The 2008 Human Rights Law & Policy Conference
"Human Rights and the United States: the Past, Present and Future of Dignity and Justice for All."

Celebrating a quarter century of protecting and promoting human rights around the world, The Advocates for Human Rights hosted the sixth annual human rights law and policy conference, "Human Rights and the United States: the Past, Present and Future of Dignity and Justice for All" on June 30, 2008. 

The conference offered a retrospective look at the human rights movement that has brought us into the 21^st century and what the future holds for human rights in the United States and around the world. The conference's keynote speaker was William F. Schulz, the former Executive Director of Amnesty International USA and a Senior Fellow in human rights policy at the Center for American Progress.  He spoke on "Restoring America's Credibility: The Future of Human Rights."  
            
The conference also included four workshop session led by experienced human rights activists and a plenary address by Peggy Hicks, International Advocacy Director of Human Rights Watch.

Workshop 1: Women and Human Rights
This panel discussed the evolution of the women’s human rights movement by examining The Advocates’ work on the impact of domestic violence on refugee and immigrant battered women in Minnesota. 

Panelists:
Angela Bortel, Staff Attorney, The Advocates for Human Rights
Alena Chaps, Program Assistant, The Advocates for Human Rights
Mary Ellingen, Staff Attorney, The Advocates for Human Rights  

Workshop 2: Conflict and Human Rights
This workship addressed how conflict leads to human rights violations, what populations are particularly vulnerable, and how human rights law and concepts have been used to prevent and help communities or societies recover from conflict.

Panelists:
Monte Achenbach, American Refugee Committee
Ahmed Sirleaf, Program Associate, The Advocates for Human Rights
Linda L. Nielsen, M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W., International Programs Clinical Consultant, Center for Victims of Torture

Plenary Address
The plenary speaker discussed the creation and establishment of the new Human Rights Council, including its challenges, its potential for success and how NGO's may effectively access and use it to advocate for the promotion and protection of human rights.

Peggy Hicks, International Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch

Workshop 3: Using Domestic and International Law to Advocate for Human Rights
This workshop used case studies to provide practical information on how to use United States domestic law, and regional and international human rights laws and protection mechanisms to advocate for human rights.

Panelists:
Thomas Tinkham, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Korir Sing’Oei, Executive Director, Centre for Minority Rights Development (Cemiride)
Mark Girouard, Associate, Halleland Lewis Nilan & Johnson

Workshop 4: Human Rights Issues for the 21st Century
In the context of globalization, panelists discussed the intersection of human rights and trade, security, and the environment.

Panelists:
Steve Suppan, Senior Policy Analyst, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Llewellyn Hille, Minnesota Organizer, Oxfam America