VOA常速英语2014--US Slams Unremitting Crackdown on Human Freedoms 美国批评多国加紧限制人民自由（在线收听）

US Slams Unremitting Crackdown on Human Freedoms 美国批评多国加紧限制人民自由

STATE DEPARTMENT — The United States says too many governments are "tightening their grasp" on basic human freedoms. The finding comes from the State Department's release of its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Those named as the worst actors in the world come as no surprise.

华盛顿 — 美国国务院星期四(2月27日)公布的人权报告谈到了世界各地的人权状况。报告认为，太多的政府对人的基本自由“加紧控制”。美国之音记者塞尔丁从美国国务院发来的报道说，一些国家出现在世界人权状况最差的国家名单中也不足为怪。

The United States says nowhere was the disregard for human rights more blatant or horrible than Syria, where on April 21, 2013, the government dropped sarin gas on a suburb of Damascus.  More than 1,400 Syrians died, including 426 children.

美国说， 世界上公然或者最可怕的无视人权的地方非叙利亚莫属，叙利亚政府2013年4月21日在大马士革的郊区施放沙林毒气。造成1400多名叙利亚人死亡，其中包括426名儿童。

"We know that countries that deny human rights and human dignity challenge our interests as well as human interests," said Secretary of State John Kerry.

国务卿克里说：“我们知道，那些否认人的权利和人的尊严的国家是在挑战我们的利益，也是挑战人类的利益”。

The State Department reports also targeted other well-known human rights violators, like North Korea, slammed earlier this month by the United Nation's for what is described as Nazi-like crimes.

国务院报告也点名批评了其他人所共知的人权践踏国，例如朝鲜。联合国本月初抨击了它所说的朝鲜像纳粹一样的罪行。

And despite ongoing negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, Acting Assistant Secretary for Human Rights Uzra Zeya says problems remain there, too.

虽然伊朗正在就其核计划与国际社会展开谈判，但是，负责人权事务的美国代理助理国务卿泽雅说，伊朗人权问题仍很严重。

"Torture, political imprisonment, executions in the absence of due process which have gone up under this government, harassment of ethnic and religious minorities and limits on free expression," said Zeya.

她说：“酷刑、政治监禁、没有正当程序的执行死刑 ，骚扰少数民族和宗教少数派以及对言论自由的限制，在这个政府的统治下都在增加。”

In many places, the report said hopes for improvement were dashed by stubborn repression, like in China, where the government announced the end of its re-education camps, but cracked down on dissent on the Internet and on basic freedoms in Tibet, where 26 people set themselves on fire in protest.

在许多地方，该报告称，由于当局坚持实行高压措施，使局面改善的希望破碎，比如中国，政府一方面宣布结束劳教， 一方面却对在互联网上发表不同意见的人士和西藏的基本自由进行镇压。西藏有26人自焚抗议。

In Egypt, where hopes had risen with the Arab Spring, the State Department criticized the killings and torture that came with the military's continued crackdown on protesters.

在阿拉伯之春曾带来希望的埃及，国务院批评埃及军队在继续对抗议示威者进行镇压过程中实施的杀戮和酷刑。

In Africa, officials noted grave concerns in South Sudan and in the Central African Republic, where Muslims and Christians engaged in a cycle of killings, disappearances, rape and torture.

在非洲，美国官方对南苏丹和中非共和国表示严重关注，在那里，穆斯林和基督徒冤冤相报，杀戮、失踪、强奸和酷刑层出不穷。

There is also alarm at the rate of sexual violence and discrimination against gays and lesbians in places like Uganda and Russia, where new laws make harassment easier and more dangerous.

在像乌干达和俄罗斯等国家，性暴力以及针对男女同性恋者的歧视也令人警觉，在那里新的法律使骚扰的发生更容易，也更危险。

"We join with many other nations in reaffirming our commitment where speaking one’s mind does not lead to prosecution and where professing one’s love does not lead to persecution, a world where practicing one’s faith does not lead to imprisonment," said John Kerry.

克里国务卿说：“我们与许多其他国家共同重申我们的承诺，表达个人内心想法不应受到起诉，表达个人爱情不应导致迫害，奉行自己的信仰不应遭致监禁。”

The State Department reports even raise concerns about worker's rights, noting the garment factory fire in Bangladesh that killed more than 1,000 people.

美国国务院的报告甚至提出对劳工权益的关注，并指出孟加拉国制衣厂大火造成了一千多工人死亡。

"Despite documenting so much abuse and repression, U.S. officials insist there is hope pointing to the bravery of people in place like Ukraine, who took to the streets to stand up for change."

尽管报告记录了这么多侵权和镇压，美国官员坚持认为存在希望。他们指出乌克兰的例子。那里的人民拿出勇气，走上街头支持变革。

As for places where standing up remains a challenge, like Venezuela, Secretary Kerry said those who struggle will not be alone.

在委内瑞拉等国，挺身而出的人仍然面临挑战。国务卿克里说，他们的抗争不会是孤立无援的。

“The United States of America will continue to speak out, without a hint of arrogance or apology, on behalf of people who stand up for their universal rights," he said.

克里说：“为了那些为他们自己的普世权力挺身而出的人，美国将继续仗义执言，不带一丝的傲慢和负疚。”

The diplomat saying reports like these on human rights abuses will help ensure those responsible will be held accountable.

克里国务卿说，像这样的记录侵犯人权的报告将有助于确保追究那些侵犯人权者的责任。