Democracy & Human Rights

On Fundamental Human Rights, Our Pledge

by Assistant Secretary for International Organizations, Dr. Esther Brimmer

"Recently the United States decided to run for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council. That decision reflects a reinvigorated commitment on the part of the United States to the fundamental human values that bind us all together, and a determination to promote those values in all available venues.
This commitment, which remains most clearly voiced in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is rooted in ideals outlined by the founding fathers of the United States and gradually, relentlessly, and at times painfully realized by succeeding generations of Americans. The ideals of yesterday have yielded an American society that treasures its freedoms, embraces its rich diversity, and celebrates its history of struggle and progress." Full Text
• Human Rights Commitments and Pledges of the United States

Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Promoting freedom and democracy and protecting human rights around the world are central to U.S. foreign policy. The values captured in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in other global and regional commitments are consistent with the values upon which the United States was founded centuries ago. The United States supports those persons who long to live in freedom and under democratic governments that protect universally accepted human rights. The United States uses a wide range of tools to advance a freedom agenda, including bilateral diplomacy, multilateral engagement, foreign assistance, reporting and public outreach, and economic sanctions. The United States is committed to working with democratic partners, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, and engaged citizens to support those seeking freedom.

Reports
• Advancing Freedom and Democracy Reports, May 2009
• Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, February 2009

Publications
• Democracy in Brief
• Human Rights in Brief
• Principles of Democracy
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Freedom of Press

The United States values freedom of the press as a key component of democratic governance. Democratic societies are not infallible, but they are accountable, and the exchange of ideas is the foundation for accountable governance. In the U.S. and in many places around the world, the press fosters active debate, provides investigative reporting, and serves as a forum to express different points of view, particularly on behalf of those who are marginalized in society. The U.S. commends journalists around the world for the important role they play, and for their commitment to the free exchange of ideas.

Links

UNESCO: World Press Freedom Day 2009

Reports Without Borders Site

Committee to Protect Journalists Site

Freedom House Site

America.gov: Journalism Under Siege

Publications

Handbook of Independent Journalism

eJournal USA: Media Making Change

Edward R. Murrow: Journalism at its Best

Religious Freedom

The principle of religious freedom is a cherished right in the United States, one that has historical roots older than the formation of the nation itself.

The United States seeks to promote freedom of religion and conscience throughout the world as a fundamental human right and as a source of stability for all countries; assist newly formed democracies in implementing freedom of religion and conscience; assist religious and human rights NGOs in promoting religious freedom; identify and denounce regimes that are severe persecutors of their citizens or others on the basis of religious belief.

Report

Annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom (DoS)

Links

The PEW Forum on Religion & Public Life

The Institute on Religion & Public Policy

Publications

eJournal: Freedom of Faith

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DoS: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor - The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor leads the U.S. efforts to promote democracy, protect human rights and international religious freedom, and advance labor rights globally.

Department of State
• Bureau of Populations, Refugees, and Migration
• Holocaust Issues
• U.S. Mission to the UN
• U.S. Mission to OSCE
• War Crimes Issues
• Women's Issues

America.gov: Democracy & Human Rights

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
• American Civil Liberties Union
• American Center for International Labor Solidarity
• Amnesty International
• Committee to Protect Journalists
• Freedom House
• Human Rights Watch
• International IDEA
• International Republican Institute
• Lawyers Committee for Human Rights
• National Conference on Soviet Jewry
• National Democratic Institute
• National Endowment for Democracy
• Open Society and Soros Foundations Network

Law Centers and Universities
• Columbia University: Center for the Study of Human Rights
• University of Minnesota: Human Rights Library
• University of Minnesota:International Criminal Tribunals
• Washington College of Law: Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
• Yale University: Yale Law Journal

- Country Reports on Human Rights Practices -

We hope that the reports will help focus attention on human rights abuses and bring action to end them. At the same time, we hope that the hard-won advances for human freedom chronicled in the reports will hearten those still pressing for their rights, often against daunting odds.
As we publish these reports, the Department of State remains mindful of both domestic and international scrutiny of the United States' record. As President Obama recently made clear, "we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals." We do not consider views about our performance voiced by others in the international community--whether by other governments or nongovernmental actors--to be interference in our internal affairs, nor should other governments regard expressions about their performance as such. We and all other sovereign nations have international obligations to respect the universal human rights and freedoms of our citizens, and it is the responsibility of others to speak out when they believe those obligations are not being fulfilled.
The U.S. government will continue to hear and reply forthrightly to concerns about our own practices. We will continue to submit reports to international bodies in accordance with our obligations under various human rights treaties to which we are a party. United States laws, policies, and practices have evolved considerably in recent years, and will continue to do so. Read more

- The 2009 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report -

The U.S. Department of State’s annual report seeks to increase global awareness of human trafficking, to highlight national and international efforts to combat it, and to encourage foreign governments to take action against all forms of modern-day slavery. The past year, marked by the onset of a global financial crisis, has raised the specter of increased human trafficking around the world. (June 16) Full Report l Section about Germany

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