Human Rights
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi joins with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his visit to Congress to celebrate his role as a compassionate religious leader, an astute diplomat, and an undaunted believer in the power of nonviolence for the Tibetan people.
As Americans, we must protect human rights both at home and abroad—the right to live freely without the threat of violence or repression, the right to live with dignity and respect. Throughout our history, our international standing has rested in part on our democratic values and our commitment to human rights. Everywhere I travel, the call is clear: the world needs America to lead. We must work towards a sustainable foreign policy that reflects American values.
Around the world, violence and human rights violations continue without a peaceful resolution. For many people in the developing world, extreme poverty and the spread of infectious diseases also fuel a ‘fury of despair’ that devastates families and creates instability. It is our moral duty to protect and defend those fighting to live in a healthy, democratic society.
Our values demand that the United States stand as a fierce advocate for human rights in the face of oppression wherever we find it. We must work to advance abroad the rights that we cherish so deeply here at home: freedom of expression, assembly, and religion; respect for the rule of law; and freedom from political persecution. The world calls for our bold leadership, and we can never stop working to build a brighter future. In doing so, we can help make countries plagued by conflict and repression better places to live, and better partners in creating a safer world. Always remembering that, while the arc of history does indeed bend towards justice, it will not bend on its own.
Learn more about my record on human rights>>
More on Human Rights
Contact: Drew Hammill/Caroline Behringer, 202-226-7616
San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released this statement on the 68th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948:
“Each Human Rights Day, we rededicate ourselves to the powerful challenge of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights to champion the ‘inherent dignity’ of every person.
Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released the following statement on House Republicans’ unveiling of the separation of powers portion of the so-called “A Better Way” agenda:
“The latest plank of House Republicans’ Wrong Way agenda is nothing more than a hollow effort to shift attention away from Republicans’ spectacular and corrosive obstruction.
Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released this statement today after His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s bipartisan meeting with Members of Congress and a bicameral luncheon at the U.S. Capitol:
“Today, we were privileged to once again welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the United States Capitol. His Holiness honors us with his presence and the powerful message of peace, compassion, and freedom he shares with each visit.
Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616
San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released the following statement marking the 27th anniversary of the democracy movement uprising and massacre that occurred at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on June 4, 1989:
Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616
San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled 8-0 affirming the constitutionality of counting total population for determining voting districts:
“Today, the Supreme Court rejected a radical effort to diminish the voices of the American people in our democracy. The Court has rightly affirmed that history of the Constitution and the 14th Amendment supports drawing districts based on total population, not merely eligible voters.
Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks today at the Gold Medal Ceremony honoring the Selma Foot Soldiers of the 1965 voting rights marches in Selma, Alabama. Below are the Leader’s remarks:
“It’s always wonderful to be introduced after the music when everyone is in such a good mood.
[Laughter]
Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in recognition of Black History Month:
“Each Black History Month, our nation honors the rich contributions Africans Americans have made to the economic, cultural, scientific, and artistic heritage of the United States. African Americans’ courageous leadership, strategic advocacy, and persistent efforts to make the promise of America available to all people continue to shape and strengthen our great democracy.
Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616
San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement marking the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision today:
Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616
San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today to mark the sixth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC:
Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616
San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released this statement today following the agreement between South Korea and Japan that accepts the latter government's formal acknowledgment and apology for the Imperial Armed Forces' coercion of young women, known as 'comfort women', into sexual slavery during Japan's occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands during the World War II era: