Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela stand out in the region as countries with leadership who does not care for human rights.

Part of the Mission Statement of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is to 'promote and demonstrate democratic values.'

I commend the Armenian people, law enforcement, and Acting Prime Minister Pashinyan for ensuring the protests and subsequent government transition were non-violent.

It is a priority. We announced, very recently, that we are withdrawing visas from some top regime officials.

If confirmed, I will work with the team at Embassy Lome and civil society and hope that these actions will encourage the Government of Togo to ensure the Togolese people have freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, and…

These efforts raised public confidence in the political process, fostered better personal relations between political rivals, and, ultimately, resulted in largely successful elections in February 2018.

Those responsible for ethnic cleansing and other abuses should be held accountable.

Our assistance to the Togolese armed forces is designed to develop the professionalism of its ranks.

I share in this sense of optimism for Armenia's future.

One person one vote elections will be critical for shifting political influence away from power brokers to the people.

I will engage both publicly and privately to ensure that NGOs, civil society members, and ordinary citizens do not face retaliation for expressing their viewpoints.

If confirmed, I will advocate within the administration for the resources that are critical to advancing the mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Real development and security cannot be achieved if they are not accompanied by respect for human rights and a democratic process that respects the will of the people.

If confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Togo, I will make meeting with human rights, civil society, and other non-governmental organizations in the United States, and with domestic and international human rights NGOs in Togo, a priority.

President Trump echoed a call he made in his 2018 State of the Union to only provide foreign assistance to 'our friends.'

I pledge to you and this committee, if confirmed, I will work tirelessly with you.

It is critical that USAID maintain its vital support for democratic civil society and human rights defenders.

I commit to you that I would do all in my power to galvanize global attention to the challenge.

Ensuring rule of law and fair trial guarantees also helps create the conditions to attract investment and support sustainable economic development.

I will be a strong advocate for the U.S. Agency for International Development, to ensure it has the tools and resources needed to fulfill its mission.

An opposition boycott of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)-endorsed parliamentary elections scheduled for December 20, 2018, for example, could increase the risk of violence on election day.

It is also imperative that any repatriation be fully voluntary, safe, and dignified.

If confirmed, I pledge to uphold the U.S. commitment to democracy and human rights in Armenia.

I have always viewed the promotion of human rights and democracy as an integral component of American diplomacy.

This administration continues to take steps to drastically reduce our foreign aid, in direct contravention of Congressional intention.