Human Rights Developments

Defending Human Rights

The Role of the International Community

The Role of the International Community

European Union

The E.U was silent on human rights abuses in 1998 and continued to disperse 57 million ecu in aid ($69 million USD) under a three-year 1996-1999 TACIS program aimed at various infrastructure, agricultural and institutional reform projects. This aid was distributed under an interim agreement, in place pending ratification by the European Parliament, of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). Under the PCA’s terms, assistance is contingent on respect for human rights and democratic principles.

United States

The United States continued to fund a wide variety of civil society and democracy projects that included support for nongovernmental organizations and the development of the independent media. A total of $36.8 million was allocated for this purpose in 1998. The U.S. embassy in Almaty raised human rights concerns with the Kazak government and sent observers to trials including that of Madel Ismailov. The State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997 provided a thorough analysis of human rights problems in Kazakstan.