Reports by the Department of State

Human Rights Reports

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; and Coordinate human rights activities with important allies, including the EU, and regional organizations.
  
  • Report on Human Rights Practices - Russia 2011
  • Report on Human Rights Practices - Russia 2010
  • Report on Human Rights Practices - Russia 2009
  • The Advancing Freedom and Democracy Report 2010 (Russia) 
  • The Advancing Freedom and Democracy Report 2009 (Russia)  

International Religious Freedom Report

The Office of International Religious Freedom has the mission of promoting religious freedom as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy. Headed by an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, its Office Director and staff monitor religious persecution and discrimination worldwide, recommend and implement policies in respective regions or countries, and develop programs to promote religious freedom.

Given the U.S. commitment to religious freedom, and to the international covenants that guarantee it as the inalienable right of every human being, 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.
  • International Religious Freedom Report - Russia 2011
  • International Religious Freedom Report - Russia 2010
  • International Religious Freedom Report - Russia 2009

Country Report on Terrorism

This congressionally mandated publication -- Country Reports on Terrorism 2004 -- replaces the former Patterns of Global Terrorism report.

• Report on Terrorism - Russia 2009

International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

The Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) advises the President, Secretary of State, other bureaus in the Department of State, and other departments and agencies within the U.S. Government on the development of policies and programs to combat international narcotics and crime. The bureau is headed by Assistant Secretary Robert B. Charles under the direction of the Under Secretary for Global Affairs.

INL programs support two of the Department's strategic goals: (1) to reduce the entry of illegal drugs into the United States; and (2) to minimize the impact of international crime on the United States and its citizens.

• International Narcotics Control Strategy Report - Russia 2010
• International Narcotics Control Strategy Report - Russia 2009

Trafficking in Persons Report

Trafficking in Persons Report is the most comprehensive report on human trafficking around the world and what governments are doing to end it. The  report includes analysis of countries' efforts to combat trafficking, best practices worldwide, a summary of U.S. action to fight human trafficking at home, and new data on the scope of this tragic phenomenon.

The Trafficking in Persons Report serves as the primary diplomatic tool through which the U.S. Government encourages partnership and increased determination in the fight against forced labor and sexual exploitation.

• Annual Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 (Russia)
• Annual Trafficking in Persons Report 2009 (Russia)

Report on Global Anti-Semitism

A report released by the U.S. Department of State examines acts of anti-Semitism -- defined as "hatred toward Jews, individually and as a group, attributed to the Jewish religion and/or ethnicity" -- in 62 countries worldwide. The "Report on Global Anti-Semitism" also details the efforts of governments and other groups to counter anti-Semitism. The report was mandated by the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-332), in response to the increase of anti-Semitic incidents since the start of the 21st century. When signing the law in October 2004, President Bush noted that "defending freedom also means disrupting the evil of anti-Semitism."

Reports by Other U.S. Government Agencies

Annual Special 301 report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) 

"Special 301" annual review examines in detail the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights protection in 87 countries. Based on a lengthy process of information gathering and analysis, the United States Trade Representative has identified 48 countries that are designated in the categories of Priority Watch List, Watch List, or Section 306 Monitoring. The Special 301 Report reflects the   Administration’s resolve to take consistently strong actions under the Special 301 provisions of the Trade Act of 1974.

• 2010 Special 301 Report
• 2009 Special 301 Report