Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–3, Documents on Global Issues, 1973–1976
Human Rights: Document List
Document 229: Letter From the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on International Organizations and Movements (Fraser) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, July 19, 1973.
Fraser inquired about the Department of State’s position on the program of action accompanying the UN Decade Against Racial Discrimination.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, Box 3041, SOC 14 UN, 1–1–73. No classification marking.
Document 230: Letter From the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, Department of State (Wright) to the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on International Organizations and Movements (Fraser), Washington, August 9, 1973.
The letter submitted a detailed reply concerning the Department of State’s response to the UN Decade Against Racial Discrimination.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, Box 3041, SOC 14 UN, 1–1–73. No classification marking. Drafted on August 7 by Hewitt and Dworkin; cleared in draft in IO/UNP, L/UNA, AF/RA; and cleared in IO and H. The letter is a copy with an indication that Wright signed the original.
Document 231: Briefing Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (Popper) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, October 1, 1973.
Popper informed Kissinger about the current status of Soviet and U.S. adherence to international human rights conventions.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, L/OA Files, Lot 99 D 369, Human Rights, General, 1972–73. Confidential.
Document 232: Letter From the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, Department of State (Wright) to the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on International Organizations and Movements (Fraser), Washington, December 7, 1973.
The letter answered follow-up questions posed by Fraser after testimony by Popper before the Subcommittee.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, Box 3041, SOC 14 UN, 1–1–73. No classification marking. Drafted by Hewitt; cleared in draft in IO/UNP, AF/C, NEA/PAB; and cleared in IO and H. Above Marshall Wright’s typeset signature "KF/KJ/GW" is written. The letter is a copy with an indication that Wright signed the original. John Peter Humphrey of Canada was Director of the UN Commission on Human Rights from 1947–1966.
Document 233: Telegram 5688 From the U.S. Mission to the UN to the Department of State, December 18, 1973, 2308Z.
The telegram summarized the results of negotiations concerning human rights at the 28th UN General Assembly.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use. Transmitted for action to IO. Repeated to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Geneva.
Document 234: Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs (Buffum) to the Acting Assistant Secretary for East Asian Affairs (Hummel), the Acting Assistant Secretary for European Affairs (Stabler), and the Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Davies), Washington, February 27, 1974.
The memorandum discussed Congressional pressure to pursue a more activist Human Rights policy.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P810064–1353. Confidential. Drafted by Thompson and cleared by Stull. A copy was sent to H.
Document 235: Executive Summary of a Classified Report of the U.S. Delegation to the Diplomatic Conference on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable in Armed Conflicts, Washington, June 10, 1974.
The report summarized the results of the conference and suggested future courses of action.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P740100–0478. Confidential. The minutes have been omitted. It was transmitted to Kissinger by Aldrich. NSSM 194, Review of Certain Conventional Weapons, February 15, is in the National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–202, NSSM 194.
Document 236: Minutes of the Acting Secretary’s Functional Staff Meeting, Washington, June 12, 1974, 3 p.m.
Principal officers of the Department of State discussed various aspects of human rights policy and potential departmental reorganization to more effectively address human rights issues.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P870037–0331. Secret. Sisco was the Acting Secretary.
Document 237: Letter From the Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Ingersoll) to the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (Morgan), Washington, June 27, 1974.
Ingersoll explained the Department of State’s approach to broad policy questions related to human rights.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P750034–1602. No classification marking. The letter is a copy with an indication that Ingersoll signed the original. For Ingersoll’s testimony, see United States Congress, House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, 93rd Congress, 2nd Session, June–July 1974, Fiscal Year 1975 Foreign Assistance Request, pp. 245–298. Section 32 stated, "It is the sense of Congress that the President should deny any economic or military assistance to the government of any foreign country which practices the internment or imprisonment of that country’s citizens for political purposes."
Document 238: Telegram 146302 From the Department of State to the U.S. Mission to the U.N., July 8, 1974, 1655Z.
The telegram anticipated human rights issues likely to arise at the 29th UN General Assembly and proposed advance consultations with governments of the European Economic Community.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Hewitt; cleared in IO, EUR, EUR/RPE, EUR/SOV, and S/S; and approved by Sisco. Sent for information to Bonn, Brussels, the Hague, London, Paris, Moscow, Geneva, Rome, Luxembourg, Dublin, Copenhagen, and the U.S. Mission to the European Community (Brussels).
Document 239: Memorandum From the Director of Korean Affairs, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Ranard) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Sneider), Washington, July 17, 1974.
The memorandum recounted discussions with staff assistants to the House Foreign Affairs Committee concerning Department of State actions to promote human rights abroad.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P800109–2353. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Ranard. Copies were sent to EA/RA, L/HR, EA, D, and Seoul. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates that Mr. Sneider saw it. Republic of Korea authorities revoked the visa of newspaper reporter Elizabeth Pond after she published a series of articles about domestic opposition to the government, prompting the Department of State to lodge public protests in Washington and Seoul (, June 6, 1974, p. 2). Tae Wan Son was Deputy Premier of the Republic of Korea.
Document 240: Letter From the Acting Secretary of State (Ingersoll) to the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (Morgan), Washington, July 28, 1974.
Ingersoll updated Committee members on Department of State activities in the field of human rights.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P740092–1258. No classification marking. Drafted by Runyon. Concurred in by Blake, Gardiner; Ladd; Walker; Lister; Goott, Searing, and Grove. The following telegrams, all Department of State to selected posts, referred to in Ingersoll’s letter are available at P740092–1263 through P740092–1272—telegram 150955, July 12; telegram 140309, June 28; and telegram 135799, June 24.
Document 241: Briefing Memorandum From the Deputy Undersecretary for Management (Brown) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, August 8, 1974.
Brown presented options for reorganization of the Department of State’s human rights and humanitarian affairs activities.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820097–1280. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Tait. Sent through Ingersoll. Tab A, a memorandum from Levenson to Brown, May 14, submitted a proposal for organizing a new Office of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs within the Department of State is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820097–1288.
Document 242: Statement From the Legal Adviser concerning International Law and Human Rights, Washington, August 26, 1974.
The document argued that promotion of human rights had become an international legal obligation to the extent that the matter could no longer be considered exclusively within the domestic jurisdiction of states.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, L/HR Files: Lot 80 D 275, Human Rights S/P Study—Policy Planning Vol. II. No classification marking.
Document 243: Summary of Paper on Policies on Human Rights and Authoritarian Regimes, Washington, October 1974.
The summary highlighted the principal points and conclusions of a detailed study about options to promote human rights abroad.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, L/HR Files: Lot 80 D 275, Human Rights S/P Study—Policy Planning Vol. II. Confidential. Though undated, drafts of this document dating from September are ibid. Document 264 indicates the final version was produced in October.
Document 244: Minutes of the Secretary’s Staff Meeting, Washington, October 22, 1974. 9 a.m.
Kissinger discussed with key Department of State personnel the relationship of human rights issues to larger U.S. foreign policy goals.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P870036–2253. Secret. The paper Kissinger asked to see is published as Document 246.
Document 245: Memorandum of Conversation Between Secretary of State Kissinger and Members of the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, Washington, December 17, 1974.
Kissinger discussed the relationship of human rights policy to foreign aid and overall U.S. foreign policy with a Congressional delegation.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P750069–1050. Confidential.
Document 246: Memorandum From the Deputy Secretary of State (Ingersoll) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, January 16, 1975.
Ingersoll requested permission to disseminate a draft policy guidance statement concerning U.S. policies on human rights to Department of State personnel.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P760137–1296. Confidential; Limited Official Use. The undated attachment, drafted by Sirkin, is not published. The document does not indicate approval or disapproval by Kissinger.
Document 247: Telegram 12320 From the Department of State to All Posts, Washington, January 17, 1975.
The Department of State requested all posts to submit appraisals of the human rights record of the host country.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 012320. Unclassified. Repeated for information to Geneva, and USUN. Drafted and approved by Runyon. In addition to all diplomatic posts, transmitted to Cape Town, Durban, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Lourenco Marques, Luanda, and Port Moresby. Ingersoll’s letter to Morgan is Document 240.
Document 248: Airgram A–1285 From the Department of State to Latin American Posts, Washington, February 26, 1975.
The Airgram supplemented existing Department of State regulations concerning posts’ responsibilities for ensuring the protection of U.S. nationals.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P750039–0440. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Lister, Chase, and Runyon; cleared in SCA and H; and approved by Rogers. Transmitted to all ARA posts for attention by Chiefs of Mission. For Ingersoll’s letter to Morgan, see Document 237. 7 FAM 300 and 7 FAM 352.1 refer to sections of the Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual. 22 U.S.C. 1732 refers to a section of the United States Code. Attached but not published is an enclosure, consisting of testimony about violations of human rights in Brazil by the Reverend Fred B. Morris before the House Sub-Committee on International Organizations and Movements, December 11, 1974.
Document 249: Action Memorandum From the Legal Adviser (Leigh) to the Deputy Secretary of State (Ingersoll), Washington, March 19, 1975.
The memorandum recommended procedures for processing and analyzing country human rights reports submitted by posts.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, L/OA Files, Lot 99 D 369, Human Rights, General, 1975. Unclassified. Sent for information to PM, S/P, and AID. Drafted by Runyon; and cleared in H, AF, ARA, EA, EUR, NEA, and IO. Sent through Maw. Ingersoll approved the recommendation on March 31. Tab A is published as Document 247. Tab B is Public Law 93–559, 93rd Congress, S. 3394, December 30, 1974. Tab C is Document 237. Tab D is Document 240. Attached but not published at Tab E is an August 18, 1974 memorandum from Ingersoll to Department of State officials principally responsible for human rights reporting, which offered an interim assessment of the progress in analyzing country human rights reports submitted by posts. Tabs F, G, H, I, and J have not been found.
Document 250: Letter From the Deputy Secretary of State (Ingersoll) to the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee (Eastland), Washington, April 18, 1975.
Ingersoll informed Eastland that the Department of State had created the position of Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and appointed James M. Wilson to the post.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P750069–1497. No classification marking. For Ingersoll’s letter to Morgan, see Document 240. Letters identical to this were sent to members of the House and Senate Foreign Affairs Committees.
Document 251: Memorandum From the Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs (Wilson) to the Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance (Maw), Washington, April 18, 1975.
Wilson suggested talking points on U.S. human rights policy for Maw’s upcoming presentation to the American Society for International Law
Source: Ford Library, James M. Wilson Papers, Box 1, Human Rights—General, 1975–77. Unclassified. Concurred in by Runyon. The attachment, not published, cited excerpts from several speeches on human rights delivered by Kissinger and Ingersoll.
Document 252: Action Memorandum From the Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs, Department of State (Wilson) to the Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance (Maw), Washington, July 7, 1975.
Wilson proposed several options about how to configure human rights reports for congressional review. Maw approved preparation of detailed, analytical, individualized country reports.
Source: Ford Library, James M. Wilson Papers, Box 6, 5/75–8/75. Confidential. Drafted by Wilson. Concurred in by Lewis, Richardson, Runyon, Sirkin, and Austin. Option 1 was approved by Maw on July 10. There were no attachments appended to this document, but a May 3 memorandum from Maw to Kissinger, discussed options regarding foreign aid for the "most serious group," Chile, the Republic of Korea, Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines, Spain, and Uruguay. (ibid.)
Document 253: Telegram 182813 From the Department of State to All Posts, Washington, August 2, 1975, 0014Z.
The telegram reported the usefulness of post reporting on human rights and reiterated the value of promoting human rights through educational and cultural exchanges, informal official and unofficial contacts, and attendance at important trials.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 182813. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Runyon; cleared in T, H, L, CU, IO/UNP, AF, ARA, EA, EUR, NEA, AID, SCA, PA, and S/S; and approved by Wilson.
Document 254: Briefing Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance (Maw) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, September 8, 1975.
The memorandum explained the rationale for submitting the attached a human rights report to Congress.
Source: Ford Library, James M. Wilson Papers, Box 6, 5/75–8/75. Confidential. Sent for information. Drafted by Palmer, Wilson, and Lewis. Concurred in by Goldberg, Stern, Michel, Runyon, and Austin. Tab 2 has not been found. The report was not submitted to Congress, but became part of the public record as a result of Congressional action and news reports. See Document 257.
Document 255: Action Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs (Buffum) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, November 3, 1975.
Buffum recommended responding positively to a request by Ambassador Moynihan to sponsor a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly concerning amnesty for political prisoners.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, L/OA Files, Lot 99 D 369, Human Rights, General, 1975. Confidential. Drafted by Hewitt; and cleared in S/P, C, D/HA, AF, ARA, EA, EUR, NEA, and L. Attached but not published at Tab 1 is telegram 262669 to USUN, November 5, which forwarded the draft resolution on amnesty for political prisoners. Attached but not published at Tab 2 is an undated copy of the same draft resolution.
Document 256: Briefing Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance (Maw) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, November 28, 1975.
Maw informed the Kissinger of congressional and press actions concerning the human rights aspect of foreign policy.
Source: Ford Library, James M. Wilson Papers, Box 6, 9/75–12/75. Confidential. Drafted by Wilson and Goldberg. Concurred in by Michel, Forcier, McCloskey, and Stern. Sent through Ingersoll. The attachments have not been found, but for Tab 3 see The New York Times, November 19, p. 1.
Document 257: Telegram 45319 From the Department of State to All Posts, Washington, February 25, 1976, 1627Z.
The telegram informed posts of the importance placed on country human rights reports and issued additional instructions concerning submission of 1976 reports.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 045319. Unclassified; Priority. Drafted by Palmer; cleared in AID/PPC, AID/GC, S/P, PM, EA, AF, NEA, EUR, ARA, T, L/HR, D/HA, H, L/PM, PM/SAS, EB/IFD/ODF, IO/UNP, and L; and approved by Ingersoll. Repeated for information to Geneva USUN, SECDEF, USCINCEUR, CINCLANT, USCINCSO, CINCPAC.
Document 258: Briefing Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance (Maw) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, April 13, 1976.
Maw updated Kissinger on the impact that congressional action would have on Department of State human rights reporting.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P760062–1700. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Palmer; and cleared in D/HA, L, L/PM, L/HR, PM, H, S/P, AF, ARA, EA, NEA, EUR, AID/GC, and T. Attached but not published at Tab 1, undated, is quoted the Section 502B of the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act as amended. Attached but not published at Tab 2 is a March 8 memorandum from Maw to AF, ARA, EA, EUR, and NEA, which urged development of a standardized format for human rights reports. Attached but not published at Tab 3 is a March 16 memorandum from Palmer to AF, ARA, EA, EUR, and NEA, which provided a draft outline for standardizing submission of country human rights reports.
Document 259: Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, June 1, 1976.
In reviewing a draft speech for delivery at the Organization of American States General Assembly in Santiago, Kissinger ordered changes in the sections dealing with human rights.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820118–1524. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Glenn. Kissinger’s Santiago statement on human rights is published in the Department of State Bulletin, July 5, 1976, pp. 1–5.
Document 260: Memorandum of Conversation, Mexico City, June 11, 1976, 8:30–9:55 a.m.
During a general discussion of foreign policy issues, Kissinger clarified his position concerning Human Rights.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Henry Kissinger, Entry 54–03, Box 17, NODIS Memcons, June 1976. Confidential; Nodis. Human rights activist Hector Cuadra was a political scientist specializing in international law and the first President of the Mexican Branch of Amnesty International.
Document 261: Report of the U.S. Delegation to the Diplomatic Conference on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable in Armed Conflicts, Third Session, Washington, October 15, 1976.
The conclusion assessed the third session and the likelihood of an acceptable final result.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P760175–0038. No classification marking. It was transmitted to Kissinger by Aldrich. Prepared by Bettauer. Only the conclusions section is published.
Document 262: Memorandum from the Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs, Department of State (Wilson) to the Deputy Secretary of State (Robinson), Washington, November 8, 1976.
Wilson registered suggestions about how the incoming Carter administration could quickly enhance U.S. efforts to promote human rights abroad.
Source: Ford Library, James M. Wilson Papers, Box 6, 9/76–8/77. Confidential. A blind copy was sent to Habib. William Tarpley Bennett, Jr. was U.S. representative and acting head of U.S. delegation to the 28th session of the UN General Assembly, U.S. representative to the 29th and 30th and 7th special sessions of the UN General Assembly, and Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 1976. Albert William Sherer was Chief of U.S. delegation to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, February 1974–July 1975, U.S. representative in UN Security Council, from August 1975, and U.S. representative to the 30th regular and 7th special sessions of the UN General Assembly. Terence A. Todman was U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica from January 1975.
Document 263: Memorandum of Conversation, Mexico City, December 1, 1976.
Colombian Foreign Minister Lievano presented his views to Kissinger and Rogers concerning incorporating human rights issues into U.S.–Latin American relations.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820118–1945. Secret; Sensitive; Nodis.
Document 264: Briefing Paper on Human Rights, Washington, undated.
The document, prepared for the incoming Carter administration, presented a generalized overview of U.S. efforts to promote human rights.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, L/HR Files: Lot 80 D 275, Human Rights S/P Study—Policy Planning Vol. II. Confidential. The CSCE paper was not found. The Human Rights and Official Development Assistance paper was not found. The summary to the October 1974 study is published as Document 243.