Orange Day, Vigil, Panel Discussion Among Human Rights Events in Iowa City

The is celebrating Human Rights Awareness Week, and has a few events open to the public.

• Today, 7-8 p.m. at 1505 Seaman Center: University of Iowa Center for Human Rights speakers Greg Hamot and Burns Weston present, "Human Rights: From Global and Local."
• Thursday, 6:30-7 p.m. on the UI Pentacrest: Human Rights Vigil. "We will be distributing candles and remembering the lives of those lost fighting to gain, defend, or protect human rights and those who are still doing so today," according to the UI human rights center.
• Friday, all day: Wear orange day. "Orange is the color of human rights awareness. This is an easy way to  to show support for human rights for all," according to the center.

Human Rights week is being celebrated Jan. 16-27. It is being sponsored by the Center for Human Rights and various student groups on campus have collaborated to display creative works to raise awareness.  Amnesty International, Free The Children, LiNK (Liberty in North Korea), SAS (Students Abolishing Slavery), and Student Model UN have organized events during the week in hopes of increasing student involvement and campus awareness.

Here is more from the university:

Human rights are encompassed in all aspects of life. Many of us are fortunate and privileged to feel that we are equally represented, to express ourselves openly and freely, that our rights are not infringed upon, to feel the security that your government will not use violent action against you or unlawfully detain you, etc. But as many of you know, this is not the case for all people, not in the United States, or across the world.

"We believe human rights to be fundamental, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women, and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom..." -Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Human rights are inherent, universal, and they apply equally and absolutely to everyone, everywhere.  They belong to all people, regardless of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, culture, or location.

From the words of Martin Luther King Jr, "History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

TAKE A STAND, RAISE YOUR VOICE, CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events.  If you are a person
with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Helen Oh in advance at 630-862-4199.