Press Release

Freedom House Executive Director Jennifer Windsor testified today before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, on U.S. human rights policies toward Azerbaijan, Cuba and Egypt.

In her testimony, Ms. Windsor emphasized that the U.S. can do more to support freedom around the world without compromising other national interests. Acknowledging that the promotion of human rights and democracy  needs to be balanced with other foreign policy interests, she stressed that it is nonetheless critical that the U.S. consistently support human rights worldwide through diplomatic interactions and funding allocations.

“The U.S. should never retreat from its role as a defender of human rights, one whose support struggling democratic activists around the globe have looked to for decades,” said Ms. Windsor. “While adherence to democratic principles and respect for human rights cannot always be the sole foreign policy consideration for the U.S. in its bilateral relations, they can and should always be a key element of U.S. relations with all countries. The U.S. should demonstrate a preference for democracy whenever it can.”

Ms. Windsor described the current human rights conditions in Azerbaijan, Cuba and Egypt, three repressive countries described as “Not Free” by Freedom House, and gave an assessment of U.S. policies towards each.  While acknowledging that the three regimes are very different in their histories and their governing structures, Ms. Windsor noted that each of the governments “arrests journalists for practicing their profession, stifles meaningful political competition, shows a blatant disregard for internationally recognized human rights, and seeks to isolate its people from the global dialogue on freedom.”

In regard to all three countries, Ms. Windsor indicated that the administration should be more proactive in promoting human rights. Specifically, she pointed out that the U.S. government should protect civil society programs operating in Azerbaijan from government pressure; meet with and give greater support to human rights advocates in Cuba; and continue to speak out about the need for political reform in Egypt. 

“Each country requires a specific tailored strategy based on a detailed assessment of the realities and dynamics within a particular society, and the leverage that the U.S. government has available to bring about change,” said Ms. Windsor. “In our dealings with foreign governments and their citizens, we should never allow our core values of human rights and democracy to fall off the table. Instead of ignoring this commitment because it appears to be too difficult, we should renew our efforts and consider new and innovative ways to help those who need it most.”

For more information on political rights and civil liberties in Azerbaijan, Cuba and Egypt, visit:

Freedom in the World 2007: Azerbaijan
Freedom of the Press 2007: Azerbaijan
Countries at the Crossroads 2006: Azerbaijan

Freedom in the World 2007: Cuba
Freedom of the Press 2007: Cuba

Freedom in the World 2007: Egypt
Freedom of the Press 2007: Egypt

Freedom House is an independent nongovernmental organization that supports the expansion of freedom around the world.