The United States will remain a leader in the effort to end torture around the world.

I join with people around the globe in highlighting the plight of the 15 million refugees in the world today.

The longing for freedom and human dignity is... universal, and it beats in every heart.

I call on the Syrian government to respect human rights and to forge a credible path to a future of greater freedom, democracy, opportunity, and justice.

I have determined that the Government of Syria's human rights abuses constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat.

The United States condemns the use of violence against peacefully demonstrating citizens in Syria.

The more we can do to showcase the success of free markets, commitments to democracy, human rights, individual liberties, freedom of the press, the more that we are highlighting those shared values between our two countries, the more successful the people of the region will be.

We strongly oppose the Syrian Government's treatment of its citizens.

The United States will continue to stand up for democracy and the universal rights that all human beings deserve in Syria and around the world.

We want to stand on the side of human rights and democracy.

These rights are universal, and they must be respected in Syria.

Left unchecked, we have every reason to believe that Qadhafi would commit atrocities against his people.

Innocent civilians were beaten, imprisoned, and in some cases killed.

He has already spent too many days in detention and should not spend one more.

We urge the immediate release of Mr. Gross so that he can return home to his wife and family.

I am particularly appalled by the indiscriminate killing of unarmed civilians during peaceful rallies.

Today reminds us that across countries and cultures, people everywhere, women and men, share rights and aspirations that are universal

But the bottom line is, I think Australia and the United States stand shoulder to shoulder in sending a clear message that we stand for democracy, we stand for an observance of human rights.