Burundi Security Situation Update

Egypt is a transit country for women and girls trafficked from Eastern Europe and Russia into Israel for sexual exploitation. Some victims, primarily from sub-Saharan Africa, may also transit Egypt en route to Europe. Various sources indicate that unspecified numbers of women, particularly from Moldova, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, are smuggled or trafficked through the Sinai desert into Israel. Some women who seek economic opportunity in Israel willingly chose to make this journey. Others are deceived or compelled to make the journey. Bedouin smugglers appear to play a key role in their travel. Once in Israel, they are sexually exploited in prostitution. According to the Government of Egypt, 154 persons, including 93 women who entered Egypt in 2004 on tourist visas, remain unaccounted for. Some Egyptian males are smuggled into Europe and are reportedly subjected to involuntary servitude. [Read More]

Tanzania (Zanzibar)

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 25, 2004, to update the sections on Country Description, Entry/Exit Requirements, Safety and Security, Crime, Information for Victims of Crime, Medical Facilities and Other Health Information, Medical Insurance, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Aviation Safety, Special Circumstances, Children’s Issues, and Registration/Embassy Location. Other Governme ... [Read More]

Daily Press Briefing for July 6 -- Transcript

MR. MCCORMACK: We are -- again, Secretary Rice spoke with the Egyptian Foreign Minister yesterday -- we remain in consultation with Egyptian officials regarding this situation and we stand with them in calling for this diplomat's release, immediately and unharmed. With respect, I think you'll understand this given the kind of situation which we find before us, that I'm not going to offer any further comment beyond what I have. ...

MR. MCCORMACK: Again, we've stated what the funds that we have already made available and I don't have any update to that at this point. ... [Read More]

Introduction

Widespread use of torture by the Government of Syria resulted in at least 8 deaths during the year. Arbitrary arrest and detention, prolonged pre-trial detention without trial, fundamentally unfair trials in the security courts, and deteriorating prison conditions all persisted. Throughout the year, the security services conducted mass arrests of Kurds in Hassakeh province, Aleppo, Damascus, and other areas. On March 12, security forces in Qamishli, in the northeastern Hassakeh province, opened fire on a crowd at a soccer match after clashes between Arab and Kurdish fans erupted. In the days of rioting that followed, dozens were killed, as many as 2,000 Kurds were detained, and nearly 300 Kurds remained in custody and were awaiting trial before the State Security Court and Military Court at year’s end. The Government also continued to withhold information on the welfare and whereabouts of persons who have been held incommunicado for years. ... [Read More]

Congo-Kinshasa

SAFETY AND SECURITY: U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Congo-Kinshasa are urged to exercise caution and maintain security awareness at all times. Congo-Kinshasa remains unstable despite significant efforts to advance the peace process since the April 2003 formation of a power-sharing government of transition. In May and June 2004, there was renewed fighting in the eastern province of South Kivu and wide-scale civil unrest throughout much of the country. Rioting and looting took place in many cities, including the capital Kinshasa, putting residents, including foreigners, in danger and resulting in casualties among civilians and United Nations peacekeepers. Travel by U.S. mission personnel is periodically restricted based on changing security conditions. ... [Read More]

Daily Press Briefing for July 14 -- Transcript

15-1611Joint Verification Team; Update on Situation ...

I think our basic view has been and remains that the parties need to work together to achieve security. The roadmap process is one where they can each start achieving gains as we move forward. And, indeed, I think you have seen from both Israelis and Palestinians alike that there have been positive effects on their lives; there have been positive gains from this kind of -- the last few weeks of activity, and particularly the security cooperation that's been established. ... [Read More]

Daily Press Briefing for January 26 -- Transcript

If you remember, some of the earliest meetings he had were with President Kabila of Congo and with the other people who were involved in the situation in Congo. And indeed, we've had the Great Lakes initiative. We've had our Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary working to achieve progress between -- in eastern Congo. We've been very concerned about the situation of Burundi and Uganda and that whole area out there. ...

QUESTION: Since I had asked a question, I guess about two-and-a-quarter weeks ago to Secretary Powell concerning Africa, the situation there is worsened. It's partly tribal-type rivalries; it's also a lot of inflow of small arms. And it's not just in Darfur, but areas such as the Congo and what will be the fast track, especially with the AU. There's been cooperation with the Kenyans, with the Nigerians and -- to work diplomatically, but is there going to be a concerted effort to work with the individual countries, especially with Dr. Rice coming on board, to put an immediate end to situations that have gone far too long? ... [Read More]

Introduction

In Egypt, State Security Courts were formally abolished in May; however, the Government retained and continued to use Emergency Courts, and most observers noted that this was not a substantial improvement. The Emergency Law, extended in February for an additional three years, continued to restrict many basic rights. The Government passed legislation establishing a National Council for Human Rights; initially dismissed as window dressing, the naming of a number of independent thinkers to the Council led to hopes in early 2004 that the Council could contribute to a betterment of Egypt’s civil life. Security forces continued to torture prisoners, arbitrarily arrest and detain persons, and occasionally engaged in mass arrests. ... [Read More]