1. Is Plan Colombia Working? U.S. Foreign Aid and the Cost to Human Rights.
- Author
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Callaway, Rhonda L. and Matthews, Elizabeth G.
- Subjects
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HUMAN rights , *INTERNATIONAL relief , *INTERNATIONAL economic assistance , *DEMOCRACY , *MILITARY policy , *INTERNATIONAL security , *INTERNATIONAL relations - Abstract
In the 1970s and 1980s, legislators argued whether the United States should consider a state?s human rights practices when allocating economic and military aid. The debate resurfaced during the recent discussions regarding Plan Colombia. Supporters in Congress cite the domestic drug problem as the primary reason for the need of foreign assistance; however, they often resort to human rights and democracy rhetoric for support. Opponents of Plan Colombia argue that supply side attacks in the war on drugs are and have been fruitless and funding should be provided for domestic drug treatment programs. In addition, opponents point to the impact of foreign assistance, and in this case military assistance in particular, on human rights. This paper re-examines the US decision to grant military aid to Colombia and the subsequent impact the program has on human rights in Colombia and surrounding states. The empirical analysis indicates that there is a negative relationship between foreign assistance and the realization of security rights. The case study of Plan Colombia highlights these findings. Through the analysis of several key indicators, it is apparent that during the early years of Plan Colombia the security rights situation has deteriorated. This paper emphasizes that U.S. efforts at improving human rights records across the globe have been harmed by their foreign assistance program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004
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