Press Release Archive: 2009

Dec. 17, 2009
Carter Center Commends Broad Participation in Sudan's Registration,  Urges Additional Steps to Ensure Genuine Elections
In a statement released today, The Carter Center welcomed the conclusion of national voter registration in Sudan, which ended Dec. 7, and congratulated the people of Sudan for the broad and generally peaceful participation in the registration process.

Dec. 7,  2009
Carter Center Commends Bolivians on Peaceful Election Day and Urges National Electoral Court to Strengthen Confidence in the Biometric Register (English and Spanish)
The Carter Center limited observation mission in Bolivia found election day to be generally peaceful and that the new biometric voter list served the purposes for which it has been implemented. The Center recommends that Bolivian society and the National Electoral Court (CNE) continue to strengthen their efforts to consolidate credibility in their institutions.

Dec. 4,  2009
Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter Submit Letter to OAS on Honduras
The following letter was distributed today from The Carter Center and The Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter to the Permanent Representatives of the OAS prior to their planned discussion on Honduras.

Dec. 3,  2009
Carter Center Delegation to Observe Bolivia's Dec. 6 Elections
The Carter Center announced today that it will deploy a small observation delegation to Bolivia's Dec. 6 elections, led by Jennifer McCoy, director of the Center's Americas Program.

Dec. 1, 2009
The Carter Center Commends Advances in Bolivia's Biometric Voter Registry but Urges More Transparency in Processing Data and Timely Resolution to the Situation of Citizens Conditionally Allowed to Vote ("Observados")
In a report released today, The Carter Center commended the publication of the biometric voter registry by the National Electoral Court (CNE) for contributing significantly to the transparency of the Dec. 6 elections. However, the Center urged the CNE to provide more information about the data processing steps used to screen the voter list and create the new registry.

Nov. 30, 2009
Carter Center Welcomes Peaceful Voter Registration in Sudan; Urges Further Steps to Improve Registration Process
In a statement released today, The Carter Center commended the largely peaceful implementation of national voter registration in Sudan, which began on Nov. 1, and welcomed the National Election Commission's decision to extend voter registration by one week to promote greater inclusion in the process.

Nov. 30,  2009
Carter Center Notes Poor but Improved Tarai Security Environment in Nepal
In a report released today, The Carter Center in Nepal describes the current security environment around the country and notes that while the situation across parts of the Tarai remains poor, it has moderately improved since early-2009.

Nov. 25, 2009
Carter Center Statement on the Honduran Elections (English and Spanish)
The Carter Center has decided not to observe the Honduras elections scheduled for Nov. 29 because a national unity government has not been established and the vote by the Congress is not scheduled until after the elections.

Nov. 23, 2009
Internationally-Renowned Humanitarian Groups Support Challenge to Unconstitutional "Material Support" Law
The American Civil Liberties Union today filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the Carter Center, Human Rights Watch and several other human rights and humanitarian organizations in a case before the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of a law that makes it a crime to provide "material support or resources" to any organization that the Secretary of State has designated a "foreign terrorist organization" (FTO).

Nov. 2, 2009
Amhara National Regional Health Bureau and Lions-Carter Center Sightfirst Initiative Launch Third Integrated Malaria and Trachoma (Maltra) Campaign
The MalTra campaigns are a huge joint undertaking between the Amhara National Regional State (ANRS) and Lions-Carter Center Sightfirst Initiative held twice a year to tackle two of the major scourges of humanity in Amhara region: malaria and trachoma.

Nov. 2, 2009
Carter Center Concerned About Sudan's Voter Registration Process and Obstacles to Observer Accreditation
In a statement released today, The Carter Center noted continued progress in Sudan's electoral process, including voter registration, which began Nov. 1, but expressed concerns about the obstacles facing election observers, including delays in finalizing their accreditation procedures and delays in election preparations, as well as continued reports of harassment of political party and civil society activity.

Oct. 24, 2009
Statement by The Carter Center and Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter in Honduras
Upon completing two days of interviews with a range of political actors and representatives of Honduran society, the delegation from The Carter Center and the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter group share their findings and initial insights in the statement below, and they reiterate their commitment to the promotion of democracy and to effective international support and vigilance.

Oct. 2, 2009
Carter Center Condemns Violence in Guinea
The Carter Center deplores the violent attacks by security forces that killed more than 150 peaceful demonstrators in Conakry, Guinea, on Sept. 28.

Sept. 18,  2009
Carter Center Urges All Parties to Heed Goldstone Report Recommendations
The Carter Center urges all parties to heed the recommendations of the recent United Nations report on hostilities in and around Gaza from December 2008 to January 2009.

Sept. 17, 2009
Carter Center Continues Observation of Bolivia's Biometric Census Registration Process (English and Spanish)
At the invitation of the National Electoral Court, The Carter Center is continuing to observe the process of the biometric census registration in all of the departments of Bolivia, including rural districts, isolated areas, special districts, and some cities outside of the country. The team of long-term observers, comprised of professionals from Ecuador, Peru, Germany, Argentina, Nicaragua, Brazil, the United States, Costa Rica, and Portugal, will remain in Bolivia until the registration process has concluded and the biometric census is complete.

Sept. 15, 2009
The Carter Center Commemorates the 2nd Annual International Day of Democracy
In celebration of the second annual International Day of Democracy, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and The Carter Center call upon citizens around the globe to recommit themselves to the principles of democracy.

Sept. 1, 2009
Efforts to Control Blinding Trachoma Reduce Child Mortality in Ethiopia, JAMA Study Finds
Ethiopia's devastating child mortality rates—which are among the highest in the world—could be significantly decreased as a result of treatment to control the nonfatal eye disease trachoma, suggests new research published in the Sept. 2, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association by the University of California at San Francisco and The Carter Center, in partnership with the Ethiopia Ministry of Health.

Aug. 26, 2009
The Carter Center Urges Progress on Nepal's Peace and Constitutional Processes, Increased Attention to the Local Level
Nepal has made significant progress on the path to peace and inclusive democracy over the past three years but the future of the process now appears in question. Reminiscent of the 1990s, political leaders in Kathmandu appear focused on zero-sum power politics at the expense of the constitution drafting, peace process, and provision of basic government services.

Aug. 26, 2009
Carter Center Launches Voter Registration Observation Mission to Bolivia (English and Spanish)
The Carter Center launched a voter registration observation mission to Bolivia this week by deploying six long-term observers to cover all of the country's nine departamentos (districts). The Center's observers will monitor the biometric voter registration process, focusing on the administration of voter registration, citizen participation, voter registration complaints, and related issues. The Center's assessment will be made against criteria based on Bolivia's electoral laws and constitution and the country's international commitments regarding democratic elections.

Aug. 20, 2009
Carter Center Notes Progress in Electoral Preparations, But Expresses Concern Over Electoral Delays and Peace Agreement Implementation
In a statement released today, The Carter Center noted recent positive steps in Sudan's electoral process, including the release of a revised electoral calendar that should allow voter registration to take place in November, avoiding the rainy season, as well as the formation of 25 state Election High Committees and the Southern Sudan Elections High Committee (SSEHC).

Aug. 20, 2009
Carter Center Announces Agreement With the Government of Sudan, the National Elections Commission and the Government of Southern Sudan on Election Observation
The Carter Center is pleased to have finalized memoranda of understanding with the Government of National Unity (GONU) of Sudan and the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) on its program of election observation in Sudan.  The Center welcomes the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by Sudanese authorities in these efforts.

Aug. 17, 2009
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter to Launch 2009-2010 Season of Conversations at The Carter Center
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter will open the upcoming season of Conversations at The Carter Center on Sept. 15, 2009. The annual speaker series features panel discussions of current world topics and Carter Center work.

July 31, 2009
Carter Center Statement on Situation in Honduras (English and Spanish)
We are deeply concerned about a possible escalation in violence and bloodshed in Honduras.  The San Jose Accords provide the best avenue to resolve the current crisis, and we urge both sides to work in good faith to achieve an agreement along these lines. International verification will be important to ensure that the agreements are fully implemented and to provide reassurance to all Hondurans.

July 20, 2009
Three Countries Announce Elimination of Blinding Trachoma at Meeting of Alliance for the Global Elimination of Blinding Trachoma
At a meeting of the World Health Organization's (WHO) global partnership on eye disease — the Alliance for the Global Elimination of Blinding Trachoma by the Year 2020 (GET 2020) — Ghana, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia reported that they have reached the goal for eliminating blinding trachoma.   Each country has also strengthened its health care system so it can deliver eye surgery for those in need.

July 14, 2009
Statement By The Carter Center on the Release of the Final Report of Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Based on the Carter Center's long concern for the peace and well-being of the Liberian people and its current collaboration with the government of Liberia to conduct civic education on the rule of law, this statement aims to help explain in simple terms what will happen now that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has issued its final report.

July 10, 2009
The Carter Center Continues Support to Nepal's Peace Process
The Carter Center commends the significant progress that Nepal has made on the path to peace and stability during the last three years, but notes with concern that the breakdown in consensus politics following the 2008 Constituent Assembly elections, as well as the delay in implementing previous commitments, threatens to derail the progress made thus far.

July 10, 2009
The Carter Center Awards 2009-2010 Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism
After receiving a record number of applicants, the Carter Center's Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism—the only journalism fellowships exclusively for mental health—announced today the winners of its 2009-2010 awards (see below for full list of fellows and their project topics). Since 1996, the fellowship program has educated more than 100 journalists, who set the standard in their field for accurate and sensitive portrayals of mental health issues.

June 30, 2009
Statement by the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter on the Honduran Coup, Sunday, June 28, 2009 (English and Spanish versions)
Faced with the occurrence of the coup d'état in the Republic of Honduras, Sunday, June 28,
We, the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, express our great concern for the rupture of the constitutional order in the Republic of Honduras that took place on June 28, 2009.

June 26, 2009
The Carter Center Congratulates Indonesia's Constitutional Court for Timely Resolution of Election Disputes
The Carter Center commends Indonesia's Constitutional Court for their timely handling disputes relating to election results for the April 9, 2009 legislative elections.

June 24, 2009
The Carter Center Appoints Atlanta Leaders to Board of Councilors
The Carter Center, a not-for-profit organization advancing peace and health worldwide, recently appointed 17 new members to the Board of Councilors, bringing its total membership to 187.

June 8, 2009
Carter Center Commends Lebanon's Successful Elections; Notes Shortcomings and Encourages Continued Reform
The Carter Center commends the Lebanese people and the electoral authorities for the successful conduct of the 2009 parliamentary elections, the results of which have been accepted by both sides.  While the process fell short of several of Lebanon's international commitments, most notably secrecy of the ballot, it was conducted with enhanced transparency and in accordance with Lebanon's new consensual electoral law and regulations.

June 1, 2009
Jimmy Carter to Co-Lead Carter Center Delegation to Observe Lebanon's June 7 Elections
The Carter Center announced today that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Karim al-Eryani will lead the Center's international election observation delegation to observe Lebanon's June 7 parliamentary elections. The Carter Center mission will also include more than 50 observers representing more than 20 different nations deployed throughout the country to observe balloting, counting, and tabulation processes.

May 29, 2009
Carter Center Commends Lebanon's Constitutional Council Appointments; Urges Further Clarification of Election Procedures
In a report released today, The Carter Center welcomed the May 26 decision by Lebanon's Council of Ministers to appoint the final five members of the Constitutional Council, the body mandated to adjudicate candidates' challenges to electoral results. At the same time, the Center urged Lebanese electoral authorities to provide further clarification of procedures for the filing and resolution of election day complaints by voters and party agents and for the district-level tabulation of official election results.

May 21, 2009
Carter Center Offers Steps for Indonesia to Strengthen its Electoral Dispute Mechanisms 
The Carter Center congratulates the government of Indonesia, the National Election Commission (KPU), the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), and civil society groups for the ongoing commitment they have shown to establishing electoral complaints and dispute resolution mechanisms within the electoral system of Indonesia.

May 21, 2009
Plan of Action to Advance the Right of Access to Public Information in the Americas Released Today
Participants in a conference on the right of access to information released today their findings and plan of action to advance the right in the Americas. The Americas Regional Plan of Action provides a blueprint for the regional and international community, states, and non-state actors to establish, develop, and nurture the right of access to information in the Americas and calls on them to commit to the plan in furtherance of our common objective.

May 18, 2009
Christian Leaders Appeal For Peace With Justice in Holy Land
National Christian leaders meeting at The Carter Center on May 14-15 sent the following letter to President Barack Obama following two days of discussions on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  Citing a growing sense of despair in the Holy Land, the letter conveys to the President support for his efforts to push for a two-state solution and calls for an immediate opening of the Gaza borders.

May 8, 2009
Carter Center Notes Significant Achievement in Côte d'Ivoire's Voter Identification and Registration
The Carter Center calls on Ivorian political leaders to sustain the hard-earned momentum of the ongoing identification and voter registration process and bring about the credible democratic elections envisioned by the Ouagadougou Political Accord (OPA).

May 7, 2009
Carter Center Welcomes Sudan's Electoral Calendar But Urges Additional Steps to Ensure Genuine and Viable Elections
In a report issued today, The Carter Center welcomes the important steps taken in Sudan toward holding national elections but identifies additional key steps that the Government of National Unity (GONU) and the National Elections Commission (NEC) should take to ensure a genuine and viable electoral process.

May 1, 2009
Carter Center Commends Indonesia's Progress in Campaign Finance Regulations, Encourages Stronger Reporting and Disclosure Requirements
The Carter Center commends the parties, candidates, and National Elections Commission of Indonesia for the important progress made in campaign finance laws and practices since the 2004 elections.

April 29, 2009
African Health Leaders Honor President Carter and The Carter Center for 'Pioneering' Efforts Against Neglected Diseases
Health officials from 11 African countries have honored former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and The Carter Center for their "pioneering contributions to eradicating neglected tropical diseases in Africa." The leadership award was presented to Carter Center CEO Dr. John Hardman and Dr. Donald Hopkins, Vice President of Health Programs on April 22 in a Washington, D.C. event sponsored by The Whitaker Group, ONE, and Global Health Progress.

April 27, 2009
Carter Center Calls for an End to Palestinian Political Violence
The Carter Center condemns the killing and maiming of suspected collaborators, political opponents, and common criminals committed by Hamas-affiliated security forces in the Gaza Strip.

April 24, 2009
Carter Center Conference to Address Advancements and Challenges to the Right of Access to Information in the Americas
More than 100 high-ranking officials, civil society leaders, and journalists from 20 countries will participate in a Carter Center-hosted Americas Regional Conference on the Right of Access to Information from April 28-20 in Lima, Peru. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will attend as part of his four-country trip to visit Carter Center projects in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Brazil, in addition to the Lima conference, from April 27-May 4.

April 21, 2009
Carter Center Launches Election Observation Mission to Lebanon
The Carter Center launched an international election observation mission to Lebanon last week by deploying six long-term observers to cover all of the country's qadas (districts). The observers represent a diverse team from six countries: Portugal, Belgium, Iraq, the United Kingdom, Albania, and the United States. 

April 13, 2009
President Carter to Lead Delegation to Latin America
Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter will visit Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil from April 27-May 4 to assess Carter Center projects, participate in a regional conference on the right of access to information, and meet with officials to discuss regional themes of importance following the Summit of the Americas.

April 13, 2009
Carter Center Observers Note Largely Peaceful By-Election Day, Progress in Electoral Conduct, Some Areas for Improvement
The Carter Center congratulates the people of Nepal, the election commission, and the political parties for a generally peaceful and orderly by-election process.

April 12, 2009 
Carter Center Congratulates Indonesia on Generally Peaceful Elections
The Carter Center congratulates the people, political parties, and National Election Commission (KPU) of Indonesia on the generally peaceful April 9, 2009, legislative elections, the third since the country's democratic transition from the New Order of former President Soeharto.

April 3, 2009
Statement on El Salvador by The Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter
The Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter have followed the recent Presidential elections in El Salvador with particular interest.  We congratulate president-elect Mauricio Funes and his FMLN party, as well as Rodrigo Avila for his rapid and unhesitating acceptance of the verdict of the Salvadoran people as announced by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

April 3, 2009
The Mining Review in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Missed Opportunities, Failed Expectations, Hopes for the Future
Few benefits resulted for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from the government's two-year review of contracts with companies mining billions of dollars of gold, copper, cobalt, diamonds, and other minerals.

March 30, 2009
A Milestone Toward Ending River Blindness in the Western Hemisphere by 2012: Escuintla, Guatemala Largest Endemic Area Yet to Stop Transmission (English and Spanish versions)
An international team of researchers led by Rodrigo Gonzalez of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala reports that the transmission of onchocerciasis or river blindness has been broken in Escuintla, Guatemala, one of the largest endemic areas in the Western Hemisphere to date to stop the transmission of the parasitic disease.

March 25, 2009 
Carter Center Launches Limited Election Observation Mission to Indonesia
The Carter Center deployed three teams of long-term observers to locations in Indonesia this week to formally launch its limited election observation mission of the country's April 9 legislative elections.  These will be the third elections in Indonesia that the Center has observed.

March 16, 2009
Carter Center Calls for End to Home Demolitions and Settlement Construction in the West Bank
The Carter Center expresses strong concern about recent home demolition orders issued by the Jerusalem Municipality.  If implemented, a total of 95 structures, including 87 homes in the historic Al-Bustan neighborhood south of the Old City, would be demolished and some 1,840 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem would be displaced.

Feb. 24, 2009
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Voice Support for New Mexico Legislative Action To Outlaw Death Penalty
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, hailed the New Mexico legislature's actions to outlaw the death penalty in the state and bolster support for the families of crime victims in a letter to Governor Bill Richardson yesterday.

Feb. 18, 2009
2009-2010 Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism: Applications Being Accepted
Applications are now being accepted for six one-year journalism fellowships with the Carter Center's Mental Health Program. The 2009-2010 fellowships begin in September 2009, and aim to enhance public understanding of mental health issues and combat stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses. Applicants must be U.S. residents.

Feb. 17, 2009
Claire Lewis Arnold Appointed Chair of Carter Center Board of Councilors
Claire Lewis Arnold, CEO of Leapfrog Services Inc., has been appointed chair of the Carter Center's Board of Councilors for 2009.

Feb. 8, 2009
2009 Winter Weekend Live and Silent Auctions Raise $817,590 for the Carter Center's Global Peace, Health Work
The Carter Center's annual Winter Weekend auction, held Jan. 7 at Port St. Lucie, Fla., raised $817,590 to help support the work of the not-for-profit Center, advancing peace and health worldwide.

Jan. 27, 2009
Carter Center Congratulates Bolivia on Peaceful Referendum; Urges Progress to Continue
The Carter Center congratulates the Bolivian people for the peaceful exercise of its civic obligations during the constitutional referendum held on Jan. 25. The Center's political mission visited more than 100 polling stations and did not witness any act of violence or intimidation that would affect the voting of the citizens.

Jan. 23, 2009
Carter Center Welcomes the Temporary Ceasefire in Gaza, Calls for "a Credible Peace with Israel"
The Carter Center welcomes the temporary cessation of the war in and around the Gaza Strip, but notes that the situation remains extremely precarious.

Jan. 22, 2009
Carter Center and Ministry of Internal Affairs Lead Workshops to Strengthen Rule of Law and Expand Role of Women in Liberia's Local Governance
The Carter Center, in partnership with Liberia's Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Traditional Council, and the Ministry of Gender, will conduct workshops for Liberia's local leaders on how to strengthen the rule of law and expand the role of women in local governance in each of the country's fifteen counties between Jan. 27 and the end of April 2009.

Jan. 21, 2009 
Carter Center Sends Political Mission to Observe Bolivia's Constitutional Referendum
The Carter Center will deploy a small political mission to observe Bolivia's constitutional referendum on Jan. 25.

Jan. 15, 2009
Carter Center Urges an End to Political Violence in Nicaragua
The Carter Center expresses deep concern for the resurgence in politically driven violence in Nicaragua, which began after contentious Nov. 9 elections and recently regained intensity.

Jan. 14, 2009
Winter Weekend Auction Features Sports, Space, and Presidential Memorabilia
Historic memorabilia from the White House, presidential elections, the space race, and American sports are among the more than 100 items up for public auction in Port St. Lucie, Fla. on Feb. 7, 2009 during the Carter Center's annual Winter Weekend celebration.

Jan. 3, 2009
Carter Center Congratulates Ghana President-Elect John Evans Atta Mills
The Carter Center congratulates Ghana President-elect John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress following the Electoral Commission of Ghana's Jan. 3 announcement of final election results. The Center also commends New Patriotic Party candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his acceptance of the results in an extremely competitive race.