On International Human Rights Day, the United States celebrates the rights and freedoms enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This day has special resonance for Americans because the United States was the first country founded on the belief that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Indeed, it was America’s First Lady who convened the United Nations conference that created the 1948 Declaration.
Under the Trump Administration, the State Department has taken the lead in strengthening and protecting inalienable rights. Earlier this year, the State Department released the report of the Commission on Inalienable Rights, which reaffirmed the indispensable role the U.S. has played and always will play in respecting and protecting human rights. And around the world, we demonstrate strong support for those who struggle for their inalienable rights and human dignity, from Xinjiang to Lagos, from Minsk to Islamabad.
History shows that governance that respects human rights and protects the dignity of all people makes the world a safer and more prosperous place. But history also teaches that human rights must always be vigilantly defended. Today, the United States reaffirms its commitment to unwavering solidarity with those who fight for their rights and urges all countries to protect the human rights we all hold dear.