---
kind: "section"
citation: "22 U.S.C. § 8202"
title: "22"
title_heading: "Foreign Relations and Intercourse"
number: "8202"
heading: "Statement of policy"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/22/8202"
units:
  - "Chapter 89 — Advancing Democratic Values"
---

# §8202. Statement of policy


It is the policy of the United States—

- (1) to promote freedom and democracy in [foreign countries](/usc/22/2321c.md?p=2) 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](/usc/22/2321c.md?p=2), 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](/usc/22/7432.md?p=12) 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](/usc/22/7432.md?p=12), 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](/usc/22/7432.md?p=12) to individuals, nongovernmental organizations, and movements located in [nondemocratic countries](/usc/22/8203.md?p=6) that aspire to live in freedom and establish full democracy in such countries; and
  - (B) providing political, economic, and other [support](/usc/22/7432.md?p=12) to [foreign countries](/usc/22/2321c.md?p=2) 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.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–53, title XXI, § 2103, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 527.)