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The Helsinki Accords were used by human rights activists and the Reagan Administration to pressure the Soviet Union to relax some of its totalitarianism, and to allow the escape of Soviet Jews. [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] finally unleashed "glasnost" and "perestroika" that energized human rights activists and led to the collapse of Communism in Europe, 1989-91.
The Helsinki Accords were used by human rights activists and the Reagan Administration to pressure the Soviet Union to relax some of its totalitarianism, and to allow the escape of Soviet Jews. [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] finally unleashed "glasnost" and "perestroika" that energized human rights activists and led to the collapse of Communism in Europe, 1989-91.
==State Department==
Because the promotion of human rights is an important national interest, the United States seeks to:<ref> See [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/hr/ State Department website]</ref>
*Hold governments accountable to their obligations under universal human rights norms and international human rights instruments;
*Promote greater respect for human rights, including freedom from torture, freedom of expression, press freedom, women's rights, children's rights, and the protection of minorities;
*Promote the rule of law, seek accountability, and change cultures of impunity;
*Assist efforts to reform and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Commission on Human Rights; and
Coordinate human rights activities with important allies, including the EU, and regional organizations.
===Country reports===
Since 1999 the State Department has issued Country Reports on the status of human rights around the globe.
==See also==
==See also==
* Smith, Tony. ''America's Mission the United States and the Worldwide Struggle for Democracy of the Twentieth Century'' (1994) [http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Mission-Tony-Smith/dp/069104466X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256732684&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]
* Smith, Tony. ''America's Mission the United States and the Worldwide Struggle for Democracy of the Twentieth Century'' (1994) [http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Mission-Tony-Smith/dp/069104466X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256732684&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]
===Primary sources===
===Primary sources===
* U.S. State Department. [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/ Country Reports], annual since 1999
* UN. ''Human Rights: A Compilation of International Instruments - Vol. 1 pt. 1'' (2002) by Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Geneva; [http://www.questia.com/SM.qst?act=adv&contributors=Office%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20High%20Commissioner%20for%20Human%20Rights%20Geneva&dcontributors=Office%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20High%20Commissioner%20for%20Human%20Rights%20Geneva online edition]
* UN. ''Human Rights: A Compilation of International Instruments - Vol. 1 pt. 1'' (2002) by Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Geneva; [http://www.questia.com/SM.qst?act=adv&contributors=Office%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20High%20Commissioner%20for%20Human%20Rights%20Geneva&dcontributors=Office%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20High%20Commissioner%20for%20Human%20Rights%20Geneva online edition]
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