Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-102

§8202 Statement of Policy

Title 22 › CHAPTER 89 — ADVANCING DEMOCRATIC VALUES › § 8202

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Promote freedom and democracy abroad as a main goal of U.S. foreign policy. The United States backs basic human rights from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, condemns violations, and works to protect freedoms like association, speech, the press, religion, and private property. Support long-term democratization by building democratic institutions (rule of law, an independent judiciary, free media, strong legislatures, civil society, auditing agencies, civilian military control, and protections for minorities and women). Use U.S. influence to back free, fair elections and to help activists, NGOs, and countries moving from nondemocracy to democracy, and cooperate with other democracies to defend shared values.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §8202

Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

It is the policy of the United States—

(1)to promote freedom and democracy in foreign countries as a fundamental component of United States foreign policy, along with other key foreign policy goals;

(2)to affirm fundamental freedoms and internationally recognized human rights in foreign countries, as reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and to condemn offenses against those freedoms and rights as a fundamental component of United States foreign policy, along with other key foreign policy goals;

(3)to protect and promote such fundamental freedoms and rights, including the freedoms of association, of expression, of the press, and of religion, and the right to own private property;

(4)to commit to the long-term challenge of promoting universal democracy by promoting democratic institutions, including institutions that support the rule of law (such as an independent judiciary), an independent and professional media, strong legislatures, a thriving civil society, transparent and professional independent governmental auditing agencies, civilian control of the military, and institutions that promote the rights of minorities and women;

(5)to use instruments of United States influence to support, promote, and strengthen democratic principles, practices, and values, including the right to free, fair, and open elections, secret balloting, and universal suffrage, including by—

(A)providing appropriate support to individuals, nongovernmental organizations, and movements located in nondemocratic countries that aspire to live in freedom and establish full democracy in such countries; and

(B)providing political, economic, and other support to foreign countries and individuals, nongovernmental organizations, and movements that are willingly undertaking a transition to democracy; and

(6)to strengthen cooperation with other democratic countries in order to better promote and defend shared values and ideals.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 8202

Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102