Generation 2.0 for Rights, Equality and Diversity’s Post

🦋 Border Advocacy Training Project 🦋 In October, I joined the Immigrant Defenders Law Center in partnership with the Justice Action Center to deepen my understanding of policies impacting asylum seekers in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. 📝 Training Takeaways: ▶CBP One App Accessibility Issues - Asylum seekers must use the CBP One app to schedule appointments at the U.S. border. However, equitable access is limited: Some struggle with phone storage and others face language barriers. ▶Impact on Vulnerable Groups - We explored how Black and LGBTQ+ asylum seekers are disproportionately affected by current asylum policies. 🏠 Visiting the Border Line Crisis Center: ▶ We visited this shelter for migrants in Tijuana and learned of the power of information sessions conducted by ImmDef. These sessions equip asylum seekers with essential knowledge about their rights. ▶We discussed how to support the center by providing resources. If you'd like to get involved or learn more, feel free to DM me. I’d be happy to share details about their social media. ⭐ I seek to continue to advocate for equitable policies and meaningful support for asylum seekers.

Strengthening Voices: The Importance of Advocacy for LGBTQIA+ Refugees Advocacy plays a crucial role in promoting equality and protecting human rights for the LGBTQIA+ refugee community, in accordance with United Nations guidelines. By raising our voices and fighting for political and social change, we can ensure that the rights and dignity of these individuals are respected and protected at all levels. Through advocacy, we can pressure governments and international organizations to adopt policies that are inclusive and sensitive to gender and sexuality issues. This is essential to ensure that LGBTQIA+ refugees have access to basic services, such as education, health and protection, without discrimination or violence. Together, we can make a difference by defending the rights of the LGBTQIA+ refugee community, building a more just and inclusive world for all. Let's continue the fight for respect, equality and dignity for all individuals, regardless of their origin or identity. by. ARSF Team #angelsrefugeesupportfoundation #advocacy #humanrights #inclusion"

This week, I was privileged to attend and speak at the 10th Anniversary Symposium on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OPIC) at the Leiden University. The symposium was hosted by the Leiden Children's Rights Observatory and the Leiden Law Academy, along with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNICEF. I got to speak at the opening ceremony and participated in a fascinating session on overcoming challenges.   To me this event was a real eye re-opener. It is an area of work I know well, the different parts of what is sometimes called the human rights system. And when there is a system, we must use that system to make positive change for children.    Many barriers remain to children’s right to access justice and remedy, but that is something we can help address, especially at national level. This includes a lack of knowledge about rights and remedies, limited trust in the systems along with limted access to those systems, as well as financial constraints. When national remedies have been exhausted it is useful to know that the Committee on the Rights of the Child has a communications procedure where a child, or someone on behalf of a child, can challenge the state.   So far, though, only 52 states have ratified this pptional protocol, mainly in Latin America and Europe. But even these ratifications provide for a huge opportunity for strategic litigation to advance awareness and recognition of child rights. These are some examples of cases that are very relevant to some of the important violations of child rights in those two regions of the world:   In the case of CRC communication 136/2021, Camila v Peru, the Committee emphasized the right to access abortion services for a 13-year-old girl who was a victim of rape and incest, highlighting the importance of protecting her health and well-being;   Regarding access to public education for children with irregular administrative status in Melilla, Spain (Communications Nos. 114/2020, 116/2020, 117/2020, and 118/2020, A.B.A et al. v. Spain), the Committee stressed the obligation of Spain to ensure all children have access to education, regardless of their immigration status;   And in Communication 100/2019, S.N. et al. v. Finland, the Committee addressed the repatriation of children from Syrian refugee camps whose parents are linked to terrorist activities. The Committee highlighted the need for states to prioritize the best interests of the child in such cases, ensuring their protection and well-being while considering security concerns.   No remedy means no rights. These examples show that we must continue to find remedy when children are wronged and make use of all possible avenues, especially when they can lead to change at scale across a country or even in several or many countries.

Hi, Bo my first coach in the field of child protection, true that dealing with children according to international standards on justice for children, must include: ·      The right to have one’s best interests given a primary consideration in all actions. ·     The right to be treated fairly and equally, free from all kinds of discrimination. ·     The right to express one’s views freely and to be heard during all proceedings. ·     The right to protection from abuse, exploitation, violence, and any other form of hardship. ·     The right to be treated with dignity and compassion. ·     The right to legal guarantees and safeguards. ·     Deprivation of liberty of children should only be used as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period. We pray that Sudan will reconcile the damages of all its child justice systems.

🌈📚 Thrilled to share my thesis on the intersection of equality, non-discrimination, and the rights of LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers under international human rights law. Through analysing the ICCPR and ICESCR, I shed light on how Dutch legislation, while aligning with global standards on paper, often falls short in practice. The study critiques the Dutch asylum system, exposing gaps in safety, mental health services, and healthcare access for LGBTIQ+ individuals in reception centres. Practical reforms and stronger protections are essential to bridge these gaps and uphold the rights of vulnerable asylum seekers. You can access it through this link: https://lnkd.in/egUT4PjT This academic endeavour is not just crucial but deeply personal. I want to share a quote here, which plays a crucial role in my life. “A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.” — James N. Watkins. Overcoming bullying and discrimination, I've turned these challenges into a persistent fight for change through my writings and activism. As a gay, non-binary refugee, I strive to carve a future devoid of the pain I've endured. This thesis is a small contribution to the river, emphasising our collective duty to ensure safety and equality for every LGBTIQ+ asylum seeker. I dedicate this thesis to LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers, who are highly likely to face various forms of discrimination in everyday life. PS: even LinkedIn has a word limit. So, this time I will skip acknowledgements, see the relevant section of my thesis. 💜 #HumanRights #LGBTIQ #AsylumSeekers #Equality #InternationalLaw #Persistence #Activism #Thesis

Strengthening Voices: The Importance of Advocacy for LGBTQIA+ Refugees Advocacy plays a crucial role in promoting equality and protecting human rights for the LGBTQIA+ refugee community, in accordance with United Nations guidelines. By raising our voices and fighting for political and social change, we can ensure that the rights and dignity of these individuals are respected and protected at all levels. Through advocacy, we can pressure governments and international organizations to adopt policies that are inclusive and sensitive to gender and sexuality issues. This is essential to ensure that LGBTQIA+ refugees have access to basic services, such as education, health and protection, without discrimination or violence. Together, we can make a difference by defending the rights of the LGBTQIA+ refugee community, building a more just and inclusive world for all. Let's continue the fight for respect, equality and dignity for all individuals, regardless of their origin or identity. by. ARSF Team #angelsrefugeesupportfoundation #advocacy #humanrights #inclusion"

It's World Refugee Day! As a member of Rainbow Railroad's Board of Directors, I'm proud to spotlight our newly released 2023 Annual Report: Understanding the State of Global LGBTQI+ Persecution. Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization that helps at-risk LGBTQI+ people get to safety worldwide. The report draws on data from 15,352 help requests spanning 100+ countries, representing LGBTQI+ individuals fleeing violence and persecution. No other organization or government captures the breadth and depth of data on LGBTQI+ forced displacement, perpetuating the invisibility of queer individuals in humanitarian responses. https://lnkd.in/e3VKFiNn

As a Palestinian, refugee, person of colour, woman and mother to an ethnically mixed baby, the preliminary results of the European Parliament elections are scary but unfortunately unsurprising. ⚫ The rise of far-right parties in the parliament means that Europe will be more racist, islamophobia, antisemitic and anti-migrant and discriminatory against women, LGBTQ and underprivileged groups. It is sad to acknowledge that the main reason behind their gains is purely white supremacy, which was implicitly and explicitly weaponised by liberals as well as populists who often used terms like “managing migration”, “countering terrorism” or “preventing illegal migrants” to cover up their advocacy for increased fortification of European borders, expansion of cash for migration deals with third countries, pushbacks, denial to right of asylum and other rights, criminalisation of asylum seekers and those providing life-saving efforts, forced deportation… The results are, unfortunately, a defeat for those who have been calling and acting for equity, solidarity, climate justice, social justice, decolonisation and inclusion. It might be a crushing slap for those who truly care about causes beyond EU borders. ❤️🩹Like many of you, I feel disappointed that we're sharing a world with many racists and fascists. However, we shouldn't lose hope. Feel the anxiety, anger, and disappointment, and direct these emotions towards actions that would get us closer to the Europe we want to live in where everyone feels included, welcomed, and protected. ✊ The results should serve as a wake-up call that the fight for human rights for all should continue and even become stronger and more unified. 

Immigration Equality’s Director of Law and Policy, Bridget Crawford, issued the following statement in response to racist and xenophobic remarks targeting the Haitian immigrant community in Springfield, Ohio: “Immigration Equality condemns the baseless, racist attacks on Haitian immigrants made by former President Trump, Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance, and other elected officials. They are no joking matter and have already led to threats of violence against the community. Unfortunately, this type of dehumanizing treatment is not new to Haitian immigrants, who have historically endured discrimination and abuse within the US immigration system. “Anti-immigrant, disinformation campaigns from the right have become a hallmark of political campaigning in recent years. Dehumanizing and vilifying asylum seekers fleeing persecution and economic migrants looking for a better life is a classic attack meant to demonize immigrants and legitimize mistreatment and deportation. That appears to be Former President Trump’s plan; he recently touted that the mass expulsion of immigrants from the United States – a cornerstone of his agenda – will be a ‘bloody story.’ “We urge elected officials to refrain from spreading lies and conspiracy theories that motivate violence against marginalized communities, including LGBTQ and migrant communities across the country. Instead, they should be working toward a humane, fair and efficient system that reflects American values, upholds our legal obligations under international law, and treats all people with dignity and respect.” #ImmigrantsWelcome #Haiti #WelcomeWithDignity #HumanRights #Asylum #LGBTQ #Queer #Immigration #Equality

This #PrideMonth, we reiterate our commitment to advancing LGBTQA+ migrants' rights. We believe effective advocacy can influence policy changes at local, national, and international levels, addressing systemic issues that disproportionately affect LGBTQA+ migrants. This includes pushing for inclusive immigration policies, anti-discrimination laws, and comprehensive protections for LGBTQA+ individuals. Let us work with your organization to enhance your advocacy efforts for LGBTQA+ im/migrant communities. 🔗https://lnkd.in/e-qSPzNu 📧 info@thebridgesisters.com #NonprofitConsultingServices #NonprofitChallenges #LGBTQA #MigrantJustice