Research Guides: HIST 395: History of Human Rights: US Government Documents

U.S. Government Documents

ProQuest Congressional Publications
Provides access to historic and recent U.S. Government publications from 1789-1969 on including U.S. Congressional Serial Set documents, federal agency reports, congressional committee publications including reports on legislation, statistics, maps, and congressional debates.
Coverage includes Congressional Record and predecessor publication debates from 1789-1997 and Executive branch agency publications not included in the U.S. Congressional Serial Set from 1789-1932.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
Congressionally mandated State Dept. reports on human rights conditions in individual countries dating back to the 1970s.
Foreign Relations of the United States
Produced by the State Department's Office of the Historian, this is the official documentary record of U.S. foreign policy. Volumes are arranged by presidential administration, geographic region, and topic area. These volumes are generally declassified and publicly released 30 years after they were written.
National Archives Access to Archival Databases
Provides access to declassified records from many U.S. Government agencies on a limitless variety of topics.
National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking
2020 document from first Trump Administration
Nuremburg Trials Memorial
Website dedicated to the history of the Nuremburg Trials.
Major European War Crimes Trials, 1943-1947
Map of major European war crimes trial locations from 1943-1947, courtesy of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Holocaust Encyclopedia.
State Department International Religious Freedom Reports
This report, 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 in nearly every country and territory throughout the world. (1999-present)
State Department Trafficking in Persons Report
The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is the U.S. Government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking.
Bureau of International Labor Affairs
An agency within the U.S. Department of Labor. Reports contain information about child labor in other countries and forced labor in global supply chains.
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Strives to advance international freedom of religion or belief, by independently assessing and unflinchingly confronting threats to this fundamental right.
United States-China Economic & Security Review Commission
Reviews the national security implications of trade and economic ties between the United States and the People’s Republic of China
Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018
An act to help prevent acts of genocide and other atrocity crimes, which threaten national and international security, by enhancing United States Government capacities to prevent, mitigate, and respond to such crises.
Commission on Unalienable Rights
Commission formed in 2018 was charged with providing the U.S. government with advice on human rights grounded in the nation's founding principles. Final report issued on August 26, 2020.
Measuring Worth
Calculates and compares historical price and purchasing information for the U.S. dollar and selected currencies.
U.S. Foreign Aid Assistance
U.S. State Dept. and Agency for International Development resource documenting U.S. foreign assistance.

Congressional Sources

The U.S. Congress and its committees are responsible for approving new human rights legislation and revising existing legislation in this area, conducting oversight of federal human rights programs, and funding these programs. Examples of these organizations include

Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe
Congressional commission reviewing European countries compliance with the 1975 Helsinki Commission.
Congressional-Executive Commission on China
Congressional and executive branch commission monitoring Chinese human rights conditions.
Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports
The Library of Congress' Congressional Research Service (CRS) presents unbiased reports on various public policy issues for members of Congress, their staff, and the American public.
House Foreign Affairs Committee
Oversees U.S. State Department programs. Reps. Jim Baird (R-IN) and Jefferson Shreve (R-IN) are members of this committee.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Conducts oversight of U.S. State Department, various foreign policy programs, and U.S. foreign policy. Plays a key role in approving or rejecting U.S. treaties with foreign countries & international government organizations.
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
House of Representatives commission seeking to promote, defend and advocate internationally recognized human rights norms as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other relevant human rights instruments
House Select Committee on Strategic Competition With the Chinese Communist Party
Committee examining all aspects of U.S. strategic competition with China including human rights. Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) is a member of this committee.