| |  Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
"The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world."
President George W. Bush
Inaugural Speech
January 20, 2005
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.
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, headed by Assistant Secretary David J. Kramer, leads the U.S. efforts to promote democracy, protect human rights and international religious freedom, and advance labor rights globally. | | | Highlights |  Sign up for Democracy and Global Affairs email updates.
As Talks Stall, Zimbabweans Suffer
 In violation of both the September 15 power-sharing agreement between political parties and the will of the Zimbabwean people as expressed in the March 29 elections, Zimbabwe remains without a legitimate government, causing further suffering to its people. Fact Sheet
Human Rights and Governance in Ethiopia
Assistant Secretary Kramer's remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Review and Evaluation of the Forum’s Initiative
 Assistant Secretary Kramer (Oct. 19): "The U.S. will continue to support both civil society and government reform efforts in the Middle East on multiple levels. The role played by indigenous civil society actors calling for peaceful change is critical, and these citizens require a protected, legal space in which to operate and prosper. It is critical that civil society be included in a permanent, ongoing manner in all BMENA activities, such as in our meeting today." Full Text
Future of the OSCE
Assistant Secretary Kramer (Oct. 15): "[T]he Helsinki process has served as a source of inspiration and hope to men and women pressing for freedom and reform, and it must continue do so in the years ahead." Full Text
Reports
2008 Report on International Religious Freedom
2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006
2008 Country Reports on Advancing Freedom and Democracy
Ambassadorial Roundtable Series
Read about this program which fosters partnerships between newly-confirmed U.S. Ambassadors and human rights and democracy NGOs. |
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