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Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that all humans are born free and they are all equal within these rights. The article also says humans are born with reason and conscience and therefore they should act towards each other in a spirit of brotherhood. This sets the tone for the discussion on human rights in the US. Here are some key issues Americans are struggling to deal within our own walls.
Amnesty International is an organization that rallies to protect human rights in the United States. There are two key projects the organization is promoting.
- Taser abuse has been the cause of over 350 deaths from taser use by police. Most victims did not have a weapon and Amnesty International believes tasers are being used routinely for control rather than as alternatives to firearms. Currently Amnesty International would like to see the tasers and stun guns be suspended until further research is done regarding their safety.
- The right to adequate housing means humans should have access to a safe home that is fit to live in and is affordable without threat of eviction. It has been almost three years and Hurricane Katrina survivors are still fighting for rights to housing according to these rights. Amnesty International is advocating for individuals at risk and the organization sees that alternatives for these residents are ''elusive'' at best with hopes to return.
Other Human Rights Issues in the US
Another human rights issue in the US concerns the conscientious objector (CO) status which allows men or women an exemption from fighting in the Iraq war. Most of the petitions for CO status were denied by the US government. In effect the denial of CO status is denying the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion insured to people by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Racial profiling also has risen to the top as an offense against human rights. The problem is when race is used by law enforcement as a premise for criminal suspicion in specific investigations it becomes discrimination. Any suspicion based on race, nationality, religion, or any other specific identity opposes the human rights and freedoms.
Finally, there are over 2,000 child offenders with sentences of life without parole (LWOP). The problem with these sentences is that they were for crimes committed by individuals before the legal age of 18. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have studies that say crimes by under aged individuals are decreasing; but the percentage of youth sentenced to LWOP is growing.
These are the issues that are being addressed by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations in the United States. How will their solutions play out over the years to come? Perhaps many lawyers will hold key roles or perhaps everyday people committed to being advocates for human rights will influence the outcomes.
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