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  • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

    Report on Human Rights Abuses or Censorship in North Korea

    Serious human rights abuses committed by the DPRK Government include those involving extrajudicial killings, forced labor, torture, and prolonged arbitrary detention, as well as rape, forced abortions, and other sexual violence. Many of these abuses are committed in the country’s political prison camps (kwanliso), which hold an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 prisoners, including children and family members of the accused. The government also maintains an extensive system of forced labor through its rigid controls over workers and restricts the exercise of freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association, religion or belief, and movement.

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  • Special Advisor Judith Heumann give a Tedx talk on her work to advance the rights of people with disabilities

    TEDx Talk Stronger Together: Advancing the Rights of People with Disabilities

    But I was learning, as my friends were, and people I didn't know around the country, that we had to be our own advocates, that we needed to fight back people's view that if you had a disability, you needed to be cured, that equality was not part of the equation. And we were learning from the Civil Rights Movement and from the women's rights movement. We were learning from them about their activism and their ability to come together, not only to discuss problems, but to discuss solutions.

    ALSO:  Story Video

Top Stories

Press Release
United States and Cuba to Hold Meeting to Fight Trafficking in Persons
Jan 12, 2017 | Office of the Spokesperson

This is the fourth consecutive exchange between the United States and Cuba on efforts to prevent and prosecute trafficking in persons and protect trafficking victims. In addition to sharing information about best practices, both sides will seek to identify areas of possible future cooperation. ...Read More
Remarks
Remarks at the U.S. Institute of Peace's Passing the Baton 2017: America's Role in the World
Jan 10, 2017 | Secretary of State John Kerry

We didn’t start the Arab Spring. We couldn’t have stopped the Arab Spring. There was no way to put a lid on the Arab Spring; the Arab Spring began in Tunisia when a fruit vendor lit himself on fire. And boom – a 30-year dictator was gone. And then suddenly, you had Tahrir Square and you had a bunch of people who have technology at their fingertips who are out there communicating to each other and wanting change. And that’s how Syria began. ...Read More
Article
A Conversation on Gender Equality and Disability Rights with Silvia Quan
Jan 9, 2017 | Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, Judith Heumann

As one of the most tenacious leaders in her generation of disability rights advocates, Silvia Quan has faced down the forces of discrimination and fought for expanding the rights of all persons with disabilities, in her native Guatemala, in the broader Latin American region, and on the global stage. For her many achievements, especially in her capacity as Vice-Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Silvia was recently honored with the  ...Read More
Press Release
Apology for Past Discrimination toward Employees and Applicants based on Sexual Orientation
Jan 9, 2017 | Secretary of State John Kerry

Throughout my career, including as Secretary of State, I have stood strongly in support of the LGBTI community, recognizing that respect for human rights must include respect for all individuals. LGBTI employees serve as proud members of the State Department and valued colleagues dedicated to the service of our country.  For the past several years, the Department has pressed for the families of LGBTI officers to have the same protections overseas as families of other ...Read More
Press Release
United States Mission to the United Nations Exit Memo
Jan 5, 2017 | U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Samantha Power

When the United States leads at the United Nations, we shape the rules and norms – and we can leverage UN capabilities in service of international security, making the United States safer and stronger, while sparing us financial and operational burdens that are unsustainable for the United States. Over the last eight years, we have re-engaged the United Nations, and we have led the world. ...Read More
Remarks
Russia Lists 150th NGO Under So-Called "Foreign Agent Law"
Dec 22, 2016 | State Department Spokesperson, John Kirby

Russia reached an unfortunate milestone December 19 when it listed the 150th non-governmental organization (NGO) under its so-called “foreign agent law.” The use of the term “foreign agent” is a deliberate choice suggesting that these organizations are traitors. In fact, under this legislation Russia has targeted ‎organizations dedicated to pursuits such as fighting torture, preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, and even protecting migratory birds.

The people of Russia deserve a strong, democratic government that respects ...Read More
Interview
Assistant Secretary Malinowski Interview with VOA Amharic
Dec 17, 2016 | Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Tom Malinowski

When I was here last year for the first time, the government officials with whom I met already were acknowledging that following a long period in which their primary focus was economic development, the country would need to turn its focus to democratization. I argued to them then that the country was undergoing a process that could be likened to a boiling pot. And that when you have a boiling pot the thing to do is take the lid off, because either way it’s going to be boiling, and if you keep the lid on it’s going to explode. ...Read More
Remarks
USUN Opposing a UN General Assembly Amendment to Delay the Mandate of the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Dec 19, 2016 | U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Samantha Power

The U.S. also believes that the resolution creating the Independent Expert to address violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is well-merited by the facts on the ground. For who here today would argue that LGBTI people are treated equally around their world, or that they are not subject to violence and discrimination? Nobody can argue that on the basis of the facts. This is a world we live in which, according to a report issued in 2015 by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “the overall picture remains one of continuing, pervasive, violent abuse, harassment, and discrimination affecting LGBT and intersex persons in all regions…often perpetrated with impunity.” ...Read More

UPR Working Group Information

Free To Be Home

  • #FreeToBeHome Political Prisoner Campaign This holiday season, as families in the United States gather, we are reminded of all the missed holidays, bittersweet birthdays, and family occasions where a mother, brother, friend, or neighbor was missing because a government chose to muzzle their voices and lock them up.

    Learn more about the #FreeToBeHome Political Prisoner Campaign

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