Advocacy Azerbaijan
Europe and Eurasia
The United States supported efforts to strengthen civil society and NGO advocacy through training, technical assistance and grants. Before the October 2004 elections, NGO advocacy increased markedly on issues such as electoral reforms, get-out-the-vote campaigns and gender representation in political processes. Advocacy efforts by U.S. Mission personnel and U.S.-funded NGOs resulted in the adoption of the Freedom of Information Act in Kosovo, procedures for public participation in two municipalities, disabled access provisions in construction law, and several local regulations that protect consumers’ rights. ... [Read More]
Billing code: 8320-01
Single-country1programs with a focus on political leadership for women. Applicants1should plan a training program that provides a political context for1leadership training. Specifically, the program should combine1elements such as leadership fundamentals, the introduction or1improvement of skills associated with campaign management,1accountability to constituencies, lobbying, surveying, polling,1advocacy, voter outreach, networking, message development, working1with the media and fundraising. Proposals must indicate a practical1and sophisticated knowledge of the political and legislative1environment in the target NIS country. 1 ... [Read More]
"For the Record" Alumni Newsletter – Office of Academic Exchange Programs, European Programs Branch
Bosnia and Herzegovina Undergraduate Development Program alumni will hold their first conference in Sarajevo in July 2001. The three-day conference titled Building Management and Advocacy Skills for Youth and Student Organizations will bring together youth groups from Bosnia and Herzegovina and other neighboring countries. The workshop will develop public advocacy skills and strategies for leaders of youth groups in environment, civic participation and student issues. ... [Read More]
Europe and Eurasia
A U.S.-funded program to support human rights defenders worked closely with grassroots activists and youth leaders on training in human rights monitoring and advocacy. U.S. 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 tax code to allow grants and humanitarian aid to be tax-exempt. The number of high schools using a civics textbook developed by U.S. implementing partners increased to 324 from 170 the year before, reaching almost 20,000 students across the country. U.S. implementing partners worked with reform-minded parliamentarians and promoted public hearings as a way to elicit citizens' views on new legislation. The U.S.-funded local governance program helped to draft a new law that, starting in 2005, will change the financing of local government and allow for more local control of re ... [Read More]
Human Rights and Democratization Initiatives in Countries with Significant Muslim Populations
6. Promote respect for human rights, including tolerance and the fight against discrimination in all its’ forms, advocacy training, monitoring and reporting on law enforcement abuses and combating law enforcement abuses. ... 1. Support civil society and the inclusion of marginalized populations, such as women, the "bidoon" and the Palestinian diaspora, with emphasis on political actors, civic education and advocacy groups; ... 1. Promote respect for human rights, especially advocacy training, monitoring and reporting on law enforcement abuses and combating law enforcement abuses; ... [Read More]
International Religious Freedom Report 2002: Azerbaijan
A number of legal provisions enable the Government to regulate religious groups, including a requirement in the Law on Religion that religious organizations be registered by the Government. The Committee for Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA), which replaced the Department of Religious Affairs in June 2001, assumed responsibility for the registration of religious groups from the Ministry of Justice. Government authorities gave SCWRA and its chairman, Rafig Aliyev, sweeping powers for registration; control over the publication, import, and distribution of religious literature; and the ability to suspend the activities of religious groups violating the law. However, there were some occasions when the SCWRA adopted an advocacy role with religious groups; for example, it assisted in the expedition of religious groups to a bookstore in Baku, and also intervened on behalf of a mosque that authorities campaigned to close down. ... [Read More]
FY 2004-2005 Human Rights and Democracy Fund Projects
ChinaNational Endowment for Democracy for China ($2,982,300)–Promoting the development and values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in China through a grant-making program to pro-democracy NGOs. Rule of Law Program in China ($2,100,000)–Promoting rule of law in China through a foreign LL.M. degree program in China. This program educates Chinese legal professionals in China to earn an American law degree with a depth, rigor and length of the training different from the typical short-term seminars. This program also includes short-term training for prosecutors and judges. Collaborative Action on Workplace Conditions in China ($400,000)–Improving labor conditions in China through an innovative company-led approach to adopting best practices and implementing those best practices in the supply chain in three areas: health and safety, wage and overtime violations and HIV/AIDS prevention. Promoting Democracy and Lab ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
There was slight improvement in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report. While some religious groups reported delays in and denials of registration, several churches have indicated that they either received or expect to receive their registration, they are able to import religious literature, and they meet without government interference. However, local authorities occasionally monitor religious services, and officials at times harassed nontraditional religious groups. The generally amicable relationship among religions in society contributed to religious freedom; however, there is popular prejudice against Muslims who convert to non-Muslim faiths and hostility towards groups that proselytize, particularly Evangelical Christian and missionary groups. The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government i ... [Read More]
V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G
Cambodia is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. A significant number of Cambodian women and children are trafficked to Thailand and Malaysia for labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Cambodian men are primarily trafficked to Thailand for labor exploitation in the construction and agricultural sectors, particularly the fishing industry. Cambodian children are trafficked to Vietnam and Thailand to work as street beggars. Cambodia is a transit and destination point for women from Vietnam who are trafficked for prostitution. The Government of Cambodia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so. Cambodia is placed on Tier 3 for its lack of progress in combating severe forms of traffi ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
During the year, a total of three POWs were released, one from Azerbaijan and two from Armenia.The law prohibits forced exile, and the Government did not employ it. e. Denial of a Fair and Public Trial The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary; however, in practice, judges did not function independently of the executive branch, and the judiciary was widely believed to be corrupt and inefficient. Judges preside over and direct trials. The President appoints Supreme and Constitutional Court judges, whom Parliament confirms. The President appoints lower-level judges without confirmation. Qualifying exams for judges were administered periodically as part of a judicial reform effort; however, credible allegations persisted that judgeships were bought and sold. Low salaries for judges and lawyers increased the incentives for bribe taking and ... [Read More]
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