U.S. Department of State Reports 2008

Secretary Rice and John V. Hanford, Amba- ssador at Large for International Religious Freedom announce the release of the State Department's 2008 Annual Report on Inte- rnational Religious Freedom.

International Religious Freedom Report

September 19, 2008

Secretary Rice: "We are a country founded on the belief that all men and women are created equal, that as equals we enjoy certain universal and inalienable rights, and that among these are the right to live without oppression, to worship as we wish, and to think and speak and assemble without retribution. For nations that uphold the liberty and dignity of every citizen, they discover, as we have, that these highest of ideals are a source of strength, success, and stability. Nations must not only make peace with their neighbors, they must make peace with themselves, and that means respecting diversity, and protecting it in law."...full text l Briefing by Amb. Hanford | Report.

»»» Republic of Macedonia: 2008 International Religious Freedom Report...full text.

 

Secretary Condoleezza Rice

Trafficking in Persons Report 2008

June 4, 2008

Secretary Rice: "We are pleased that in the seven years since the creation of the Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, the United States and our friends and allies have made important strides in confronting the reality that human beings continue to be bought and sold in the twenty-first century." Report | Text of Special Briefing by Secretary Rice and Ambassador Lagon

- Republic of Macedonia: 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report...full text.

Burmese monks release petals into the River Thames from Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament, during a protest march in London.  AP Images

2007 Annual Report on Human Rights

March 11, 2008

Secretary Rice: "I am pleased today [to announce] the publication of the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2007. In every region of the world, men and women are working peacefully, and often at great risk to themselves and their families, to secure human rights and fundamental freedoms, to follow their consciences and speak their minds without fear, to choose those who would govern them and to hold their leaders accountable and to achieve equal justice under the law." Full Text.

Report on Macedonia: The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were problems in some areas... Corruption in the interior and justice ministries, and political pressure exerted on them, the courts, and the public prosecutor's office impeded the investigation and prosecution of some allegations of human rights abuse...full text.

A/S David T. Johnson

2008 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

February 29, 2008

Assistant Secretary David Johnson: "A major step forward to fight narcotics and organized crime is the Merida Initiative, a cooperative security partnership between the United States, Mexico, and Central America."...Briefing on Report | Full report.

Report on Macedonia: Macedonia is neither a major producer nor a major regional transit point for illicit drugs. The Government of Macedonia (GOM) made some progress in combating drug trafficking in the reporting period—illicit drug seizures in Macedonia significantly increased during the first 10 months of 2007...full text.