US legislates to prevent child marriage worldwide:  In a development welcomed by child marriage activists, the United States Congress has passed a bill stating that child marriage breaches fundamental human rights – and requiring the US to integrate the prevention of this harmful practice across its development programmes.  View the article here

US Government website devoted to human rights related issues, news, publications, and resources, both domestic and international.  See it here

The United States Government releases numerous periodic reports on human rights issues. Additional reports can be found here.  See more here

Welcome to the US Human Rights Network's national conference - ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS 2013: Dignity. Justice. Action. USHRN’s biannual human rights conference is the primary national gathering for human rights and social justice activists, advocates, practitioners, and supporters dedicated to strengthening a human rights agenda and culture in the U.S. and demanding the United States government fulfill its human rights obligations in the U.S.   See the event site here

Podcast:  Engaging Civil and Political Rights in the U.S.  The US Human Rights Network is working to promote full implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) by educating the public about the U.S. Government obligations under the treaty and by engaging community groups in the effective use of the treaty to promote human rights at home.  Listen to it here

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was established by the UN General Assembly in 2006 as a process through which the human rights records of the United Nations’ 192 Member States could be reviewed and assessed. This review, conducted through the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), is based upon human rights obligations and commitments expressed in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights instruments to which the State is party, etc. The United States is a strong supporter of the UPR process, which provides a unique avenue for the global community to discuss human rights around the world.

Individual countries are slated for review every four years, with the United States scheduled for its review in 2010-2011. UPR sessions take place at the HRC in Geneva, and are framed by reports submitted by national governments.The United States submitted its report to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on August 20. The report, which reflects input collected during an extensive program of consultations with the American public, can be found here.  See more here

The Obama Administration’s Record on Human Trafficking Issues:  This White House Forum to Combat Human Trafficking brings together advocates, service providers, researchers and academics, business leaders, faith leaders, leaders in the technology community, law enforcement, and local, state and federal government leaders to discuss strategies for countering trafficking in persons.

View the article here

As I looked around the South Auditorium in the Old Executive Office Building during the White House's Forum to Combat Human Trafficking, I felt a surge of hope in a field that could use so much more. Members of the Obama administration joined with many of the nation's leading abolitionists to take stock of the nation's effort to end the scourge of human trafficking and share information to bolster the fight yet ahead of us.

Too often, those of us who fight against human slavery beat our heads against the walls of misinformation and prejudice.

No, we have to explain, trafficking victims aren't just those vulnerable people who are smuggled in from other countries so their labor and bodies can be exploited -- 80 percent of sex trafficking victims are U.S. citizens, mostly homeless, abused, and impoverished young people who see no other options.

Read the full article here

National Human Trafficking Resource Center:  Call 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733). The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) is a national, toll-free hotline, available to answer calls and texts from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.  View the full information here

Recognizing the Signs -  Is someone you know being trafficked? Is human trafficking happening in your community? Is the situation you may have encountered actually human trafficking?  The following is a list of potential red flags and indicators of human trafficking to help you recognize the signs.  Read the full article here

Human Rights in the United States - a contemporary and informative history from Wikipedia.

Excerpt:

Human rights in the United States are legally protected by the Constitution of the United States, including the amendments,state constitutions, conferred by treaty, and enacted legislatively through Congress, state legislatures, and state referenda and citizen's initiatives. Federal courts in the United States have jurisdiction over international human rights laws as a federal question, arising under international law, which is part of the law of the United States..

View the full article here