Implementing U.S. Human Rights Policy: Successes, Failures, Challenges and Opportunities
Since the 1970s, the promotion of human rights has been an explicit goal of U.S. foreign policy. Successive presidents have joined Congress, scores of NGOs, and U.S. citizens in utilizing American influence to stop deplorable human rights abuses worldwide. On April 19 the U.S. Institute of Peace hosted a discussion with two former assistant secretaries of state for human rights and humanitarian affairs in an exploration of the effectiveness of U.S. human rights policies and offered prescriptions for the future. Debra Liang-Fenton, whose new book, Implementing U.S. Human Rights Policy: Agendas, Policies, and Practices (U.S. Institute of Peace Press, 2004), examines the U.S. record over the last quarter century, led the discussion. The presentations were followed by discussion with the assembled guests.
Speakers
- Holly Burkhalter
Institute Board Member and Physicians for Human Rights U.S. Policy Director - Patricia Derian
Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs (1977-1981) - Richard Schifter
Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs (1985-1992) - Debra Liang-Fenton, Moderator
Editor, Implementing U.S. Human Rights Policy (U.S. Institute of Peace Press, 2004); and Executive Director of the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea