December 14th, 2009 by Jason

Secretary Clinton delivered an important address (PDF transcript) on the Obama administration’s approach to human rights today at Georgetown University.

Reinforcing the message of President Obama’s Nobel speech, Clinton affirmed “the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are not only the source of our strength and endurance, they are the birthright of every woman, man, and child on earth.” As such, Clinton defined America’s mission as “expanding the circle of rights and opportunities to all people - advancing their freedoms and possibilities.”

Furthermore, a just society must not only respect civil and political freedoms, but also protect its citizens from the “oppression of want - want of food, want of health, want of education, and want of equality in law and fact.” In fact, “democracies that deliver on rights, opportunities, and development for their people are stable, strong, and most likely to enable people to live up to their potential.” As such, Clinton asserted “supporting democracy and fostering development are cornerstones of our 21st century human rights agenda.”

Secretary Clinton promised the administration “will promote, support, and defend democracy […] not because we want other countries to be like us, but because we want all people to enjoy consistent protection of the rights that are naturally theirs, whether they were born in Tallahassee or Tehran.”

Clinton went on to define democracy and its components: “democracy means not only elections to choose leaders, but also active citizens; a free press; an independent judiciary and legislature; and transparent and responsive institutions that are accountable to all citizens and protect their rights equally and fairly.” Asserting that democracies are the best protectors of human rights, Clinton explained that in democracies “respecting rights isn’t a choice leaders make day-by-day, it is the reason they govern.”

Next, Clinton outlined four elements to the administration’s approach to human rights. First, she asserted that human rights stems from “universal standards” of accountability that apply to everyone, including the United States. When the U.S. leads by example, “we reinforce our moral authority to demand that all governments adhere to obligations under international law.”

Second, the U.S. must approach human rights with “principled pragmatism,” as outlined in Obama’s Nobel speech. Secretary Clinton rejected the false choice between pursuing human rights and America’s national interests and the false wisdom that “coercion and isolation” effectively promote democracy. Instead, Clinton contended “our principles are our North Star, but our tools and tactics must be flexible and reflect the reality on the ground.”

Third, the U.S. must support organic change from the bottom up. Citing her recent speech at the Forum for the Future in Morocco, Clinton affirmed “lasting change comes from within […] outside governments and global civil society cannot impose change, but we can promote and bolster it.” Towards this end, the U.S. “can amplify the voices of activists and advocates [and] give them access to public forums” that will highlight progress, bolster legitimacy, and heighten visibility. Among other examples, Clinton reminded the audience that she has spoke out for civil society and political leaders in Egypt and elsewhere while working “backchannels to push for the safety of dissidents and protect them from persecution.”

Fourth, the U.S. must “widen our focus” by reinforcing change where it has occurred and pushing for change where it has yet to occur. Emphasizing the need for a long-term approach, Clinton warned that “democratic progress is urgent but it is not quick, and we should never take for granted its permanence.” However, when there is success, “we cannot become complacent. Instead we must continue reinforcing NGOs and the fledgling institutions of democratic governance.”

As past failures have shown, supporting human rights, development, and democratic reform is not easy, but neither is it impossible. In fact, Clinton affirmed our moral imperative to better the world. She concluded, “this isn’t just about what we do; it’s about who we are. And we cannot be the people we are - people who believe in human rights - if we opt out of this fight. Believing in human rights means committing ourselves to action.”

While Clinton warned that this speech was not intended to be a “comprehensive accounting” of human rights abuses, she referenced Iran more than any other country. She emphasized the administration’s pragmatic approach with Iran in directly negotiating with the regime while also reiterating President Obama’s assertion that the Iranian protesters “have us on their side.” In addition, Clinton highlighted how technology has “broadcast [Iranian] demands for rights denied, creating a record for all the world, including Iran’s leaders, to see.”

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