WASHINGTON—Following the passing of President Jimmy Carter, Freedom House interim president Nicole Bibbins Sedaca issued the following statement:
“We join many Americans and others around the world reflecting on the life, presidency, and loss of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, an extraordinary humanitarian and steadfast supporter of democracy and human rights. He was a leader who elevated the cause of democracy and human rights in US foreign policy and continued to advance the cause well after his presidency. During his time in office, President Carter created a new bureau of democracy, human rights, and labor at the Department of State and initiated an annual assessment of human rights in every country of the world, both of which endure today with great meaning to people seeking freedom across the globe.
“After leaving the White House, President Carter continued to dedicate himself to the causes that defined his presidency, including environmental conservation, affordable housing, and fundamental human rights. He and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center, which has worked for more than 40 years to ease human suffering, advance freedom, and protect democracy around the world. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for ‘decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.
“President Carter warned against polarization as a threat to US democracy and cautioned, ‘for American democracy to endure, we must demand that our leaders and candidates uphold the ideals of freedom and adhere to high standards of conduct.
“President Carter lived the ideals he espoused as a champion of people everywhere. His was a life worth emulating. While he will be missed, his work and legacy of service will continue to be felt around the world.”
