HUMAN RIGHTS
From raising awareness about ongoing human rights crises to a global movement for racial justice, 2020 shed light on human rights injustices around the world, and in our own community. However, many of the issues continue to persist, and with the pandemic going on, many have also gotten worse.
It is established in the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) that every human has the basic right to life, liberty, work, education, freedom from slavery and torture, as well as freedom of opinion and expression, and many more. (Link below has all human rights defined by the UDHR) Yet, while these rights are universally protected, human rights violations occur daily, both by acts of the government and other people. As to better inform ourselves about such, and to try to do something about current injustices, attached below are non-exhaustive lists of educational resources and opportunities you may take a look at!
Organization: Human Right's Watch
Founded in 1978 and based in our own city, NYC, Human Rights Watch conducts research and advocates for human rights.
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Recommended: For information about how countries around the world are doing in terms of human rights, check out their “Countries” tab.
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Recommended: If you want to take action and spread awareness, feel free to check out their “Take Action” tab. Taking action may include spreading awareness through social media and signing petitions
Topic: Death Penalty
While 70% of countries have abolished the death penalty, the United States still remains one of the few remaining ones to still have it. And as of December 25, 2020, there are still 41 people set to be executed, of which at least 4% are innocent as determined by the National Academy of Sciences. However, innocent or not, the existence of the death penalty violates the most basic human right—the right to life.
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Article: “The Case Against the Death Penalty” Check out this article to learn about ACLU’s case and what they believe the death penalty violates. Feel free to take also action through their website.
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Website: Death Penalty Info. Includes reports across the U.S. about the death penalty.
- Organization: Death Penalty Action. Take action through the links on their website to stop the death of those set to be executed, and see what campaigns are going on. Some campaigns are ongoing and some are coming up soon so feel free to join them in their fight to abolish the death penalty!
Topic: Education
With the current pandemic, more than 280 million students worldwide are out of school, and many of them lack the sufficient resources to be able to obtain the same level of education they did when they were in school. But even while in school, education systems around the world, provide poor education that leaves students lacking required skills. And NYC is no different, with rampant bullying, the most segregated school district in the country, and poor funding, many kids in our community lack access to a good education and can't obtain essential skills.
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Organization: Advocates for Children of New York. Working on behalf of disadvantaged students, Advocates for Children of New York advocates for each child to have access to an education regardless of who they are. Read on about their acts, find ways that you can take action, and contact them if you or someone you know needs help through their website.
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Organization: New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Education Fund (NYAGV). While not as relevant to this academic school year, students still need to be able to learn in a safe environment. And since 1993, NYAGV has sought to reduce gun violence by teaching students to stand up and become advocates. Through their website, you can check out current issues and take action.
Topic: Human Trafficking & Slavery
Human trafficking & slavery. While it may seem like such acts were abolished centuries ago, it still continues to happen to this very day right under our noses. Albeit it is not as common in the U.S. as it is in less developed countries, it still needs attention as it is a direct violation of our guaranteed rights.
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Organization: Restore NYC. Based in our city of NYC, Restore NYC has aimed to provide sex trafficking survivors a safe home since 2009. You can join and help them on their journey through their website, as well as participate in their events.
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Organization: End Slavery Now. As their name suggests, this organization is dedicated to ending slavery by partnering with antislavery organizations in the U.S., and around the world. With the help of their partners, they discover ways that, we as a community, can come together and help end slavery. On their website, you can, currently, find 462 ways you can take action to help end slavery. They range from webinars to helping them spread awareness.