Overview of the observance of human rights in the United States
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In the United States, human rights comprise a series of rights which are legally protected by the Constitution of the United States (particularly the Bill of Rights),[1][2] state constitutions, treaty and customary international law, legislation enacted by Congress and state legislatures, and state referendums and citizen's initiatives. The Federal Government has, through a ratified constitution, guaranteed unalienable rights to its citizens and (to some degree) non-citizens. These rights have evolved over time through constitutional amendments, legislation, and judicial precedent. Along with the rights themselves, the portion of the population granted these rights has expanded over time.[3] Within the United States, federal courts have jurisdiction over international human rights laws.[4]
The United States is ranked highly[5][6] on human rights by various organizations. For example, the Freedom in the World index lists the United States in the highest category for human freedom in civil and political rights, with 83 out of 100 points as of 2021;[7][8] the Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders, puts the U.S. in the highest category of countries with a "satisfactory situation,"[9] the Democracy Index, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, classifies the United States as a "flawed democracy".[8] Despite its high rankings, human rights issues still arise.[10][11][12]
^Lauren, Paul Gordon (2007). "A Human Rights Lens on U.S. History: Human Rights at Home and Human Rights Abroad". In Soohandoo, Cynthia; Albisa, Catherine; Davis, Martha F. (eds.). Bringing Human Rights Home: Portraits of the Movement. Vol. III. Praeger Publishers. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-275-98824-1.
^Brennan, William, J., ed. Schwartz, Bernard, The Burger Court: counter-revolution or confirmation?, Oxford University Press US, 1998, ISBN 0-19-512259-3, page 10
^United States Events of 2016. Human Rights Watch. January 12, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
^Schneebaum, Steven M. (Summer 1998). "Human rights in the United States courts: The role of lawyers". Washington and Lee Law Review. Washington and Lee University School of Law. Archived from the original on November 5, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
^"United States". Freedom House. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
^"World: Human Rights Risk Index 2014". ReliefWeb. December 4, 2013.
^Gorokhovskaia, Yana; Shahbaz, Adrian; Slipowitz, Amy (March 9, 2023). "Marking 50 Years in the Struggle for Democracy". Freedom House. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
^ ab"Democracy Index 2021: the China challenge". Economist Intelligence Unit. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
^"Index", Reporters Without Borders, retrieved August 19, 2022
^"United States". Human Rights Watch. 2020.
^Alston, Philp (December 15, 2017). "Statement on Visit to the USA, by Professor Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights". OHCHR. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
^""Contempt for the poor in US drives cruel policies," says UN expert". OHCHR. June 4, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
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