This is an announcement of a new project initiated after September 11th by our Guild colleagues at the Immigration Unit at Greater Boston Legal Services. Its name is Immigrant Human Rights Documentation Project and we hope that either you or your clients, friends, co-workers or family members find it helpful and useful.
Since September 11, 2001, refugees and immigrants from the Middle East, Asia and other areas are facing an increased risk of being subjected to threats, physical assault, abuse, joblessness, homelessness and other types of human rights violations based on their religion, ethnicity and immigration status. One of the ways in which the Immigration Unit of Greater Boston Legal Services is responding to the post 9/11 situation is by implementing and coordinating the Immigrant Human Rights Documentation Project (IHRDP).
What is IHRDP?
IHRDP is a project coordinated to collect and document information regarding Human Rights Violations of immigrants living in the surrounding area, including foreign born citizens.
Why is it important to document human rights violations if it is unclear whether they can be legally enforced?
Educating people regarding their rights, documenting violations of these rights and then disseminating this information to the outside world will work to the implementation of the goal of full adherence and respect for Human Rights: KNOW THEM, DEMAND THEM, DEFEND THEM. Increasingly governments are becoming aware of the importance of their human rights records. A poor human rights record signifies major problems in a society. A poor human rights record can work to highly embarrass and undermine a government in the international community - it is bad for the image of the country, it delegitimizes a government in the international community, and it can be bad for international relations and business. Where a government ignores the harm brought to its people and the will of the people to enforce their rights, it loses the legitimacy through which it governs.
What types of harm is IHRDP seeking to document?
For IHRDP, Human Rights violations of immigrant communities are defined by the person made to suffer disparate treatment and harm. Examples of such harms and violations include the following treatment based on your ethnicity, religion, immigration status or national origin: physical harm or threats to your or your property; discrimination on account of being undocumented or semi-documented; humiliation through degrading comments; discrimination in the work place; harassment in the workplace, schools, or on the street; denial of medical care; denial of public services; denial of housing; termination or denial of employment; and the denial of other basic human rights.
TO REPORT
Please contact AZHAR - 617-371-1270 EXT.1400
IHRDP - 8TH FLOOR
197 FRIEND ST.
BOSTON, MA 02114
