Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

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Date: 12/10/2009 Description: Cuba's government's supporters shout slogans in favor of Cuban leader Fidel Castro during a march organized by dissidents to commemorate the Human Rights Day in Havana, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009. © AP Image Date: 11/12/2009 Description: This Nov. 12, 2009 photo shows a mother holding her two daughters in her village in Batticaloa, about 143 miles north east of Colombo, Sri Lanka. © AP Image Date: 12/08/2009 Description: A coalition of Guineans, human rights activists and supporters rally outside the Guinean Mission to the United Nations in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009. © AP Image

Promoting freedom and democracy and protecting human rights around the world are central to U.S. foreign policy. The values captured in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in other global and regional commitments are consistent with the values upon which the United States was founded centuries ago. The United States supports those persons who long to live in freedom and under democratic governments that protect universally accepted human rights. The United States uses a wide range of tools to advance a freedom agenda, including bilateral diplomacy, multilateral engagement, foreign assistance, reporting and public outreach, and economic sanctions. The United States is committed to working with democratic partners, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, and engaged citizens to support those seeking freedom.

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor leads the U.S. efforts to promote democracy, protect human rights and international religious freedom, and advance labor rights globally.


2015 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

Secretary Kerry (April 13, 2016): "It is important to underscore that the reports that we release today, as voluminous as they are, represent just a tiny fraction of what this department does to advance freedom and dignity across the globe." Full Text» Reports» Briefing» Media Note»


2015 International Religious Freedom Report

Deputy Secretary Blinken (Aug. 10, 2016): "Every country has an obligation to respect religious liberty and freedom of conscience; we encourage every country to do so. This report, which is based on a wealth of objective research, is one of many ways we give life to that advocacy." Full Text» Media Note» Briefing» Report»