IRC Rome's List: Democracy & Human Rights

December 10, 2015 -- "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was forged in the aftermath of World War II to protect freedom and prevent future atrocities. As we commemorate it today, we recall President Franklin Roosevelt’s 1941 Four Freedoms address, which inspired the Universal Declaration, and which the United Nations selected as this year’s theme for International Human Rights Day."

October 14, 2015 -- The purpose of this annual report is to highlight the importance of religious freedom not by lecturing but through advocacy and through persuasion. Our primary goal is to help governments everywhere recognize that their societies will do better with religious liberty than without it. The world has learned through very hard experience that religious pluralism encourages and enables contributions from all; while religious discrimination is often the source of conflicts that endanger all.

August 13, 2015 -- On January 4, 1961, these Marines lowered the American flag at U.S. Embassy Havana for the last time. As Mike East said, “It was a touching moment. To see Old Glory flying for the last time in Cuba, it was… just didn’t seem right.”

August 12, 2015 -- "I believe that American engagement — through our embassy, our businesses, and most of all, through our people — is the best way to advance our interests and support for democracy and human rights,” Obama said.

August 12, 2015 -- Young people make up a disproportionate share of the population in MCC’s partner countries, so it’s no surprise that when MCC officials visit these countries to discuss poverty reduction, one of the issues that comes up again and again is the need to invest in employment opportunities for young people.

August 12, 2015 -- Youth account for more than 30 percent of the population in many developing countries. To harness the immense potential of the world’s young people, the global community must increase efforts to meaningfully involve youth in the decisions that impact their lives.

August 4, 2015 -- Secretary of State John Kerry calls promoting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people “the heart and conscience of our diplomacy."

July 27, 2015 -- [...]"I really can think of no better way to start this week than with such a gathering of really remarkable people, all of whom are determined to make a difference in a cause that really counts.

And I am very, very honored to be here. Particularly happy to see from Capitol Hill my friend and former colleague, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Chris Smith, who has been just such a longtime champion on these issues. Both of them are two champions in this fight. "

July 16, 2015 -- "Last month, I participated in the Central and South Asia Regional Conference on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) hosted by the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana.  "

July 2, 2015 -- "Every morning I pass a wonderful quote from Eleanor Roosevelt on the wall outside my office: "The battle for the individual rights of women is one of long standing, and none of us should countenance anything which undermines it.""

June 25, 2015 -- "The message at the heart of these reports is that countries do best when their citizens fully enjoy the rights and freedoms to which they are entitled. This is not just an expression of hope. This is a reality, and it is proven out in country after country around the world."

June 24, 2015 -- "Secretary of State John Kerry will present the 2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on June 25, 2015 at 1:15 p.m. in the Press Briefing Room at the U.S. Department of State. The annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, commonly known as the Human Rights Reports, cover the status of human rights in countries around the world."

May 3, 2015 -- "I’d like to start by saying I think Chad is doing a phenomenal job leading HRC. But, as a mother myself, I think we owe Chad’s parents – Betty and Butch Hightower – a round applause for doing such a great job of raising Chad."

April 16, 2015 -- "The annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices are the State Department’s most-read publication by far, with over 1 million online visitors every year, said Michael Kozak, acting deputy assistant secretary at the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor."

March 3, 2015 -- "Our commitment is driven by the founding values of our nation, and the conviction that international peace, security, and prosperity are strengthened when human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected and protected."

March 2, 2015 -- [...]"A little while ago, as I think you know, I had the opportunity to address the UN Human Rights Council here in Geneva. And since the United States made the decision to re-engage on the council"

March 2, 2015 -- "Let me start by thanking the Council’s president, Joachim Rucker, for convening this session. And I particularly appreciate the opportunity to be here at such an extraordinarily important time not only for the future of this body, but for human rights around the globe. "

February 16, 2015 -- "Today marks three years since the Syrian regime detained journalist, lawyer and human rights defender Mazen Darwish. Darwish championed freedom of expression and sought to advance the cause of peace and to end the suffering of the Syrian people."

January 16, 2015 -- [...] "Through a cacophony of division and hatred, his voice rang out, challenging America to make freedom a reality for all of God's children and prophesying a day when the discord of our Union would be transformed into a symphony of brotherhood."

January 15, 2015 -- "From many faiths and diverse beliefs, Americans are united by the ideals we cherish. Our shared values define who we are as a people and what we stand for as a Nation. With abiding resolve, generations of patriots have fought — through great conflict and fierce debate — to secure and defend these freedoms, irrevocably weaving them deep into the fabric of our society."