Welcome to the Interactive Declaration. Each article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is introduced with a plain language version, an exploration of some key issues, definitions, and suggestions for activities and discussion questions.  See it here

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

 THIS DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD to the end that he may have a happy childhood and enjoy for his own good and for the good of society the rights and freedoms herein set forth, and calls upon parents, upon men and women as individuals, and upon voluntary organizations, local authorities and national Governments to recognize these rights and strive for their observance by legislative and other measures progressively taken in accordance with the following principles:  View the full declaration here

Hawaii gov signs domestic workers bill:  Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a domestic workers bill of rights Monday, making Hawaii the second U.S. state to give nannies, housekeepers and others protections on wages and other labor issues. See the article 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

Human Rights Here and Now: Celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  This book is a tool for bringing the UDHR into the lives of people in the United States: kindergartens and unions, Scout troops and senior citizens centers, religious organizations and prison programs. It provides background information, ideas for taking action, and interactive exercises to help people learn about human rights.  Get the curriculum 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

Curriculum resources from the United Nations Cyberschoolbus. - Go to the site

Every Human Has Rights:  To begin the 60th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), The Elders and partners today launched the Every Human Has Rights campaign to empower global citizens to protect the first-ever comprehensive agreement on human rights among nations.  See it here

Free and Equal: a new global public education campaign against homophobia and transphobia  See the article here

“A little bit of money makes a real difference”  “Welcome to Ferentári. Welcome to a part of the European Union,” says Valeriu Nicolae, a human rights activist and himself a Roma, who in 2009 initiated the only social project in the slum and who is one of the founders of the European Roma Grassroots Organizations.   OHCHR Regional Representative for Europe Jan Jařab is urging support for programmes similar to those being run by Valeriu in the Ferentári slum.  View the article here

The Department of Labor's annual Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor focuses on the efforts of 144 U.S. trade beneficiary countries and territories to eliminate the worst forms of child labor through legislation, enforcement mechanisms, policies and social programs.

The Report presents:

• Findings on the prevalence and sectoral distribution of the worst forms of child labor in each country.
• Country-specific suggestions for government action (since 2010).
• Individual country assessments that identify where Significant, Moderate, Minimal, or No Advancement has been made (since 2011).

The Report serves as a resource to foreign governments, NGOs, academics and policymakers working on labor and human rights issues. It helps inform Congress and Executive Branch agencies that formulate labor and trade policy and is an important resource for the Department in assessing future technical assistance and research priorities as it seeks to combat child labor around the world.

The Department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) has published the Findings each year since 2002, as mandated by the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (TDA). The TDA requires that countries fulfill commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child labor to be eligible for certain U.S. trade preference programs. It also requires the U.S. Secretary of Labor to issue annual findings on beneficiary country initiatives to implement these commitments.

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News and resources from the official website of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Visit the site here

World Day Against Child Labor:  Each year since 2002, the international community has come together on June 12 to mark World Day Against Child Labor.  According to estimates of the International Labor Organization (ILO), over 215 million children worldwide are engaged in child labor.  This year, we call particular attention to the plight of those children – mostly girls – who are engaged in domestic work. 

View the news here

Ten Ways To Combat the Worst Forms of Child Labor:  No individual or organization acting alone can eliminate the worst forms of child labor, but together we can make a difference.  Individuals, governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and civil society groups each have a unique and vital role to play.  To reach our goal, we must focus our collective efforts on eradicating the root causes of child labor so that children can break out of the cycle of poverty.

See the site here

Democracy and Human Rights Stories:  The latest news from the official website blog of the US Department of State, covering many regions and topics

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The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is the U.S. Government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking. It is also the world’s most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-human trafficking efforts and reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to global leadership on this key human rights and law enforcement issue. It represents an updated, global look at the nature and scope of trafficking in persons and the broad range of government actions to confront and eliminate it. The U.S. Government uses the TIP Report to engage foreign governments in dialogues to advance anti-trafficking reforms and to combat trafficking and to target resources on prevention, protection and prosecution programs. Worldwide, the report is used by international organizations, foreign governments, and nongovernmental organizations alike as a tool to examine where resources are most needed. Freeing victims, preventing trafficking, and bringing traffickers to justice are the ultimate goals of the report and of the U.S Government's anti-human trafficking policy.

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2013 International Women of Courage Award Winners

Click here to view them

Be Here Now:  One of the greatest battles for human rights rages on. There are an estimated 27 million people enslaved at this very moment. Slavery is more prevalent today than at any other time in history.  Made In A Free World produced this three part video campaign to galvanize an ever growing number of concerned citizens.  

See the site here