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The Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2003 cover internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights, as set forth in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights rights include freedom from torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; from prolonged detention
without charges; from disappearance or clandestine detention; and from other flagrant violations of the right to life, liberty and the security of the person. Universal human rights seek to incorporate respect for human dignity into the processes of government and law. All persons have the inalienable right to change their government by peaceful means and to enjoy basic freedoms, such as freedom of expression, association, assembly, movement and religion, without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin or sex. The right to join a free trade union is a necessary condition of a free society and economy. Thus the reports assess key internationally recognized worker rights, including the right of association; the right to organize and bargain collectively; prohibition of forced or compulsory labor; the status of child labor practices and the minimum age for employment of children; and acceptable work conditions.
The annual Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices are based on information available from a wide variety of sources, including U.S. and foreign government officials, victims of human rights abuse, academic and congressional studies, and reports from the press, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) concerned with human rights.
The reports are submitted annually by the U.S. Department of State to the U.S. Congress.
2002 Reports
The Country Reports cover Human Rights in Foreign Countries:
Independent Information on the Status of Human Rights in the United States
is available at these websites:
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