| Advanced Search/Archiveiip/content/usia/usia/web/docs/usinfo/header.inc'; ?>   Español | Français | Pycckuú |  |  |  Tuesday November 02, 2004   ans/content/usia/usia/web/docs/products/pubs/breadcrumb.inc';?>USINFO > Publicationsans/content/usia/usia/web/docs/include/pubs/header.html';?>
**Executive Editor**George Clack
**Managing Editor**Kathleen Hug
**Contributing Editors**Rick Marshall,David Pitts
**Art Director**Thaddeus A. Miksinski, Jr.
**Picture Editor**Rosalie Targonski
**Contributors**Robert Holden,Hugh Howard,Andrew Lluberes,Lydia Voronina,Professor Theodore Orlin (UticaCollege of Syracuse University)
**Internet Editors**Suzanne Dawkins,Wayne Hall
Français | (Posted April 2001)
**WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS?**In the last decade the demand for human rights has become arevolutionary force in the world. In this essay, scholar JackDonnelly traces the development of human rights from theirorigins as a political theory in 17th-century Europe to theirpresent-day acceptance as an international standard.
**THE U.S. COMMITMENT: HUMAN RIGHTS ANDFOREIGN POLICY**In a moving speech given in 1978, then President Jimmy Carterhighlighted the importance of human rights to the United Statesand its people as the country fulfills its internationalobligations. His words ring true today.
**"WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BESELF-EVIDENT...."**The United States is a nation founded on the principle ofindividual rights, and yet Americans' notions of rights continueto expand even today. This essay on American history highlightsthe obstacles that were overcome and the laws and leaders thathave pushed the concept forward.
**ELEVEN WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE**In this century, heroic individuals have shown time and againthat eloquent courage can shake repressive regimes and alter thecourse of history. Here, in their own words, are the ideas of 11great advocates of human rights.
**THE DEAD HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BY TELLINGTHE TRUTH**A poem by Marvin Bell, the Flannery O'Connor Professor ofLetters at the University of Iowa's Writers' Workshop,commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Adoption ofthe Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

**TIMELINE: HUMAN RIGHTS INAMERICA**
**FURTHER READINGS ON HUMANRIGHTS**

**THE HELSINKI PROCESS**
**HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH**
**WAR CRIMES TRIBUNALS**
**THE DECLARATION OFINDEPENDENCE**
**THE BILL OF RIGHTS**
**THE FOUR FREEDOMS**RETURN TO DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS HOMEPAGE       This site is produced and maintained by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs.       Links to other internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.  Home  |  What's New  |  About USINFO  |  Site Index  |  Webmaster  |  PrivacyTopics  |  Regions  |  Resource Tools  |  Productsans/content/usia/usia/web/docs/include/globnav/footer.inc';?>Sorry, you need a JavaScript capable browser to get the best from this page |
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