{"id":5510,"date":"2020-12-23T21:28:34","date_gmt":"2020-12-23T21:28:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theadvocatespost.org\/?p=7725"},"modified":"2020-12-23T21:28:34","modified_gmt":"2020-12-23T21:28:34","slug":"new-year-renewed-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2020\/12\/23\/new-year-renewed-hope\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year, Renewed Hope"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In ancient Roman religion and myth, the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, frames, and ending\u00a0is known as Janus. Janus is typically depicted as having two faces, looking to the future and to the past.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Janus,\u00a0or what Janus represents,\u00a0is no doubt\u00a0on\u00a0the minds of many\u00a0as we close\u00a0out one year and begin another.\u00a0As\u00a0we\u00a0reflect\u00a0on the past \u2013 2020 \u2013\u00a0we are\u00a0hopeful\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0future –\u00a02021.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\u00a0the midst\u00a0of\u00a0the global\u00a0pandemic, The Advocates\u00a0changed\u00a0systems and conditions that cause human rights abuses. We improved\u00a0laws and lives around the world. We represented\u00a0individual survivors of human rights violations.\u00a0A family gaining asylum after years of fearing persecution and violence in their home country is worthy of celebration. An HIV positive asylum seeker released from ICE detention is a step in a better direction. Influencing public policy on labor trafficking is no small feat. Protecting women from domestic violence during a lockdown is essential.\u00a0The murder of George Floyd\u00a0provided a clarion call to\u00a0confront\u00a0and dismantle racism.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an eye on 2021, we share\u00a0with you\u00a0a look at the past. Following are twenty-one\u00a0notable\u00a0highlights\u00a0at\u00a0The Advocatess\u00a0in 2020, captured in\u00a0blogs, interviews,\u00a0op-eds,\u00a0reports,\u00a0training\u00a0events,\u00a0trivia\u00a0challenges,\u00a0videos\u00a0and more:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. #HumanRightsFromHome<\/strong>: in the spring we made a quick pivot from scheduled in-person events to safe learning and fundraising events. Tune into our initial foray of digital engagement at our spring Virtual House Party<\/a>. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    1. Trafficking<\/strong> Impact<\/strong>: after years of persistent advocacy, The Advocates closed a multi-victim labor trafficking case<\/a> after securing 34 T-visas and reuniting an additional 76 family members in the United States. We documented stories of over 100 youth victims of labor trafficking and helped many receive legal services. Learn more about the disturbing beginnings of a large group of Dominican farmworkers who survived human trafficking<\/a> on a farm in central Minnesota.  <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      1. Volunteer <\/strong>Shout-out<\/strong>: with over 1300 volunteers contributing to the work of The Advocates in 2020, supporters joined our re-imagined Human Rights Awards Dinner 2020<\/a> in June from their decks, kitchens, and living rooms and got inspired by  keynote speaker Lee Gelernt,  Deputy Director, ACLU Immigrants\u2019 Rights Project<\/a> while virtually celebrating the work of volunteers and partners around the globe. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        1. Welcome to Chechnya<\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0in collaboration with trusted partners, The Advocates\u00a0co-sponsored early access to the\u00a0highly anticipated\u00a0HBO documentary\u00a0Welcome to Chechnya<\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0engaged viewers in\u00a0an insightful\u00a0film discussion<\/a>\u00a0with director David France and staff of the Moscow Community Center for LGBT+ Initiatives (MCC).\u00a0<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          1. Victory!<\/strong>: Year after year, hundreds of pro bono attorneys work in concert with The Advocates and their clients seeking asylum. Despite administration hurdles and pandemic challenges, we achieved multiple victories with asylum seeking clients in 2020. Get a glimpse here<\/a> and here<\/a>. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            1. Boost Your Human Rights IQ<\/strong>: this past summer the human rights curious boosted their human rights IQ on Trivia Tuesdays<\/a> and 12 Days of Advocacy<\/a>, a thematic nod to the (pandemic cancelled) Minnesota State Fair \u2013 an event The Advocates has long participated-in where we share human rights advocacy<\/a> with thousands in our hometown. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
              1. Stop Violence Against Women<\/strong>: The Advocates took a deep-dive into COVID\u2019s impact on domestic violence<\/a> in countries around the world. In the fall, we honored several court monitor volunteers with Gold WATCH Awards<\/a> who shared insights on their court monitoring experience<\/a>. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                1. Refugees and Immigrants<\/strong>: from coronavirus to the administration\u2019s attack on asylum, Sarah Brenes, Director of the Refugee and Immigrant program at The Advocates can be found sharing refugee and immigrant issue insights on Caf\u00e9 Libre<\/a> and Immigration Nation<\/em><\/a> panel discussions. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                  1. Release<\/strong>d<\/strong> from ICE Detentio<\/strong>n<\/strong>: as a result of this KSTP news story<\/a>, a determined legal team and a client\u2019s willingness to tell his story \u2013 we celebrated the release of a client from ICE detention.  <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                    1.  <\/strong>#<\/strong>S<\/strong>ave<\/strong>A<\/strong>sylum<\/strong>: asylum has been under attack and The Advocates is fighting back. We commented<\/a> on numerous regulations in 2020. You can comment, too<\/a>. See our model comments<\/a> to get started.  <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                      1.  <\/strong>R<\/strong>aising the Bar in <\/strong>Report Submissions<\/strong>: committed to the impartial promotion and protection of international human rights standards and the rule of law, The Advocates participates in the work of international human rights monitoring by providing written and oral submissions to the UN Human Rights Council and other UN and regional human rights mechanisms. The research and findings in these reports serve to inform human rights monitoring bodies about human rights violations happening on the ground in countries around the world. In 2020, The Advocates\u2019 submitted over 52 report<\/a>s in defense of human rights. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                        1. Extrajudicial Executions<\/strong>: in the wake of George Floyd\u2019s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police, The Advocates published an ever-growing blog series on criminal justice<\/a> and demanding accountability<\/a> and expanded our work on anti-racism and human rights<\/a>. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                          1. Protecting Human Rights in Times of Protest<\/strong>: when the administration flexed its paramilitary muscle at protests in Portland this summer, The Advocates weighed-in<\/a>. We also engaged hundreds in training on human rights in the United States in preparation for the 36th<\/sup> Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in October. Topics included: asylum, human trafficking and labor rights and police accountability.<\/a>  <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                            1. Preparing for the 36<\/strong>th<\/sup><\/strong> <\/strong>Universal Periodic Review (<\/strong>UPR<\/strong>)<\/strong> <\/strong>Session<\/strong>: Learn firsthand how The Advocates provided Human Rights Council delegates with information to prepare their intervention<\/a> for the UPR interactive dialogue. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                              1. \u201cLive from Geneva!\u201d<\/strong>:<\/strong> <\/strong>Although COVID and travel restrictions prohibited us from being present at the 36th Session of the Universal Periodic Review<\/a> (UPR) at the United Nations in Geneva this year, watch how The Advocates re-imaged and reinforced our UPR impact<\/a> and read<\/a> and watch how the US took center stage at the UN<\/a>.  <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                                1. Post-conflict Accountability in Liberia<\/strong>: Watch The Advocates<\/a> provide updated information on the current situation in Liberia to assist delegates in the Human Rights Council in preparing their interventions for the UPR dialogue in November 2020. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                                  1. Weighing-in on <\/strong>Systemic Violence and Police Accountability<\/strong>: read The Advocates\u2019 written statement<\/a> to the\u202fUN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent and watch<\/a> Lisa Borden, staff attorney at The Advocates, present our statement<\/a> to the very same group. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                                    1. World Day Against the Death Penalty<\/strong>: in recognition of this internationally-celebrated day, Amy Bergquist, senior staff attorney at The Advocates and Vice-President for the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and Lisa Borden, staff attorney at The Advocates shared comprehensive learnings on legal representation<\/a>, building capacity<\/a> and access to counsel<\/a>. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                                      1. Human Rights Day<\/strong>: In collaboration with the City Minneapolis, the City of St. Paul and the United Nations Minnesota Chapter, The Advocates participated in the important discussion<\/a> of human rights challenges at the local level \u2013 in our communities. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                                        1. I Vote For Hope<\/strong>: our newsletter, the  Human Rights Observer<\/a>, has much to share about our work over the past year, but if you\u2019re seeking a quick glimpse, be sure to check out Sarah Brenes\u2019 \u201cI Vote for Hope<\/a>\u201d.   <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                                          1. Bearing\u00a0Witness<\/strong>:\u00a0an opportunity to invite the public into the deportation infrastructure,\u00a0The Advocates\u2019\u00a0Immigration Court Observation\u00a0Report<\/a>\u00a0draws on and documents the international human rights practice of trial monitoring to identify and bring visibility to systemic human rights violations arising in the context of civil immigration enforcement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                                            The past\u00a0informs the future.\u00a0In a complicated, unprecedented\u00a0year,\u00a0together\u00a0we\u00a0defended our bodies from a silent\u00a0attacker\u00a0and\u00a0defended our communities from\u00a0loud, abusive\u00a0ones.\u00a0We\u00a0are hopeful for a new year and a new administration and\u00a0remain committed to our vision:\u00a0a\u00a0world in which every person lives with dignity, freedom, justice, equality, and peace.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                            Thank you to all the\u00a0support of our volunteers, donors, partners, clients, friends, followers, and\u00a0human rights defenders\u00a0around\u00a0the world. We\u00a0wish you peace\u00a0and health\u00a0in the New Year.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                            \n\n\n\n

                                            Curious about volunteering? Please reach out<\/a>. The Advocates for Human Rights has an opportunity for you.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                            Eager to see change? Give<\/a> to our mission, our vision, our work. Your gift matters.  <\/p>\n\n

                                            This post was originally published on The Advocates Post<\/a>. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                            In ancient Roman religion and myth, the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, frames, and ending\u00a0is known as Janus. Janus is typically depicted as having two faces, looking to the future and to the past.\u00a0\u00a0 Janus,\u00a0or what Janus represents,\u00a0is no doubt\u00a0on\u00a0the minds of many\u00a0as we close\u00a0out one year and begin another.\u00a0As\u00a0we\u00a0reflect\u00a0on the \u2026 Continue reading New Year, Renewed\u00a0Hope<\/span> \u2192<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":501,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1597,1598,1599,1276,1600,1601],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5510"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/501"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5510"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5510\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10899,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5510\/revisions\/10899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}