One of the first casualties of war is human rights. Last week, the US Department of State issued new annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. This week's Feature Article reviews the findings of this report and international reaction to them, as well as sources of information about the US's own record, one that has come under enhanced scrutiny following security measures introduced in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

Human rights is always covered in the weekly News Highlights, which this week include recent developments in Iraq, North Korea, SARS (don't forget to read last week's Feature Article on this topic), and other issues related to international terrorism and political violence.

CONTENTS:

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:

1. World
2. Africa
3. Americas
4. Asia Pacific
5. Europe
6. Middle East
7. South Asia
8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare
9. Finance
10 Human Rights
11. Law and Legal Issues
12. Narco-terrorism
13. Transportation
14. Weapons of Mass Destruction
15. Recently Published

FEATURE ARTICLE:
Human Rights Report(s)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

1. World

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is causing increasing concern as the outbreak spreads even further while the cause, spread and treatment are still under investigation. In an unprecedented move, the World Health Organization issued a warning against travel to Hong Kong or parts of China. WHO investigators have only recently been allowed in to the region of China where the outbreak is believed to have originated; China has apologized for the delay. There are a large number of quarantines, including whole blocks of apartments in Hong Kong and hospitals in Toronto. President Bush has issued an executive order authorizing the use of forced quarantine in the US if the Secretary of Health believes it necessary. Ontario, Canada has declared a health emergency. Airlines around the world are screening passengers and in many cases offering face masks for passengers. The outbreak is already having a measurable negative economic impact on Asian economies and the effect on the world's economies may exceed that of the war in Iraq. See last week's Feature Article for background and links to current data.

When the war in Iraq began, some US officials believed there would be an uprising against Saddam Hussein and rapturous welcome for US troops. This hasn't happened, but an interesting take on the issue is provided in "Liberators and Enemies Can Look a Lot Alike" by Felicia R. Lee. She compiled information about Japan, the Soviet Union, Germany, North Korea, and the South in the US Civil War to talk about "When Civilians Must Choose Between the Devil They Know and the One They Don't" in The New York Times, April 5, 2003. It is well worth checking out the initial interviews with Iraqi civilians and soldiers carried out by Human Rights Watch http://www.hrw.org

Beyond interest in the unusual war tactics seen in Iraq, attention is focused on the aftermath of the war. One interesting summary is by Paul Reynolds of BBC News, "Iraq: When to declare victory", April 4, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2918053.stm. Meanwhile, it appears that the US is prepared to begin an interim government as early as next week.

International relations remain fraught, reflecting to some degree continued divisions within the US Bush administration. Note Glenn Kessler's article "European Journalists' Tart Queries Reflect Powell's Tough Task" Washington Post, April 5 http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A31342-2003Apr4? Also note the article by Karen DeYoung and Peter Slevin, also from the Post, on April 5, "Pentagon, State Spar On Team to Run Iraq" http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A63223-2003Mar31 ? and Seymour Hersh's "Offense and Defense" in The New Yorker, April 7. . The role of the UN, the degree of US occupation or dominance, the way that reconstruction projects will be awarded, are all topics of heated debate. A good summary of the debate is in the Financial Times, 5-6 April 2003 in which Michael Prowse writes, "Disrespect for the UN is not the way forward". He suggests "The US cannot expect other nations to agree it has the sole right to decide when it interferes in the affairs of other sovereign states".

An FT editorial in the same issue asks "Can Washington walk and chew gum at the same time?" The article discussed collateral damage from the war including the "political spillover into the rest of the Middle East and Islamic World"; and the "exploitation of international distraction with Iraq to, as it were 'bury the news', of a crackdown on the opposition here or a roundup of dissidents there. Finally, and most damagingly, there is the neglect of festering situations that in many cases outrank Iraq as threats to international security". It then points out the situations in Jordan, Israel and the occupied territories, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and North Korea -- all trouble spots deserving of immediate and continued attention.

North Korea is of particular concern as they continue their nuclear development and aggressive diplomatic stance. The UN Security Council will discuss the issues next week. North Korea has condemned interference from the UN and says it is merely a prelude to war.

The Security Council has also called on member states to submit their counterterrorism reports following a report by the Counterterrorism Committee that although terrorism is a global issue, many countries were late or incomplete in submitting their reports. http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/sc7718.p2.doc.htm

2. Africa

African newspapers offered a number of April Fools Day stories about Iraq. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2906453.stm

Child trafficking has been condemned in new reports by Human Rights Watch including a case study of Togo, "Borderline Slavery" http://hrw.org/reports/2003/togo0403/

Angolans celebrated the first anniversary of the peace agreement between the government and the UNITA rebels that ended the 27-year-long war.

Burundi's President Pierre Buyoya will hand over power on May 1 to Vice President Domitien Ndayizeye as called for in the transitional constitution. This marks an important step towards peace, even while fighting continues.

Democratic Republic of Congo took a step towards ending five years of conflict as the Inter-Congolese Dialogue closed with signing of a peace accord. It provides for a new constitution, power-sharing government and army in which the government and warring factions are integrated. But fighting continues, and neither President Kabila nor Jean-Pierre Bemba, head of the movement for the Liberation of the Congo (MLC), were present at the signing.

Eritrea's claim to the town of Badme (whose ownership led to a 2.5-year war with Ethiopia) has been confirmed by the UN border commission. Ethiopia continues to dispute the ruling, and the security situation between the two countries is precarious.

In Ivory Coast, the three rebel groups that were boycotting the new cabinet in protest at President Laurent Gbagbo's actions, have now taken their seats. The power-sharing government will still have its hands full to stop the violence and deal with a humanitarian crisis that includes more than a million displaced persons.

Liberia denies reports that it is supporting two rebel groups in Ivory Coast or of any involvement in Sierre Leone. The government has acknowledged that it is using the proceeds of logging to fund weapons purchases, and insist this is necessary to get round sanctions given alleged US support to the rebel group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Development (LURD). LURD rebels continue to make inroads in the country. Heavy fighting in the northeast has led to thousands of displaced persons and the closure of the UN refugee operation there.

Malawian President Bakili Muluzi has said he will not seek a third term and proposed a successor from within the ruling United Democratic Front party. Shortly after this he dismissed the entire cabinet. Elections are due in May 2004.

Nigeria continues to experience severe ethnic violence in the oil-rich Niger Delta. Several refineries are back online, but vicious attacks continue and elections may be postponed as a result.

Tensions between Rwanda and Uganda continue to increase over their rival support for competing rebel groups in the DR Congo. Survivors of the Rwandan genocide and war continue to suffer the consequences, as illustrated in "Lasting Wounds" by Human Rights Watch http://hrw.org/reports/2003/rwanda0403/

Following repeated breaches of the arms embargo against Somalia, the UN expert panel has recommended sanctions for future offenders. In particular, they cite external supplies from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Yemen and Djibouti. However the UN panel has not found evidence of terrorist groups linked to al Qaeda based in Somalia, although terrorists had transited through the country and the local terrorist group al-Ittihad al-Islami operates, but with a local agenda.

Uganda is evaluating multi-party politics as well as lifting the current 2-term limit for the President.

Zimbabwe's opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) held two parliamentary seats in by-elections despite reports of voter intimidation and ballot fixing. Euphoria over the election wins was undermined by the arrest of MDC vice president Gibson Sibanda and escalating political violence directed against opposition party members and supporters.

3. Americas

The Organization of American States has prepared their Annual Report of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on Freedom of Expression, citing continued assassinations of journalists, as well as intimidation and restrictions, pose serious threats. http://www.cidh.oas.org/relatoria/English/PressRel03/PRelease7303.htm

Canadian reporter Kim Bolan investigates "the roots of the movement alleged to have led to Canada's worst act of terrorism, the 1985 Air India bombing which claimed the lives of 329 people". Her article is "Dhaliwal lobbies to save jailed terrorist from hanging" in the Vancouver Sun http://www.canada.com/national/story.asp?id={FC162E32-75AC-4FF7-8894-987DE2CF6647}

Colombian army clashes with paramilitary and guerilla groups operating along the border with Venezuela have generated significant civilian displacement. The Venezuelan army has bombed the armed groups operating in Venezuelan territory. In the capital city, Bogota, two tons of explosives were confiscated and six suspected rebels arrested. Some 14,000 acres of farmland seized from drug traffickers is planned for redistribution to around 300 small farmers.

Colombia's food industry trade union, Sinaltrainal, will be allowed to try the largest Colombian bottler of Coca-Cola, Panamerican Beverages, for allegedly hiring paramilitaries to intimidate unionists and kill four union members.

A ferry with 50 hostages and an airline were hijacked in Cuba in efforts to reach the US. Cuban authorities blame US leniency and automatic asylum for the attacks, while the US blames the Cuban government that has been undertaking an unprecedented clampdown against dissidents. Both hijackings ended without casualties and the hijackers were arrested.

In Honduras, more than 80 prisoners have been killed in a jail riot as rival gangs fought and a fire broke out.

In the US, Congress is debating the balance between the investment in the war on Iraq relative to that for Homeland Security. Currently, the administration has proposed more than $78 billion for initial actions in Iraq and only about $4 billion for Homeland Security. The water industry alone has called for $1.6 billion for security upgrades. Disparities in the amounts provided to rural areas versus higher profile targets such as New York City provoke one of the more heated debates.

The US and UK plan joint homeland security exercises including cyberattacks, to investigate combating simultaneous attacks.

4. Asia Pacific

China has allowed limited anti-war protests and almost unlimited coverage of the war in Iraq. The government has begun more actively encouraging talks between the US and North Korea and applying pressure on North Korea to cease provocations.

East Timor experiences persistent security threats and as a result, the UN mission withdrawal will be more gradual to provide continued military support and training.

Indonesia, the largest Muslim country, has seen daily anti-US protests with demonstrations against the US-led war on Iraq. There are fears that this war will encourage militant elements. In the province of Aceh, clashes between rebels and police continue despite the ceasefire. In the latest incident, three rebels were shot dead at a checkpoint.

Two explosions were set off outside a US airbase in Japan. There were no casualties. Responsibility is unknown but assumed to be an anti-war protest.

In the southern Philippines island Mindanao a bomb exploded near a ferry terminal, killing 16 and injuring more than 50. A few hours later, three mosques in the same area were attacked with grenades and bombs. Muslim separatists are thought to be responsible, but the largest group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) denies responsibility.

5. Europe

Belgium has restricted its controversial war crimes law that includes universal jurisdiction by requiring approval by a senior prosecutor for current and past cases based on events that did not occur in Belgium or was not done to or by a Belgian. Such actions can still be referred to the country involved or to the International Criminal Court.

Bosnian leader Mirko Sarovic (one of the 3-person presidency) has resigned after his alleged involvement in sending arms to Iraq. A mass funeral was held in Srebrenica for the first 600 remains identified from the mass graves (of more than 8,000 victims) of the victims of the 1995 atrocity.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash offered a plan to Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, who rejected the proposed concessions in favor the of prior UN plan.

France has proposed a decentralization plan for Corsica.

In Greece, the mayor of Athens, widow of a victim of a November 17 assassination, testified in the group trial.

Ireland and Britain have conducted a series of political meetings in advance of announcements regarding restoration of devolution to Northern Ireland.

EU forces deployed in Macedonia beginning on Monday, replacing NATO troops.

In the Russian province Chechnya, a passenger bus was blown up by a remote-controlled land mine, killing eight and injuring nine. Russia is featured in a World Report by the Financial Times, April 1, 2003 http://www.ft.com/russia 2003

Spanish police carried out raids in the Basque and Navarre regions, arresting nine suspected members of the ETA separatist movement. Spain has asked the EU to add Batasuna, a Basque nationalist party outlawed in Spain, to the terrorist list.

In Turkey, a bomb exploded outside the British consulate, with no casualties. Turkey is featured in a World Report in the Financial Times, April 1, http://www.ft.com/turkeyfii2003

In the UK, new asylum rules have come into force that allow citizenship to be revoked from immigrants acting against UK interests. Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza has been notified that his citizenship has been revoked. He has ten days to appeal.

6. Middle East

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has warned of a rise in Islamic militancy and that the war on Iraq will create a hundred bin Ladens and points to Arab volunteers heading to Iraq for martyrdom operations.

In the occupied Gaza Strip, Palestinian gunmen fought against an Israeli army raid in which four Palestinians were killed.

US secretary of state Powell has issued warnings to Iran and Syria to stop supporting terrorism, but denies there are any plans to attack either country after the war in Iraq is over.

Israel has indicated that without significant alterations to the Middle East peace program proposed by the Quartet (US, UN, EU, Russia) it would withdraw from any negotiations.

Israeli security forces has discovered an explosives laboratory inside Israel and arrested three Israeli Arabs, alleged members of Islamic Jihad, who ran the lab.

Exports between Israel and the EU are given zero-rated duty. The UK has said that any goods from illegal settlements in the occupied territories are not genuinely Israeli and will be subject to tax.

Jordanian officials have arrested a number of people on suspicion of planning bombings and to poison water supplies.

In Lebanon, a bomb exploded at a McDonald's restaurant, injuring three. This is the fourth such attack since March.

Syria continues to deny allegations it is supplying arms to Iraq but relations with the US are increasingly tense.

In the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army has again stepped up raids and incursions. A suspected Hamas militant was killed in Nablus, and a 14-year-old boy was shot in the back and killed in Qalqilya. More than a thousand men and boys have been rounded up for questioning. At the end of the week, a Palestinian gunman was killed and an American peace activist shot in the face. The UN has protested the Israeli military occupation of a girls' school inside a refugee camp.

Yemeni authorities have detained 11 suspected al Qaeda members, including wanted al Qaeda suspect Fawaz Yahya al-Rabeei.

7. South Asia

Afghanistan continues to experience attacks from Taliban fighters. An ally of President Karzai was murdered, two US and one Afghan soldiers were killed in an ambush, and there was a string of attacks against US bases. Eight suspected Taliban were killed and 15 taken prisoner. Efforts continue to stop the Taliban and al Qaeda remnants from regrouping even while Islamic clerics including Mullah Omar have been publicly calling for holy war.

In the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, armed rebels of the People's War Group (PWG) attacked a Pepsi warehouse to protest the war in Iraq; the third such attack since the war began. Opposition leader Konda Surekha and her husband have been charged under anti-terrorism laws for alleged links with PWG. In Assam, Hmar tribe militants attacked the Dimasa tribe, killing 22, in reprisals for similar attacks last week.

Leading Kashmiri militant Saif-ul-Islam of the Hizbul Mujahideen was killed in a gun battle with Indian troops. The killing has led to angry protests and the suggestion that he had been tortured, not killed in a gun battle. A review of security procedures in Indian-administered Kashmir is underway following last week's deadly attack

In Nepal, peace talks are planned but there is still no date in place.

Pakistan has been subjected to US sanctions for allegedly trading nuclear technology for arms with North Korea.

Sri Lanka's government may hold a referendum to endorse the peace process and bring about the constitutional changes necessary.

8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare

Arab news broadcaster al Jazeera has been subject to a series of attacks, both for and against the war in Iraq, particularly on the newly released English-language site.

ICSA Labs 2002 Virus Prevalence Survey finds that "despite the perception that the malicious code problem is worsening, the growth rate of malicious code infection has actually slowed." and that " In past surveys, a majority of virus disasters were caused by a single event over the course of a single year, such as Code Red in 2001. Data in this survey points to four exploits contributing to virus disasters in 2002, albeit none approaching the scale or damage of Code Red." For the full report see http://www.icsalabs.com/2002avpsurvey/

On a related theme, see Scott Granneman's article "Virus Hoaxes and the Real Dangers They Pose" from Security Focus, March 25 http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1678

Following three cases of identity theft involving millions of consumers, the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Financial Services held hearings on "Fighting Fraud: Improving Information Security" http://financialservices.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=202. The Federal Trade Commission has also issued guidance regarding protection of consumer data for individuals and businesses. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/infosecurity/. And the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issues a report summarizing law enforcement activities including computer forensic tools and other activities at http://www.eeel.nist.gov/lab_office/documents/2003/Office of Law Enforcement Standards.pdf

9. Finance

Brahim Benmerzouga and Baghdad Meziane, Algerians living in England, have been convicted in the UK of providing financial support to al Qaeda, raising over GBP200,000 primarily through credit card fraud. They each received sentences of 11 years in prison.

Intel engineer Maher Mofied Hawash has been detained without charge by a US Terrorism Task Force as a material witness because of connections to terrorism alleged for his charitable contributions. Andrew Orlowski asks "Are Scott, Carly and Larry risking time at Camp X-Ray?" in The Register, April 1, http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/30046.html

Nigeria 419 schemes have surfaced in Iraq. See Lester Haines article in The Register, April 1. http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/28/30039.html

David Wessel suggests that "Bush's Confiscation of Iraqi Regime Cash Deserves Second Look" to make the process of handling the money transparent. Published in The Wall Street Journal, April 3, 2003.

10. Human Rights

See Feature Article, below. Also...

The Organization of American States has prepared their Annual Report of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on Freedom of Expression, citing continued assassinations of journalists, as well as intimidation and restrictions, pose serious threats. http://www.cidh.oas.org/relatoria/English/PressRel03/PRelease7303.htm

Belgium has restricted its controversial war crimes law that includes universal jurisdiction by requiring approval by a senior prosecutor for current and past cases based on events that did not occur in Belgium or was not done to or by a Belgian. Such actions can still be referred to the country involved or to the International Criminal Court.

The Council of Europe has called for an international war crimes tribunal in Chechnya.

Turkey's highest court has upheld the convictions of ten policemen found guilty of torture.

11. Law and Legal Issues

Shabir Ahmed, suspected member of banned Laskar-e-Jhangvi has been arrested in Pakistan in connection with four cases of murder, attacks against western interests, and links to al Qaeda and Taliban.

Marwan Barghouti's trial in Israel began as he refused to recognize the court and the first three prosecution witnesses refused to testify.

Brahim Benmerzouga and Baghdad Meziane, have been convicted in the UK of providing financial support to al Qaeda; each received a sentence of 11 years in prison.

Mirjana Milosevic, wife of Slobodan Milosevic, is wanted on an arrest warrant in Serbia in connection with her suspected role in killing Serbian President Stambolic in 2000.

In the case of Zacarias Moussaoui, the US federal judge overseeing the trial issued an order expressing her concern over the level of secrecy imposed on the case that could make it impossible for him to receive a fair trial.

Mladen Naletilic ("Tuta") and Vinko Martinovic ("Stela"), former Bosnian Croat paramilitaries, were found guilty of war crimes for their actions in 1993. They were sentenced to 20 and 18 years in prison, respectively.

Rachid Ramda has been extradited from Britain to France for his role in the 1995 Paris metro bombing.

Aboud Rogo has been arrested in Kenya on suspicion of involvement in the November 28 Paradise Hotel attack.

Opposition leader Konda Surekha and her husband have been charged under anti-terrorism laws for alleged links with PWG in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Ramzi Ahmed Yousef's appeal against a sentence of life plus 240 years handed down by a US court for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and other plots has failed, with the court finding the sentence was not cruel and unusual punishment.

12. Narco-terrorism

Brazil had a record number of cocaine confiscation and indictments last year. http://www.ds-osac.org/view.cfm?key=7747554B4A&type=3D1315D011112

The US White House Office of National Drug Control Policy plans to end the advertising campaign linking drug use and terrorism.

13. Transportation

Boston Harbor is the subject of an interesting article in CSO magazine: Lew McCreary, "Safe Harbor" CSO April 2003 http://www.csoonline.com/read/040103/harbor.html

And on cargo containers, see the article by Chana Schoenberger "Security Blanket" in Forbes, April 14. http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2003/0414/054_print.html

14. Weapons of Mass Destruction

Russian President Putin has asked the parliament to ratify the arms reduction treaty with the US, although they have recently expressed a desire to withdraw from it in protest to the US-led war against Iraq.

Following the use of shoulder-launched missiles in the Paradise Hotel, Kenya attack last November, Israel has asked the UN to take action to stop their proliferation and use.

The US Safe Explosives Act comes into force on May 24. New legislation to help secure chemicals will also be proposed by the Bush administration.

Following deaths and serious side effects from smallpox vaccinations, the US Congress is considering aid to those who have suffered serious complications.

Kenneth Change writes "Ideal Sensors For Terror Attack Don't Exist Yet" in The New York Times, April 1.

15. Recently Published

Robert Baer, "The Fall of the House of Saud" in The Atlantic Monthly, May 2003

Sharon Begley "Likely Suicide Bombers Include Some Profiles You'd Never Suspect" The Wall Street Journal, April 4, 2003

Bruce Berkowitz, "The New Face of War" Free Press

Paul Berman, "Terror and Liberalism", WW Norton

Bernard Lewis "I'm Right, You're Wrong, Go to Hell" The Atlantic Monthly, May 2003

Jedediah Purdy, "Being America: Liberty, Commerce, and Violence" Knopf

Carl H. Schultz, et al, "Implications of Hospital Evacuation after the Northridge, California, Earthquake" The New England Journal of Medicine, April 3, 2003

Eric D. Weitz, "A Century of Genocide: Utopias of Race and Nation" Princeton University Press

FEATURE ARTICLE: Human Rights Report(s)

On March 31, the US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, issued the 2002 "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices". This is an annual report submitted to the Congress to help inform them about the status of human rights in countries receiving aid from the US, other members of the UN, and other countries they feel are important. 196 countries are covered in this report.

This article reviews the findings of this report and reaction to them. As the report does not cover the US, we also refer to other sources of information for the state of human rights in that country. This has been a topic of particular interest following new measures put in place as a result of the attacks of September 11.

Topics considered include:
* Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life
* Disappearance
* Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
* Arbitrary Arrest, Detention, or Exile
* Denial of Fair Public Trial
* Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence
* Use of Excessive Force and Violations of Humanitarian Law in Internal Conflicts
* Freedom of Speech and Press
* Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association
* Freedom of Religion
* Freedom of Movement Within the Country, Foreign Travel, Emigration, and Repatriation
* Respect for Political Rights
* Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Violations of Human Rights
* Discrimination Based on Race, Sex, Religion, Disability, Language, or Social Status
* Workers Rights

The report begins with a strong political statement about democratic values then draws a link between human rights and national security. It says "In an age when the destructive capacities of brutal regimes exceed national and even regional boundaries, addressing human rights violations -- whether episodic or systemic -- becomes imperative to the assurance of security throughout the international community.

A number of positive advances were reported. For example, the new country of East Timor ratified a constitution, elected a President and began to institute rule of law and candidates to the European Union, particularly Turkey, worked to meet EU human rights requirements for measurement. Areas of the Balkans made progress towards rebuilding, with Bosnia Herzegovina conducting their first general elections. Bahrain allowed women to vote for the first time in 30 years. Kenya succeeded in a free and fair election that peacefully replaced one of the remaining "Great Men" of Africa, in power for decades. The war in Sierra Leone ended in January and the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF) disbanded. In Angola, the death of Jonas Savimbi led to an end to the 27-year-old war in Angola and began the transformation of rebel group UNITA into a political party. Sri Lanka made progress in settling the long-running conflict with the Tamil Tiger rebels.

Elsewhere, violation of human rights remains tied to continued conflict. Major abuses in Democratic of Congo have continued, even during peace talks. Systematic political violence in Zimbabwe continues to increase, as do manipulation of the judicial systems and repression of the press. Civil unrest in Ivory Coast has led to violations by both government troops and rebels. Similar problems continue in Chechnya. Extrajudicial killings remain a problem in areas of Latin America such as Colombia and the Dominican Republic. Turkmenistan suffered marked deterioration of rights following an attack against the President. Extrajudicial killings in Cambodia have increased. Sectarian conflicts led to abuses in Afghanistan, Vietnam and India.

The survey of Israel and the occupied territories began with a description of the political background. It pointed out that, "During the year, terrorist organizations such as the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), Hizballah, Islamic Jihad in Palestine, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PLFP), ... committed ... [n]early 226 terror attacks, including suicide bombings, drive-by shootings, mortar and grenade attacks, and stabbings...[in which]... more than 469 Israelis were killed and over 2,498 injured, a sharp increase from the previous year." The discussion continues and later in the report states that "Israel's overall human rights record in the occupied territories remained poor and worsened in several areas as it continued to commit serious human rights abuses. Security forces killed at least 990 Palestinians and 2 foreign nationals and injured 4,382 Palestinians and other persons during the year, some of whom were innocent bystanders. Israeli security forces targeted and killed at least 37 Palestinian terror suspects. Israeli forces undertook some of these targeted killings in areas where civilian casualties were likely, killing 25 bystanders, including 13 children. The Israeli Government said that it made every effort to reduce civilian casualties during these operations."

North Korea, Iraq, China, Cuba, Iran, Zimbabwe and former Soviet Republics in Central Asia drew particular criticism for their records.

China objected to criticism of its own record and responded, as it has before, with its own report of human rights in the US. The Chinese report cites the invasion of Iraq, high levels of violent crime, poverty and sexual abuse, and changes in civil liberties since September 11.

These criticisms are similar to those of international human rights groups, but one exception common to both is the lack of comment on the issue of the death penalty.

There are other ironies in the US report, particularly related to the war in Iraq. For example, the US is using cluster bombs despite their failure rate that turns some ten- percent of the "bomblets" into anti-personnel mines that have had a devastating effect on civilian populations. In Afghanistan, for example, they were confused with food packages. Despite the use of munitions destined to maim and cripple large numbers of civilians, the report takes time to point out the many countries with limited support for the disabled, including that the Palestinian Authority does not provide disabled access to public facilities.

Another irony is the number of members in the "coalition of the willing" that are cited for poor human rights records. These include Albania, Angola, Azerbaijan, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Macedonia, Rwanda, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. That is14 of the 49 members of the coalition, over 28 percent, are guilty of human rights violations.

The fact that the US issues the report and so seems to stand in judgement of others generates criticism, although the publication is driven by defined public policies. For more details on the state of human rights in the US, check out the resources listed below.

Further resources:
* American Civil Liberties Union http://www.aclu.org
* Amnesty International http://www.amnesty.org
* Human Right s Watch http://www.hrw.org
* People's Republic of China, Information Office "Human Rights Record of the United States in 2002 (04/03/03) http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/46090.html
* US State Department "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices" http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/

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