U.S. Human Rights and Democracy StrategySupporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U. S. Record 2003 - 2004Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor [PDF option: 21KB ]
The National Security Strategy of the United States lists eight demands of human dignity: the rule of law, limits on the absolute power of the state, freedom of speech and freedom of worship, equal justice, respect for women, religious and ethnic tolerance and respect for private property. The United States is pursuing a broad strategy of promoting respect for human rights that is both appropriate in itself and beneficial for U.S. security. The United States is persuaded that regimes that violate the human rights of their own citizens are more likely to disrupt peace and security in their region and to create a reservoir of ill will that can accrue to the detriment of the United States. The best guarantor of security and prosperity at home and abroad is respect for individual liberty and protection of human rights through good governance and the rule of law. The United States pursues this policy through bilateral and multilateral avenues.
For decades, the United States has placed significant emphasis on respect for human rights in our bilateral relationships. The “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices,” the “Report on International Religious Freedom” and the “Trafficking in Persons Report” detail the state of human rights in countries around the world, and serve as the guide for diplomatic and programmatic efforts to end them. President Bush, Secretary of State Powell and other senior officials regularly communicate America’s views and values regarding human rights in meetings and other direct communications with foreign leaders. Senior officials also engage in constant diplomatic efforts to remedy abuses, including in some extreme cases by using sanctions and other authorities in the law. Our words are matched by action through programmatic efforts by the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. In the Bush administration, these efforts have been given new dimensions through the Millennium Challenge Account and the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative, and by tripling the State Department’s Human Rights and Democracy Fund and the proposed doubling of funding for the National Endowment for Democracy. The UN Commission on Human Rights is the world’s forum for the discussion of human rights, and the United States has been a member of the Commission for all but one year of its existence. The UN General Assembly also provides an excellent opportunity for the United States to promote democratic ideals, respect for human rights and good governance by supporting strong, accurate human rights resolutions.
Released on May 17, 2004 Report Home Page |