"The idea of human rights begins with a fundamental commitment to the dignity that is the birthright of every man, woman and child. Progress in advancing human rights begins with the facts. And for the last 34 years, the United States has produced the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, providing the most comprehensive record available of the condition of human rights around the world.
"These reports are an essential tool " for activists who courageously struggle to protect rights in communities around the world; for… more »
Today, we release the State Department's 2009 Human Rights Reports. We are excited to have expanded the coverage in the 2009 reports to include: • New reports on countries' prison conditions; • Workers' rights; • Countries' initiatives to expand press freedom and their results; • Broader coverage of child… more »
About the Author: Judith McHale serves as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.
Today, I had the honor of testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to tell the American people about our strategy for communicating and engaging with the people of the world. This approach acknowledges that people are connected to one another like never before and, at the same time, are becoming increasingly empowered to affect change in their own lives and in their own societies.
Diplomacy doesn 't just happen between government diplomats. Diplomacy happens when a foreign student learns a new English saying from an American friend at one of our universities. Diplomacy… more »
Today, Secretary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the annual International Women of Courage Awards at the Department of State. To mark International Women's Day, the annual award recognizes women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights and women's advancement.
Secretary Clinton announced the 10 winners of this year's International Women of Courage (IWOC) award: Shukria Asil (Afghanistan), Col. Shafiqa Quraishi (Afghanistan), Androula Henriques (Cyprus), Sonia Pierre (Dominican Republic), Shadi Sadr (Iran), Ann Njogu (Kenya), Dr. Lee Ae-ran (Republic of Korea), Jansila Majeed (Sri Lanka), Sister Marie Claude Naddaf… more »
Assistant Secretary Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones of the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs visited with local village leaders in Bali, Indonesia, on February 27 to… more »
About the Author: Ruth Bennett serves as the Public Affairs Advisor for the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues (S/GWI).
First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will host the annual International Women of Courage Awards on March 10, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. EST at the Department of State. You may watch the ceremony broadcast live here on DipNote or state.gov.
About the Authors: Elizabeth Timberlake serves as Political Officer on the Afghanistan Desk and covers women's issues and human rights. Saba Ghori serves as South and Central Asia Specialist and Violence Against Women Advisor for the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues, and covers the countries of South and Central Asia, including Afghanistan.
Women are essential to progress and stability in Afghanistan. This is a critical point that is addressed in depth by the U.S. government's revised Afghanistan and Pakistan Regional Stabilization Strategy. This strategy incorporates women into every aspect… more »
Today, Secretary Clinton met with Haitian President Rene Preval. Following their meeting, Secretary Clinton remarked, "Let me begin by saying how honored we are to have President Preval here at the State Department. Everyone knows how devastated Haiti was by the earthquake of January the 12th. The Haitian people suffered so greatly and the Haitian Government was severely damaged. President Preval, Prime Minister Bellerive, the members of the cabinet, and the presidential staff, along with the people of Haiti themselves, have worked very hard these last two months to recover."
The Secretary continued, "The United States and the international community mounted the largest ever rescue and relief effort. Progress has been made, but not nearly enough, and therefore, we are holding these meetings with President Preval today and… more »
It's been just over a year since the United States joined with partners across the international community to establish the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, which has honored Secretary Clinton's call for a 21st century solution to a 17th century crime of pirate attacks in the waters off the Horn of Africa. In the year since… more »
DipNote is the official blog of the U.S. Department of State —a place to share stories, discuss experiences, and inspire new ideas on the important foreign policy issues of the day. more »
Chile Earthquake
For information or inquiries about U.S. citizens in Chile, please call 1-888-407-4747. You may email: ChileEarthquake@state.gov.
I am a director of an new energy company in China, I want to know if can donate some mini solar panel for Haiti Children for teaching aid. If possible, please…
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I lived in the South West Pacific in 1965 for a year, Eniwetok, Marshall Islands 4 months, Nikinau, Gilbert Islands 5 months, American Samoa 3 months.…
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Assistant Secretary Crowley (Mar. 16): "Weâre going to show our commitment to the parties in the Middle East peace process. Thatâs what the American people expect us to do." Full Text» more »
Secretary Clinton (Mar 13): " is an example of what we call 21st century statecraft and an opportunity to extend our engagement ... directly to the people of the world." Media Note» more »
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U.S. calls on #Iran to immediately release Reza Taghavi, as well as 3 American hikers and all U.S. citizens who are being unjustly detained.
![Assistant Secretary Jones speaks a farmer in Indonesia, Feb. 2010. [State Dept. Photo/Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/AS_Jones_Indonesia_m.jpg)
![Watch replay of IWOC Awards ceremony on state.gov, March 10, 2010. [State Dept. Image]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/IWOC_replay2_588x330_m.jpg)
![Afghan school girls read their lessons for school in Afghanistan, Aug. 31, 2006. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0309_afghan_women_m.jpg)
![U.S. Naval officer monitors the pirated Ukranian cargo ship in the Indian Ocean, Sept 30, 2008. [AP]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0309_Navy_Pirating_So1_m.jpg)
![Women work at rice mill in Rangpur, Bangladesh, Feb. 11, 2009. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0308_women_agriculture_m.jpg)
