Council for a Community of Democracies

Clinton Addresses the Role of Human Rights and Democracy in US Foreign Policy
December 15, 2009
By: Matt Levy

On December 14, United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, addressed the staff and faculty of Georgetown University regarding America’s human rights agenda in the 21st century while more clearly defining what America’s role will be in promoting democracy, advancing human rights and fostering development.

Acknowledging the disparity between the promises contained within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the failure to realize this, Clinton stated:

“We cannot deny the gap that remains between its [UNHR’s] eloquent promises and the life experiences of so many of our fellow human beings. Now we must finish the job. Our human rights agenda for the 21st century is to make human rights a human reality.”

In her address, Clinton framed the role of democracy in US Foreign Policy within a broader human rights agenda. However, she countered that:

“Human rights, democracy, and development are not three separate goals with three separate agendas: that view doesn’t reflect the reality we face. To make a real and long-term difference in people’s lives we have to tackle all three simultaneously with a commitment that is smart, strategic, determined, and long-term.”

With this acknowledged, Clinton went on to define 4 aspects to America’s approach to human rights and democracy, which include “accountability, principled pragmatism, partnering from the bottom up, and keeping a wide focus where rights are at stake.”

In concluding her comments on the importance of this policy, Clinton declared:

“Build the foundation, lift the ceiling, and light the fire. All together. All at once. Because when a person has food and education but not the freedom to discuss and debate with fellow citizens—he is denied a life he deserves. And when a person is too hungry or sick to work or vote or worship, she is denied a life she deserves. Freedom doesn’t come in half measures, and partial remedies cannot redress the whole problem.”

Finally, she issued the following challenge to herself and the Obama administration:

“Believing in human rights means committing ourselves to action. When we sign up for the promise of rights that apply everywhere, to everyone, the promise of rights that protect and enable human dignity, we also sign up for the hard work of making that promise a reality.”

To read her full remarks, please click here.