The Advocates For Human Rights

TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD.

REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS: THE ADVOCATES PROVIDES FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO ASYLUM SEEKERS, UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN, TRAFFICKING VICTIMS, AND DETAINED IMMIGRANTS IN THE UPPER MIDWEST AND AROUND THE UNITED STATES. WITH PRO BONO ASSISTANCE FROM HUNDREDS OF ATTORNEYS, THE ADVOCATES IS THE PRIMARY ASYLUM LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDER IN MINNESOTA, NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA. DURING FY2022, THE ADVOCATES PROVIDED MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE WITH LEGAL HELP, INCLUDING 750 AFGHAN EVACUEES THROUGH A NEWLY ESTABLISHED AFGHAN LEGAL CLINIC. IN ADDITION TO LEGAL SERVICES, THE ADVOCATES COLLABORATES ON THE IMMIGRATION COURT OBSERVER PROJECT TO ENGAGE HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS IN MONITORING DETAINED IMMIGRATION COURT HEARINGS.

RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY: RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY: THE ADVOCATES USES A HUMAN RIGHTS APPROACH TO DOCUMENT ABUSES, PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WORLDWIDE, ENGAGE PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN ADVANCING POLICY CHANGES, AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF HUMAN RIGHTS. THE ADVOCATES IS A LEADER IN HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY AT THE LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL ON OUR PRIORITY ISSUES INCLUDING DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND LGBTIQ+ PERSONS, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND THE RIGHTS OF NONCITIZENS. THE ADVOCATES BRINGS INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS PRINCIPLES TO THE COMMUNITY AND CLASSROOMS THROUGH CURRICULAR RESOURCES, LESSON PLANS, AND TRAINING MANUALS; PRESENTATIONS, LECTURES, CONFERENCES, CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES, AND PUBLIC FORUMS; AND THROUGH TWO UNIQUE WEBSITES.

WOMENS HUMAN RIGHTS: THE ADVOCATES HAS NEARLY 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH PARTNERS IN MINNESOTA AND AROUND THE WORLD TO DOCUMENT PROBLEMS IN THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF WOMENS HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS. THE ADVOCATES WORKS TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN BY CHANGING LAWS AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION, AS WELL AS THROUGH TRAININGS, ADVOCACY, AND MONITORING AND DOCUMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AGAINST WOMEN. THROUGH THE WATCH COURT MONITORING PROJECT, WE MOBILIZE VOLUNTEERS TO OBSERVE CASES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN. WE WORK WITH PARTNERS TO ENHANCE PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AND PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE ADVOCATES GLOBAL WOMENS HUMAN RIGHTS PARTNERS. DURING FY2022, WE UNDERTOOK RESEARCH ON THE ANTI-GENDER MOVEMENT AND PUBLISHED A REPORT ON THE BACKLASH TO THE ISTANBUL CONVENTION. SINCE MARCH 2022, WE HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWING (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)