WHAT'S NEW
Human and Civil Rights In The News……..
Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC
The ministerial exception. This case involves the application of that exception to specific facts. Note - it is a unanimous decision.
The court today recognized the “ministerial” exception that prevents application and enforcement of EEO laws to religious organizations when making employment decisions regarding ministers. In this case, the Plaintiff was a “called” teacher who sought to sue the religious organization for adverse employment decisions. The district court ruled against her, the 6th Circuit determined she was not a minister and the SCT reversed. http://sblog.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/10-553.pdf
Posted January 11, 2012
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
We encourage you to use this Human Rights Day, December 10, 2011, as an opportunity to fulfill this commitment and we are happy to support you in your efforts. Please let us know how you will celebrate and promote Human Rights Day in your community by sending an email to IAOHRAoutreach@law.columbia.edu and to iaohra@sso.org .
For the past several years, IAOHRA members have used Human Rights Days to advance human rights awareness and IAOHRA and the Human Rights at Home Campaign (HuRAH) have highlighted these efforts on the official IAOHRA website. This year’s efforts will likewise be highlighted on the official IAOHRA website and the HuRAH website. More. November 28, 2011
SPECIAL NOTICE FROM THE IAOHRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By unanimous affirmation of the members of the Board of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies and in accordance with the Bylaws of the Association, Shawn Martel-Moore is the President of IAOHRA immediately. The position of President became vacant upon the separation of Gerald Foday from his position as Director of the City of Fort Wayne Metropolitan Human Relations Commission. Officers of IAOHRA must be employed by an IAOHRA member Agency. See bio for Shawn Martel Moore here. October 18, 2011
"HUMAN RIGHTS ARE AT HOME IN EUGENE, OREGON"
See the "Human Rights Are at Home In Eugene, Oregon" YouTube video about Eugene's human rights implementation. Also please vist www.humanrightscity.com for more information on Eugene and domestic/local implementation more generally. September 16, 2011
FORT WORTH HRC WIN IAOHRA PRESIDENT'S AWARD
The International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies this week presented its President’s Award jointly to Fairness Fort Worth and the city of Fort Worth’s Human Relations Commission. Read More. September 1, 2011
IAOHRA ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT. Gerald Foday, the newly elected President of IAOHRA was sworn in on Wednesday, August 31 during the 2011 IAOHRA Annual Conference. Read More. September 1, 2011
SPECIAL NOTE: By unanimous affirmation of the members of the Board of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies and in accordance with the Bylaws of the Association, Shawn Martel-Moore is the President of IAOHRA immediately. The position of President became vacant upon the separation of Gerald Foday from his position as Director of the City of Fort Wayne Metropolitan Human Relations Commission. Officers of IAOHRA must be employed by an IAOHRA member Agency. See bio for Shawn Martel Moore here. October 18, 2011
HUD News Release
| HUD No. 11-179 Shantae Goodloe (202)-708-0685 |
FOR RELEASE Monday August 29, 2011 |
FAIR HOUSING REPORT DEMONSTRATES HUD’S EFFORTS TO END HOUSING DISCRIMINATION
WASHINGTON – A report released today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shows that the agency is resolving individual housing discrimination complaints faster, increasing its focus on complaints that affect multiple people, and launching more investigations using its authority to initiate cases on behalf of discrimination victims where no one has filed a complaint. HUD’s Annual State of Fair Housing Report also illustrates how the agency is helping municipalities and state and local agencies receiving HUD funding to comply with civil rights requirements and holding non-compliant recipients accountable.
“Our goal is to put an end to unlawful housing discrimination,” said John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “We have made progress in reducing housing discrimination, but more work needs to be done to make ‘fair housing…part of the American way of life,’ as President Johnson said in 1968 when he signed the Fair Housing Act into law.”
Read More Here.
Updated September 1, 2011
City-County Human Relations Commission to Hold Annual Dinner September 29; Keynote Speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
(Evansville, IN) – August 19, 2011 – The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission will hold its Annual Dinner on Thursday, September 29, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. at The Centre. The keynote speaker will be civil rights activist Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery.
Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel will present the 2011 Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards at the Annual Dinner. The awards recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals that embrace and celebrate diversity. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, September 9. To make a nomination, please go to www.evansvillegov.org/diversityawards or contact the Human Relations Commission at (812) 436-4927.
Ticket donations are $35.00 per person. Corporate sponsorships are also available. Please contact the Human Relations Commission at (812) 436-4927 before Friday, September 16, to make a reservation.
Updated August 18, 2011
Plessy and Ferguson: Descendants of a divisive Supreme Court decision unite Robert Barnes, Reporter, Washington Post , June 6, 2011 Read more here.
Important Note from National Fair Housing Training Academy
The Patricia Roberts Harris National Fair Housing Training Academy will resume on-site training on at 600 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20024
Certification Courses available in July. Click here for more information. REGISTER TODAY!!!!
Notice to FHAP Agencies. HUD recently issued to important guidance memos.
Learn more here. February 28, 2011
Govenor Quinn Annouces First Round of Cabinet Apointments
Six Appointees to Help Lead Administration’s Continued Efforts to Reform State Government, Address Fiscal Challenges
CHICAGO – January 31, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today made six appointments to his executive cabinet. Today’s actions begin a series of appointments Governor Quinn will make over the first quarter of 2011 as he continues fulfilling his commitment to creating jobs, recovering our economy and making state government more efficient and accountable to the people of Illinois.
Governor Quinn re-appointed Director Rocco Claps (IAOHRA Member) to the Department of Human Rights, Director Brian Hamer to the Department of Revenue, Director Julie Hamos to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Secretary Gary Hannig to the Department of Transportation, Director Erwin McEwen to the Department of Children and Family Services and Secretary Michelle R.B. Saddler to the Department of Human Services. Click here for more details. February 8, 2011
Meeting Scheduled for January 19, 2011. Click here for details.
The International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA) notes with great sadness the passing of Paul Miller. Professor Miller served ten years as a Commissioner at the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). IAOHRA always maintained an outstanding relationship with Commissioner Miller and recognized him as an outstanding member of the Commission and a true champion of Equal Opportunity. Our deepest condolences are extended to the Miller family and the Faculty and students at the University of Washington Law School. (October 26, 2010)
IAOHRA 2010 Conference Report. See highlights from the 2010 Annual Conference held August 29 in Mobile, Alabama. More
International Human Rights and National Origin Discrimination
In recent months, issues of immigration policy and border security have permeated the media, with a focus on issues of racial discrimination, citizenship status, and law enforcement. Today, we take a moment to discuss how an international human rights framework addresses discrimination based on national origin, including treatment of non-citizens and migrants (persons outside the territory of the State of which they are nationals or citizens and are often in the U.S. for work purposes). More Topeka Human Relations Department Eliminated
June 23, 2010 - The city council voted 5-2 to approve the change in ordinance that eliminated the Human Relations department and all enforcement and investigative activities. The volunteer Commission has been retained and will be put under the auspices of the City Manager’s office with his existing staff to provide support. The Commission is charged with continuing outreach and education activities. More
WASHINGTON DC – IAOHRA is saddened by the passing of Dr. Dorothy Height, civil rights pioneer and social justice advocate. She was the president of the National Council of Negro Women for forty years, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004. Ms. Height was recognized by Barnard for her achievements as an honorary alumna during its commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision. (June 2010)
Archive
Holiday Greetings from IAOHRA President, Leon Russell (Dec 2009)
Univeral Declaration of Human Rights Outreach
On September 1, 2009, in response to a Report issued by IAOHRA and Columbia Law Schools Human Rights Institute, the IAOHRA membership adopted a Resolution “to promote and encourage the use of international human rights by official state and local human rights agencies.” Through adoption of this Resolution, each IAOHRA member committed to take at least one action, big or small, to use international human rights in its work in the next year. We would like to provide ideas for how IAOHRA members can fulfill their commitment under the Resolution by commemorating Human Rights Day on December 10.
- Introduction - UDHR Outreach
- 2009 International Human Rights Resolution for IAOHRA
- Sample Human Rights Day Email
- Sample Human Rights Day Resolution
- Sample Op Ed Human Rights Day
- UDHR Flyer
IAOHRA Comments on Ft. Hood Incident, The International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies joins with our nation’s leadership in condemning this horrific act and send our sincere condolences to the families of those service men and women who were killed or injured. We mourn our nation’s loss and we pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured. (Nov 2009)
IAOHRA Sends Letter of Congratulations to Honorable Thomas E. Perez, on the occasion of his confirmation by the United States Senate as the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. More (Oct 2009)
IAOHRA Announces It's Newly Elected Board Member, Galen D. Kirkland, Commissioner, New York State Division of Human Rights. More (September 2009)
Resolutions Adopted at the 2009 Annual Corporate Meeting held on September 1, 2009 in Washington, DC. (September 2009)
IAOHRA Announces Member of the Month! J. Frank Vespa-Papaleo More (September 2009)
VIEW OFFICIAL CANCELLATION NOTICE FOR 2009 NAHRW-IAOHRA Joint Training Conference
Aug. 29-Sept. 4, 2009 - Century City Hyatt , Los Angeles, California
2008
2008 IAOHRA Resolutions
IAOHRA Issues Statement on the Election of President Barack Obama, (November 5, 2008)
National Fair Housing Training Academy Gets Permanent Home. Academy will offer fair housing training at the U Department of Agriculture Graduate School (Oct 2008) Full Details ;
Conference Materials and Agenda from the 2008 NAHRW-IAOHRA Joint Conference held in Detroit, Michigan