Let's Put It All In Writing

When I look at the United States in comparison to other countries on human rights, I think our country is a great nation. We have finally passed the Lilly Ledbetter Act so that women should be more likely to receive equal pay. But why did it take so long to get it in writing? While women enjoy many human and civil rights that are not enjoyed by women abroad, why can’t we get it in writing with the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment? The United States seems to have a problem with putting human rights in writing. Why is that?

When reviewing UN Conventions, I was shocked and quite frankly embarrassed that we have not signed two of the Conventions. I wrote President Obama and his staff this morning about these very issues (and congratulated him on the great work he has done to date). I requested that he support and sign the two UN Conventions below.

• UN Convention, Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. This resolution declares that the enslavement of women and children subjected to prostitution is incompatible with the dignity and fundamental rights of the human person. The convention describes procedures for combating international traffic for the purpose of prostitution, including extradition of offenders. It also prohibits the running brothels and renting accommodation for prostitution purposes.
Member States that have signed, ratified, and implemented this convention are preventing prostitution by moral education and civics training, in and out of school, eliminating discrimination that ostracizes prostitutes and makes their reabsorption into society more difficult, curbing the pornography industry and the trade in pornography and penalizing them severely when minors are involved, punishing all forms of procuring in such a way as to deter it, particularly when it exploits minors.

• The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international human rights instrument of the United intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Parties to the Convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law.

There are eight guiding principles that underlie the Convention:
1. Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of persons
2. Non-discrimination
3. Full and effective participation and inclusion in society
4. Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity
5. Equality of opportunity
6. Accessibility
7. Equality between men and women
8. Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities

I hope that the United States signs on and supports these Conventions. It is the right thing to do and I think it might help enhance our country's image, our stand on human rights. Please consider letting President Obama and his staff know how you feel regarding these issues.