Progress on human rights begins with a fundamental commitment to the dignity that is the birthright of every man, woman and child. Progress in advancing human rights begins with the facts. The United States provides a record of the state of human rights in the world to raise awareness of the progress made, the ground lost, and the work that remains.
These reports are an essential tool—for activists who courageously struggle to protect rights in communities around the world; for journalists and scholars who document rights violations and who report on the work of those who champion the vulnerable; and for governments, including our own, as they work to craft strategies to protect the human rights of more individuals in more places.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
The annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, also known as the Human Rights Reports, cover internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements.
Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
Submitted in compliance with: Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom
The annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom, also known as the International Religious Freedom Report, describes the status of religious freedom, government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups, religious denominations and individuals, and U.S. policies promoting religious freedom.
Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
Submitted in compliance with: International Religious Freedom Act of 1998
The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report assesses governments on their efforts to combat trafficking in persons as defined in the UN Trafficking Protocol, including conduct involved in forced labor and trafficking of adults and children for commercial sexual exploitation.
Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
Submitted in compliance with: Victims Of Trafficking And Violence Prevention Act Of 2000
United States Universal Periodic Review
The United States Universal Period Review provides a partial snapshot of the human rights situation in the United States, shares some recent progress, and explores opportunities to make further progress.
Prepared by: U.S. Department of State
Submitted in compliance with: United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review
United Nations human rights treaties require States Parties to report periodically on the implementation of their treaty obligations. U.S. Government agencies collaborate to fulfill the United States’ obligations.
Prepared by: U.S. Government agencies
Submitted in compliance with: United Nations Treaty Obligations
Advancing Freedom and Democracy
The Advancing Freedom and Democracy Report describes U.S. efforts to support democracy and human rights in nondemocratic countries and countries undergoing democratic transitions worldwide.
Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
Submitted in compliance with: ADVANCE Democracy Act of 2007
Fact Sheets and Other Releases
The United States periodically produces additional reports on the specific human rights situations around the world.