rights working group and women's commission for refugee women and children testify before the inter-american commission on human rights
Speakers call for better treatment of vulnerable populations in detention
WHAT: Thematic Hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the impact of U.S. immigration detention
WHEN: Friday, October 12, 2007 | 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Organization of American States
1889 F Street, NW
Salon David Padilha Vidal Room, Salon A of the GSB Building
Washington, D.C.
WHO: Michelle Brané, Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children
Christopher Nugent, Holland & Knight, Pro Bono Counsel for the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children
Kerri Sherlock Talbot, Rights Working Group
Watch a video of the hearings here.
Representatives of two leading advocacy organizations spoke at a hearing on U.S. detention of immigrants and asylum seekers before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on Friday, October 12. This was the first time the Human Rights Commission had held a hearing on the policy and practice of immigration detention. This unprecedented hearing came at a critical time as the U.S. Government is increasing its use of immigration detention and immigration policies have entered the national debate.
Speakers discussed the government’s detention and deportation practices that violate the human rights of immigrants in America. They discussed how the U.S. detention and immigration enforcement system does not provide adequate protection for the human rights of immigrants and refugee children; the inhumane conditions of immigration detention centers; and the impact of U.S. immigration detention and enforcement policies on refugees and asylum seekers.
For more information, see our media advisory.
Read testimony here:
Michelle Brane, Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children
Christopher Nugent, Holland and Knight, pro bono counsel for the Women's Commission
Kerri Sherlock, Rights Working Group
Following the hearing, the President of the Commission, Dr. Florentín Meléndez, "wishes to recognize as a positive step the fact that representatives of the government of the United States confirmed publicly that there would be no problem with the Inter-American Commission visiting any immigration detention facilities it chooses." Read IACHR's Oct 19 press release on its conclusion of its 130th regular session.
materials as background and support of our testimony
before the inter-American Court
Click to open/download PDF or to go to outside link.
INDEX
EXHIBIT A
"Whose Children are These? Towards Ensuring the Best Interest and Empowerment of Unaccompanied Alien Children," Law Review Article by Christopher Nugent, Holland & Knight.
EXHIBIT B
"Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors Face Major Consequences," Hernán Rozemberg, San Antonio Express-News, September 4, 2007
Exhibit C
Information regarding unaccompanied children detained by Customs and Border Enforcement, letters and information collected by Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
Exhibit D
Executive Office of Immigration Review Fact Sheet on Unaccompanied Children
Exhibit E
Family Detention report, "Locking Up Family Values: The Detention of Immigrant Families," February 2007, Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Exhibit F
"Don T. Hutto Family Detention Center" Settlement Agreement
Exhibit G
Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children, Press Release regarding settlement agreement
Exhibit H
"Freedom for the Children," Lisa Falkenberg, Houston Chronicle, August 31, 2007
Exhibit I
"Conditions of Confinement in Immigration Detention Facilities," by Sunita Patel and Tom Jawitz
Exhibit J
Relevant U.S. Congressional Appropriations Language for 2008: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3