01 April 2003
State Department Documents Human Rights Abuses in Middle East in 2002
(2002 human rights report reports violations by traditional U.S. allies) (940)
By Stephen Kaufman
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- The State Department's 2002 Country Reports on Human
Rights Practices, released March 31, 2003, criticizes the human rights
situation in many countries of the Middle East, including longstanding
U.S. allies such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The report says many citizens in the region do not have a "meaningful
ability" or, in some cases, even the right to change their government.
The annual report noted frequent allegations of torture practiced by
security forces throughout the region on critics and opponents of the
governments.
Secretary of State Colin Powell, announcing the publication of the
report March 31, said "states which demonstrate a high degree of
respect for human rights are likeliest to contribute to international
security and well-being. Where human rights and freedoms flourish,
terrorists and tyrants do not thrive, and conflict and chaos do not
reign."
"These congressionally mandated reports reflect the steadfast
commitment of the United States to advance internationally agreed
human rights principles worldwide. Our country was founded on the
precept that freedom is the birthright of every human being, and
America is proud to serve as a force for freedom across the globe,"
said Powell.
Saudi Arabia, one of the closest U.S. allies in the region, was given
a poor rating for its lack of democracy and the practices of its
security forces, including the use of torture.
"[Saudi] security forces continued to abuse detainees and prisoners,
arbitrarily arrest and detain persons, and hold them in incommunicado
detention," said the report.
Israel was given higher marks than Saudi Arabia because, the report
said, the Israeli government "generally respected the human rights of
its citizens." However, the report criticized Israel's treatment of
Palestinians in the occupied territories, including alleged use of
torture, as well as Israel's treatment of its Arab citizens.
"Israel's overall human rights record in the occupied territories
remained poor, and worsened in several areas as it continued to commit
numerous, serious human rights abuses," said the report.
The report cited Israel's killing of 990 Palestinians in 2002,
including innocent bystanders. It said Israel engaged in "targeted
killings in crowded areas when civilian casualties were likely."
Egypt, another U.S. ally, came under criticism for "the improper use
of State Security Emergency Courts and military courts, and torture,
among other areas." Although the report acknowledged that the Egyptian
government "generally respected the human rights of its citizens in
some areas," it criticized Egypt's limitations on freedom of
association, and the domination of the ruling party "to such an extent
that citizens did not have a meaningful ability to change their
Government."
When asked about the close relationships the United States maintains
with countries considered to have poor human rights practices, Powell
said, "in each and every one we make it clear to them that even though
we're cooperating in some areas, cooperation can improve and our
relationship can be strengthened if they will adhere to what we
consider the basic concepts of human rights."
The report praised the government of Bahrain for its improved human
rights practices, saying the Bahraini government "generally respected
the human rights of its citizens in a number of areas and improved
significantly in other areas, particularly concerning respect for
political rights."
The report gave Syria and Libya poor ratings, saying those governments
suppressed all political opposition, used torture, and restricted
basic human freedoms of speech, the press, and assembly, among others.
The report said that, besides torture, Syrian citizens were subject to
"poor prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention; prolonged
detention without trial; fundamentally unfair trials in the security
courts; an inefficient judiciary that suffered from corruption and, at
times, political influence; and infringement on privacy rights."
The report charged the Libyan government of using torture, summary
judicial proceedings to suppress domestic opposition, holding many
political detainees for years "without charge or trial," and
infringing on citizens' privacy rights.
"Citizens did not have the right to be secure in their homes or
persons, or to own private property," the report said.
As for Lebanon, the report said the country's human rights record was
affected by problems such as "the lack of complete government control
over parts of the country, shortcomings in the electoral system, the
flawed 2000 elections, and Syrian influence."
The report said the Lebanese government's security forces committed
acts involving use of excessive force, torture and abuse of detainees,
and carried out arbitrary arrests of political dissidents.
"Despite a new Code of Criminal Procedure, enacted in 2001, lengthy
pretrial detention and long delays in trials remained problems. The
courts were subject to political pressure," said the report.
Secretary Powell said the U.S. government had done the "utmost to
ensure that these reports are accurate and objective."
"They speak for themselves," said Powell. "They also speak to
President Bush's solemn pledge that the United States will always
stand for the nonnegotiable demands of human dignity."
Powell said the Bush administration was "strongly committed" to
working with foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, free
trade unions, and individuals to "improve compliance with
international human rights standards."
"We join in solidarity with courageous men and women all over the
world who strive to advance human rights and democratic values within
their own countries and throughout the international community,"
Powell said.
The State Department human rights reports for countries in the Near
East and North Africa can be found at
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/c8699.htm
(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International
Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)
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