IAOHRA honors the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Notable for speeches that spoke truth to power, Dr. King is widely regarded as America’s pre-eminent advocate of nonviolence and one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in world history. Take some time today to reflect on Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech or perhaps his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” They are among the most revered orations and writings in the English language.
"PROTECTING CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD"
The mission of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA) is to provide opportunities and forums for the exchange of ideas and information among member agencies and other human rights advocates.
IAOHRA provides assistance in the development of programs for eliminating illegal discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, public services and commercial transactions, including banking and lending practices.
We develop educational programs on human rights and civil rights issues, and serves as a clearinghouse for information exchange between human rights agencies around the world.
GET INVOLVED
We connect you to the best and brightest experts in every issue area critical to the human and civil rights effort through IAOHRA meetings and professional training opportunities, you’ll connect with civil rights professionals with your same interests and concerns.
PAY MEMBER DUES
Pay All State, County, Individual and Sponsorship memberships here.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Since 1949, IAOHRA supporters have been vigilant and vigorous defenders of civil and human rights for all. We’ve made great progress on important issues, but there is much more work to be done.
You are vital to IAOHRA in assisting us in fulfilling our goal.
We have more civil and human rights history to make.
OUR OBJECTIVE
The goals of IAOHRA are:
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To foster human and intergroup relations.
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To enhance human rights practices under law.
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To promote civil and human rights around the world.
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The association has provided leadership in the development and enforcement of needed statutes and ordinances-local, state, and federal - to safeguard the human and civil rights of all people.
IAOHRA SPOTLIGHTS MEMBER AGENCY
New Jersey Division on Civil Rights
In 1945, New Jersey became the first state since the Reconstruction era to pass comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation with its enactment of the Law Against Discrimination, or as it is more commonly called, the “LAD.” In enacting the LAD, the NJ Legislature recognized that discrimination “threatens not only rights and proper privileges of the inhabitants of the State but menaces the institutions and foundation of a free democratic State.”
That legislation called for the creation of a Division on Civil Rights (DCR) to enforce the LAD and have as it goal, the eradication of the cancer of discrimination. Almost 70 years later, DCR continues to protect the rights of our neighbors and family members who, for example, have been denied a promotion because of their age or gender, excluded from public accommodations because of their sexual orientation or disability, harassed in the workplace because of their nationality or religious beliefs, or denied housing opportunities because of their race or family status. The LAD is universally regarded as one of the most comprehensive and respected anti-discrimination laws in the country.
DCR also enforces the New Jersey Family Leave Act, which provides job-protected time off for eligible employees, when they need to care for family members in certain situations.
DCR is a part of the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General /Department of Law and Public Safety and is the agency responsible for investigating discrimination complaints and eradicating illegal discrimination in New Jersey. DCR is comprised of investigators, attorneys, and professional support staff. We serve as a fair and impartial forum for addressing claims that the LAD or the Family Leave Act has been violated. Our main focus is to investigate claims of discrimination in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation (e.g., schools, stores, parks). We participate in free seminars and other outreach activities designed to educate the public on anti-discrimination laws.
For more information about the NJ Division of Civil Rights visit https://www.nj.gov/oag/dcr/index.html