PRESS RELEASES
Middle East and North Africa
Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2003-2004
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
LEBANON
18 May 2004
The Government of Lebanon's overall human rights record remained
poor; although there were some improvements in a few areas, serious
problems remained. The right of citizens to change their government
remained significantly restricted by the lack of complete government
control over parts of the country, shortcomings in the electoral
system, the flawed 2000 elections and Syrian influence. Members
of the security forces used excessive force and tortured and abused
some detainees. Prison conditions remained poor. Government abuses
also included the arbitrary arrest and detention of persons who
were critical of government policies. The courts were subject to
political pressure, and the Government infringed on citizens' privacy
rights and continued surveillance of political activities. The Government
limited press and media freedom. The Government continued to restrict
freedom of assembly and imposed some limits on freedom of association,
movement and religion. Violence and discrimination against women,
child labor and the mistreatment of foreign domestic servants remained
problems.
The U.S. strategy to promote human rights and democracy consists
of both diplomacy and programs to strengthen civil society, the
rule of law, press freedom, judicial independence and to combat
trafficking in persons. The United States engaged the President
of Lebanon, the Prime Minister and the Justice Minister on these
issues. Embassy officials also met regularly with non-governmental
organizations and the Beirut Bar Association to monitor human rights
developments. The Embassy cooperated with the Bar and the Institute
of Judicial Studies to organize two seminars by a visiting American
judge on the rule of law and the use of arbitration and alternative
methods to resolve disputes. Embassy officials also attended press
conferences organized by human rights organizations and trials involving
principles and advocacy of human rights and democracy.
The 2003 and 2004 International Visitor program reinforced U.S.
human rights and democracy objectives. Eight community members and
government officials participated in exchanges on such topics as
democracy, women's empowerment, young leaders, media, student leadership
and trafficking.
Assistance programs sought to promote participatory and accountable
government and strengthen civil society institutions. The Transparency
and Accountability Grants program, funded through the U.S.-Middle
East Partnership Initiative awarded 59 grants of approximately $25,000
each to local civil society initiatives to increase transparency
and accountability in Lebanon's public and private sectors. An additional
$4 million supported a program in the Democracy and Governance portfolio
to strengthen the delivery of government services to citizens and
municipalities. Projects under these programs addressed such subjects
as transparent government transactions, professional ethics and
youth education, and reached more than 1,000 municipality presidents,
vice presidents and key employees. More effective municipal governance
helped ensure citizens' equal access to services, regardless of
their religion, thereby promoting reconciliation among communities
and strengthening popular confidence in government.
The United States initiated a regional program based in Beirut
to strengthen the management and commercial base of independent
media throughout the region.
The United States also conducted programs to promote women's political
participation in advance of 2004 municipal and 2005 parliamentary
elections.
To address trafficking in persons, the United States funded a $59,000
program for judges-in-training and continuing education for sitting
judges to identify and successfully convict traffickers. A grant
of $330,000 helped operate a safe house for the protection of victims
of trafficking.
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