This volume provides an overview of the human rights practices in some seventy countries worldwide during 1997, examining major events, the degree of freedom with which human fights are monitored, and the international community's role in promoting or inhibiting human rights. The countries and issues addressed here reflect the main focus of the work done by Human Rights Watch in 1997, which in turn was determined by its access to information, ability to influence abusive practices, and desire to balance its work across various political and regional divides.