Progress on human rights begins with a fundamental commitment to the dignity that is the birthright of every man, woman and child. Progress in advancing human rights begins with the facts. The United States provides a record of the state of human rights in the world to raise awareness of the progress made, the ground lost, and the work that remains.

These reports are an essential tool—for activists who courageously struggle to protect rights in communities around the world; for journalists and scholars who document rights violations and who report on the work of those who champion the vulnerable; and for governments, including our own, as they work to craft strategies to protect the human rights of more individuals in more places.


Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

The annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, also known as the Human Rights Reports, cover internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements.

Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Submitted in compliance with: Foreign Assistance Act of 1961


Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom

The annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom, also known as the International Religious Freedom Report, describes the status of religious freedom, government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups, religious denominations and individuals, and U.S. policies promoting religious freedom.

Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Submitted in compliance with: International Religious Freedom Act of 1998


Trafficking in Persons Report

The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report assesses governments on their efforts to combat trafficking in persons as defined in the UN Trafficking Protocol, including conduct involved in forced labor and trafficking of adults and children for commercial sexual exploitation.

Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
Submitted in compliance with: Victims Of Trafficking And Violence Prevention Act Of 2000


United States Universal Periodic Review

Archive | Other Languages 

The United States Universal Period Review provides a partial snapshot of the human rights situation in the United States, shares some recent progress, and explores opportunities to make further progress.

Prepared by: U.S. Department of State
Submitted in compliance with: United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review 


U.S. Treaty Reports

Fifth Periodic Report by the United States of America Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Archive

United Nations human rights treaties require States Parties to report periodically on the implementation of their treaty obligations. U.S. Government agencies collaborate to fulfill the United States’ obligations.

Prepared by: U.S. Government agencies
Submitted in compliance with: United Nations Treaty Obligations


Advancing Freedom and Democracy

The Advancing Freedom and Democracy Report describes U.S. efforts to support democracy and human rights in nondemocratic countries and countries undergoing democratic transitions worldwide.

Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Submitted in compliance with: ADVANCE Democracy Act of 2007


Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Report

The 2021 Elie Wiesel Act report is the third since the law’s signing on January 14, 2019. It provides a required update on the U.S. government’s efforts to prevent and respond to atrocities based on a global assessment of ongoing atrocities and countries at risk of atrocities.

Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations
Submitted in compliance with: Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018 (the Elie Wiesel Act)


Report to Congress on Protection of Civil Society Activists and Journalists

This report describes diplomatic engagement and programs to promote the protection of civil society activists, including human rights defenders, and journalists who are harassed, threatened, and attacked for their legitimate advocacy activities.

Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Submitted in compliance with: Section 7019(e) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022


Transnational Repression Accountability and Prevention ​(TRAP) Act Reports

The biannual Transnational Repression Accountability and Prevention (TRAP) Act Report provides an assessment of INTERPOL member country abuse of INTERPOL red notices, diffusions, and other INTERPOL communications for political motives and other unlawful purposes.

Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; U.S. Department of Justice
Submitted in compliance with: Section 6503(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act, Public Law 117-81 (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022


Additional Resources

Archived Reports (2017-2021)

Archived Reports (2009-2017)

Archived Fact Sheets and Other Releases

The United States periodically produces additional reports on the specific human rights situations around the world.

U.S. Department of State

The Lessons of 1989: Freedom and Our Future