U.S. Department of State

I. Public Benefit

Protecting human rights and building democracy are cornerstones of a U.S. foreign policy focused on combating terrorism, championing human dignity and supporting nations that respect human rights and govern by the rule of law. Together with our partners in the international community, including human rights advocates and non-governmental organizations, the U.S. seeks opportunities to end tyranny and enhance homeland security through strategies, policies and programs that promote democracy and human rights.

In order for democratization to be successful and sustainable, the process must be driven by the people. While the U.S. plays a leading role to promote democracy and human rights, the Department and USAID take a holistic approach to democracy promotion, engaging both governments and civil society to ensure that democratic reforms reflect a representative political process. This philosophy underscores the goal of transformational diplomacy, which is to promote democracy by helping foreign citizens better their own lives and build their own futures.

II. Performance Summary

The table below summarizes the performance ratings for Department of State and USAID results for the Democracy and Human Rights strategic goal.

III. Resources Invested

IV. Performance Analysis

Performance Trends. The Department and USAID have been able to demonstrate progress in developing democratic institutions, supporting free and fair elections, upholding religious freedom, and increasing women's participation in the economy and politics, particularly in Afghanistan and the countries of the Middle East.

Key Initiatives And Programs. The Department and USAID invested significant resources to promote democracy and human rights in FY 2006. For example, a new Human Rights and Democracy Fund was established with an appropriation of $94 million, of which $15 million was earmarked for the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and $6.5 million was set aside for the advancement of democracy in Iran and Syria. Under a separate appropriation, an additional $74 million was earmarked to NED for democracy grants. Using Economic Support Funds, the Department invested $50 million for democracy, human rights and governance programs in Egypt; and $20 million for labor and environmental capacity building activities in support of the free trade agreement with the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic. In FY 2006, USAID received $15 million for programs to improve women's leadership capacity in developing countries and $40 million to support the transition to democracy and long-term development of countries in crisis.

V. FY 2006 Performance Results

INDICATOR: Progress Toward Constitutional Democracy in Afghanistan

	Outcome
JUSTIFICATION: Achieving progress towards meeting political objectives laid out in the Afghanistan Compact will effectively establish democratic rule in Afghanistan.
FY 2006 PERFORMANCE	Target	Parliament produces constructive legislation, approves responsible budgets, and oversees appropriate government operations, such as combating corruption and narcotics activity. Civil liberties provisions remain intact and receive strong support from legal and executive institutions. Citizens throughout the country have access to the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission for resolution of human rights complaints. Human rights education becomes part of primary school education curriculum. Courts in Kabul begin to hold trials in criminal cases. Women are active political participants and hold public positions in Kabul and the central, regional and provincial government levels.
	Results	Parliament adopted a law on the duties and responsibilities of the Provincial Councils; adopted the budget; and confirmed the President's cabinet and the members of the Supreme Court. Provisions on civil liberties are intact and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Council remains active. Religious freedom became an issue due to an apostasy case that was eventually dismissed. Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission continues to expand to the provinces and is more accessible and active. In most schools human rights are a primary part of the curriculum, but the extent to which this is true varies by class. There are 68 female members in the National Assembly, one female cabinet member and one female provincial governor. Approximately 35% students attending school are female. Approximately 60% of primary age girls are in school. For the lower secondary level (grades 7-9) it is about 9% and for the upper secondary level (10-12) approximately 3% of girls attend school.
	Rating	On Target
	Impact	A democratically elected president and government are essential to ensuring Afghanistan's progress toward democracy.

INDICATOR: Status of Democracy in the Near East

	Outcome
JUSTIFICATION: Successful elections (held as scheduled and free and fair) indicate fundamental movement toward democratic, representative government. A free and independent media is an imperative for democratic, transparent governance. It provides essential information to the people, both informing their voting decisions and acting as a means for the people to express dissent between elections.
FY 2006 PERFORMANCE	Target	Municipal elections in Yemen are held as scheduled and are free and fair. Elections in Bahrain held as scheduled and are free and fair. Media Freedom: Two additional Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) countries move into the "Partly Free" category and no other states lower their rankings.
	Results	Free, fair and competitive elections took place in Yemen (municipal and Presidential); Egypt (Parliamentary); Qatar (legislative); Bahrain (municipal council). No countries saw a decline in their Media Freedom scores. No countries moved from "Not Free" to "Partly Free". In Iraq, a draft permanent Constitution was successfully adopted in October 2005. Political parties formed coalitions, registered and campaigned for December 2005 elections.
	Rating	On Target
	Impact	Holding free, fair, competitive elections and adopting a Constitution are first steps in achieving participatory democracy and open opportunities for increased democracy programming including political party and civil society strengthening.

INDICATOR: Status of Religious Freedom

	Outcome
JUSTIFICATION: Congress established the broad policy goals and reporting requirements in the International Religious Freedom Act. The performance indicators chosen follow from the mandates of the law. Meetings, agreements and documented movement by countries toward greater religious freedom are concrete examples of progress toward International Religious Freedom goals.
FY 2006 PERFORMANCE	Target	Undertake at least two additional bilateral or regional International Religious Freedom initiatives, laying the groundwork for significant policy changes in those countries or regions. Establish a working coalition of allies focused on problem countries, working bilaterally and multilaterally to improve or establish religious freedom laws, practices and accountability in problem countries. Revise and streamline the format of the Annual Country Reports and the International Religious Freedom Report, maintaining high standards and making the reports more user friendly.
	Results	Focused intensive diplomatic efforts on consolidating religious freedom improvements in Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. As a result, Saudi Arabia confirmed policies to revise school textbooks to eliminate intolerant language, to protect the right to private worship and to import religious materials for private use, and to enforce controls over the actions of the religious police. Vietnam released all remaining religious prisoners, speeded registration of churches, and took action against officials who violated the right to worship. Worked with international partners to successfully press for countries not to establish anti-conversion laws (e.g., India and Sri Lanka) and to release religious prisoners (e.g., Saudi Arabia, China, and Indonesia). Began revising and streamlining the format of the International Religious Freedom Report.
	Rating	On Target
	Impact	Advanced Department's objectives of promoting religious freedom and human rights, strengthening civil society.

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