A multiparty democracy with full respect for civil liberties and human rights is necessary to bring lasting peace to Nepal.

The arrests and harassment of pro-democracy activists violate their fundamental civil rights. The United States calls on the Government of Nepal to release these and other detained activists who have been held for voicing their opposition to autocratic rule in Nepal.

We are concerned and remain concerned that the (Uzbek) government is trying to silence human rights activists and media [with] intimidation as well as arrests. I think our views on freedom of speech are well known, so these are very troubling matters, very concerning for us.

Serious violations of human rights, of civil liberties, the freedom of political expression are matters of concern to every member of the international community,

We in New York chose effective law enforcement and disregarded the respect for civil rights and civil liberties. We chose the former over the latter. That was a colossal error in judgment.

Human rights and civil rights are at the forefront of today's society, even as much as they were in the 1960s. But we've become complacent. We have to draw people's attention to it and refocus.