US does not consider Seychelles a democracy
The government of the United States has officially given its appreciation of the governance of our country. Its verdict is that, although we have a multiparty system, we are not a democracy.
The verdict is contained in the introduction to the US Department of State Human Rights Report on the Seychelles published on 6 March 2007 in Washington DC. Every year the US Department of State (foreign ministry) must publish a report on Human Rights Practices of every country in the world according to a binding resolution passed by US Congress (America’s parliament) during the eighties.
On the day of publication of the 2007 report, the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: “These congressionally mandated annual reports speak to America’s continued support for those fundamental freedoms embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights…With the release of this year’s reports we are recommitting ourselves to help new democracies deliver on their people’s aspirations for a better life…We hope that these reports will be a source of information for governments and societies everywhere and a source of inspiration for all who are still working for peaceful democratic change around the globe,”
The text below is the introduction to the report on the Seychelles:
Seychelles is a multiparty republic of approximately 81,000 citizens. In July President James Michel, who assumed power in 2004 when former President France Albert Rene resigned, was elected in a process deemed credible and organized by international observers; however, there were complaints of unfair campaign practices. The president and the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF) dominated the country through a pervasive system of political patronage and control over government jobs, contracts, and resources. The civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens. However, the following human rights problems were reported: prolonged pre-trial detention; an inefficient and politically influenced court system; restrictions on speech, press, and assembly; official corruption; violence against women and children; restrictions on labour rights; and discrimination against foreign workers.
Commenting on the report DP Leader, Paul Chow said, “It is clear from the perspective of the United States government that our country is not a democracy even though we have restored the multiparty system.” Chow also remarked that when the DP was in power 30 years ago, Seychelles was a democracy at par with America.
Mr Chow also announced that he would be visiting the US capital later in the year to discuss with members of Congress on how best we can be assisted to achieve the status of a democracy at par with America. “Although we have broken the shackles of one party state dictatorship 15 years ago, we still have a lot to do to restore true democracy,” Chow said, “and it is evident that we will not be able to achieve this goal alone. We will need the collaboration and assistance of democracies such as the US”.
