[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S939-S940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              HUMAN RIGHTS

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Madam President, although I know the Obama 
administration strongly supports human rights and adherence to the rule 
of law around the world, I have been struck by several very public 
examples where this important issue has gotten short

[[Page S940]]

shrift--most notably in senior State Department meetings with foreign 
governments. Perhaps the starkest example was the Secretary of State's 
visit to China last year, where she said that U.S. efforts to advance 
human rights ``can't interfere on the global economic crisis, the 
global climate change crisis and the security crisis.''
  Since joining Congress in 1993, I have emphasized that human rights 
must be at the center of our foreign policy. The Obama administration 
shares this view, but I remain troubled that in certain instances human 
rights continue to take a back seat to other competing concerns deemed 
more pressing. As we seek to address the many crises we face both at 
home and around the world, we cannot afford to miss--or avoid--
opportunities to raise human rights concerns. I do not believe quiet 
tradeoffs are necessary or consistent with the principles for which the 
United States stands. Moreover, whatever the perceived short-term 
benefit of remaining quiet when human rights are being undermined, 
there is often a long-term cost to us. Our commitment to and 
enforcement of international human rights standards is part of our 
strength--when they are called into question, our own national security 
is undermined.
  Human rights, good governance and the rule of law are important not 
only in their own right, but also for the positive contributions they 
can provide to our efforts on counterterrorism, stability, and 
development. As we continue the fight against al-Qaeda and its 
affiliates, a robust human rights agenda that is deeply intertwined 
with our broader national security goals will help us achieve our 
counterterrorism objectives. At the same time, our counterterrorism 
policies and those of our partners must respect basic, fundamental 
rights in order to be truly effective.
  Developing a coherent and effective foreign policy that successfully 
incorporates trade, security, and human rights concerns is no easy 
task. But we cannot further perpetuate the current imbalance by 
remaining silent on critical human rights concerns. Silence speaks 
volumes and gives a free pass to those who commit such abuses, as well 
as those who might commit them in the future. We must voice our 
concerns loudly and consistently as we seek to build global 
partnerships rooted in policies that incorporate good governance, the 
rule of law, and human rights alongside our economic and security 
priorities. By downplaying the former in order to focus on the latter, 
the administration risks weakening a key pillar of American strength.

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