Today, Acting Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Lisa Peterson hosted the 2022 U.S.-EU Human Rights Consultations in Washington, D.C.  EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore led the European Union delegation for this series of meetings. Read More»

On November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD) Day, the United States commemorates the work of women human rights defenders: all women and girls who work for human rights, all people who defend the rights of women and girls, and all people who defend the rights to be free from discrimination and violence on ... Read More»

In July, the people of Cuba bravely and spontaneously took to the streets to demand change from their government: respect for human rights, greater freedom of expression, and an end to economic mismanagement by an authoritarian regime that has failed to meet their most basic needs.  The Cuban regime responded with violence, censorship, arrests, and ... Read More»

Since the earliest days of this Administration, President Biden has made clear that our foreign policy would be grounded in America’s most cherished democratic values: defending freedom, championing opportunity, upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms, respecting the rule of law, and treating everyone with dignity.  He also promised to restore American engagement internationally and renew ... Read More»

At the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), September 13 – October 11, the United States advanced country-specific and thematic actions to promote greater respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls, LGBTQI+ persons, indigenous persons, members of ethnic and religious minority groups, older persons, and other marginalized ... Read More»

In the 80 years since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered his Four Freedoms speech — citing freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear — the United States has made these democratic principles central to its foreign policy. Today, the United States continues to champion human rights as a critical component of ... Read More»

At the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), June 21 – July 14, the United States pushed forward on priority issues as an observer state while actively pursuing election to the Council for the 2022-2024 term.  We continued to model the integrity we intend to bring to Council leadership, recognizing that we are most ... Read More»

The United States is working with international partners to defend human rights worldwide as authoritarian regimes step up repression amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Standing for people’s freedom and dignity honors America’s most sacred values,” Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said March 30, announcing the release of the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. “At ... Read More»

World Social Justice Day encourages people to recognize the importance of basic rights and human freedom. As the world celebrates Social Justice Day on February 20, here’s a look at some of the injustices that authoritarian regimes in China, Iran and Venezuela inflict on their own people. Read More»