In other parts of the world, the United States’ frequent use of capital punishment, its ready use of military force, and its refusal to join human rights treaties has drawn plenty of criticism in recent years.John B. Quigley, a professor in the OSU College of Law, addressed the role of human rights in United States’ foreign policy in a speech at the Burkhart Center on Riverside Drive Thursday.”On the one hand, the U.S. is pressuring other countries to observe human rights,” Quigley said.At the same time, its own record on human rights treaties is probably worse than many other countries, he said.The death penalty is considered a violation of human rights in western Europe. However, capital punishment is performed in China, Iran, Australia and the United States.Executing minors and foreigners has also been questioned by people in other countries, he said.Although the authorities have an obligation to inform foreigners of their constituational rights, some police have failed to do so in some states, Quigley said.”You cannot consider the trial to be fair if the person was not given the opportunity from the beginning,” Quigley said.One of problems of observing human rights is that the U.S. is organized as federations, and many govermental activities are involved at the state level rather than federal, he said.”It was very good to see students involved as much as they were,” said Jennifer J. Moorman, the program coordinator of Columbus Council on World Affairs. The purpose of this presentation is to educate the public about U.S. foreign policy and how they can get involved, she said.