State Department Issues 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights

Yesterday, the U.S. State Department released its 2005 annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. The report to Congress is required by sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and section 504 of the Trade Act of 1974. The purpose of the reports is to highlight human rights achievements and violations and to suggest future tasks and the potential for greater cooperation in advancing the aspirations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the protection of religious liberty.