Blog of Rights: Official Blog of the American Civil Liberties Union

Achieving the Ideals Embodied in the CRC

suzanne_ito — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:58:00 -0500

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most comprehensive treaty on children’s rights. The convention has been ratified by nearly every country in the world, except for the United States. The convention would fill current gaps in U.S. laws, and provide all children in America with the same robust protections that children in 193 countries are already entitled to.

Et Uxor

suzanne_ito — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:57:00 -0500

As I read those words at the end of the title of a newly issued case from a federal appeals court in California, my high school Latin came flooding back to me and I got teary-eyed.

Black’s Law Dictionary defines the term “Et uxor” as “And his wife.” Except in this circumstance, the court used it (appropriately) to mean “And her wife.” Times have changed, even for the federal judiciary.

Honoring Those We’ve Lost, Fighting for Those Still Here

suzanne_ito — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:44:00 -0500

Today marks the 11th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honor those among us whose deaths were a result of prejudice against transgender people. The day serves as a sad reminder that, as much as we are moving towards tolerance and societal acceptance of transgender people, physical violence continues to be a threat in our communities.

Expanding Opportunity and Hope for Children in America

suzanne_ito — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:17:00 -0500

(Originally posted in Daily Kos.)

It is Time to Join the Rest of the World: Omar Khadr and the Convention on the Rights of the Child

suzanne_ito — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:53:00 -0500

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most comprehensive treaty on children's rights. The convention has been ratified by nearly every country in the world, except the United States. The convention would fill current gaps in U.S. law, and provide all children in America with the same robust protections that children in 193 countries are already entitled to.

Promoting the Sexual Health of Youth

suzanne_ito — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:25:00 -0500

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most comprehensive treaty on children's rights. The convention has been ratified by nearly every country in the world, except for the United States. The convention would fill current gaps in U.S. laws, and provide all children in America with the same robust protections that children in 193 countries are already entitled to.

Gay Marriage in N.J.: Which Side of History Will You Be On?

suzanne_ito — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:55:00 -0500

(Originally posted in the New Jersey Star-Ledger.)

As our state legislature gears up to vote on marriage equality in the lame-duck session, we have one question for lawmakers: Which side of history do you want to be on?

The "Show Me" State Shows the Nation on Juvenile Justice

suzanne_ito — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:02:00 -0500

Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most comprehensive treaty on children's rights. The convention has been ratified by nearly every country in the world, except for the United States. The convention would fill current gaps in U.S. laws, and provide all children in America with the same robust protections that children in 193 countries are already entitled to.

"No One Should Go Through What I Went Through"

suzanne_ito — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

That’s what Bethany Cajúne told me the first time we spoke about her experience in Montana’s Lake County Detention Facility. “No one should go through what I went through.” We filed a case earlier today to make sure that Bethany’s desire to protect other women becomes a reality.

Maintaining the Status Quo

suzanne_ito — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:15:00 -0500

(Originally posted on Daily Kos.)