Amnesty International USA – the U.S. section of the global movement of Amnesty International – is the nation’s leading grassroots human rights organization, with over two million members and supporters in the United States. We believe that human rights should be at the forefront of our policy, regardless of who’s in power.
About this survey: Human rights should be at the forefront of our domestic and foreign policy. We invite 2020 presidential candidates to explain how they would address some of the most pressing human rights issues of our time.
In June 2019, we gave presidential candidates the opportunity to tell us how the United States should respond to some of the most pressing human rights issues at home and around the world – ranging from the global refugee crisis to the epidemic of gun violence in our communities.
13 candidates answered our questions. Here’s what they said:
Here are their answers by issue area
Active Candidates
![Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA, United States](/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GettyImages-1206506289.jpg)
Joe Biden
FORMER U.S. VICE PRESIDENT (D-DE)
![U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media in the East Room of the White House](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettyImages-1198921922.jpg)
DONALD TRUMP
U.S. PRESIDENT (R)
Withdrawn Candidates
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettyImages-1188341243.jpg)
Michael Bennet
US Senator (D-CO)
![U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) speaks at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference.-](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettyImages-1204867472-2.jpg)
CORY BOOKER
US Senator (D-NJ)
![Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg announces he is ending his campaign to be the Democratic nominee for president](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettyImages-1209776140.jpg)
Pete Buttigieg
Mayor of South Bend (D-IN)
![Democratic presidential candidate, former Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) speaks at the New Hampshire Democratic Party Convention](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettyImages-1166525998.jpg)
JOHN DELANEY
Former congressman (D-MD)
![Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) holds a Town Hall meeting on Super Tuesday Primary night on March 3, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan.](/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GettyImages-1204960851.jpg)
Tulsi Gabbard
U.S. Representative (D-HI)
![Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) speaks during a press conference on the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettyImages-1195734398-1.jpg)
KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND
US Senator (D-NY)
![Democratic presidential candidate and Governor of Washington Jay Inslee speaks about climate change at the Council on Foreign Relations](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettyImages-1148117843-1.jpg)
JAY INSLEE
Governor, (D-Wa)
![Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) holds a campaign rally at Salina Intermediate School](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettyImages-1205668877.jpg)
BERNIE SANDERS
US Senator (D-VT)
![Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer speaks at the South Carolina Democratic Party](/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GettyImages-1203031326.jpg)
Tom Steyer
Philanthropist (D-NY)
![U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) speaks as Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire testifies before the House Select Committee on Intelligence in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettyImages-1177281419.jpg)
Eric Swalwell
Congressman (D-CA)
![Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) campaigns at the Seattle Center Armory](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettyImages-1202667200.jpg)
Elizabeth Warren
US Senator (D-MA)
![Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang speaks during the 100 Club Dinner at SNHIU](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GettyImages-1204957497.jpg)
ANDREW YANG
Founder, Venture for America; (D-NY)
All major presidential candidates were given the opportunity to respond to this questionnaire. Amnesty International USA is a 501(c)(3) organization and does not endorse any specific candidate or campaign. We are a non-partisan, tax-exempt organization dedicated to upholding human rights for all people. For more information about candidates’ positions, please visit their individual campaign or party websites.
“Images credit: Getty Images.”