Memorandum

Date: March 30, 1994
To: Senator Dole
From: Alec Vachon
Re: Update/Disability Rights in American Foreign Policy 

*The State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1993 have been published, and each of the 190 countries covered includes a short section on people with disabilities

*A copy of the Country Reports is attached (blue cover)-- disability is under section 5 of each report. Also attached is a reprint I prepared of the disability sections. Because copies of the full Country Reports are hard to get, the reprint will be used to respond to requests, circulate to interested groups, etc.  

*These reports are a major accomplishment, and a direct result of your July 1993 bill. I expected State to dither. However, in its instructions for preparing the 1993 reports sent last summer to its Human Rights officers (located in every embassy), the State Department noted your interest. A copy of the instructions is attached; a yellow tab marks mention of your name. 

*Although uneven in quality and coverage, the disability sections represent a very credible first effort by the State Department. Some are disturbing. In Benin, for example, some infants born with birth defects are considered sorcerers, and killed at birth (although the Government prosecutes as a criminal offense). Other reports are encouraging. Even in some low-income countries, there are real efforts at advocacy and opportunity. Interestingly, the most sophisticated report is on South Africa.

*I am now preparing: 
	--a floor statement for you; 
	--a letter to Secretary Christopher for your signature and that of your co-sponsors thanking him for this prompt action, with suggestions to improve the disability sections. 
	--letters to human rights and disability groupsannouncing the disability sections, TYs for letters of support you received, etc.