transparent election process. The United States funded a visit by an expert on election systems and political parties, both to generate debate on the U.S. election process and to engage in dialogue with activists and political leaders on ways forward. Local officials appointed by the executive branch played a crucial role in the conduct of elections in Azerbaijan. In the past, some of these officials have been obstacles to a fair election process. Recognizing the central role they played, a U.S.-funded program trained local officials and chairs of Constituency Election Commissions on how to conduct elections in accordance with international democratic standards. More than 200 government representatives and election officials throughout the country participated in the training.

With U.S. funding, non-partisan international observers were trained and deployed for the October parliamentary by-elections and the December municipal elections. In preparation for the election, the Embassy reconstituted an Election Strategy Team, a coordination body originally deployed in advance of the 2003 presidential election. The team included Embassy and non-governmental organization (NGO) representatives who coordinated efforts to promote an election that would meet OSCE standards. This team also ensured that the United States sent a unified, and therefore more powerful, message to the Government on its expectations.

The Embassy fielded ten observer teams to monitor parliamentary by-elections in October and 25 observer teams to monitor the December municipal elections. When serious irregularities marred the conduct of both elections, the Embassy immediately informed the CEC of its observations and concerns. The United States also raised its concerns with senior government officials. With the urging of U.S. officials, the CEC invalidated results and fired election officials in some of the polling stations where observers witnessed serious fraud. Before and after the elections, the United States urged the CEC to forward complaints of election code violations to the Prosecutor General’s office for investigation. In January, for the first time in history, the CEC forwarded 95 cases to the Prosecutor’s office. The United States used the media to encourage citizens’ participation in the democratic process. As part of an effort to encourage political dialogue and issue-based elections, the United States supported the organization and broadcast of debates between candidates for the municipal elections in eight regions of Azerbaijan. The United States funded public service announcements instructing voters on their rights. In addition, the United States funded print and broadcast advertisements encouraging citizens to vote. The objective of this information campaign was increased citizen activism, by encouraging those who were frustrated with the lack of basic infrastructure to vote for their municipal council officials, and then to hold the councils accountable for their actions. Finally, the United States funded a pilot exit poll project during the municipal elections.

The United States continued to support the development of civil society in Azerbaijan by using technical assistance, grants and exchanges to support activities of specific NGOs, encourage dialogue between the Government and civil society and educate the Government about democratic practices in the United States. Embassy officers traveled throughout Azerbaijan to support NGO activities. Grants from the U.S. Government supported a variety of projects, including helping NGO centers establish regional networks and facilitating dialogue between NGOs and government officials. These projects were critical to addressing the mistrust between the Government and NGOs, and the lack of national linkages for most NGOs. Officials from the U.S. Government also engaged with the Government of Azerbaijan to help improve cooperation between the Government and NGOs. The United States sent six Azerbaijanis representing different parts of society to the United States to strengthen their skills and understanding of grassroots democracy. In November, the United States funded an educational training exchange for senior-level officials from the parliament and key ministries to learn more about the democratic process in the United States. While in the United States, policymakers were able to assess in depth the role the U.S. executive and legislative branches play as separate powers and as effective checks on each other’s actions. The group also examined the need for transparent governance and civil society’s role in promoting positive change. This program helped to strengthen the foundation for future U.S.-funded assistance programs and for cooperation between the Government and NGOs.

After a rough start, intense U.S. advocacy with the Government paved the way for a U.S.-funded, innovative series of town hall meetings held across Azerbaijan during the summer. These meetings successfully brought together representatives of various government bodies, local authorities and local party members to discuss the role of elected municipal councils.

In support of freedom of assembly, U.S. officials repeatedly encouraged Azerbaijani officials to authorize peaceful demonstrations by opposition parties. The United States voiced its concerns to all levels of the Government about the basic right of political parties to organize and demonstrate against government policies.

Another focus of U.S. efforts was the development of a free and responsible media. Officials repeatedly urged the Government to respect media freedom and to enact legislation to establish an independent public television station. Funding from the U.S. Government supported the professional development of journalists and advocacy for media rights. Programs supported by the U.S. Government provided extensive ongoing technical and programming support to several independent television stations and newspapers.

Embassy officers closely monitored the trials of those accused of participating in and organizing the post-election violence in October 2003, including the high-profile trial of seven opposition leaders accused of organizing the violence. Then-Deputy Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary Kennedy and the Ambassador raised concerns about these trials with senior government officials. Both privately and publicly, the United States urged the Government to conduct the trials in accordance with international standards and urged both the Government and opposition parties to pursue national reconciliation.

To promote the rule of law, U.S.-funded programs worked to strengthen the professional development of judges and lawyers and to assist them in developing codes of ethics, reconstituting the bar association and the administration of a bar exam, expanding programs for law students, helping women to gain better access to justice and conducting a legal literacy program for the general public. The United States also continued work with law schools on curriculum development and new teaching methodologies.

For the first time, the United States provided funds to establish a Legal Database Project, which will provide easy access and use of legal framework documents for the legal profession as well as the general populace. This database will provide an innovative resource for the general population and the legal community, and it will expand the resources available to promote rule of law. The United States funded programs to increase the professionalism and skills of the judiciary, procuracy and the defense bar, to improve legislation and to implement the new anti-corruption legislation. A U.S. program implementer and the Resident Legal Advisor continued to work with the Government and private lawyers to implement the Law on Advocates and to develop an independent bar association. Programs funded by the United States also worked with prosecutors to develop evidence-based investigations, which could help to decrease forced confessions.

In compliance with the Leahy Amendment, the Embassy coordinated interagency human rights vetting of military units proposed for U.S. training and/or support, and human rights training was integrated into all U.S.-supported military exercises and operational training conducted in the country. The United States helped design a program to integrate human rights training for security forces guarding the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

Azerbaijan has a long history of religious tolerance, especially towards its Jewish population. Despite Azerbaijan’s history of tolerance, some groups, such as Protestants, have faced difficulties working with the state religious structures. The United States worked actively to encourage respect for religious freedom, including the right of such groups to operate without unnecessary interference. Officials from the United States frequently met with government officials to stress the importance of respecting religious freedom. The Embassy and officials in Washington maintained close connections with local religious communities and made contact with some communities outside Baku. Officials sustained a high-level dialogue with the Government when the independent Juma Mosque Community was first threatened with eviction and later evicted from an historic mosque in the Baku city center. Officials from the U.S. Government observed Friday afternoon prayer services at the mosque during the dispute and after the closure of the mosque. The Embassy actively spread the message about religious tolerance and Islam in America throughout the year, for example with two Iftaar dinners hosted by the Ambassador in November.

While the Government began to combat TIP, it remained a problem. The United States promoted anti-trafficking measures and effective preventive mechanisms in meetings with government officials and through programs that included an anti-trafficking awareness campaign conducted by NGOs. The United States funded two experts to help government officials develop the policies and procedures for a police anti-trafficking unit. Further, the United States coordinated a review of draft anti-TIP legislation among international organizations to ensure the legislation met international standards.

Belarus

Belarus is a republic with a directly elected president and a bicameral parliament. President Aleksandr Lukashenko, first elected in 1994, has waged a systematic assault on all elements of democracy and human rights. Through a series of flawed referenda, manipulated and fraudulent elections, and repressive laws and regulations, he has amended the Constitution, concentrated all power in the executive, extended presidential tenure and eliminated presidential term limits. The October 2004 parliamentary elections and referendum both failed to meet international democratic standards and were characterized by widespread fraud. The judiciary is not independent.

The Government's human rights record remained very poor and worsened in some areas. The Government continued to commit numerous serious abuses and to deny citizens the right to change their government. The Government manipulated and abused the legal system to prevent several hundred independent and opposition candidates from registering in the October 2004 elections. State-controlled media, representing 85 percent of all media, denied access to independent and opposition candidates. By the end of the year, the Government was preventing the opposition from legally holding meetings. Security forces continued to harass and detain political opponents, journalists, human rights activists and independent trade unionists. Police severely beat several opposition leaders, peaceful protesters and journalists. The authorities continued to refuse to undertake serious efforts to account for the disappearances of well-known opposition political figures and a journalist in previous years or to address credible reports regarding the regime's role in these disappearances. The appointment of Viktor Sheyman, linked by credible evidence to the disappearances, as head of the Presidential Administration was yet another factor perpetuating a climate of abuse and impunity. Others suspected of involvement in the disappearances include the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Sports and Tourism. Police abuse and occasional torture of prisoners and detainees continued to be a problem. Prison overcrowding remained a problem. Security forces arbitrarily arrested and detained citizens for political reasons. In addition, individuals were sentenced to jail terms for such political crimes as defamation of state officials.

The Government continued to restrict freedom of speech, press, assembly and association. The Government continued an apparently calculated campaign to intimidate, harass and close virtually all independent media outlets and non-govern-mental organizations (NGOs). Journalists critical of the Government were administratively punished (usually fined) on libel charges. Twenty-five independent newspapers and 38 NGOs were closed or had their operations suspended during the year. The Government imposed restrictions on religious freedom. The Government intensified its already severe restrictions on workers’ rights, prompting an International Labor Organization (ILO) Commission of Inquiry (CoI). The CoI found that the Government committed serious violations of workers’ rights and interfered significantly in the trade union movement. Government intimidation of opposition parties and civil society groups severely hindered the development of a thriving civil society and democratic political process. Trafficking in persons (TIP) remained a problem, although the Government made serious efforts to combat this problem.

The U.S. strategy to promote democracy and human rights in Belarus consisted of applying political and economic restrictions, maintaining bilateral and multilateral diplomatic pressure, limiting engagement with Belarusian officials (U.S. officials above the assistant secretary level do not meet with Belarusian authorities), monitoring and reporting on abuses, and supporting democracy and human rights programs. The United States funded programs to bolster independent media, political parties, civil society and trade unions; promote free and fair elections and the rule of law; protect human rights; and combat TIP. The United States provides little bilateral assistance to the Government except humanitarian assistance and exchange programs with educational institutions. The United States closely cooperated with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and EU missions in Belarus to promote democracy and human rights. In concert with the EU, the United States instituted visa restrictions on senior Belarusian officials responsible for electoral fraud and human rights abuses including the disappearance and presumed murder of opposition figures and a journalist. Officials from the United States actively monitored the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus and regularly met with local and international organizations active in promoting human rights and democracy.

Democracy and human rights issues were key themes in virtually all U.S. officials’ speeches, press interviews and public events concerning Belarus. The United States organized a digital video press conference with Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky and Belarusian media to demonstrate U.S. concern over persistent democracy and human rights violations in Belarus, show U.S. support for the Belarusian people and discuss passage of the Belarus Democracy Act. The Embassy also maintained and updated its website on democracy and human rights issues, and the United States issued frequent press releases and other statements on human rights and democracy violations.

The United States consistently urged the Government to hold free and fair elections and to invite the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to Belarus to conduct an election-monitoring mission. Throughout the year, U.S. officials met with Belarusian election and other government officials to encourage adherence to democratic principles. Funding from the U.S. Government supported political process training, technical assistance and cross-border exchanges for pro-democracy groups and parties, focusing on internal governance, non-partisan election observation, voter education, independent exit polling, strategic planning, membership recruitment and retention, message formulation and outreach.

The United States closely monitored the Government's persistent, calculated attacks on civil society and opposition political parties, and issued a number of press statements, including at the OSCE Permanent Council condemning and calling for an immediate end to these actions and urging the Government of Belarus to uphold its OSCE commitments to democracy and human rights. To reinforce this message, a joint delegation of U.S. and EU officials met with the Foreign Minister of Belarus in March 2004 to demand an immediate end to government efforts to control civil society and to urge the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure a free and fair electoral process for the October parliamentary elections. The delegation also reaffirmed its willingness to initiate serious discussions with the Government on how to improve bilateral relations. In addition, the joint delegation met with a number of representatives of independent political parties, media and NGOs.

Embassy staff regularly observed the trials of NGOs, media outlets and political parties throughout Belarus that were targeted by the Government for closure on politically motivated pretexts. Embassy staff also attended trials for opposition figures, such as Mikhail Marinich, targeted for their political activities. The United States supported the OSCE’s efforts to assist Belarus in meeting its OSCE commitments.

The United States took a highly visible step to call attention to the Government’s repressive actions when Congress passed and the President signed the Belarus Democracy Act in October 2004. The Act criticizes the Government’s human rights record, authorizes support for democracy programs and expresses the sense of Congress that certain sanctions be applied to the Government of Belarus. The passage of this Act demonstrated bipartisan support for the U.S. Government’s policy of emphasizing democracy and human rights in U.S. relations with Belarus.

Bolstering civil society and independent media and promoting the rule of law remained key U.S. goals. The United States awarded grants to NGOs as well as human rights, women’s and youth groups to strengthen independent mass media and civil society. The United States also supported journalism and management training, legal defense and business consultations to strengthen independent print and broadcast media outlets and increase their capacity to provide objective, fact-based information. This program was constrained, however, after the Government denied re-registration to the International Research and Exchanges board. Public clubs supported by U.S. funding offered local forums to share information and resolve local issues. In 2004, the number of clubs rose to 18 throughout the country, and they were active in 29 communities. These clubs worked with local governments to initiate over 100 projects, including improving playgrounds, providing clean water, improving kindergarten nutrition and fighting HIV/AIDS, TIP and substance abuse. Perhaps because of its success in grassroots mobilization, Counterpart International, the U.S. NGO providing assistance to these public clubs, was denied legal registration in August and forced to cease its activities. To promote the rule of law, the United States provided legal and advocacy training for lawyers, activists and NGOs and supported a network of 19 Legal Advice Centers.

The United States continued to press the Belarusian Government to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the disappearances of several opposition activists and a journalist. Officials from the U.S. Government, including then-Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, National Security Council officials, Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and Members of Congress met with family members of the disappeared who actively seek justice for their family members. The United States and the EU jointly sponsored a resolution passed at the 2004 UN Commission on Human Rights calling for an independent, credible investigation into the disappearances and for the perpetrators to be held accountable. The resolution also mandated a Special Rapporteur to report on the human rights situation in Belarus. Officials from the U.S. Government met with the UN Rapporteur and supported his efforts. The Government of Belarus refused to cooperate with or grant an entry visa to the UN Special Rapporteur. The United States and the EU also jointly sponsored an ultimately unsuccessful resolution condemning Belarus’ poor and deteriorating human rights record at the 2004 UN General Assembly.

Training, exchange and educational reform programs continued to be an important component of the U.S. democracy and human rights promotion strategy in Belarus. In 2004, more than 170 Belarusian citizens participated in U.S.-sponsored professional and academic training programs. Traveling to the United States, Belarusian participants received short-term training in business, public health, recreation and tourism and secondary school administration programs. Other Belarusians took part in International Visitors Programs (IVP) focusing on a range of topics including intellectual property rights, producing news features and documentaries, the role of think tanks in policy-making, regional and community theater in the United States, on line journalism, the role of women in small enterprise development, TIP, infectious diseases and HIV/AIDS. Fifty Belarusian students also participated in the Future Leaders Exchange program, attending U.S. high schools and living with American families for one academic year.

The United States monitored and denounced the Government's hostile actions against those promoting academic freedom. Officials from the U.S. Government facilitated contact between Belarusian diaspora groups in the United States and the rector of a Belarusian language lyceum that was closed by the Government; other U.S. officials and European Governments sought support for the school. In early 2004, the Ambassador joined an 11-country diplomatic protest over the Minister of Education's efforts to close the European Humanities University (EHU). The United States later protested bilaterally and multilaterally the Government’s closure of EHU and supported scholarships to help former EHU students study in the United States, Europe and at other universities in Belarus. The United States also protested in several forums the Government’s closure of two academic think tanks and pressure against independent public opinion and polling organizations.

As the Government implemented a new restrictive law on religion, the United States monitored violations of international norms and urged government officials to respect religious freedom. Officials from the U.S. Government met with representatives of a wide spectrum of religious groups and with the Government’s Committee of Religious and Nationalities Affairs to advocate freedom of religion. The United States arranged for representatives of several traditional and nontraditional faiths to participate in an IVP to the United States in March 2004.

The Embassy closely monitored incidents of anti-Semitism that occurred throughout Belarus. Officials from the U.S. Government, including the Ambassador, regularly raised with the Government of Belarus the concerns of international Jewish groups over the expansion of a sports stadium built on a Jewish cemetery in Grodno. Embassy officers, again including the Ambassador, visited the cemetery several times throughout the year. These actions helped lead to an agreement between the Government and the local Jewish community on the appropriate treatment of unearthed remains.

In response to workers’ rights violations, the United States ended Belarus’ trade benefits in 2000 under the Generalized System of Preferences, supported the ILO CoI in 2003 and continued to press the Government to heed the CoI’s recommendations. Officials from the U.S. Government maintained close contact with local independent labor leaders and the ILO. The United States continued to support ILO efforts to promote workers’ rights and independent trade unions in Belarus, despite the Government’s refusal to register a U.S.-funded ILO project in 2003. Officials from the U.S. Government continued to meet with and support Belarus’ independent trade unions.

The United States worked closely with the International Office for Migration's Minsk office and local organizations to monitor the Government's anti-trafficking efforts. The Chairperson of the Young Women's Christian Association, a prominent anti-trafficking advocate, participated in an IVP in the United States. The United States funded two projects to raise public awareness and protect trafficking victims, including a women's economic empowerment project to combat trafficking in persons.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The 1995 General Framework Agreement for Peace, the Dayton Accords, created the independent state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Agreement also created two multi-ethnic constituent entities within the state: The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Federation) and the Republika Srpska, along with the independent District of Brcko. In 2002 and 2004 respectively, Bosnia and Herzegovina held its first self-administered national and municipal elections, which international observers judged to be free and fair.

The Government’s human rights record was poor; although there were some improvements in a few areas, serious problems remained. Police continued to abuse and physically mistreat detainees and other citizens; however, police accountability for individual abuses improved. Overcrowding and antiquated facilities continued to be a problem in prisons. Infringement of privacy rights occurred, with minority returnees targeted in particular. The judiciary in both entities remained subject to influence by dominant political parties and the executive branch. Enforcement of judicial decisions by local authorities improved during the year, although obstacles remained. Pressure and harassment of media by authorities and dominant political parties continued. Both entity Governments and private groups continued to restrict religious practice by minorities; religious discrimination remained a problem.

The rate of returns of refugees and displaced persons declined during the year. The security situation in sensitive return areas and police responsiveness to incidents targeting minority returnees did not improve. The Republika Srpska continued its de facto refusal to take action against any Serbs indicted by the U.N. International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); the Federation generally cooperated with the ICTY, although it did not facilitate any new transfers. Non-compliance with ICTY obligations continued to undermine the rule of law in the country. Isolated instances of political, ethnic, or religious violence continued. Discrimination against ethnic minorities continued. The political leadership at all levels continued to obstruct minority returns in certain localities. Trafficking in persons (TIP) was a serious problem, which the Government took considerable steps to address.

The U.S. strategy for promoting democracy and human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina focused on building democratic institutions, strengthening the capacity of state-level institutions (especially the criminal justice system) to operate transparently and efficiently, advocating for religious freedom and assisting the Government in combating discrimination against vulnerable groups in Bosnian society, including minority returnees.

At the municipal level, U.S. programs were aimed at making local governments more efficient and accountable. A joint civil society-Embassy lobbying effort led to a constitutional amendment allowing direct election of mayors. Through direct municipal elections in October 2004, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina were able to better express their preferences and priorities by voting for individuals rather than party lists. The United States funded the creation of five new municipal "one-stop shops" in northern Bosnia, which enabled citizens and businesses to receive municipal permits up to 70 percent faster, while simultaneously reducing corruption and discrimination against ethnic minorities. The joint U.S.-Swedish Governance Accountability Project (GAP) began operations in 2004. GAP aims to substantially improve the service and financial management profiles of 40 municipalities and to create an environment in which these municipalities have the resources and autonomy to respond effectively to citizens’ needs.

The United States continued to support the Administrative Law and Procedural Systems (ALPS) program designed to eliminate barriers that confront citizens because of the unwieldy nature of the Bosnian administrative system. The ALPS project successfully worked with four target municipalities to amend their statutes and rules of procedure, allowing for increased public participation in decision-making.

Development of civil society and increased cooperation between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Government, especially local governments, remained a U.S. priority in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Democracy Network, a U.S.-funded civil society program, improved the institutional capacity of more than 150 local NGOs, implemented 46 advocacy campaigns and increased the number of consultations between government officials and civil society on local problems and policy issues. Other U.S.-funded civil society development programs included a number of grants to local NGOs to increase the profile and influence of the NGO sector in Bosnian society, to educate the public about volunteerism and philanthropy, and to promote cooperation between NGOs, the media, the Government and the private sector. United States-funded advocacy training was also critical for assisting NGOs in presenting their concerns to local government for the first time.

The United States also promoted civil society through diverse educational initiatives. The U.S.-funded Civitas civic education project developed a democracy and human rights course that is now taught in every secondary school in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States developed a pilot program to teach democracy and human rights in Islamic faculties and madrassas (Muslim secondary schools). The Parent-School Partnership program established a network of local associations that brings together parents, teachers and school administrators to address issues of common concern. The U.S.-funded Parliamentary Internship Program gave talented young Bosnians the opportunity to serve as interns in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s state and entity-level parliaments, gaining valuable leadership skills and work experience.

The United States continued to promote the development of an independent and professional media. Through two separate media projects, the United States provided training and technical assistance in newsroom management, business development, independent domestic production, and legal, regulatory and policy issues. These projects funded the creation of a permanent local organization dedicated to promoting high-quality investigative journalism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States funded a U.S. media advisor to help strengthen the fledgling Communications Regulatory Agency. The Embassy also sponsored a series of media events designed to promote public awareness of the Government’s new Law on Freedom of Access to Information and a new law on defamation.

To promote judicial reform and the rule of law, the United States supported programs by the U.S. Justice Department’s Office of Overseas Prosecution Development and Training (OPDAT), in close collaboration with the International Criminal Investigative Training and Assistance Program (ICITAP). These organizations implemented programs on legislative court system and police reform, procedures for reappointing and vetting judges and prosecutors, and criminal justice system personnel training. These programs invigorated the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes, helped reduce human rights abuses by security forces and ensured respect for individual constitutional rights within the criminal justice system. United States-funded OPDAT provided training for more than 1,500 judges and prosecutors on the new Criminal Procedure Code, which was adopted in 2003. In addition, ICITAP conducted similar training for police, while OPDAT began training Bosnian prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys who will be responsible for trying war crimes cases in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Officials for ICITAP worked extensively to improve the police Professional Standards Units, whose investigations of allegations of police misconduct and abuse increase police accountability for human rights violations.

In order to better target financial crime, ICITAP and OPDAT trained prosecutors, judges, investigators, and police, and advised the relevant authorities on establishing the Financial Intelligence Unit of the State Investigation and Protection Agency and on creating asset seizure and management units within the State Prosecutor’s Office, the State Court Police and the state-level Ministry of Justice. The United States also supported the establishment of the Special Department for Organized Crime within the State Court and State Prosecutor’s Office.

The United States committed funds for the creation of the Special Chamber for War Crimes and War Crimes Registry within the country’s State Court and State Prosecutor’s Office. This Chamber, which will operate until 2010, will help Bosnia develop the domestic capacity to try war crimes cases, including those transferred from the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. After 2010, any remaining cases will be tried by the country’s State Court. The United States continued to work closely with Bosnian and international authorities to ensure that the War Crimes Chamber is capable of fulfilling its mandate.

The U.S.-funded Justice Sector Development Program (JSDP) began operations in 2004 to improve the efficiency, transparency, and fairness of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s justice system by providing expert assistance to the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, which is charged with managing Bosnia’s judicial system. The JSDP also improved Bosnia and Herzegovina’s justice system by establishing and implementing improved court administration practices, reforming the current system for the defense of indigent criminal defendants and working with the State Ministry of Justice and other agencies to improve local capacity to draft legislation and promote citizen participation in legislative development. The United States also supported rule of law training programs for lawyers on alternative dispute resolution in accordance with the recently adopted Mediation Law. Proper use of mediation as an alternative to litigation should significantly ease the backlog within the country’s court system.

In addition, under the U.S.-funded Expanded International Military Education and Training program, a mobile training team held a seminar for government officials at the Ministry of Defense. The seminar covered civilian control of the military and human rights considerations for personnel systems. Bosnian military and civilian officials also traveled to the United States to attend training courses on civilian control and oversight of the military. These programs underscored the military’s democratic role in Western societies and are guiding defense reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The United States remained resolute in supporting efforts leading to truth, reconciliation and social justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), financed in part by the United States, generated 2,588 DNA matches during 2004, which may lead to the identification of 1,754 individuals who were reported missing during the 1992-1995 conflict. ICMP also conducted a drive to collect blood samples from surviving relatives of missing persons in order to assist with future identification efforts. The ICMP assisted Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities in performing 454 exhumations leading to the recovery of the remains of 997 individuals and partial remains of 767 individuals in 2004. Despite these efforts, an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 persons remain unaccounted for in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States continued to support the development of the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial and Cemetery, where 1,304 of the estimated 7,800 victims of the Srebrenica massacre have been interred.

Other U.S.-backed projects have aided minorities, women, children, and persons with disabilities. The United States donated approximately 350,000 tons of agricultural commodities to local implementing partners, who used the proceeds from the sale of these commodities to finance civil society development initiatives that promoted respect for the rights of women, children, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities. Minority returnees availed themselves of U.S.-funded income generation grants, micro-credit loans and agriculture development technical assistance. The United States provided additional funds to residents of collective centers to help facilitate their permanent return to their prewar communities. In 2004, the United States also completed 18 infrastructure reconstruction projects that benefited 1,380 returnee families and 500 public school students.

In 2004, U.S. officials raised human rights issues during their trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina. In August 2004, Secretary of State Powell visited Bosnia and reiterated that Bosnia’s integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions and further development as an independent, democratic state hinges on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s efforts to promote human rights and democracy. Other high-level U.S. visitors included Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Lincoln Bloomfield, who emphasized the need for respect for human rights in the defense reform process. The Ambassador traveled extensively within Bosnia and Herzegovina and continued to raise key human rights issues such as trafficking and minority returns with senior Bosnian officials. Presidency member Sulejman Tihic, Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic, Minister of Defense Nikola Radovanovic and Republika Srpska Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic also visited Washington D.C., where senior U.S. officials stressed the importance of human rights and democracy.

Other U.S. initiatives focused on assisting the Bosnia and Herzegovina Government in reducing discrimination based on gender, race/ethnicity, disability, and religion. For example, three local NGOs received grants to promote awareness about the rights of people with disabilities and to campaign for increased access to public buildings and the elimination of discrimination against the disabled in the provision of health care and other social benefits, including access to public education. Another program focused on empowering women in rural areas, with a particular focus on income generation, small business ownership and assistance to single mothers. The United States also supported the work of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Inter-Religious Council to promote inter-religious dialogue and tolerance and to encourage religious communities to play a constructive role in the development of Bosnian civil society.

With U.S. assistance, government authorities took important steps against trafficking in persons (TIP). U.S.-funded programs addressed victim protection, prosecution, and prevention through public awareness. The United States supported the provision of shelter and accommodation, psychological counseling and health care to foreign victims of trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also funded a nationwide anti-trafficking awareness campaign. This campaign was the first to target Bosnian men as part of its audience, addressing the negative consequences of contributing to the exploitation of trafficking victims. OPDAT and ICITAP continued to work with the state-level Anti-Trafficking Strike Force, which includes prosecutors, police investigators, border service agents, tax administration officials and finance police from around the country. The Strike Force effectively built complex cases against high-level organized crime figures involved in trafficking and other criminal enterprises, and prosecutors were able to secure convictions and lengthy sentences. The United States continued to work closely with the Government’s National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator and the NGO community to develop and update Bosnia and Herzegovina’s National Action Plan and anti-TIP strategy for 2005 through 2007.

Georgia

The Georgian Government’s human rights record remained poor despite improvements following the November 2003 Rose Revolution. Democratic institutions and processes are evolving but not yet established. Recent elections have made significant progress toward meeting international standards although there were several irregularities. There were concerns about the substance of the new Constitution and the process by which it was amended in February 2004. There were some restrictions on freedom of assembly through September 2004. While many commentators have lauded the Government's anti-corruption campaign, others have worried that at times the Government has pushed the borders of the rule of law. Specifically, during the arrest and detention of former government officials and businessman who were believed to have prospered under the previous regime, the Government has repeatedly used pretrial detention as a form of pressure and a bargaining tactic to induce suspects to settle outside of court. There were lengthy delays in trials and prolonged pretrial detention remained a problem. The judicial system continued to lack true independence and the executive branch and prosecutors' offices continued to exert undue influence on judges.

Furthermore, while reform of the traffic police was welcomed, abuses by other law enforce agencies continued. Although the Government has taken some action against the abuse of detainees and the planting of evidence by law enforcement officers, these problems continued to be widespread, especially in regions outside Tbilisi. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) blamed some deaths in custody on physical abuse, torture, or poor prison conditions. Violence against religious minorities significantly diminished in 2004. The Georgian Government, however, does little to promote religious tolerance. The press generally was free, however, journalists practiced increased self-censorship, particularly in reporting on issues unfavorable to the Government. Trafficking in persons (TIP) remains a problem.

The U.S. human rights and democracy strategy focuses on the promotion of democratic institutions and processes, the development of a vibrant civil society, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, human rights, and anti-TIP measures.

United States officials regularly highlighted publicly and privately the need for improvements in human rights conditions. The Ambassador and other embassy officers worked privately with Georgian officials, NGOs and other domestic and international organizations to identify and highlight areas of particular concern and encourage reform. The Ambassador was especially active in encouraging the Government to curtail police abuse of Gia Jokhtaberidze, former President Shevardnadze's son-in-law, who was held in pretrial detention for tax evasion, and of former General Gia Vashakidze, who was held on charges of kidnapping and during his arrest was severely beaten and tortured. Secretary of State Powell, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs A. Elizabeth Jones, Members of Congress and Congressional staff reinforced these and other efforts to achieve U.S. objectives in Georgia in 2004 by their visits and public and private statements.

To promote democratic institutions and processes, the United States provided assistance for the March parliamentary elections, including training for election commission members, a get-out-the-vote campaign, exit polling and voter marking. This assistance helped to produce elections that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) considered to be closer to meeting international standards than any other elections held in Georgia in the last 15 years, although irregularities were noted. The United States provided the Government with assistance to promote better governance practices and leadership skills for the Georgian Parliament. The United States also provided direct assistance to the executive branch offices of the president and prime minister. To strengthen political pluralism, the United States funded programs to promote regional and national political party development. To strengthen local governance, the United States provided assistance to advance fiscal decentralization.

To encourage a vibrant civil society, the United States funded programs to promote the financial sustainability of Georgia's non-governmental organization (NGO) community. The United States also provided assistance to women leaders throughout the country to encourage and prepare them to run for elected office and positions within their political parties, as well as provide them with general leadership skills to maximize their current leadership roles in their communities.

United States civic education programs in Georgia supported the development of innovative extracurricular teaching in civic values and responsibilities for Georgia's youth. Students in ethnic-Armenian areas in the Samtskhe-Jayakheti region were encouraged to actively participate in their communities through volunteer actions and joint initiatives with other schools. A new youth program was launched to reach out to areas populated primarily by ethnic Armenians and Azeris, providing quality academic and social activities for at-risk youth, improving their understanding of other ethnic groups and seeking to improve school attendance and overall academic accomplishment.

United States assistance was crucial in the adoption of the Law on Freedom of Expression. The United States funded several media development programs in Georgia aimed at raising the professional level of independent media. The United States sponsored a U.S. media development professional to train local independent media company managers and reporters. The United States also dedicated several International Visitors Programs (IVP) to journalism. United States Embassy Democracy Commission Grants were awarded to projects aimed at improving independent journalism. The United States sponsored the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management at the Georgian Institute for Public Affairs. Training courses and working tours funded by the United States helped journalists learn the values and principles of freedom of the press as well as standards of western journalism.

The United States supported a rule of law program that increased public awareness of legal rights and assisted in the reform of the legal system. United States Department of Justice advisors were closely involved in the ongoing rewriting of Georgia's Criminal Procedural Code to meet international human rights standards. Other U.S.-sponsored activities focused on court structure reform, judicial self-advocacy and judicial independence. The rule of law program also promoted implementation of the Administrative Code and its Freedom of Information provisions, funded legal aid clinics, and conducted public education campaigns regarding citizens' constitutional rights. In response to the new Georgian Government's willingness to tackle corruption and human rights issues within the framework of law enforcement, in 2004 the United States began several new programs with the Ministry of Interior and established a permanent representative of the State Department's International Narcotics and Law Enforcement office at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi to administer these programs. One program funded the development of police training curriculum for entry- and advanced-level officers to meet international standards, including in areas of human rights. Another program sought to establish a national central forensic lab to improve Georgian law enforcement officers' poor forensic capabilities, one known cause of police torture of detainees.

To encourage respect for minorities and women, the U.S. Embassy Democracy Commission Grant program awarded money for the establishment of an ethnic minority NGO center in southern Georgia. This Center organized Georgian language and computer courses and civic education workshops for more than 100 young Azeri activists. The center raised civic awareness of local Azeris, especially women and youth, and encouraged them to tap into the social and political life of the region. The Embassy also organized an individual IVP on adoption issues for a representative of the Ministry of Education. This U.S.-based program focused on systems and approaches to promote child welfare and adoption service programs and demonstrated how children's rights are protected through health and welfare laws at local and national levels.

The United States has historically been in the forefront of efforts on religious freedom issues to bring perpetrators of religiously motivated violence in Georgia to justice. Embassy officials attended the trial of defrocked Orthodox Priest Father Basili Mkalavishvili. Although there has been a significant decline in religious violence following the arrest of Mkalavishvili, restrictions on religious freedom persist, prompting continued U.S. engagement on the issue. United States officials attended several governmental and non-govern-mental conferences on religious freedom and legislation concerning religion. Embassy officers continued to push for legislation allowing for the registration of religious groups.

To promote labor rights, the United States sponsored training by a labor specialist for union leaders. As a result of this training, a youth branch was established in Georgia's Trade Unions Association (GTUA), whose leader became the deputy chairperson of the GTUA.

The United States helped the Government develop a national strategy to combat TIP. The project assisted the Government: to revise and implement its National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons; to respond more effectively to institutional weaknesses and corruption, which hindered the previous Government's anti-TIP efforts; to adopt anti-TIP legislation; and, to implement measures to inform and educate the public, including potential victims. An IVP introduced three Georgian participants to U.S. strategies to combat TIP. The program examined the patterns and types of TIP and explored the social, political and economic factors that contribute to TIP. The visitors also learned about cooperation between governmental and non-governmental organizations in combating TIP. The United States also sponsored anti-TIP workshops for journalists from Georgia and Azerbaijan. The workshops aimed at improving the media coverage of TIP. The program brought together 24 journalists in each country for several workshops. Participants learned how to best leverage their reporting to combat TIP and were provided an opportunity to develop contacts with local and international specialists.

The U.S. Embassy provided a training and consultation program for the General Procurator. One of the goals of this program was to assist in the development of better prosecutorial measures for combating TIP. As a result of these efforts, law enforcement officers have recently detained several suspects and trials have commenced. The Ministry of Security also used mass media to broadcast appeals to victims of TIP with a guarantee that they would be protected from prosecution if they exposed the organizers of TIP.

Kazakhstan

The Government's human rights record remained poor, and the Government continued to commit numerous abuses. The Constitution of Kazakhstan concentrates power in the presidency, permitting the president to control the legislature and judiciary, as well as regional and local governments. President Nursultan Nazarbayev was elected to a 7-year term in a 1999 election that fell far short of international standards. Parliamentary elections in September were in some respects an improvement over the previous elections; however, they continued to fall short of international standards. The Government severely limited citizens' right to change their government and democratic institutions remained weak. The Government continued to restrict freedom of the press, and there were instances of Government harassment of independent media. The Government continued to use arbitrary arrest and detention and selectively prosecute political opponents. Prolonged detention was a problem.

Throughout 2004, the U.S. human rights and democracy strategy sought to build on the positive steps made in 2003 with special emphasis on preparations for the September parliamentary elections. The United States efforts were focused on building a legal environment and supporting civil society development, which would help create an environment for elections that meet international standards.

A key diplomatic component of the U.S. strategy emphasized that bilateral cooperation on economic and security issues is a complement, not a substitute, for meaningful progress on human rights and democracy. The United States also continued to encourage the Government of Kazakhstan to live up to its Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) commitments to support human rights and promote democracy, a necessary condition for the United States to support Kazakhstan’s bid for the 2009 OSCE Chair-in-Office position. The United States remains committed to non-partisan promotion of political pluralism and governance that reflects the political will of its citizens, and engaged with the Government of Kazakhstan at every level to reiterate that commitment.

Improving electoral processes was a main focus of U.S. democracy promotion efforts this year. The United States vigorously urged the Government of Kazakhstan to draft an election law that would meet international standards. Prior to the elections, Kazakhstan adopted and passed an elections law that, while not fully meeting international standards, was an improvement over existing legislation. While the OSCE ultimately determined that the elections fell short of international standards, U.S. diplomatic efforts and assistance contributed to a more open pre-election environment.

Then-Deputy Secretary Armitage, the Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, the Ambassador, and other U.S. Mission members strongly advocated for the registration of opposition political party Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DCK), which was ultimately registered in time to participate in the elections. However, at year’s end, DCK faced a legal action to "dissolve" the party based on a statement adopted at its December party congress that rejected the Government’s legitimacy and called for civil disobedience. The Ambassador raised the case with a range of senior Kazakhstani officials and encouraged an approach that would permit the party to continue to function. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasia also raised the DCK issue with Kazakhstan’s Ambassador in December.

In tandem with diplomatic engagement, the United States funded a range of activities in support of human rights and democratic reform. During the run up to the September parliamentary elections, the U.S. Government provided non-partisan, capacity-building support to improve political party, civil society, and independent media participation in the electoral process. United States officials, including more than half of the Embassy’s officers, volunteered for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) election observation mission. Two U.S. implementing partners, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), conducted more than 58 training sessions across Kazakhstan, covering all registered political parties. A U.S.-funded grant enabled a local non-governmental organization (NGO) to conduct a nationwide voter exit poll. Assisted by another U.S.-funded grant, a local NGO prepared a parallel vote tabulation report comparing local precincts’ election night protocols to the Central Election Commission’s (CEC) final vote count. The report highlighted serious irregularities in the CEC’s vote tabulation, providing quantitative evidence to support qualitative concerns expressed in the OSCE/ODIHR field mission’s final elections report.

In addition to supporting political party development and transparency in the electoral process, the United States promoted democratic progress by providing funding to NGOs engaged in non-partisan voter outreach and education. United States assistance funded a project focusing on youth voters run by a Kazakhstani NGO; other U.S. assistance funds underwrote a "Youth in Elections" national debate tournament. The United States managed a small grants fund in which 31 grants were awarded to 25 NGOs and six media outlets, with most grants focusing on voter information campaigns and voters’ rights. United States grant programs also enabled six independent stations to produce election-focused talk shows and debate programs. Through USAID, the United States funded a contest eliciting voter education Public Service Announcements (PSAs) resulting in rebroadcast of six PSAs and seven radio spots by 16 television and 17 radio stations.

Freedom of media was also a serious concern for the United States in its effort to promote democracy in Kazakhstan. For example, the United States strongly advocated for the rejection of a flawed media law that would have impeded freedom of speech, in particular campaign reporting, and regularly raised concern over a series of legal actions aimed at independent media. After much public debate and criticism of the media law, President Nazarbayev vetoed the legislation. The American Bar Association’s Central European and Eurasia Law Initiative (ABA/CEELI), a U.S. implementing partner, began a new media defense project that provided an analysis of the law’s shortcomings. The project also provided training to lawyers defending journalists and media outlets in court. United States advocacy efforts were complemented by several U.S.-funded programs to expand freedom of the media. The United States funded the NGO Internews to conduct programs to strengthen independent media through training and technical assistance. A new program was started to create an on-line news agency to enable media outlets to share news across the country. With funding from the United States, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting conducted training on human rights reporting and published articles on-line.

Support for the rule of law remained a fundamental goal of U.S.-funded training programs for NGOs and Kazakhstani officials. Lawyers provided 387 consultations to civil society organizations during the year through a variety of U.S.-funded programs. Strengthening the skills of the next generation of Kazakhstani attorneys, a U.S.-fund-ed pro-bono tax clinic at Turan University trained 20 students in practical skills and provided aid to 240 indigent clients. This year’s Jessup International Moot Court Competition, which provides an opportunity for law students to practice and develop their written and oral advocacy skills and to learn about trial tactics and substantive areas of international law, drew a record-breaking 126 participants. The United States, through a grant to ABA/CEELI, also completed the first Judicial Reform Index. This index gives a comprehensive overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the current legal system, providing a roadmap for future advocacy and capacity building.

Assistance and training for NGOs to promote rule of law was complemented by U.S.-funded professional skills training for Kazakhstani law enforcement. The Embassy organized professional development seminars for the press-relations officers of local prosecutors’ offices to encourage effective publicity of anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) efforts and better relations with media outlets. The Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement conducted educational seminars for policemen and local government authorities that touched on several human rights issues, most notably combating TIP, promotion of the rule of law through introduction of a jury system, and training that focused on evidence-based, versus "confession-based," crime investigation techniques. Moving away from "confession-based" criminal investigations will serve the dual purpose of sharpening law enforcement investigative accuracy while reducing reliance on a system that promotes abuse of detainees.

As part of the U.S. strategy to promote human rights, the country’s premier human rights NGO, Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law (KIBHR), was awarded one of ten grants given by the Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor for a project to support human rights and foster civil society. The KIBHR program trained 20 human rights defenders in international legal standards, enforcement mechanisms, networking, advocacy, and prison monitoring. Another U.S.-funded program enabled KIBHR to expand its network to six more regional centers, giving the NGO coverage throughout Kazakhstan.

The United States continued to encourage the Government of Kazakhstan to find a just resolution in the case of DCK leader Galymzham Zhakiyanov, convicted in 2002 on what appeared to be politically motivated charges. Zhakiyanov was ultimately moved from a "strict regime" prison to a minimum security settlement colony with greater freedom of movement and interaction. The United States also advocated for due process for independent journalist Sergey Duvanov, who was convicted on what observers considered politically-motivated charges at a trial marked by serious procedural irregularities. On August 17, he was conditionally released from custody under parole status.

To promote civic development, numerous grants were awarded to NGO programs focused on youth, women, the elderly, and the disabled. A local NGO began a new program with U.S. funding to develop a nation-wide network of women leaders to increase participation of women in grassroots governance. A new civic advocacy component was added to USAID’s civil society program, enabling more resources to be devoted to advocacy campaigns, skills, and membership-based NGOs. The Embassy’s Democracy Commission supported several projects, including projects focused on professional development for NGO associations and for local government officials; improving cooperation between NGOs and the Government; and, providing education to officials and legal support to prisoners to discourage and reduce incidents of prisoner abuse. International Visitors Programs sent small groups of Kazakhstani citizens to the United States to meet with subject matter experts. Topics of 2004 programs included TIP, independent media, and religious diversity.

The Government’s record on freedom of religion is exemplary, but experts fear that the proposed Law on Extremism may undercut that positive development. The Ambassador and Embassy officers remained heavily engaged in dialogue with the Government to encourage that this legislation be drafted through a transparent legislative drafting process and that it reflect Kazakhstan’s international commitments to respect individuals’ rights to peaceful expression of religion. A representative of the U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom's office visited the country and met with Government officials to express concern over the draft Law on Extremism. During a visit to Astana in October 2004, the then-Deputy Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs raised concerns about the Law on Extremism at the highest levels of the Government.

Kyrgyz Republic

During 2004, the Kyrgyz Government's human rights record remained poor, although there were improvements in some areas. Although the 1993 Constitution defines the Kyrgyz Republic as a democratic republic, President Askar Akayev continued to dominate the Government. The Government limited citizens' right to change their government. While irregularities marred balloting in some districts during nationwide local elections in October, they took place generally without government interference and opposition candidates and parties were allowed to participate freely in the political process. Members of the security forces at times beat and otherwise mistreated persons. Prison conditions remained very poor, but improved slightly during the year. Abuse by police remained a problem, and numerous law enforcement authorities were dismissed or prosecuted for abuses or misconduct. There were cases of arbitrary arrest or detention. Executive branch domination of the judiciary as well as corruption limited citizens' right to due process. The Government occasionally restricted freedom of speech and of the press, and individuals and companies close to the Government used financial means to control numerous media outlets. The Government used bureaucratic means to harass and pressure some independent media as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The government-appointed Ombudsman's Office actively worked to advocate individual rights.

With parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for 2005, the U.S. strategy to promote democracy and human rights, including religious freedom, was increasingly focused on creating a conducive environment for transparent, free and fair elections by strengthening democratic institutions, increasing observance of human rights, supporting civil society organizations and promoting the development of independent media. In 2004, U.S. democracy assistance programs in the Kyrgyz Republic provided technical assistance and grants in the areas of civil society, rule of law and media to strengthen democratic practices among citizens and institutions.

To promote democracy, the United States maintained close contact with independent journalists, human rights activists and opposition politicians while encouraging dialogue between the Government, the opposition and civil society. The Ambassador and visiting senior U.S. officials met frequently with reform-minded parliamentarians and human rights activists to solicit their views. During a July 2004 visit to Bishkek, then-Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Beth Jones and the Ambassador held discussions with local NGOs and civil society representatives. They met with Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and other senior officials to discuss concerns about human rights issues and the 2005 elections. In May and November of 2004, high-level U.S. officials discussed with Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov and President Akayev the need for continued progress in democratization in order to broaden U.S.-Kyrgyz bilateral relations.

After consulting closely with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and NGOs, President Akayev in January signed into law a new election code. While some of the changes in the new law mark significant progress, the OSCE determined it did not meet international standards due to provisions that could be used to limit civil and political rights. However, local elections held in October 2004, the first test of the new code, were widely regarded as the most open and transparent in the history of Kyrgyzstan. The elections also revealed a real need for more training for election officials and observers. Throughout 2004, U.S. officials met extensively with legislators as well as senior government officials, including President Akayev, urging them to adhere to international standards in the coming parliamentary and presidential elections. President Akayev has given his pledge to step down from the presidency and to ensure a peaceful transition.

Throughout 2004, the United States continued to work closely with other members of the international community to promote democratic reform. In September the United States agreed to fund the entire cost of an OSCE proposal to promote free and fair elections in Kyrgyzstan in 2005. Embassy officials met frequently with representatives of other governments and international organizations to coordinate election-related efforts and share information.

United States-funded NGOs were very active in election-related programs. The International Republican Institute (IRI) used U.S. funding to offer development assistance to all political parties in order to increase citizen participation in the political process. IRI also collaborated with IFES and the Central Election Commission (CEC) to conduct intensive polling station worker training for 400 CEC members in 50 Bishkek electoral districts. For this, IRI and IFES wrote a CEC manual based on a chronological approach, starting with procedures before election day, on election day, and post election day. These were the only CEC trainings for the local elections countrywide. The National Democratic Institute (NDI) used U.S. funding to support a local NGO to conduct a parallel vote tabulation for October’s local elections. The National Democratic Institute also provided political party training and technical development assistance. During 2004, the United States also provided small grants to local NGOs in support of non-partisan election-related programs. Both the parliament and President approved in October amendments to the election code allowing for the use of indelible ink in future elections, an important tool in preventing election fraud. For 2005 parliamentary and presidential elections, the United States will pay for the cost of procuring the ink and training election officials in its use.

Freedom of media also remains a serious concern. The U.S.-funded independent printing press implemented by Freedom House, the first of its kind in the Kyrgyz Republic, continued to operate successfully and attract customers from around Kyrgyzstan as well as neighboring countries. By the end of 2004, the press was printing more than 70 independent and government-owned newspapers. Internews, a U.S. implementing partner, continued a program to support independent print and broadcast media by conducting training seminars, providing technical and legal assistance, and producing innovative news programs for exchange between independent outlets around the country and region. The Institute for War and Peace Reporting continued its program of training journalists on expanded human rights reporting and facilitating dialogue between civil society and media outlets to address human rights and democracy issues. With U.S. funding, the International Research and Exchanges Board launched the Jalalabad Media Resource Center to provide services to the independent media sector, including legal assistance, group training, individualized consulting, and advocacy support. The Center also conducts regular community events, such as roundtables with regional journalism students, local officers, and NGO and mass media representatives.

The United States was highly engaged on rule of law issues, such as arbitrary arrest and excessive use of force. United States officials continued to raise with senior Kyrgyz officials the need for due process in the case of imprisoned opposition leader Felix Kulov. In addition, the Ambassador met with senior Kyrgyz officials and urged them to vigorously investigate the disappearance of well-known opposition figure Tursunbek Akunov in November.

To improve rule of law, the United States funded a "Judicial Watchdog Project", implemented by a local NGO. The goal of the project is to promote greater transparency and fairness throughout the judicial system by placing monitors in courtrooms. The program has already shown results; for example, complaints made about a particular judge’s corruption and incompetence led to a government investigation of that judge, who was later dismissed. The United States also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan to facilitate training of judges and improve access to judicial opinions, to be implemented by U.S. grantee ARD-Checchi. The United States also continued its work with the OSCE on an OSCE-sponsored community policing project aimed at improving community-police relations and providing training to Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies on proper crowd control tactics.

A U.S.-funded program implemented by Freedom House to support human rights defenders worked closely with grassroots activists and youth leaders on training in human rights monitoring and advocacy. United States implementing partners also trained citizens on techniques for organizing advocacy campaigns to achieve sustainable solutions to local and national problems. Local NGOs supported by U.S. programs successfully lobbied for changes to the law on public meetings, which was widely regarded as vague and too restrictive. In October of 2004, the Constitutional Court overturned three articles of the law that were not in compliance with the Constitution.

The number of high schools using a civics textbook developed by U.S. implementing partner IFES increased to 669 from 324 the year before, reaching almost 40,000 students across the country. United States implementing partners worked with reform-minded parliamentarians and promoted public hearings as a way to elicit citizens' views on new legislation. A growing network of U.S.-fund-ed Information Centers for Democracy implemented by NDI provided citizens with access to independent media and infrastructure to host "townhall" meetings to discuss current political issues and distributed daily "news digests". In November, the Ambassador and a senior aide to President Akayev visited one of the Information Centers, where they met with Center staff and representatives of NGOs. The Information Centers for Democracy continue to provide citizens with the knowledge and skills to design and implement responses to challenging local and national policy issues.

The United States also used public diplomacy funds to sponsor International Visitors Programs (IVP) focused on the issues of political party operations, religious tolerance, student ethics, law enforcement and security, and promoting independent media. The programs brought together individuals representing the Government, NGOs, religious communities and academia to foster cooperation between these groups.

The U.S.-sponsored Democracy Commission funded 53 grants to local NGOs in support of independent media outlets, information dissemination, combating trafficking in persons (TIP), journalism training, academic integrity, human rights, democracy, and civic and legal education. For example, one Democracy Commission grantee organized courses on multicultural tolerance, comparative religious studies and prevention of radical Islam at the Islamic University of the Kyrgyz Republic. Other programs included a leadership summer camp for high school students from across the country. Also, 14 student groups and four teacher groups at 14 Kyrgyz universities received grants to combat corruption within the education system.

The United States maintained regular contacts with representatives of various religious communities, and several Kyrgyz religious leaders visited the United States on an IVP. The Ambassador hosted an annual Iftaar dinner for Muslim leaders and addressed a crowd of worshipers in the Bishkek main square on the occasion of Kurman Ait, marking the end of Ramadan. Religious leaders in the cities of Osh, Jalalabad, and Karakol visited numerous U.S.-funded projects as part of a new USAID outreach effort.

On numerous occasions, U.S. officials urged the Kyrgyz Republic to employ resources more effectively to combat TIP. In partial response to U.S. requests, the Kyrgyz Republic began funding for staff members of the Secretariat of the National Council to Combat Trafficking and provided space in Bishkek free of charge for the country’s first shelter for trafficking victims. These efforts also contributed to an increase in the number of prosecutions for trafficking and associated crimes in 2004. Among U.S.-funded projects to combat TIP, the United States started a new two-year program to strengthen the capacity of local NGOs to conduct public information campaigns and provide assistance to victims.

Macedonia

Macedonia is a multiparty parliamentary democracy. The current multi-ethnic coalition Government, led by Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski of the ethnic Macedonian Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, came to power in September 2002 in elections deemed free and fair by international observers. After former President Boris Trajkovski died in an airplane crash in February 2004, then-Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovksi was elected president in April in an election generally considered free and fair. A divisive national referendum challenging new municipal-redistricting laws failed due to low voter turnout in November, and local elections on the basis of newly formed, ethnically diverse municipalities are scheduled for March 2005.

The Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were problems in some areas. Law enforcement officers occasionally beat suspects, particularly during initial arrest and detention. In contrast with previous years, arbitrary arrest and prolonged pretrial detention occurred infrequently. The Government showed progress on investigating allegations of human rights abuses. The judiciary, on some occasions, did not effectively investigate or prosecute state agents and civilians for alleged human rights abuses. Implementation of an amnesty law for former 2001 combatants not accused of war crimes was completed by year’s end. The Government continued to cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in investigating alleged war crimes cases. Violence and discrimination against women (particularly in the Roma and Albanian communities) remained problems, as did societal discrimination against minorities, including Roma, ethnic Albanians and ethnic Turks. Trafficking in persons (TIP) was a problem that the Government continued to combat aggressively. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary; however corruption, coercion and political influence at times limited its ability to function efficiently.

United States support for democracy and human rights in Macedonia has played a crucial role in helping the country transition from an unstable, ethnically divided society in the aftermath of the 2001 conflict to an aspiring EU NATO candidate today.

The 2004-2005 U.S. human rights and democracy strategy for Macedonia focused on encouraging the Government to pass the remaining legislation mandated by the Framework Agreement (FWA), the agreement that ended the 2001 conflict), ensure its efficient implementation, and address critical judicial and rule of law shortcomings.

The United States provided significant financial support in fiscal year 2004 to support FWA-man-dated decentralization efforts in Macedonia, and led donor coordination efforts. The U.S.-funded Make Decentralization Work program assisted municipalities in developing the capacity to decentralize and increase citizen participation in public decision-making successfully.

The United States actively continued to monitor and encourage all levels of government to implement the FWA. Macedonia's ethnic minorities enjoyed the FWA's positive impact in 2004, when they applied for the first time for dual-language passports, studied at the state-supported, Albanian-language Tetovo University and saw mixed-ethnic police patrols ensuring the safety of Macedonia's streets and borders. Unequivocal U.S. support for the FWA process helped encourage Macedonia's multiethnic coalition Government to overcome a contentious intra-coalition debate and agree on new municipal boundaries in August. United States recognition of Macedonia's constitutional name and statements by the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Defense Secretary, and the U.S. Ambassador underscoring U.S. commitment to the FWA helped reduce support for a national referendum on decentralization that could have reversed progress under the FWA.

The United States supported the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) international observer missions for the unexpected presidential election in April and for the November 7 referendum. United States Embassy staff participated as observers at polling stations throughout the country. In both cases, the presence and actions of the OSCE-led missions helped to ensure free and fair electoral processes and t