Democracy & Human Rights News
Deputy Secretary Verma’s Meeting with Colombian Foreign Minister Leyva
Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller...
Special Presidential Advisor for the Americas Christopher J. Dodd Travels to Santiago, Chile
Release: Special Presidential Advisor for the Americas Christopher J. Dodd will lead a U.S. government delegation to visit Santiago, Chile, September 10-11, at the invitation of the Chilean government to join commemoration events on the 50th anniversary of the coup in Chile. During the visit, which he will conduct...
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Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Minkara Travel to Brussels
By State Newswire | Sep 11, 2023
Release: Special Advisor Sara Minkara will travel to Brussels, Belgium, September 10 to 13, for meetings with government officials, local non-governmental organizations, disability activists, and representatives of the United States missions to the EU and NATO. She will connect with EU and NATO representatives...
Promising Practices: A Review of U.S. Government-Funded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Programs
By State Newswire | Sep 8, 2023
Release: INTRODUCTION. The Senior Policy Operating Group (SPOG), established by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, as amended in 2003, brings together U.S. federal agencies that address all aspects of human trafficking. The following standing committees meet regularly to advance substantive areas of the...
Secretary Antony J. Blinken Video Remarks at the Open Government Partnership Summit
By State Newswire | Sep 8, 2023
Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Hello, everyone. I’m glad to join this year’s Open Government Partnership Summit. I’m grateful to everyone who made this event possible: our host and OGP steering committee co-chair, the Government of Estonia, and our CEO Sanjay Pradhan.
Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Minkara Travel to Greece
By State Newswire | Sep 8, 2023
Release: Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minkara will travel to Thessaloniki, Greece, from September 7 to 9 to highlight the emerging U.S.-Greek partnership advancing the full inclusion of persons with disabilities at the Thessaloniki International Fair. During the trip, she will also...
Three press releases or notices published in August by U.S Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
By State Newswire | Sep 5, 2023
There were three press releases or notices published by the U.S Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons in August.
United States and Nepal Mark Start of Child Protection Compact Partnership Discussions
By State Newswire | Sep 1, 2023
Release: Last week U.S. and Nepali officials commenced a series of meetings to negotiate the terms of a Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership, a non binding, multi-year comprehensive plan to address child sex trafficking and forced child labor in Nepal. The partnership includes a planned initial investment...
Visa Restriction Policy on Undermining the Democratic Process in Sierra Leone
By State Newswire | Sep 1, 2023
Release: The United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Sierra Leone and around the world. Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for undermining the democratic process in the June 2023 Sierra Leone election.
The Humanitarian Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
By State Newswire | Sep 1, 2023
Release: We are deeply concerned about deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the continued blockage of food, medicine, and other goods essential to a dignified existence. The United States has worked continuously with the sides over the past several weeks to allow humanitarian...
U.S. Applauds the Kyrgyz Republic’s Repatriation of its Nationals from Northeast Syria
By State Newswire | Sep 1, 2023
Release: The Kyrgyz Republic’s repatriation of 95 people from al-Hol and Roj displaced persons camps in northeast Syria marks another important step towards resolving the humanitarian and security challenges in the region. This is the second such repatriation effort that the Kyrgyz Republic has carried out this year, following the repatriation of 59 women and children in February.
International Day for People of African Descent
By State Newswire | Sep 1, 2023
Release: Every August 31st, the world comes together through the UN International Day for People of African Descent to honor the shared heritage, diverse culture, and profound influence of Africans and the global African diaspora. This day also serves as an opportunity to raise global awareness about the challenges of systemic racism, discrimination, and exclusion faced by individuals of African descent worldwide.
U.S. Sanctions Individuals Contributing to the Recent Escalation of Conflict in the DRC
By State Newswire | Aug 25, 2023
Release: Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on six individuals contributing to the most recent escalation of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Each of these individuals is contributing to instability in the eastern DRC and, in many cases, perpetrating human rights abuses,...
Imposing Sanctions and Visa Restrictions on Individuals and Entities Russia to Promote Accountability for Forced Transfer and Deportation of Children During Russia’s Illegal War Against Ukraine
By State Newswire | Aug 25, 2023
Release: Today, on Ukrainian Independence Day, the United States is taking additional actions against entities and individuals, including those connected to human rights violations and abuses committed since Russia’s invasion.
Presidential Elections in Zimbabwe
By State Newswire | Aug 23, 2023
Release: As Zimbabweans prepare to head to the polls on Aug. 23, the United States calls on all actors to commit to free, fair, and peaceful elections. The Zimbabwean people deserve the chance to choose their future without fear of repression or intimidation, in line with Zimbabwe’s constitution. We believe the best route to peace and prosperity is for governments to respect the right of their citizens to vote and allow for peaceful and democratic political processes.
The Central African Republic’s Constitutional Referendum
By State Newswire | Aug 23, 2023
Release: On Aug. 21, the Constitutional Court of the Central African Republic validated the results of the July 30 constitutional referendum, which, among other changes, removes presidential term limits, and undercuts the country’s democratic governance. We believe that regular peaceful transitions of power...
IRFBA Statement on the Occasion of International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
By State Newswire | Aug 22, 2023
Release: As members, friends, and observers of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance we honour August 22nd as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
Arrival of Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon to Niger
By State Newswire | Aug 20, 2023
Release: At the direction of Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon has traveled to Niamey to lead our diplomatic mission in Niger and bolster efforts to help resolve the political crisis at this critical time. As a career senior diplomat with significant experience specializing in West Africa, she is uniquely positioned to lead U.S. government efforts in support of the American community and the preservation of Niger’s hard-earned democracy.
Promoting Accountability for the Ortega-Murillo Regime for Restricting Freedoms
By State Newswire | Aug 20, 2023
Release: Today the Department of State is taking additional actions to promote accountability for the Ortega-Murillo regime’s relentless attacks on civil liberties by imposing visa restrictions on 100 Nicaraguan municipal officials who participated in efforts to repress civil society organizations, close civic spaces like that of the Universidad Centroamericana, and unjustly detain courageous individuals who support a free civil society, including Bishop Rolando Álvarez.
Designating Individuals Involved in the Poisoning of Aleksey Navalny
By State Newswire | Aug 18, 2023
Release: Today, the United States is designating four Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) operatives, Alexey Alexandrovich Alexandrov, Konstantin Kudryavtsev, Ivan Vladimirovich Osipov, and Vladimir Alexandrovich Panyaev, pursuant to the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 for their involvement...