"The mission of the United Nations requires liberating people from tyranny and violence. The first article of the Universal Declaration begins, 'All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.'

"Brave citizens in Lebanon and Afghanistan and Iraq have made the choice for democracy – yet the extremists have responded by targeting them for murder.

"Every civilized nation also has a responsibility to stand up for the people suffering under dictatorship. In Belarus, North Korea, Syria, and Iran, brutal regimes deny their people the fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration.

"In Zimbabwe, ordinary citizens suffer under a tyrannical regime. The government has cracked down on peaceful calls for reform, and forced millions to flee their homeland. The behavior of the Mugabe regime is an assault on its people – and an affront to the principles of the Universal Declaration. The United Nations must insist on freedom of the people of Zimbabwe. (*)

"The mission of the United Nations requires liberating people from poverty and despair. Article 23 of the Universal Declaration states: 'Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, [and] to just and favorable conditions of work.' In the 21st century, this requires ensuring that people in poor countries have the same opportunity to benefit from the global economy that citizens of wealthy countries have.

"In the long run, the best way to lift people out of poverty is through trade and investment. A nation that is open and trading with the world will create economic rewards that far exceed anything they could get through foreign aid.

"The world's largest trading nations, including major developing countries, have a special responsibility to make the tough political decisions to reduce trade barriers and trade-distorting subsidies.

"The American people are disappointed by the failures of the Human Rights Council. This body has been silent on repression by regimes from Havana to Caracas to Pyongyang and Tehran – while focusing its criticism excessively on Israel. To be credible on human rights in the world, the United Nations must reform its own Human Rights Council.

"With the commitment and courage of this chamber, we can build a world where people are free to speak, assemble, and worship as they wish; a world where children in every nation grow up healthy, get a decent education, and look to the future with hope; a world where opportunity crosses every border. America will lead toward this vision where all are created equal, and free to pursue their dreams. This is the founding conviction of my country."