Washington (CNN) Former Democratic President Jimmy Carter says the United States has "lost its place" as a global leader of human rights.

"We should be the champion of human rights. We're a superpower, not based solely on military power; part of that definition should be a commitment to human rights," Carter said Tuesday at an event at The Carter Center in Atlanta.

"We have lost the long-term commitment to human rights," he said.

The event, part of an annual forum discussing human rights, brought together more than 60 "activists, peacemakers and community leaders," according to a news release.

Carter's comments come as the US government has been working to reunite undocumented immigrant families who were separated after crossing the border.

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