# Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor – United States Department of State

- Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Minkara Travels to the United Nations to Attend the 17th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Office of the SpokespersonU.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minkara will travel to New York from June 11-13 to attend the 17th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the UN.  Special Advisor Minkara will lead the U.S. delegation, facilitating bilateral and multilateral engagements with government officials, the private sector, and civil society to foster capacity building and promote respect for the rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities.Special Advisor Minkara will attend the opening session of COSP, convene government officials and the private sector from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, host a C5+1 Special Session on Disability Rights, and participate in a meeting hosted by the Government of Italy regarding the G7’s first-ever ministerial on disability and inclusion.For further information, please follow the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor on X and Facebook at @StateDRL, or email DRL-Press@state.gov.
- United States to Chair Community of Democracies’ 38th Governing Council Meeting Office of the SpokespersonOn June 11, the United States will chair the Community of Democracies’ (CoD) 38th Governing Council Meeting in Warsaw, Poland.  Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Allison Peters will lead the U.S. delegation and will underscore the United States’ commitment to and continued collaboration with CoD member states on democracy and human rights priority issues, including a more open and resilient information environment, free and fair elections, defending civic space and freedom of association, and the meaningful inclusion of youth in civic and political processes.  On June 10, she will join Guatemala’s Vice Foreign Minister Mónica Renata Bolaños Pérez for a side event focused on the advancement of Women in Politics.During a reception hosted by the Government of Poland, Acting DAS Peters will recognize the forthcoming departure of Thomas Garrett, Secretary General of the CoD, who has provided steadfast leadership to the Community for the past seven years.  Following the third Summit for Democracy in March 2024, she will also look ahead to the celebration of the Community’s 25th anniversary in June 2025 and call upon all members to continue advancing relevant Summit commitments and the Warsaw Declaration to promote and protect democratic principles, bolstering our democracies and respect for human rights at home and abroad.  She will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to work closely with CoD co-founder Poland to lead the CoD into its next chapter.For further information, please follow the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor on X and Facebook at @StateDRL, or email DRL-Press@state.gov.
- Under Secretary Zeya’s Travel to Senegal and Guinea Office of the Spokesperson													HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases&#8230;Under Secretary Zeya’s Travel to Senegal and Guinea				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										Under Secretary Zeya’s Travel to Senegal and Guinea																																		Media Note																														June 7, 2024																																							Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya will travel to Dakar, Senegal, and Conakry, Guinea from June 9-14 to engage on democracy, justice and human rights, and regional civilian security priorities.In Dakar, Under Secretary Zeya will meet with senior government officials and civil society leaders and underscore U.S. support for shared objectives, including strengthening democratic institutions, anticorruption efforts, regional peace and security, protection of displaced populations, and respect for justice and human rights. Additionally, the Under Secretary will travel to Gorée Island to visit the House of Slaves Museum, honoring the millions of victims of the Transatlantic slave trade and commemorating the shared destinies of the African continent and the United States.In Conakry, Under Secretary Zeya will meet with senior government officials, civil society leaders, and young professionals on the U.S.-Guinea partnership, including respect for human rights, restoring democratic governance, ensuring gender equality, and advancing transitional justice. Additionally, the Under Secretary will engage partners on advancing regional peace and security under the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability and the African Democracy and Political Transitions (ADAPT) initiative, launched at the December 2022 African Leaders Summit. Lastly, Under Secretary Zeya will speak at an International Organization for Migration capacity building workshop to emphasize the intersection of migration, climate change, and crisis preparedness. For further information, please follow @UnderSecStateJ on X and @UnderSecStateJ on LinkedIn.						Tags																					Bureau of African Affairs																								Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																								Guinea																								Office of the Spokesperson																																Official International Travel																															Senegal
- U.S.-EU Consultations Demonstrate Continued Commitment to Human Rights Office of the Spokesperson													HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases&#8230;U.S.-EU Consultations Demonstrate Continued Commitment to Human Rights				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										U.S.-EU Consultations Demonstrate Continued Commitment to Human Rights																																		Media Note																														June 7, 2024																																							Today in Washington, Senior Bureau Official for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Robert Gilchrist and EU Special Representative for Human Rights Olof Skoog co-chaired the 2024 U.S.-EU Human Rights Consultations. The United States and EU reiterated their unwavering commitment to the transatlantic partnership and its importance to upholding and advancing human rights, democracy, and the rule of law globally.The consultations covered a broad range of thematic issues including the protection of human rights defenders, efforts to counter transnational repression, technology and human rights, advancing gender equality and women’s rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, and the importance of condemning and eliminating racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and other forms of hatred. The discussions also covered human rights issues and developments in Europe and the United States, the human rights situation in several third countries, across all regions, and U.S.-EU cooperation in multilateral fora, including at the United Nations.The United States and EU agreed to continue to strengthen their cooperation to promote and protect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law worldwide. For media inquiries, please contact&nbsp;DRL-Press@state.gov.						Tags																					Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																								Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs																																European Union																																																					Human Rights and Democracy																																							LGBT Rights																															Office of the Spokesperson
- Inauguration of President Bukele of El Salvador The Secretary of StateThe United States extends congratulations to President Nayib Bukele of the Republic of El Salvador on his inauguration today.  We stand ready to deepen our ties with El Salvador and work together under the Administration’s Root Causes Strategy on good governance, citizen security with due process, inclusive economic prosperity, and human rights.We look forward to continued partnership and collaboration in the years ahead to build a brighter future for all Salvadorans.
- Commemorating LGBTQI+ Pride Month Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of StateEvery June, the United States celebrates Pride Month, commemorating the uprising at the Stonewall Inn that catalyzed a global movement toward LGBTQI+ equality and the inception of Pride as many of us know it today.  Despite great strides for equality around the world, LGBTQI+ persons in many countries continue to face grave danger, including laws criminalizing LGBTQI+ persons and their allies, violent attacks, and denial of lifesaving and gender-affirming treatment.Protecting the spirit of Pride and honoring the legacy of the intrepid activists at Stonewall and subsequent generations of LGBTQI+ activists fighting for a more just world is central to the work we do. The Department of State is committed to promoting respect for the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons around the world. We will continue to work to defend LGBTQI+ persons so they can enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms and live full lives without fear.
- United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Syria Office of the SpokespersonToday, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power announced nearly $593 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance for Syria at the Brussels VIII Conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region.”The announcement brings the total U.S. government humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region to nearly $2 billion since the beginning of FY 2023 and more than $17.8 billion since the start of the 13-year crisis. This life-saving assistance from the American people includes nearly $360 million through the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and more than $233 million through the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. The United States remains committed to assisting the Syrian people and encourages other donors to continue their support for Syrians who face severe challenges from years of war, terrorism, and natural disasters.The assistance announced in Brussels will address humanitarian needs arising from historic levels of displacement, with more than 16.7 million Syrians in need within Syria and nearly 6 million Syrian refugees across the region. In her statement, Administrator Power expressed concern about the deteriorating situation for refugees in the region, including increased anti-refugee rhetoric, and reaffirmed that any return of Syrian refugees should be safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable.Humanitarian assistance announced at the Ministerial includes:Assistance provided through international organization partners to meet the needs of the most vulnerable refugees, internally displaced people, and host communities, including emergency shelter; food assistance; access to health care and education; water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies; support for livelihoods; and protection for those in situations of vulnerability, including women, children and youth, LGBTQI+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.Support through partnerships with international and local non-governmental organizations as they work with governments around the region to provide life-saving support and protection to host communities, refugees, and asylum seekers.Administrator Power emphasized that a political solution in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 remains the only way to end the suffering of the Syrian people. She also stressed the United States will continue promoting respect for the dignity and human rights of all Syrians and continue supporting Syrian civil society in pursuing justice and accountability for human rights violations and abuses.
- Assistant Secretary Noyes Travels to Colombia Office of the SpokespersonAssistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) Julieta Valls Noyes will travel to Bogotá, Colombia May 27-30. She will accompany Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma and other delegation members in the 11th round of the U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue to underscore areas of shared interest including migration management, counternarcotics and security, human rights and equity, education, economic opportunities, energy transition, and climate action. Assistant Secretary Noyes will also meet with PRM partners, staff and applicants at the Bogotá Safe Mobility Office and the Resettlement Support Center, and UNHCR and IOM representatives.
- The 36th Annual ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Office of the SpokespersonThe United States and ASEAN held the 36th annual ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue on May 24 in Washington, D.C., to discuss expanded cooperation under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink co-chaired the dialogue with Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General of ASEAN Cooperation Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro.Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink reaffirmed the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ASEAN centrality and the security and prosperity of our regional partners, including through its support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. The co-chairs celebrated the major milestones of the U.S.-ASEAN partnership in recent years, including the upgrade of our ties to a CSP in 2022 and the launch of the U.S.-ASEAN Center in Washington, D.C., in 2023.Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink discussed pressing geopolitical issues with his ASEAN counterparts, including how best to:  facilitate a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific; support peaceful arbitration of disputes; and promote sovereignty in the region. He underscored the United States’ close coordination with ASEAN to support Burma’s path to inclusive democracy, in line with the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. The Assistant Secretary called for the military regime to immediately end the violence, release those unjustly detained, and allow unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need.  He further expressed the need to uphold freedom of the seas and adherence to international law in the South China Sea.Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink underlined the United States’ commitment to strengthening strong trade and investment relationships with and between ASEAN countries, highlighting the United States as the top source of foreign direct investment in the region. In addition to promoting an inclusive digital economy, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation on climate change, cybersecurity, the development of emerging technologies, upholding freedom of navigation, and promoting the unimpeded flow of lawful commerce. He further highlighted the importance of people-to-people ties and U.S.-ASEAN efforts to deliver concrete benefits for our combined one billion people. He also reiterated U.S. support for Timor-Leste&#8217;s full ASEAN accession.Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink reiterated U.S. support for Lao PDR’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2024, and both co-chairs said they looked forward to joining the upcoming ASEAN Regional Forum and East Asia Summit Senior Officials’ Meetings in Vientiane June 7-8.
- PRC Military Drills near Taiwan Matthew Miller, Department SpokespersonThe United States is deeply concerned over the People&#8217;s Liberation Army joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan.  We are monitoring PRC activities closely and coordinating with allies and partners regarding our shared concerns.We strongly urge Beijing to act with restraint.  Using a normal, routine, and democratic transition as an excuse for military provocations risks escalation and erodes longstanding norms that for decades have maintained peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which is critical for regional and global security and prosperity and a matter of international concern.The United States remains committed to its longstanding one China policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances.