Secretary Clinton delivers major address on human rights

Dec 14th, 2009 2:29 PM UTC
By Chris Scott

Today Secretary Clinton delivered a major address on human rights at Georgetown University. I’m still searching for transcript and video, but according to Laura Rozen of Politico, Clinton was expected to touch on development.

According to Rozen, Clinon was to say:

“We cannot separate our democracy, human rights, and development agendas: they are mutually reinforcing and united in service of a common purpose: to create a world where all people have the opportunity to fulfill their God-given potential,” Clinton will say.

“It is the foreign policy of this country and this administration to support and defend democracy. We embrace democracy not because we want other countries to be like us, but because we want all people to have the opportunity to decide for themselves how to live their lives.”

Clinton’s speech will emphasize that development and democracy have to be part of a human rights agenda — as well as pragmatism.

“We will measure success by asking the question: Are more people in more places able to live up to their potential because of our actions?” she is expected to say. “Not every situation is the same. Sometimes we will have the most impact by publicly denouncing a government action. Other times we will be more likely to help the oppressed by engaging in tough negotiations behind closed doors. In every instance, our aim is to make a difference, not to prove a point.”

We’ll have a transcript and video when they’re available.

UPDATE: Georgetown blog Vox Populi has a report of the speech here

TAGS: Secretary Hillary Clinton