Washington, DC - State Department: "We are horrified by the reports that the Assad regime’s airstrikes yesterday in Raqqah, Syria, killed dozens of civilians and demolished residential areas. We have consistently condemned the regime’s violence directed against civilians and its ongoing human rights abuses and violations of international law, including murder, hostage-taking, enforced disappearances, torture, rape, sexual violence, and the indiscriminate use of barrel bombs.

Washington, DC - The United States is deeply concerned by the brutality and the increasingly frequent attacks on the civilian population of Beni territory, North Kivu, that have left almost 200 dead in the last 45 days, including women and small children. We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this horrific violence.

Washington, DC - The United States is profoundly concerned about funding shortfalls being experienced by humanitarian organizations in many places around the world. Nowhere is this shortfall more dire than in Africa.

Washington, DC - We are dismayed by President Jammeh’s decision to sign into law legislation that further restricts the rights of LGBT individuals and are deeply concerned about the reported arrests and detention of suspected LGBT individuals in The Gambia. These reports follow the signature into law of a bill that imposes harsh sentences for the crime of “aggravated homosexuality.”

Washington, DC - The United States’ position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia remains clear: these regions are integral parts of Georgia, and we continue to support Georgia’s independence, its sovereignty, and its territorial integrity.

Los Angeles, California - Twenty-five years ago this month, the countries that compose the United Nations reached a landmark agreement that laid the foundation for much-needed strengthening of children’s rights and protections in nearly every country around the world.