Middle East Policy

Freedom in the World 2007: Year Marked by Global "Freedom Stagnation," Setbacks for Democracy in Asia Freedom House January 17, 2007 The year 2006 saw little change in the global state of freedom in the world and the emergence of a series of worrisome trends that present potentially serious threats to the expansion of freedom in the future, Freedom House said in a major survey of global freedom released today. Freedom in the World 2007 , a survey of worldwide political rights and civil liberties, found that the percentage of countries designated as Free has remained flat for nearly a decade and suggests that a “freedom stagnation” may be developing. The continued weakness of democratic institutions—even after holding democratic elections—in a number of countries continues to hamper further progress. “Although the past 30 years have seen significant gains for political freedom around the world, the number of Free countries has remained largely unchanged since the high point in

I am posting the U.S. Human Rights and Democracy Strategy included in the " Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006 " report released by the Department of State on April 5, 2007. U.S. Human Rights and Democracy Strategy Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006 describes the wide range of diplomatic tools we applied last year to support indigenous reform efforts across the globe. There is no single formula for advancing personal and democratic freedoms. Our efforts focused on the three core components of a working democracy that must be present if human rights are to be effectively exercised and protected: One -- a free and fair elections process, with a level playing field to ensure genuine competition; Two -- good governance, with representative, transparent and accountable institutions operating under the rule of law, including independent legislatures and judiciaries, and; Three -- a robust civil society and independent media that c

Press Freedom Declines in Asia, Ex-Soviet Region and Latin America, Study Finds; Warns of Growing Internet Restriction Freedom House May 1, 2007 Press freedom suffered continued global decline in 2006, with particularly troubling trends evident in Asia, the former Soviet Union and Latin America. A major study of the state of media freedom released today by Freedom House also warned of a growing effort to place restrictions on internet freedom by censoring, harassing, or shutting down sites that provide alternate sources of political commentary. The study, Freedom of the Press 2007: A Global Survey of Media Independence , showed mixed trends in Africa, as well as a continuation of a longer-term pattern of decline in press freedom in Latin America and the former Soviet Union. Among the most critical setbacks singled out by Freedom House this year were: - Setbacks in Asia—notably Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Philippines and Fiji—stemming from coups, political upheaval, insurgency or

The Syrians are talking, are you listening? The international community faces a challenge in the Middle East and in Syria particularly to choose democracy, peace and moderation over totalitarianism, violence and extremism. There is no other way or other choice. Ignorance and prejudgments about the Middle East are not options anymore exactly as totalitarianism, extremism and terror. So, the international community should listen to the Middle East's intellectuals and make its decision against totalitarianism and extremism and for democracy and moderation without delay. The following is a letter from Syrian intellectuals, the prisoners of conscience and opinion in Damascus; it really explains so much the world has to know. From the Syrian Prisoners of Conscience in Damascus Central Prison We are prisoners of conscience and opinion in Damascus Central Prison, lawyer Anwar Al Bunni, writer Michel Kilo, Dr. Kamal Labwani, activists Mahmoud Issa, and Faek Al Mir, and Professor Aref Dalila

The U.S. Department of State released the " Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006 " report on April 5, 2007, in which the Department report on actions taken by the U.S. Government to encourage respect for human rights. This fifth annual submission complements the longstanding Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2006, and takes the next step, moving from highlighting abuses to publicizing the actions and programs the United States has employed to end those abuses. Here are some excerpts on Egypt, Iran, and Lebanon from the Middle East report : "The Lebanese people are determined to build a strong state: a state which can reclaim the position of Lebanon as a haven of moderation, where tolerance and enlightenment triumph over fanaticism, ignorance and oppression; where individual initiative and potential can be fulfilled; a state that rekindles the beacon of freedom and democracy in Lebanon where justice and the rule of law prevail." --

Human Rights and Civil Society Shortchanged in Bush Administration's Foreign Assistance Budget Request Freedom House April 19, 2007 In a report released today analyzing the Bush Administration’s 2008 budget request for foreign operations, Freedom House calls on the Congress to reverse proposed reductions in support to human rights defenders and civil society activists worldwide. The report, “ Supporting Freedom’s Advocates? ” analyzes the 2008 foreign assistance budget request for “Governing Justly and Democratically” and makes specific funding recommendations based on urgent needs and opportunities. “The Bush Administration’s request for an overall 17 percent increase in funding for foreign assistance programs that promote democratic governance is a reflection of its stated dedication to the promotion of freedom, and should be congratulated,” said Jenifer Windsor, Executive Director of Freedom House. “However, there appears to be a greater focus on working with state institutions

This is the news section of the latest issue of Arab Reform Bulletin (April 2007) Published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Headlines: Egypt: Referendum Turnout Contested; Shura Elections Coming Jordan: Press Law Amendments Syria: Activists' Trials Postponed Qatar: Municipal Elections Kuwait: New Government UAE: New Labor Law Algeria: Court Acquits Journalists Libya: Call for Free Press Morocco: Draft Press Law under Discussion Upcoming Political Events Contents : Egypt: Referendum Turnout Contested; Shura Elections Coming Civil society and opposition groups are questioning reported voter turnout for a March 26 popular referendum on amendments to thirty-four articles of the 1970 Constitution. According to Justice Minister Mamdouh Marei, turnout was 27 percent of Egypt's 35 million registered voters with 76 percent of participants voting yes. Independent monitors place the turnout figure closer to 5 percent. Opposition groups boycotted the referendum on the

The totalitarian entity of al-Baath imposing tyranny on Syria has crossed all lines. Human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni is a Syrian hero and will always stay so to the Syrian people. Free Anwar al-Bunni Sentence against Anwar al-Bunni deals another blow to human rights in Syria AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE 24 April 2007 Amnesty International condemns the harsh sentence handed down today on human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni, following an unfair trial that appeared to be politically driven and during which he was not given full access to his lawyers. The Damascus Criminal Court sentenced Anwar al-Bunni to five years in jail on the charge of “spreading false information harmful to the state”. He has consistently denied this charge, which seems to be linked to his legitimate work in defence of human rights. "This deals another blow to human rights and human rights activists in Syria who have been the target of an intimidation campaign by the authorities," said Malcolm Sma

What do Syrians think about Lebanon? And how does the Baath regime take it? This is a report by the Middle East Media Research Institute on the Beirut-Damascus Declaration: Wave of Arrests of Syrian Intellectuals Following the Beirut-Damascus Declaration By H. Varulkar. July 11, 2006 memri.org Introduction On May 12, 2006, the Lebanese media and websites close to the Syrian opposition published a document titled "The Beirut-Damascus Declaration/Damascus-Beirut Declaration." The declaration, which calls for improving Syrian-Lebanese relations, was signed by several hundred Syrian and Lebanese intellectuals. It depicts the deterioration in relations between the two countries in recent months, and sets out, in 10 points, measures that must be taken in order to rectify these relations "from the root." The first point calls on Syria to recognize Lebanon as an independent state by demarcating the border between the two countries and establishing mutual diplomatic represen