Human Rights

Human rights in the United States
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The Statue of Liberty. Given to mark the friendship established during the American Revolution between France and the United States, the symbolism has grown to include freedom and democracy.[1]The human rights record of the United States is a controversial and complex issue. The United States has been praised for its progressive human rights record, but has faced criticism over certain issues, such as alleged torture of terrorist suspects.[2][3]

Historically, the United States has been committed to the principle of liberty and has sheltered many political and economic refugees in times of international strife. It has a powerful and independent judiciary[4] and a constitution that enforces separation of powers to prevent tyranny.[5] Legally, human rights within the United States are those rights recognized by the Constitution of the United States and those recognized by treaties ratified by the United States Senate as well as certain rights articulated by the Congress of the United States.[6][7] The Constitution and treaties are generally interpreted by the judicial branch and particularly the Supreme Court.[8][9] Human rights within the United States are thus largely determined by the judiciary.[10]

Internationally, the United States was central to the creation of the United Nations and to the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Much of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was modeled in part on the U.S. Bill of Rights.[11][12] In the latter part of the 20th century, however, the US has participated in few of the international human rights treaties, covenants and declarations adopted by the UN member states. In the 21st century, the US actively attempted to undermine the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.[13]

The United States government has been criticized for human rights violations, particularly in the criminal justice system and where national security is a concern. Some critics (in both friendly and hostile countries) have criticized the U.S. Government for supporting alleged serious human rights abuses, including torture,[14] rendition and Cold War assassination.[15]