Human Rights Framework Project

The Human Rights Framework project of the International Committee is a project to utilize international human rights law (declarations, covenants, and treaties as well as rulings and commentary by international tribunals and commissions) to promote economic and social rights in the U.S. It is a project designed to build information and awareness within the Guild and the larger human rights and legal services community about the international human rights framework, especially as it relates to economic, social and cultural rights (such as housing, healthcare, education and the right to a job and adequate standard of living), and the value of that framework in "bringing human rights home".

We have developed a "Toolkit" for local lawyers and activists to use to educate their communities and local officials and representatives about the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) by developing model resolutions for local jurisdictions to call for Senate ratification of the ICESCR, ensuring federal funding for the economic and social rights that are requirements of basic human rights.

In addition, we are presenting a series of webinars to educate attorneys and activists engaged in human rights and legal services work on human rights law and its relevance for promoting economic, social and cultural rights in the US. The Toolkit and the webinars, as well as additional background documents and discussion papers will be posted here.

Archive of earlier postings, 2006-2014

Human Rights 101 Webinar, presented by Jeanne Mirer

Audio recording is available here: (1hr 28m, mp3):http://www.nlginternational.org/webinars/humanrights-mirer.mp3
PowerPoint presentation (PDF format):
http://www.nlginternational.org/webinars/humanrights-mirer.pdf

Resources

Guild Visioning Committee Concept Paper on Human Rights - Using Human Rights to Build the Guild and Social Movements
National Economic and Social Rights Initiative (NESRI) Manual on Economic and Social Rights Framework
NESRI Creative Lawyering Manual

Background Documents

Toolkit Urging ICESCR Ratification

H.R. 216
House Resolution 216 was introduced by Rep. John Lewis in May 2009, calling for ratification of major international treaties, including ICESCR. A factsheet and the text of the resolution are below:

Contact us

Email international@nlg.org

All Posts

Human Rights Framework Updates

May 26, Webinar: DDPA Teach-In: Demystifying the Durban Declaration & Programme of Action

DDPA Teach-In: Demystifying the Durban Declaration & Programme of Action Friday, May 26th at 12 pm Eastern time Register here for the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsf–spzMqG9OMgmgqgy-PlpgbKNufQYoY At the 2001 World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa a historic document was adopted by consensus. The Durban Declaration & Programme of Action (DDPA) is a comprehensive document […]

Continue reading
May 3: New York City EMLER Hearings – Attend in Person or Watch the Livestream

What: The United Nations is doing an official visit in New York City! During this meeting with civil society on May 3, they will hear from Black directly impacted community members regarding police violence and systemic racism against people of African descent. The UN will also, separately, meet with government officials and other stakeholders. Themes: Families of […]

Continue reading
January 28: Public Launch – People’s Tribunal on US Imperialism: Sanctions, Blockades and Economic Coercive Measures

The National Lawyers Guild and its International Committee are excited to co-sponsor of this important project, with a number of our members and leaders serving as jurors and steering committee members. After two years of dedicated organizing, we are excited to officially announce the launch of the International People’s Tribunal on U.S. Imperialism: Sanctions, Blockades, and […]

Continue reading
January 26, Online Launch of the People’s Academy of International Law

Please join us for the webinar launch of… The Monique and Roland Weyl PEOPLE’S ACADEMY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW Thursday, January 26 1 pm UTC (5 am PT, 8 am ET, 2 pm CET, 10 pm JST) Register to attend: https://bit.ly/peoplesintlaw International law is in crisis. For too long, reactionary forces have tried to strip progressive […]

Continue reading
UN Office of High Commissioner issues report on systemic racism in policing, calls for meaningful change

On June 8, 2020, the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Michael Brown and Philando Castile, together with more than 600 rights groups, petitioned the UN Human Rights Council to convene a special session to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the on-going crisis of police violence and systemic racism in policing resulting in […]

Continue reading
April 27 PRESS CONFERENCE: International Commission of Legal Experts Release Report on Racist Police Violence in the US

Finds US Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity and Other Violations of International Law Event: Press conference for launch of the Report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Systemic Racist Police Violence against People of African Descent in the United States When: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 12 pm Eastern time (9 am Pacific) Where: Watch the livestream: https://www.facebook.com/internationalcommissionofinquiry […]

Continue reading
George Floyd, Jacob Blake, Tamir Rice, many more: This week’s hearings at the International Commission of Inquiry

Please join us this morning, Monday, January 25 at the online hearings of the International Commission of Inquiry on Systemic Racist Police Violence against People of African Descent in the U.S. to hear testimony from attorneys and a family member during the hearings for the George Floyd case and the Jacob Blake case. George Floyd’s murder captured the attention […]

Continue reading
International lawyers and activists organize independent inquiry into US police violence

The National Lawyers Guild, together with the National Conference of Black Lawyers and the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, is involved in a project to organize an International Commission of Inquiry on Systematic Racist Police Violence Against People of African Descent in the United States. Steering committee members of the project include IC Steering Committee […]

Continue reading
Video: UPR Process and International Mechanisms: Holding the U.S. Accountable for Human Rights Violations

On December 8, 2020, the National Lawyers Guild International Committee organized a webinar on the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process and efforts to use international mechanisms to hold the U.S. accountable for human rights violations. The webinar featured National Lawyers Guild members who have worked to bring urgent human rights violations […]

Continue reading
Dec. 8, Online Event: Holding the US Accountable for Human Rights Violations: The UPR Process and International Advocacy

Webinar: Holding the US Accountable for Human Rights Violations: The UPR Process and International Advocacy Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020 1 pm Pacific/4 pm Eastern Register online: https://bit.ly/uprprocess Over the past year National Lawyers Guild members have worked to bring urgent human rights violations in the United States to international attention through the United Nations Human Rights […]

Continue reading