Guidelines for U.S. Diplomatic Mission Support to Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders

Human Rights Defenders Guidance The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to putting human rights and democratic principles at the center of our foreign policy. These  Guidelines for U.S. Diplomatic Mission Support to Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders [6.7MB]  outline and amplify the U.S.’s commitment to supporting this vital work as part of the President’s strategic vision and U.S. foreign policy. It is addressed primarily to both U.S. Department of …

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2022 Country Report on Human Rights Practices: Belarus

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Belarus is an authoritarian state. The constitution provides for a directly elected president who is head of state and a bicameral parliament, the National Assembly, as well the All-Belarus People’s Assembly, a previously ad hoc body that was enshrined in the constitution through the February 2022 referendum. A prime minister appointed by the …

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Belarus Downgraded to Tier 3 in Annual Trafficking in Persons Report

On July 19, the Department of State released the 2022 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, the most comprehensive global resource of governmental anti-trafficking efforts and the United States’ principal diplomatic and diagnostic tool to guide international governments on combating human trafficking.  The Belarus Country Narrative, which explains why Belarus was downgraded to the Tier 3 category, …

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Belarus – Targeting and Detaining Journalists and Blocking Internet Access Must Cease

U.S. Embassy, Minsk Statement by Department of State Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus August 29, 2020 Belarus – Targeting and Detaining Journalists and Blocking Internet Access Must Cease We are concerned by the continued targeting of journalists, the blocking of independent media and opposition websites, intermittent internet blackouts, and random detentions of peaceful citizens exercising their rights …

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Joint Statement on the use of violence and repression in Belarus

Joint Statement by the Missions of the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the European Union on behalf of the EU Member States represented in Minsk on the use of violence and repression in Belarus Minsk, 28/08/2020 Recalling our earlier comments and statements, we stand in solidarity with the people of Belarus who demand …

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Secretary Pompeo’s Remarks on the Release of the 2019 International Religious Freedom Report

REMARKS TO THE PRESS MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE PRESS BRIEFING ROOM WASHINGTON, DC JUNE 10, 2020 SECRETARY POMPEO:  Good morning, everyone.  It’s great to be with you all today.  I’m here one more time, proudly, to talk about freedom and free societies.  And while America is not a perfect nation by any means, we always strive towards that more …

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State Department releases Belarus 2018 Human Rights report

On March 13, 2019, the State Department released 2018 country reports on human rights practices. Secretary Pompeo (Mar. 13) (Twitter) on the report: “The protection of human rights is central to U.S. foreign policy and to our American values. As we release the  43rd Human Rights Reports  detailing the human rights practices of nearly 200 countries, we reaffirm our commitment to …

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State Department Delegation Meets with Civil Society

On October 12, Senior Bureau Official for the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and former U.S. Ambassador to Belarus Michael Kozak met with representatives of Belarusian civil society, opposition parties, and independent media.  Ambassador Kozak underscored the United States’ continuing support to Belarus’ independence and its path toward a …

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