The protection of fundamental human rights was a foundation stone in
the establishment of the United States over 200 years ago. Since then, a
central goal of U.S. foreign policy has been the promotion of respect for
human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. The United States understands that the existence of human
rights helps secure the peace, deter aggression, promote the rule of law,
combat crime and corruption, strengthen democracies, and prevent
humanitarian crises.
Because the promotion of human rights is an important national
interest, the United States seeks to:
- Hold governments accountable to their obligations under universal
human rights norms and international human rights instruments;
- Promote greater respect for human rights, including freedom from
torture, freedom of expression, press freedom, women's rights,
children's rights, and the protection of minorities;
- Promote the rule of law, seek accountability, and change cultures of
impunity;
- Assist efforts to reform and strengthen the institutional capacity
of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN
Commission on Human Rights;
- Coordinate human rights activities with important allies, including
the EU, and regional organizations.
Through its Offices of
Bilateral Affairs, Multilateral Affairs, and Country Reports and Asylum
Affairs, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) applies
three key principles to its work on human rights:
| First, DRL strives to learn the truth and
state the facts in all of its human rights investigations,
reports on country conditions, speeches and votes in the UN, and
asylum profiles. Each year, DRL develops, edits, and submits to
Congress a 5,000-page report on human rights conditions in 194
countries that is respected globally for its objectivity and
accuracy. DRL also provides relevant information on country
conditions to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and
immigration judges in asylum cases.
Second, DRL takes consistent positions concerning
past, present, and future abuses. With regard to past abuses, it
actively promotes accountability. To stop ongoing abuses, the bureau
uses an "inside-outside" approach that combines vigorous, external
focus on human rights concerns (including the possibility of
sanctions) with equally robust support for internal reform. To
prevent future abuses, it promotes early warning and preventive
diplomacy. Each year DRL ensures that human rights considerations
are incorporated into U.S. military training and security assistance
programs; promotes the rights of women through international
campaigns for political participation and full equality; conducts
high-level human rights dialogues with other governments;
coordinates U.S. policy on human rights with key allies; and raises
key issues and cases through diplomatic and public channels.
Third, DRL forges and maintains partnerships with
organizations, governments, and multilateral institutions committed
to human rights. The bureau takes advantage of multilateral fora to
focus international attention on human rights problems and to seek
correction. Each year, DRL provides significant technical,
financial, or staff support for U.S. delegations to the annual
meetings of several international human rights organizations;
conducts regular consultations with Native American tribes and
serves as the Secretary's principal advisor on international
indigenous rights issues; maintains relations with the UN High
Commissioner on Human Rights; and supports the creation of effective
multilateral human rights mechanisms and institutions for
accountability |
[end of document]
Human
Rights Page | Democracy,
Human Rights, and Labor |
