Our Primary Programs
Human Rights Updates
Application Period for the 2012 Human Rights Institute is now open. Apply Now!
Happy New Year! The Human Rights Project (HRP) at the Urban Justice Center is pleased to announce that the application period for the 2012 Human Rights Institute is now open! The 2012 Institute will take place March 28-30th in New York City. Hosted by the Human Rights Project in partnership with the US Human Rights Network, the Human Rights Institute (HRI) is an annual three-day long fellowship program that equips participants with information on the human rights framework and provides specific tools for applying the framework to strengthen their local advocacy efforts around economic and social justice, such as the human right to housing, health, education, and decent work. See Application Form here. The priority deadline for applications with scholarship requests has been extended to January 16, 2012. See scholarship request form here. Please note that scholarship requests must be submitted with the application form. The deadline for general applications (without a scholarship request) is January 16, 2012. The application is free. There will be a registration fee of $100.00 for all accepted applicants (this fee is not covered by scholarship). Women of color groups will be given priority.
Breakfast Event Celebrating Release of 2011 NYC Council Human Rights Report Card
We cordially invite you to join us for an event celebrating the release of our 2011 NYC Council Human Rights Report Card. Please join us for breakfast and conversation, and to pick up your hard copy of the report! Event details are as follows:
Friday, December 2, 2011
9:00AM
Borough of Manhattan Community College’s Richard Harris Terrace
(Located inside the main BMCC building, at 199 Chambers Street, NYC 10007)
Click here for a map of the area.
Please RSVP to emarkman at urbanjustice.org
2011 New York City Council Human Rights Report Card Released
Today, we are pleased to announce the release of the 2011 New York City Council Human Rights Report Card. This annual report is the only report of its kind, and grades each member of the New York City Council on his or her record in promoting the human rights of New Yorkers. The analysis is based on votes and sponsorship of key legislation before the Council in the past twelve months.
Congratulations to the following Council Members for making the A-List:
Melissa Mark-Viverito. Manhattan Council District # 8 – Democrat (Score: 90%)
Helen D. Foster. Bronx Council District # 16 – Democrat (Score: 88%)
Letitia James. Brooklyn Council District # 35 – Democrat (Score: 88%)
Jumaane D. Williams. Brooklyn Council District # 45 – Democrat (Score: 86%)
Charles Barron. Brooklyn Council District # 42 – Democrat (Score: 80%)
Brad Lander. Brooklyn Council District # 39 – Democrat (Score: 74%)
Gale Brewer. Manhattan Council District # 6 – Democrat (Score: 73%)
G. Oliver Koppell. Manhattan Council District #11- Democrat (Score 65%)
Jimmy Van Bramer. Queens Council District #26- Democrat (Score 65%)
See individual Council Member Report Cards.
Please support distribution and community education of the report by donating here.
Human Rights Webinar and Policy Brief on Paid Sick Leave
Thank you for joining us for the webinar on the Human Right to Paid Sick Leave today, October 25th at 1-2pm (EST). We thank our excellent presenters: Sherry Leiwant from A Better Balance, Virgilio Aran from the Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York, and Alexander Saingchin from the Human Rights Project. Please listen to the webinar or download the full power point presentation. We also encourage you to read our new policy brief, "The Human Right to Paid Sick Leave: How the United States and New York City Fail Low-Income Women of Color."
HRP Commemorates the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Join HRP in commemorating the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty recognized annually on October 17th. This year's theme is on sustainable development. HRP will be participating in an interactive panel event - Sustainable Development Must Include Every Person - on Monday, October 17th at 3pm held at the Salvation Army, 221 East 52nd Street. The event is sponsored by ATD Fourth World and the UN NGO Sub-Committee for the Eradication of Poverty.
Human Rights Tribunal on NYC's Public Education System
On October 15th, HRP participated in a tribunal on the human rights violations in New York City's public education system. The tribunal was organized by the Coalition for Public Education. HRP Director, Ejim Dike, sat as one of the judges for the tribunal where over 45 students, parents, and human rights activists presented testimony on human rights violations in the system. The participants are calling for a People's Board of Education and an end to mayoral control.
HRP participates in 10th anniversary of the Global Action Plan to Fight Racism
On September 22nd, HRP joined the global community in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA), a global action plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Please listen to HRP Director, Ejim Dike, on Free Speech Radio News, on the importance of the DDPA to local organizing for racial justice.
