VZCZCXRO5283
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHAN #0919/01 2551053
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121053Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0347
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000919 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR UNDER SECRETARY DOBRIANSKY 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E - MBEYZEROV AND RMEYERS 
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER D'ELIA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREL MA CN
SUBJECT: ANTANANARIVO'S INPUT TO THE PRESIDENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS 
ROUNDTABLE AT 2007 UNGA 
 
REF: STATE 125456 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY: Post is pleased to respond to Reftel with the following 
brief summary of Post's programs and activities to promote human 
rights and protect human rights defenders.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Promoting Human Rights and Protecting Human Rights Defenders 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶2. Post has a modest (USD 70,000 in Madagascar, USD 20,000 in the 
Comoros) Democracy and Human Rights Fund with which it works with 
NGOs who defend human rights.  Embassy Officers meet routinely with 
all representatives of the political spectrum to seek their 
perspectives.  With regard to politicians charged with crimes, Post 
encourages the GOM and GOC to guarantee due process. 
 
¶3. In late FY 2006, the USG (USAID/Madagascar) signed a two-year 
Cooperative Agreement with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in order 
to contribute to the fight against Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in 
Madagascar.  The TIP program seeks to increased public awareness 
about anti-trafficking and to improve social services for trafficked 
victims and high-risk population in three targeted zones.  CRS has 
created four social centers that are fully operational. 
 
Promoting Guiding Principles on NGOs and USG-Funded Projects with 
NGO and Host Government Partners 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶4. The Embassy hosts a monthly Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) as 
a forum for discussion on all guiding principles.  The HRWG is 
regularly attended by over 50 representatives from around 
Madagascar. Since late 2006, the Embassy has funded (with over USD 1 
million) the National Democratic Institute's (NDI) work in 
Madagascar building a civic coalition on elections and voter 
responsibility.  Their partner, the National Coalition of Elections 
Observers (CNOE), successfully monitored the December 3, 2006 
presidential election.  CNOE also maintained momentum and public 
support for electoral code reform in Madagascar. 
 
¶5. Since late 2006, under the Anti-Corruption Initiative, USAID is 
working with Malagasy civil society organizations (Transparency 
International/Madagascar; Justice and Peace Episcopal Council, 
PLADDICC), to increase public understanding of corruption and 
anti-corruption mechanisms, and facilitate civic and private sector 
participation in the Madagascar's anti-corruption measures. 
 
Public Diplomacy Initiatives 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶6. Strategic Speaker Initiative - Ned McMahon conducted roundtable 
presentations on democracy and elections in the Madagascar cities of 
Antananarivo, Mahajanga, and Toliara.  Private sector, GOM 
officials, politicians, university students, and journalists 
attended.  Mr. McMahon also met with key election personalities. 
 
¶7. PAS sponsored weekly civic education programs on National Radio 
based on Jessica Newby's "Guide to Civic Education" from July to 
October 2006. PAO delivered opening remarks for the first radio 
program in the series.  Through a project begun in early 2006, PAS 
translated the French version to Malagasy and funded an edition of 
10,000 copies. 
 
¶8. TV Ravinala, inspired by Jessica Newby's "Guide" conducted daily 
call-in programs on civic education featuring the promotion of 
democratic institutions and practices, rule of law, good governance, 
and the role of the citizen in a democratic society. 
 
¶9. PAS sponsored a series of book discussions utilizing ARS Nouveux 
Horizon book "L'Integrite morale et la vie publique" at the American 
Cultural Center, led by Mr. Mamy Raboanarijaona, Directeur de la 
Strategie Nationale, Conseil Superieur de l'Integrite. 
 
Coordination with Regional Organizations 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶10. On elections, the diplomatic corps meets regularly under the 
auspices of UNDP to coordinate activities. 
 
Fostering Dialogue Between Government and Civil Society 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶11. NDI and CNOE hosted several elections round tables with civic 
leaders and representatives of the Ministry of Interior, National 
Electoral Commission, High Constitutional Court, and political 
parties. 
 
¶12. USAID provides sub-grants to a number of civil society 
organizations under the anti-corruption program, in order to have 
 
ANTANANARI 00000919  002 OF 002 
 
 
greater involvement of the business community in the fight against 
corruption, and to increase dialogue between GOM and the private 
sector on anti-corruption measures. 
 
Madagascar's Democracy and Human Rights Priorities 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶13. The GOM joined SADC in 2006, implicitly subscribing to SADC's 
democracy and human rights principles. 
 
MARQUARDT