U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R- NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, issued the following statement today upon the State Department’s release of the 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices:
"I welcome the release of the 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and commend the State Department for once again making this important annual contribution to the promotion of human rights around the world. These reports serve as a constant reminder to those governments who trample the rights and dignity of their people that the United States places a premium on respect for human rights and calls on nations to account for the violation of those fundamental rights."
"In every part of the world, we can see how respect for human rights is vital if human development is to be realized. Democratic institutions cannot be maintained, much less created, without this foundation, and economic and social development are impossible if individuals are subjected to violence and repression of their most basic liberties," said Smith.
On China:
Smith continued to express outrage that the Chinese government has shown no sign of respecting its international human rights obligations despite its promises to the contrary. Smith has been among the leading voices in Congress urging that the People’s Republic of China be censured for its backsliding on its past human rights commitments.
"Despite the hope that robust trade with China would result in a modicum of respect for basic human rights and fundamental liberties, the fact is that the dictatorship in China oppresses, tortures, and mistreats tens of millions of its own citizens," Smith said. "Repression in the PRC is getting worse despite prior commitments to improve their horrific human rights record."
On Iran:
Smith noted that over the past year, the report stated that the Iranian government strengthened its already dismal litany of serious abuses including summary execution, severe violations of religious freedom and extremist vigilantism.
"President Ahmadinejad has denied the historical reality of the Holocaust and foments both anti-Semitism and anti-American activities throughout the Muslim world while seeking to develop weapons of mass destruction," said Smith. "Like China, Iran represses its citizens’ desire for contact with the outside world by trying block and jam broadcasting and internet connectivity."
On Darfur:
In Africa, the genocide in Sudan has not been properly addressed, and civilians continued to suffer attacks from government-supported Janjaweed. At least 70 thousand Sudanese perished, about 2 million were displaced by the fighting and more than 200 thousand Sudanese were forced to flee to neighboring Chad and are now without a home.
"Last August, I traveled to Sudan and met with various Sudanese officials including President Bashir before visiting refugee camps in Darfur," said Smith. "The biggest take-away from the trip was how vulnerable the refugees are. At Mukjar, a camp in Western Darfur, a woman who ventures a mile outside of the camp is likely to be raped or killed.
"Our position will be greatly weakened on a continent that is becoming increasingly important not only to our energy needs, but in the global war on terror if we fail to act quickly to combat this crisis," Smith said.
On Wednesday, the International Relations Committee passed the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act., which, among other things, holds those who planned and executed the genocide in that country to account. This is a critical step in bringing to justice those responsible for the deaths of so many people and in establishing more favorable conditions for lasting peace in that region of Sudan.
Next week, on Thursday, March 16, at 2:00 p.m., Smith’s Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations will hold a hearing on this year’s Report. Assistant Secretary Barry F. Lowenkron for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor will testify, as well as Elissa Massiminoe, Washington Director for Human Rights First, Nina Shea, Director of the Center for Religious Freedom, Freedom House, and Ali al-Ahmed, Director of the Institute for Gulf Affairs.
