Human Rights - ForceChange

Demand Investigation of Sexual Assaults at Female Prison

After more than 50 interviews with women incarcerated at a prison in Alabama, reports of rape and sexual assault against the inmates surfaced. Male guards have been sexually assaulting women at Tutwiler Prison in Wetumpka, Alabama for years. Sign this petition asking the United States Department of Justice to investigate these allegations.

Ban Solitary Confinement in U.S. Prisons

Solitary confinement is a cruel and ineffective form of punishment in the U.S. criminal justice system. Prisoners often suffer severe psychological consequences while experiencing little to no rehabilitation during their sentence. It also costs taxpayers exponentially more money to operate solitary confinement facilities. Tell the Department of Justice to end this inhumane practice for good.

Call for Investigation of Drug Operation in Honduras that Killed Civilians

On May 11 in Honduras, four civilians were killed and four more were wounded when the Honduran National Police and United States Drug Enforcement Administration opened fire in a joint counternarcotics operation. Sign this petition, demanding a thorough investigation to determine if firearms were necessary and that the families of the civilians killed receive justice.

Ban Drone Strikes on Targets for Simply “Looking Suspicious”

The U.S. is currently performing drone strikes on foreign targets which have simply engaged in patterns of “suspicious behavior.” As there are no confirmations of terrorist activities, or even the identities of these targets, the potential for civilians to be killed by these strikes is extreme. Demand that the U.S. not continue these killings of unknown targets in our names.

Stop the Violent Torture of Congolese Migrants Being Expelled from Angola

Since 2003 Angolan authorities have been expelling migrants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, claiming that they are protecting the national security of their country. Unfortunately, many Congolese migrants are being detained and tortured, sexually exploited, raped and beaten. Perpetrators and overseers of these facilities are seldom punished. The Angolan government must investigate these allegations immediately and protect the human rights of Congolese migrants.

Tell Reverend to Step Down after Hateful Speech Targeting LGBT People

The reverend Charles L. Worley of North Carolina’s Providence Road Baptist Church was caught making a rabidly homophobic speech on camera, urging his congregation to trap gays and lesbians in an electric fence. Tell Worley that his disgusting words of hate will not be tolerated by the public.

Urge the Supreme Court to Declare Alabama’s Immigration Law Unconstitutional

A bill signed by Governor Bentley of Alabama last week adds new provisions to the state’s immigration policy that increase the potential for discriminatory treatment of unauthorized immigrants. As a ruling is expected by the end of June, we must urge the Supreme Court to find Alabama’s immigration law unconstitutional in order to reduce discrimination against unauthorized immigrants and prevent other states from adopting similar policies.

Provide Indonesian Political Prisoner Urgent Medical Treatment

Filep Karma, a prisoner of conscience in Papua, Indonesia, requires urgent medical treatment in the city of Jakarta. He is being held at Abepura prison where authorities refuse to provide him the proper treatment and reportedly beat him every day. Without treatment he will not survive, a result possibly wished for by the prison authorities.

Support President of Malawi’s Vow to Repeal Gay Ban

President of Malawi Joyce Banda has vowed to repeal the gay ban passed by her predecessor. With enough international support, President Banda should succeed in making Malawi the second African nation to protect gay rights. Tell President Banda she is on the right course, and commend her efforts to protect homosexuals from persecution in Malawi.

End Beating and Rape of Detained Congolese Migrants in Angola

In Angola, Congolese migrants face sexual violence and mistreatment during expulsions. The jails are overcrowded, the migrants have a lack of food, water and sanitation facilities and women are raped in front of their children. Sign this petition, demanding the Angolan government investigate the conditions of Congolese migrants and take proper steps to improve their conditions and prosecute perpetrators.

Help Families in Haiti Still Facing Hardships After 2010 Earthquake

Two years after the earthquake in Haiti, families are still struggling. In one camp, families were forcibly evicted and are living without drinking water, sanitation services and water disposal. Sign this petition, asking the Prime Minister of Haiti to demand an investigation and improve condition for these struggling families.

Local Indian Government Must End Mistreatment Of Peaceful Protestors

Peaceful protestors in southern India face multitudes of false charges and a police blockade inhibiting departure or entry into their village. Construction of a nuclear power plant has led local villagers to demand a voice in the building process to ensure the health and safety of their people and their environment. The government must listen to the voice of its citizens on this matter.

Make Indefinite Detentions Illegal and Punishable Under the Law

Indefinite detention provisions are currently utilized by the American government to allow for the imprisoning of people without charge or trial. We must stand up and reject the codifying of indefinite detention into our system of law; please sign this petition to ask Obama to reject indefinite detention and begin a legislative push back against this egregious practice.

Prisoners and Immigration Detainees from Sexual Assault

The prominence of sexual abuse within the U.S. prison system reveals the urgent need for reform: an estimated one in ten former state adult prisoners reports being sexually victimized by staff or other prisoners during their confinement. Although the Department of Homeland Security is cracking down on prison rape, we must pressure officials to include immigration detainees in their protection measures.

Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission must have Power to Investigate Security Forces

Pakistan is in the process of creating of a national human rights commission, but it fails to hold its armed forces and intelligence agencies accountable for human rights violations. The assembly of a commission that has no power to investigate these systems ultimately has little power to fully protect the rights of Pakistanis. President Zardari must not sign this bill into law until changes have been made to include such necessary authority.

Protect Immigrant Farmworkers from Sexual Violence, Abuse and Harassment

Hundreds of thousands of female immigrant farmworkers nationwide face a high risk of rape, sexual assault and harassment while the U.S. government does not do nearly enough to protect them. Fear of deportation leads to the silencing of many female immigrant farmworkers who face these atrocities everyday. Our government must do more to provide immigrant and indigenous women a sense of safety, and abusive supervisors and employers must be punished.

Protest The New York Times’ Sensationalized Coverage of Transgender Woman’s Death

Lorena Escalera was a young transgender woman of color who met an untimely death when a fire broke out in her Brooklyn apartment building. But for readers of The New York Times, she may simply be remembered for her so-called ‘curvaceous’ body and job as an escort. Tell Times editors that this type of dehumanizing coverage is unacceptable.

Demand a Report of Investigation for Man who was Beaten by Moroccan Police

On November 8, 2010, Brahim Elansari was beaten, kicked and slapped by Moroccan police. To this date, Elansari received no closure in the case or justice. Sign this petition asking the Moroccan police to provide Elansari with reports of an investigation.

Demand Justice in Thailand for the Handling of Violence in 2010 Protests

Two years after the mass protest in Bangkok that killed 90 people and injured 2,000, there are still no charges against soldiers or government officials. Now, there is an amnesty bill in parliament to protect all involved in abuse during the 2010 violence. Sign this petition asking the Royal Thai Government (RTG) not to approve this bill and to also charge government officials for the crimes they committed.

Employees Should Not Be Fired for Being Gay

Earlier this week, an Oklahoma representative said he would support legislation that allowed employers to fire workers for their sexual orientation, because being gay ‘is a choice.’ Politicians’ personal opinions often shape our nation’s legislation, and it’s important that we let lawmakers know we won’t support laws that legalize discrimination against gay individuals.

Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Bill that Excludes LGBT Victims

A new bill about to face the House of Representatives would fund resources for victims of domestic violence, but wouldn’t prevent discrimination against LGBT victims. Any state-funded anti-abuse resources must be accessible to all victims regardless of gender identity or sexuality. Ask the House to oppose this discriminatory piece of legislation.

Investigate Indian Police Accused of Assault

Women recently arrested in India reported being sexually assaulted by police officers. According to local activists, no investigations were conducted into these accusations. Ask the government of India to take action and investigate these sexual assaults on women in their custody.

Protect the Human Rights of Adolescent Girls

Adolescent girls are the mothers of the future. When their rights are continuously violated worldwide, cultures of violence and disregard for human life in general continue to thrive. Policy makers need to focus attention on new and reinvigorated efforts to improve the human rights of adolescent girls, who are among the most vulnerable of humanity.

End Racial Profiling in New York City

New York City, the cultural mecca of the United States, continues to struggle with discrimination against African Americans and Latinos. While New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD continue to justify the use of racial profiling by denying the fact that such practices are in violation of civil rights, and fuel discrimination and inequality. They must stop or seriously revise their ‘random search’ policy immediately.

Promote Global Human Rights for Women and Children

The lives of women and children are closely bound. Globally, women’s and children’s rights movements have often been in competition with one another. The rights of women and the rights of children should not compete with one another in priority; but rather, they need to be equally addressed and funded in order to promote human rights.

Recent Petitions

Recent Comments

Archive for Category: "Human Rights"