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New Book: Fully Human – Personhood, Citizenship, and Rights

by hreusaAugust 9, 2019July 31, 2019

Lindsey N. Kingston’s new book, Fully Human: Personhood, Citizenship, and Rights (Oxford University Press, 2019) interrogates the idea of citizenship itself, what it means, how it works, how it is applied and understood, and where there are clear gaps in that application. This is a wide-ranging, rigorously researched examination of citizenship, statelessness, and human movement. And it is vitally relevant to contemporary discussions of immigration, supranationalism, understandings of national borders, and concepts of belonging. Not only does Kingston delve into theoretical concepts of citizenship and statelessness, she also integrates analyses of various kinds of hierarchies of personhood in context of these broader issues. The research also includes explorations of nomadic people, indigenous nations, and “second class” citizens in the United States within this theoretical framework of citizenship and statelessness. This careful and broad analysis defines the novel idea of ‘functional citizenship’, which is both theoretical and practical in considering citizenship and statelessness in our modern world. Fully Human focuses on the promises and protections that are outlined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, unpacking the protection gaps and difficulties that have become clearer and more acute in this era of globalization and security concerns, and highlighting some of the key problems with the current human rights regimes that are in place.

>> Learn more and purchase

Teaching Tolerance Grants

by hreusaAugust 6, 2019July 31, 2019

Teaching Tolerance Educator Grants support educators who embrace and embed anti-bias principles throughout their schools. These grants, ranging from $500-$10,000, support projects that promote affirming school climates and educate youth to thrive in a diverse democracy. The grants fund projects on three levels: school, classroom, and district.

>> Learn more and apply

Keep Families Together and Support Alternatives to Detention

by hreusaAugust 1, 2019July 31, 2019

The administration has announced plans to capture and deport thousands of undocumented immigrants all across America. Though the raids have been delayed—for now—the safety, health, and well-being of immigrant children and families continues to be threatened. More than 160 national and state organizations, including NEA, have endorsed two bills to help keep immigrant children and families safe—and together.

Send an email urging your representative in the House to cosponsor the Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections (HELP) for Separated Children Act (H.R. 3451) and the Help Separated Families Act (H.R. 3452).
>> Take action

The Alternatives to Detention Act recognizes that asylum seekers, migrant children and families, and other vulnerable groups should not be in dangerous, overcrowded mass detention centers. Instead, they should be treated with dignity and await the outcome of their immigration cases in settings like community-based supervision and support.

Email your members of Congress and tell them to cosponsor and support the Alternatives to Detention Act.
>> Take action

U.S. Falling Behind in Protecting a Range of Human Rights

by hreusaJuly 31, 2019

By Human Rights at Home Blog

A new report from the ambitious Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) shows just how far behind the U.S. is internationally among its peers in protecting human rights. According to HRMI data, many people in the U.S. lack civil and political rights, and many people are not safe from arbitrary arrests or extrajudicial killings. The U.S. also falls significantly short in ensuring economic and social rights commensurate with the nation’s resources.

The HRMI is hosted by Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, a non-profit research institute based in New Zealand, ranked in the top ten economic think-tanks worldwide.

The recently-released report was prepared in close collaboration with a number of academic organizations, and a range of NGOs working worldwide to advance human rights.

The initial 2019 data set

Annual data on five economic and social rights for 120 to 180 countries (depending on the right) from 2006 to 2016.
Data on seven civil and political rights for 19 countries for the two years 2017 and 2018.

HRMI will be building out this work with more data in the coming months and years.

>> Read report

HRE USA Joins Call to Disband State Department Commission on Unalienable Rights

by hreusaJuly 25, 2019

HRE USA joined a coalition of civil society leaders calling for the immediate disbandment of the U.S. State Department’s “Commission on Unalienable Rights,” due to serious concerns over the commission’s purpose, process, and membership. In a public letter organized by Human Rights First, signatories expressed alarm at the extreme views of many of the Commission’s members, and noted that the body’s stated purpose will harm the global effort to protect the rights of all people.

The commission was ostensibly formed to examine how the existing international consensus on human rights aligns with an interpretation of the American “founders’ ideas of individual liberty and constitutional government,” Secretary of State Pompeo said when announcing its creation earlier this month. In a letter—signed by 179 non-governmental organizations and 251 individuals, including former senior government officials, faith community leaders, scholars, educators, and advocates—HRE USA calls on Secretary Pompeo to immediately disband the body.

HRE USA shares in the coalition’s skepticism of the Commission, noting that President Trump’s racist rhetoric and attacks on America’s free press and judiciary, as well as his administration’s role in separating children from their parents, and selectively highlighting the human rights records of some countries while downplaying those of others, among other actions, undermine U.S. credibility on human rights.

The signatories stressed in the letter a concern that the Commission’s express purpose is to circumscribe the rights of some marginalized groups, while creating a hierarchy of rights similar to those frequently favored by repressive regimes. To illustrate, the letter details various statements made by the ten commissioners in support of “indefensible” human rights violations. For example, one commission member described gender identity as “a matter of mental illness or some other pathology;” another has argued against the use of contraception “even when that use is meant to limit the spread of disease.”

In addition to the ideologically slanted makeup of the Commission, the letter also addresses the purpose of the commission. “It is a fundamental tenet of human rights,” the letter states, “that all rights are universal and equal.” The creation of a hierarchy of rights is a common tactic for autocratic regimes seeking to limit rights. Signatories encourage Pompeo’s office to instead use their resources to act on the many pressing human rights issues plaguing us at home and abroad.

The letter, which was covered by NBC and The Hill, expresses concerns similar to another signed Tuesday by 22 senators.

2019 Steering Committee Nominations

by hreusaJuly 9, 2019

Interested in helping shape the future of human rights education? Then consider nominating yourself or a colleague to join HRE USA’s Steering Committee.

Our rules call for the election every summer of new Steering Committee members to replace retiring members. This year there are 2 open seats to be filled, and we invite all members to make nominations for their replacements. You may nominate anyone who fits the criteria for membership and can fulfill the responsibilities of Steering Committee members, including nominating yourself!

Brief biographies of current Steering Committee members can be viewed here. A ballot will be sent to all HRE USA members in July.

Elected Steering Committee members will serve a three-year term beginning in August 2019.

DEADLINE: TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2019

>> Learn more
>> Nomination Form

For further inquiries, please contact Emily Farell

Housing Justice Conference

by hreusaJuly 9, 2019July 8, 2019Leave a comment

EVENT DETAILS:

When: August 2-3, 2019
Where: CUNY Law School, NYC
Cost: Free and open to the public
Theme: Affordable for Whom? Organizing and Development Strategies for Housing Justice

>> See conference program
>> Register

As cities across the country struggle with rising housing costs and displacement, public recognition of the need for affordable housing is increasing. At the same time, organizers and activists–led by working-class people of color–are proposing bold, community-controlled solutions, and keeping a key question at the forefront: “Affordable for whom?”

Coalitions of activists, practitioners, and academics around the country have successfully created deep affordability–even in expensive land markets–through community land trusts, cooperatives, mutual housing associations, tenant associations, and much more.

Affordable For Whom? is a two-day convening focused on the development and preservation of housing that is permanently affordable. Featuring presenters from California to the Deep South to the Northeast, all working to build a national movement to transform our relationship to land and housing. Conference activities will include panel discussions, popular education activities, and strategy and planning sessions related to four interrelated elements of deeply, permanently affordable housing:

Innovative models of community-controlled land and housing
Stewardship practices that support permanent affordability
Creative financing and funding for deeply affordable housing
Public policies determined by community priorities

>> See conference program
>> Register

Conference Organizers: CUNY Law School, NESRI, Picture the Homeless; Right to the City Alliance; New York City Community Land Initiative (NYCCLI)

Teaching Tolerance Workshops

by hreusaJuly 9, 2019June 21, 2019

Teaching Tolerance is offering the following day-long workshops in Boston and Phoenix:

Social Justice Teaching 101— learn how to effectively implement culturally responsive instruction in your classroom.
Facilitating Critical Conversations— learn how to talk openly about the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of social inequality and discrimination.

These workshops are ideal for educators working in K–12 classrooms or schools of education, administrators and those who work with or coach them. Join us for one or both! The cost of each workshop is $35. It covers workshop materials, coffee, lunch and a certificate of completion for credit hours. Group rates are available. Space is limited.

BOSTON DATES
August 16, 2019 | Social Justice Teaching 101
August 17, 2019 | Facilitating Critical Conversations
Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center
1657 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01701

PHOENIX DATES
September 13, 2019 | Social Justice Teaching 101
September 14, 2019 | Facilitating Critical Conversations
Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe
4400 South Rural Road
Tempe, AZ 85282

UPR Webinar – Why should I internationalize my issue?

by hreusaJuly 8, 2019

EVENT DETAILS:

When: Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Where: Online Webinar
Time: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT
Cost: Free and open to the public

Please register for the call here.

The U.S. Human Rights Network is hosting an introductory webinar on how to use the Universal Periodic Review to amplify your issue and advocate for justice. The webinar will answer the questions:

“How can I hold the government accountable for its flagrant violations of human rights?”
“How does the human rights framework relate to my issue?”
“Why should I internationalize my issue?”
“Why should I engage with the United Nations?”
“What is the Universal Periodic Review?”
“How can I get involved with the Universal Periodic Review?”

USHRN Deputy Director Salimah Hankins and independent expert Joshua Cooper will offer an introduction to the human rights framework, international mechanisms, and the Universal Periodic Review.

This webinar is the first in a series of six webinars from July through September on the Universal Periodic Review. Each webinar will become gradually more specific and technical, aimed at assisting NGOs and activists with drafting their own stakeholder reports for the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of the United States.

The July 10th webinar is open to the public including non-members.

Click to watch a short video of Malcolm X discussing the value of the
human rights framework and the internationalization of issues.

“There are many of our people who are thinking more deeply and more broadly, and are beginning to see the importance of lifting [our issues] out of the national or domestic context, beyond the jurisdiction of the United States government. The only way this can be done is by internationalizing the problem and putting it at a level where it can be taken into the United Nations. Then, all of the other independent nations on this earth can involve themselves in our struggle and support us.” – Malcom X

Click here to view information about the call on the USHRN calendar.

Hold the US Accountable to its Human Rights Obligations

by hreusaJuly 2, 2019June 21, 2019Leave a comment

Hold the US Accountable to its Human Rights Obligations
Join HRE USA and the US Human Rights Network (USHRN) in holding the US accountable to its human rights obligations.

In May 2020, the United States will undergo a “Universal Periodic Review” (UPR) of its domestic human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council. The UPR is an exciting and tangible advocacy opportunity for US-based NGOs to engage the UN on strengthening human rights in the United States.

The UN UPR Working Group will review the United States in April-May 2020. The deadline for the US government to submit a report is February 2020. The current administration did not elect to submit a mid-term report, which was due this month. To date, four US-based NGO stakeholders submitted mid-term reports to the UN, including Human Rights Educators USA.

The UPR is all about accessibility. Advocates of all experience levels, backgrounds, and interests can participate and influence this process. Ideally, the results of your consultation will be shared with the UN via a brief “shadow report.”

Final stakeholder “shadow” reports by NGOs and Indigenous Peoples on the human rights records of the US are due on October 3, 2019, ahead of the country’s May review in Geneva. There are several ways you can the USHRN UPR effort:Apply to join the USHRN-facilitated UPR Taskforce.Apply to join the USHRN UPR and/or International Mechanisms listservs to receive periodic updates.Participate in the UPR Cities Project, a new initiative of the USHRN member-led Human Rights Cities Alliance.If you would like to join the UPR Taskforce or Listservs, or if you would like more information on how to participate in the UPR, please contact Roberto Borrero, International Mechanisms Director at: rborrero@ushrnetwork.org.