60th Anniversary Celebration Finds Human Rights Disparities in Miami-Dade
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2008
CONTACT
ACLU Communications Office (786)363-2737 or media@aclufl.org
MIAMI – In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and other human rights partners today call on the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Commissioners to commit to abide by the principles and ideals of the UDHR and to promote human rights for all who live, work and play in Miami-Dade County as central to their mission, purpose and values.
“It is critically important that the leaders of Miami-Dade County commit to promoting not only the civil rights but also the human rights of all people in Miami-Dade County,” said La Rhonda Odom, ACLU of Florida. “All people – regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status - have inalienable human rights that the government must protect and promote.”
“Our farmworkers in Homestead harvest food that feeds our community and the nation. Yet, they are often denied their basic human rights. On this the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, farmworkers should no longer be "the invisible ones," but we assert and recognize the basic human dignity of these hardworking families,” said Tirso Moreno, Farmworker Association of Florida.
"Fair housing is a fundamental aspect of human rights, since this larger issue employs an inherent promise of equality and justice for all who live in Miami-Dade County," said Alyssa C. Arnell, Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, Inc.
“All residents have a human right to Miami, including the rights to safe and healthy homes for families in Liberty City, safe jobs for construction workers on Biscayne Boulevard, and environmental protections for the Everglades to ensure a healthy environment. The Mayor and Board of County Commissioners should take concrete action in defense of the human right to the city for all residents of Miami,” said Joseph Phelan, Miami Workers Center.
“Our great nation is the best in the world because of the contributions and sacrifices of immigrants around the world, yet every day, our government commits gross human rights violations against them,” said Marleine Bastien, Executive Director, Haitian Women of Miami, Inc. (FANM). “Immigrants’ rights are human rights, upholding and preserving these rights makes us better as a nation and gives us the moral compass to be the example for countries around the world to follow.”
“Unfortunately Miami-Dade County must continue to deal with many issues such as immigration, housing, discrimination, and other issues. Muslims, Christians, Jews, African-Americans, Cuban, Haitian and other groups must unite against discrimination for a healthier society and for a stronger America,” said Sofian Abdelaziz Zakkout, Director, American Muslim Association of North America, Inc.
“Over 100 years ago one of the founders of the NAACP Dr. W.E.B. DuBois declared that the problem of the 20th century was the problem of the color line. It is time to move the high ideals of the Declaration into concrete acts and not let Dr. DuBois’ prediction ring true into the 22nd century,” said Brad Brown, Vice-President, NAACP, Miami-Dade Branch.
More information on the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is available online at: www.udhr60.org
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