The Advocates adapts international human rights monitoring methods to improve human rights protections for people in the United States and in our local communities.

Human Sex Trafficking in Minnesota:
Sex trafficking violates women and children’s basic human rights, including the right to be free from slavery and slavery-like practices; the right to equal protection under the law; the right to be free from discrimination based on race, nationality, and gender; and the rights to life, security of person and freedom from torture. After The Advocates published the Sex Trafficking Needs Assessment for the State of Minnesota in 2009, The Advocates worked with a coalition of partners to strengthen the state law to better protect women and children who are victims of the crime of human trafficking (see Safe Harbors Initiative for more information).

One Voice Minnesota:
The Advocates is conducting a fact-finding documentation project with community leaders, organizers, and attorneys across Minnesota who work with immigrant communities. The project will use information collected to create a "Blueprint for a Welcoming Minnesota," to be released in early 2014 and used as a basis for public discussion and policy advocacy. 

Battered Immigrant Women Project:
Although domestic violence is a serious problem for women of all backgrounds, refugee and immigrant women are particularly vulnerable to certain forms of abuse and face unique problems in gaining protection from violence.

Post-9/11 Project: In response to post-9/11 backlash, The Advocates for Human Rights conducted research and authored the report, Voices from Silence: Personal Accounts of the Long-Term Impact of 9/11, which details the personal stories of fear and discrimination experienced by immigrants, refugees, and religious minorities in Minnesota.

Support Human Rights Monitoring:
Help shine a light on human rights abuses in the United States and around the world.