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The Week at State | December 4-10 |
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 In “The Week at State,” the State Department hosted a dinner for awardees of the Kennedy Center honors, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition recognized Secretary of State Antony Blinken with the Global Leadership Award, and we celebrated this year’s Anti-Corruption Champions. Head over to state.gov for more.
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75th Annual Human Rights Day
 75 years ago, on December 10, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR, now endorsed by nearly every country in the world, enumerates the human rights that must be universally protected, and sets a common standard of liberty and dignity for all people, of all nations.
“Human rights belong to everyone,” Secretary Blinken said December 10. “Today, as we recognize 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the U.S. reaffirms our deep commitment to protect human rights and hold human rights abusers accountable.”
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Human Rights
War Crimes in Sudan
Secretary Blinken announced that members of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have committed war crimes in Sudan. He also determined that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.
“We stand with the people of Sudan in their demands for peace and civilian, democratic rule,” Secretary Blinken said.
Anti-Corruption and Transparency
Honoring 11 Anti-Corruption Champions
The State Department held its annual anti-corruption awards, recognizing individuals and institutions championing transparency, accountability, integrity, and good governance worldwide.
“Corruption is a cross-cutting global challenge, every country experiences it in different ways,” Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya said at the ceremony. “Preventing and countering corruption is a shared responsibility among all countries.”
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Diplomacy
New Embassy Namibia
The U.S. opened its new embassy in Windhoek, Namibia.
The architecture of the new building draws inspiration from the Kalahari Desert, Damaraland’s sandstone formations, and the Sossusvlei dunes.
The new embassy “will serve as a platform to advance our shared priorities – from fostering good governance and combating corruption to protecting human rights,” Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.
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Holidays and Commemorations
Hanukkah
“Happy Hanukkah to all who are celebrating the Festival of Lights,” Secretary Blinken said on the first night of Hanukkah. “Wishing you and your loved ones blessings and light. Chanukah Sameach.”
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