Special Reports

Report on Supporting Human Rights Reflects "Deepest Values" of U.S., Powell says

17 May 2004

U.S. promoting human rights in over 100 countries

The Congressionally mandated "Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record" was released by the U.S. Department of State on May 17. The report details U.S. efforts to promote human rights and democracy in over 100 countries and is a companion to the State Department's Annual Country Reports on Human Rights.

"On every continent, we are making important, long-term investments in democracy," Secretary of State Colin Powell wrote in his preface to the report. "We are working with non-governmental organizations, faith based groups, opposition parties, minority communities and labor movements to develop dynamic civil societies."

Powell also lauded the efforts of human rights activists such as Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma, the Cuban Oswaldo Paya, and Morgan Tsvangirai in Zimbabwe. "We stand in solidarity with the extraordinary men and women around the world who take great personal risks to shed light on human rights abuses and press for democratic change," he said.

The complete report can be found at: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/shrd/2003

Following is Secretary Powell's preface to the report:

Preface to Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2003-2004
Secretary of State Colin Powell
May 17, 2004

Advancing human rights and democracy around the world not only reflects our nation's deepest values, it is profoundly within our interests. For a world where fundamental freedoms are respected and citizens can elect accountable, representative governments is a world of hope and opportunity, where conflict and chaos do not rage and tyranny and terrorism cannot thrive.

The United States' work for human rights and democracy enjoys strong bipartisan backing here at home, and we do much of it in partnership with our allies and friends overseas. Americans can take pride in the international human rights instruments we have helped to shape and uphold. We stand in solidarity with the extraordinary men and women around the world who take great personal risks to shed light on human rights abuses and press for democratic change -- courageous people like Oswaldo Paya in Cuba, Morgan Tsvangirai in Zimbabwe and Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma.

On every continent, we are making important, long-term investments in democracy. We are helping to build democratic institutions. We are working with non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups, opposition parties, minority communities, women's organizations and labor movements to develop dynamic civil societies. We are promoting good governance to create conditions for economic growth and sustainable development. We are helping to free the flow of information and to ensure free and fair elections. And through our exchange and other programs, we are acquainting rising generations with democratic ideas and processes. Georgia's Mikheil Saakashvili is only one of many young leaders who have participated in U.S.-sponsored exchange programs and returned home determined to advance reform. In 2003, Saakashvili lead the peaceful "Revolution of Roses," which ultimately resulted in new, democratic elections. Now President Saakashvili and his people face the great challenge of putting the democratic ideals that they have embraced into daily practice, and we are doing our utmost to help them succeed.

This congressionally mandated annual report, Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record, shows how the United States worked worldwide in 2003 and 2004 to expose and remedy human rights violations and to foster the evolution of vibrant, stable democracies. As President Bush has said: "The message to those who long for liberty and those who work for reform is that they can be certain they have a strong and constant ally in the United States of America."

Colin L. Powell, Secretary of State

 

Created: 17 May 2004 Updated: 17 May 2004

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)