Human Rights - ForceChange

Women Beaten and Raped by Police Await Justice Five Years Later

On May 4, 2006, residents of Atenco, Mexico were caught in the crossfire of protests that erupted over a police confrontation. A number of officers proceeded to beat, rape, and detain dozens of women at the scene. For five years, the women have waited for their attackers to be brought to justice. The authorities must prosecute the police responsible now.

Prevent Anti-Homosexual Legislation From Becoming Ugandan Law

An anti-gay bill that seeks capital punishment for homosexuality has been revived in Uganda. The Ugandan Parliament must dismiss this bill and put it to rest for good.

Stop Labor Abuse in Chinese-Owned Zambian Copper Mines

The China Non-Ferrous Metal Mining Company runs four copper mining companies in Zambia, persistently flouting labor regulations designed to protect worker safety and the right to organize in the corporation’s pursuit of $1 billion profits. End Chinese labor abuses and improve Zambian regulation of the copper mining industry.

Cambodia & Malaysia Must Protect Domestic Workers from Abuse

Since 2008, roughly 40,000-50,000 Cambodian women and girls migrated to Malaysia as domestic workers under fraudulent and coercive business practices, facing sexual assault, physical abuse, and debt bondage. Ask the Cambodian and Malaysian governments to reform their recruitment agency monitoring process, immigration laws, and labor regulations.

Get Peace Corps to Protect Their Volunteers

Although Peace Corps is known around the world for promoting peace and successfully providing aid to countries in need, more and more women are coming forward with their experiences of trauma while under the organization. In the last decade alone, ABC news recently found that over 1,000 women volunteers experienced sexual assaults, rapes, and even a murder while working for Peace Corps in countries around the world as a result of situations that could have easily been avoided with proper protection or removal by Peace Corps. Put an end to this lax in safety and protect Peace Corps women volunteers from sexual assault.

Fight Against Media Censorship of Occupy Wall Street

Ever since the beginning protests of Occupy Wall Street that started in mid September 2011, corporate media sources have refused to cover the movement and in some cases either attempted to slander it or block its supports from sharing information. Occupy Wall Street has become one of the largest instances of mass government and corporate censorship of a very active and historical movement by the American people in all of American history. Stop the media from blocking information and communication about Occupy Wall Street in order to protect our freedom of speech and information.

Rescind Discriminatory AL Immigration Law & Comply with Civil Rights

Alabama’s harsh immigration laws create a chilling climate of fear and intolerance. Record numbers of Hispanic parents have pulled their children out of school, prompting a mass exodus of even legal Hispanic workers. The remaining Hispanic children face increased bullying, taunts, and threats. Alabaman officials must revoke the discriminatory and deleterious law HB56, and comply with the Department of Justice’s federal investigation of unconstitutional civil rights violations.

Deny Valero Tax Exemption

The Valero Energy company is requesting to receive tax exemption from the Texas Commission of Environmental Equality (TCEQ). The tax break would take millions of dollars away from local communities and school districts. Sign this petition to urge the TCEQ to deny the tax exemption.

Save the Busses of Detroit

There is a major lack of functioning busses in the city of Detroit. People who rely on busses can’t get to where they need to go and are losing jobs because of it. Tell Detroit Mayor Dave Bing to do something about the public transportation problem now.

Texas Judge Accused of Beating Disabled Teenager Daughter, Caught on Video Tape

A new viral video shows Texas judge William Adams allegedly beating his disabled teenager repeatedly with a belt. Graphic in nature, the video is causing much concern as viewers demand an investigation into the matter.

Stop the NYPD from Shadowing Muslim-Americans

Muslim-Americans are plagued by instances of ongoing racial profiling and intrusive police investigations. The NYPD is involved in an investigation that follows Muslims who change their last names, a right protected by the First Amendment. The Department of Justice needs to investigate the legitimacy of the NYPD’s intelligence gathering methodology.

Prevent Iraq’s Future From Becoming Another Vietnam

Recently, the United Nations has discovered over 40 sites across Iraq that are contaminated with high levels of nuclear radiation and dioxins, otherwise known as the main component of Agent Orange. Areas near Iraq’s largest towns (Najaf, Basra, Falluja), which also account for nearly 25% of all found sites, are the areas that have seen massive jumps in birth defects and cancer victims within the last five years. Help clean up the dioxin and nuclear waste in Iraq before Iraq becomes the next Vietnam and before it destroys entire ecosystems and future generations.

Investigate Kenyan Mass Graves & Atrocities

Over 300 Kenyan families are still awaiting news of their husbands’ deaths after enforced disappearances from 2006-2008. Three years later, the Kenyan government is covering up the mass graves and denying widows’ rights. It is time for truth and justice to emerge.

Decriminalize Mental Illness and Drug Addiction Now

People with mental illness are twice as likely to be incarcerated. Since 1996, the number of people with mental illness who are imprisoned jumped from 8% to over 50%, pushing those with severe mental diseases away from society and treatment. Help re-institutionalize mental disease and integrate public health systems into prisons to help these struggling offenders.

Stop the Black Market Organ Industry

The international black market organ industry has a $75 million dollar (and rising) annual income. The need for organs is insatiable in countries around the world, especially China or Iran, due to the fact that some national donor lists might be as small as 10,000 people for 1.2 million in need. It is time to make it easier for donors to legally donate and to increase security on imported goods and black market items.

How Can Colorado Ignore Elder Abuse?

Colorado remains one of only four states that lacks a mandatory reporting law for suspected or evident elder abuse. Some lawmakers and advocates have tried independently to investigate and prosecute such cases, but state-level support and funding is needed. All legislators must make mandatory reporting of elder abuse a priority.

Stop Military Funding to Countries That Use Child Soldiers

Military aid is being provided by the United States to four countries that use child soldiers. Although policies are supposed to prevent this, waivers signed by the President allow child soldiers to exist. President Obama needs to realize that this is wrong and must stop all funding to governments using child soldiers.

Put An End To Abusive TSA Pat Downs

Ever since the installments of the naked full body scanners, flyers have had to make the choice between two uncomfortable options: being seen naked by a TSA agent or being handled physically in an aggressive manner by a TSA agent. At least half a million have been molested in TSA searches including breast cancer and rape survivors, yet TSA refuses to change its procedures. Join the ACLU to help put an end to TSA’s gross misuse of power.

Free Myanmar’s Political Prisoners

While Myanmar has been opening up to the international community in an effort to democratize its country, enormous obstacles to its potentially flowering democracy abound, especially in the form of 1,800 political prisoners held merely for voicing their opinions. Sign this petition to urge the President of Myanmar to grant amnesty to these political prisoners.

Stop South Dakota From Profiting Off Stolen Children

The state of South Dakota has been removing an excessive number of Native American children from their families and tribes and placing them in nonnative foster care with little justification. The state receives funding from private group homes for every child placed and kept in foster care. Sign this petition to stop South Dakota’s Child Care Services from breaking up families for financial gain.

Fight World’s Worst Cholera Outbreak in Haiti

With more than 450,000 Haitians suffering symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, skin inelasticity, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, and severe dehydration leading to death, the year-old cholera outbreak has already superseded the largest cholera epidemic in the world. The international health and development community must take immediate action to treat the infected patients and rectify the structural violence afflicting Haiti.

Demand Justice for Innocent Victim of Police Violence

In what police referred to as a case of mistaken identity, Michael Nida was shot and killed by police officers in Downey, CA after suspicions arose that he may have been involved in a robbery. Nida, who was innocent of the crime, was not found to be carrying any weapons. Because of a lack of officer training, Nida was not searched when detained and he was shot in fear that he may have been armed.

Demand that the NYPD Control Police Brutality Against Occupy Wall Street Protestors

Police aggression against Occupy Wall Street protestors has continued unchecked. Demand that those in charge of the New York Police Department insist on appropriate behavior among officers and institute consequences for those who step out of line.

Ensure Equal Opportunity in Public Education for Disadvantaged Students

Teachers in schools that serve the top African American and Latino students are paid approximately $2,500 less per year than the average teacher in equivalent districts, and 59% of school districts showed these salary disparities. Change the rules to hold districts accountable for equitable spending among poverty-stricken and more affluent schools.

Stop Oppressive Sharia Law In Libya

Even as Libya has escaped the tyrannical grip of Moammar Kadhafi, it is set to spiral down into the particularly constrictive Islamic Sharia law, which can be as socially oppressive and unmerciful towards diverse practices and lifestyles as the former dictator was. Sign this petition to urge the U.S. and the United Nations and Libyans to pressure the Libyan government to stop the institution of Sharia in an effort to safeguard all Libyan citizens from a stifling of freedom.

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