Aid and Discomfort
News: When it comes to Washington's 'willing' allies, a dismal human rights record doesn't necessarily mean an end to aid.
February 17, 2004
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Last month, the Bush administration announced it would do something human-rights and pro-democracy advocates have been urging for decades -- base foreign aid on how recipients treat their citizens. Starting in 2006, the Millenium Challenge Account will dish out $5 billion in development assistance to select countries that meet certain critera for good governance. As stated by President Bush, it will favor "nations that root out corruption, respect human rights, and adhere to the rule of law."
But that doesn't mean that the U.S. is no longer in the business of funneling money to corrupt and oppressive governments in the name of political expediency. Just look at the less-than-exemplary track records of some of our partners in the War on Terror, as documented by the State Department's most recent human-rights reports. They may not qualify for a Millenium grant, but these members of the "coalition of the willing" need not worry about being left high and dry.
|
Country |
Proposed U.S. development aid, 2004 |
What the State Department says |
|
Azerbaijan |
$41.5 million |
Arbitrary arrest, torture, restricted speech, and human trafficking are just a few of the abuses that Azerbjaijan's government either has carried out or turned a blind eye to. |
|
Eritrea |
$8.5 million |
This single-party state has recently detained political opponents and journalists, tortured prisoners, shut down the indepenedent media, and forced deserters and draft dodgers to stand outside in 113-degree heat. |
|
Ethiopia |
$78.4 million |
In 2002, security forces committed between 1,000 and 1,500 "unlawful killings" of demonstrators and suspected criminals. Teachers, journalists, and political opponents have been detained for suspected anti-government activities. |
|
Kyrgyzstan |
$40.0 million |
After a questionable election in 2000, the Kyrgyzstani government has cracked down on its opponents, the media, NGOs, and human-rights groups. |
|
Philippines |
$65.1 million |
Security and military services have been linked to extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and torture. |
|
Russia |
$73.0 million |
The government has continued to clamp down on the press while the military appears to operate under its own set of laws. There have been persistent and serious human-rights abuses by Russian forces in Chechnya. |
|
Tajikistan |
$45.4 million |
Ruled by an authoritarian regime, Tajikistan has a record of official corruption and human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, kidnapping, and disappearances. |
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Ukraine |
$94.0 million |
Reports of brutal—often deadly-- beatings by the police and military are common. The press has been constrained by official intimidation and the judicial system is overloaded and corrupt. Officials who carry out human rights abuses are rarely punished. |
|
Uzbekistan |
$42.0 million |
As of 2002, Uzbekistan had imprisoned 6,500 people for political or religious reasons. Police are known for torturing suspects, planting evidence, and accepting bribes. Citizens are required to carry passports when traveling within the country. |
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Yemen |
$15.0 million |
In 2002, the government arrested and held hundreds of suspected terrorists in detention, possibly in violation of the constituion. It claimed the detentions were needed to ensure national security. |
- Dave Gilson and Emilie Raguso
Sources: U.S. Agency for International Development,
U.S. State Department, U.S.
Central Command
