Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Will Lead Robust Human Rights Agenda

Floor Speech

SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON WILL LEAD ROBUST HUMAN RIGHTS AGENDA -- (House of Representatives - March 16, 2009)

(Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, Secretary Clinton called the President of Sri Lanka to express deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in northern Sri Lanka. She stated clearly that the army should not fire on civilians, that international organizations should have full access to the thousands of people trapped inside the conflict area, and she condemned the Tamil Tigers for their atrocities. It was a strong human rights statement.

Last Wednesday, Secretary Clinton stood up for the rights of women when she hosted the 2009 International Women of Courage Awards. She noted those women whose governments kept them from traveling to Washington to receive this honor.

She also met with the Chinese Foreign Minister. She told him that every nation seeking to lead in the international community must live by the global rules that determine whether people enjoy the right to live freely and participate fully, including the freedom to speak out, to worship, and to live and work with dignity.

Secretary Clinton is committed to a strong human rights agenda, and I look forward to working with her and promoting human rights in U.S. foreign policy.

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