Fall 2012
Spring 2012
Fall 2011
Spring 2011
 

Fall 2012

 Awards from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission

The City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission announced the recipients of its 2012 awards, who were honored at the 29th Annual Human Rights Breakfast on Oct. 30 in Iowa City. Two of these awards honored the UI Center for Human Rights.

Kenneth Cmiel Award: Robin E. Armstrong, for her commitment to human rights both locally and globally through her involvement in collaborative arts-based projects.

Community Award: University of Iowa Center for Human Rights, for its outstanding teaching, scholarship, and service to the local community for 13 years.

Courage of Conviction Award 2012 given to Burns H. Weston, Founder of the UI Center for Human Rights

On October 30 the UICHR honored its founder, Burns Weston, with the Courage of Conviction award.  The Courage of Conviction award honors an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the protection of human dignity and the advancement of human rights. This award recognized the strength of character required of persons who advocate for the rights of individuals and for the common good, in the face of opposition and often at significant personal cost. Weston will receive this award in recognition of his steadfast support of human rights principles. 

For additional information see Iowa Now.

Spring 2012

 2012 Cmiel Internship Winners selected!

The University of Iowa Center for Human Rights (UICHR) in UI International Programs has awarded seven students a total of $7,500 to support their internships for human rights organizations in the United States or internationally in the summer of 2012. 

These students, seeking a combination of graduate and undergraduate degrees, have received funding as part of the UICHR’s annual Kenneth J. Cmiel Funded Human Rights Internship Program. Program funds cover travel and living expenses for students who have secured an internship with a local, national, or international nongovernmental organization or governmental agency engaged in human rights-related advocacy, research, or education.

For more information on the students see Iowa Now.

Fall 2011

AbUSed: The Postville Raid

A film screening and discussion with the director, Luis Argueta.

October 27, 2011
7 pm
W151 Pappajohn Business Building

Sponsored by University of Iowa Labor Center, the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights, the University of Iowa Department of History, the University of Iowa School of Social Work, University of Iowa Center for Diversity and Enrichment, University of Iowa Latin American Studies Program, and the League of Women Voters of Johnson County Education Fund.

Hurricane Katrina lecture related to One Community, One Book 2011 selection

Margaret Crocco, dean of the UI College of Education, discussed why disasters demonstrate the need for democratic dialogue and civic engagement Tuesday Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. in Meeting Room A, Iowa City Public Library.

Crocco shared the process of developing a curriculum keyed to Spike Lee's award-winning film about Hurricane Katrina, “When the Levees Broke.” She spoke about how a tragedy can often reshape consciousness around community and community involvement.

This talk focused on some of the issues that take place in the One Community, One Book 2011 selection, “Zeitoun” by Dave Eggers, the story of a family during the Hurricane Katrina aftermath in New Orleans.

This event is sponsored by the UI Center for Human Rights, the Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Hills Bank and Trust Company, Iowa Book, Iowa City Human Rights Commission, Midwest One Bank, Prairie Lights, University Book Store, UI International Programs, University of Iowa Libraries, and the Coralville, Iowa City, Solon, and North Liberty public libraries.

Learn more about One Community, One Book.

Book Release: Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones

The University of Iowa Bookstore has copies for sale of the recently released book, Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones: from the Ancient World to the Era of Human Rights edited by Elizabeth Heineman.

The UICHR would like to congratulate board member and UI professor Elizabeth Heineman, for the publication of this collection of essays. Dr. Heineman has generously offered the royalties to benefit the UICHR.

Essays in the volume span a broad geographic, chronological, and thematic scope, touching on the ancient world, medieval Europe, the American Revolutionary War, precolonial and colonial Africa, Muslim Central Asia, the two world wars, and the Bangladeshi War of Independence. By considering a wide variety of cases, the contributors analyze the factors making sexual violence in conflict zones more or less likely and the resulting trauma more or less devastating. Topics covered range from the experiences of victims and the motivations of perpetrators, to the relationship between wartime and peacetime sexual violence, to the historical background of the contemporary feminist-inflected human rights moment.

To learn more about the book please visit the website for the University of Pennsylvania Press.

One Community, One Book 2011: Lecture Event

Margaret Crocco, dean of the UI College of Education, will discuss why disasters demonstrate the need for democratic dialogue and civic engagement Tuesday Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. in Meeting Room A, Iowa City Public Library. This event is free and open to the public.

Crocco will share the process of developing a curriculum keyed to Spike Lee's award-winning film about Hurricane Katrina, “When the Levees Broke.” She will speak about how a tragedy can often reshape consciousness around community and community involvement.

Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones: from the Ancient World to the Era of Human Rights

The University of Iowa Bookstore has copies for sale of the recently released book, Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones: from the Ancient World to the Era of Human Rights edited by Elizabeth Heineman.

The UICHR would like to congratulate board member and UI professor Elizabeth Heineman, for the publication of this collection of essays. Essays in the volume span a broad geographic, chronological, and thematic scope, touching on the ancient world, medieval Europe, the American Revolutionary War, precolonial and colonial Africa, Muslim Central Asia, the two world wars, and the Bangladeshi War of Independence.

To learn more about the book please visit the website for the University of Pennsylvania Press.

UICHR Announces the 2011 Weston Essay Prize Winners

Congratulations to Alexis Stevens (graduate) and Sarah Voigt (undergraduate), the Weston Essay Prize winners for 2011. Both essays are posted on our Weston Essay Prize page.

Read the UI news release.

New Project: Literature and Human Rights

Visit our new Literature and Human Rights page!

Read the University of Denver's Human Rights and Human Welfare August Newsletter

HRHW is published online, on a rolling submission basis. The HRHW Update highlights new content posted to the site; a corresponding email announcement is sent out once a month. Read the online version here.

Spring 2011

Statistic by Statistic, A Decade of Documenting Human Rights Abuses

The Human Rights Index, a continuing series, is prepared by the UI Center for Human Rights (UICHR) for publication in The Iowa Review three times annually. Read the Spring 2011 issue: #31- Industrial Disasters.

Advancing the Right to Health on a Sick Planet: Redefining Security & the Role of Militarism within a Changing Climate

May 14-15, 2011

The Militarism on a Sick Planet project is an Iowa PSR-led effort to address urgent threats to health and environmental security by exploring and making visible costly, mutually reinforcing and dangerous interactions between climate change and global militarism.

May 14, 9 am-5 pm and May 15, 9 am-12 pm
2nd Floor Conference Center, University Capitol Center

This workshop is the kickoff event setting the stage for a multi-year cross-disciplinary project to develop tools, talking points, and educational materials to help stem the dangerous impacts of militarism on our imperiled global environment.The format of the workshop will include both plenary panels featuring respected experts exploring key questions followed by breakout working groups. The workshop is open to the public and public comments will be sought during plenary panels and breakout groups.

This workshop is sponsored by the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights, the Iowa Chapter Physicians for Social Responsibility, and interested student groups.

For more information about this project visit the Physicians for Social Responsibility website.

Don't Forget Sudan! May 2-3, 2011

The UICHR, ICFRC, Iowa UNA, and PEACE Iowa are pleased to present a two-part event, "Don't Forget Sudan." The events will include a panel discussion/forum and a dinner featuring a keynote speaker from the National Security Network.

Although the media spotlight has been on the conflict and uprising in the Middle East and North Africa, there are significant political and social changes taking place in Sudan. These events aim to encourage awareness and discussion of these important, current issues.

Panel discussion/forum
May 2, 2011
3:30-4:30 pm
Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A

This panel event will feature UI students and Iowa City residents who are also members of the Sudanese community.This event is free and open to the public.

Dinner and keynote speaker presentation
May 3, 2011
6:30-8:30 pm
1117 University Capitol Centre
University of Iowa

Join us for dinner and a brief keynote address by Omer Ismail, presenter from the National Security Network and advisor for the "Enough" project. This event is free and open to the public.

The Arab Spring: Interpreting the Current Events

The UICHR is pleased to be hosting a panel and discussion forum examining the current political climate and events in the Middle East and North Africa.

Thursday, April 21, 2011
7:30-8:30 pm
1117 University Capitol Centre
University of Iowa

This event will allow members of the UI community to hear a unique set of points of view regarding the “Arab Spring.” The UICHR hopes that this forum will promote discussion and increased awareness of the complex issues involved in the current events in the Middle East and North Africa.

Panelists will include:

Dr. Mohamed Al-Janabi- UI doctoral student from Iraq and president of the Iraqi Student Association

Shams Ghoneim- Coordinator for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Iowa Chapter, a native of Egypt, and writer for the Gazette

Dan Olinghouse- UI political science major who was studying abroad in Egypt when the 2011 revolt began.

Vicki Hesli- UI Professor of Comparative Politics; her research focuses include political parties, women and politics, and voting behavior.

Each panelist will give a brief explanation of their background and experience related to the current events in the Middle East, and there will be a Q & A session following the presentations.

Make it Better, Iowa

Sunday, April 17, 2011
4 pm
Grand Ballroom, Hotel Vetro
Iowa City

The UICHR, Working Group Theatre, Iowa Pride Network, Prairie Lights Bookstore, and The Hotel Vetro are please to present Make it Better, Iowa, a collaborative project that aims to use theatre training and storytelling to help make Iowa a better place for LGBT youth to grow up.

The event will feature a theatrical performance, personal storytelling and a Skyped in appearance by Dan Savage who will be talking about the release of “It Gets Better” the book. Prairie Lights will have the book available for purchase at the event and a portion of all proceeds will go to the Iowa Pride Network and United Action for Youth. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the Make it Better, Iowa website.

Trudy Peterson: Archivist for Human Rights

April 11-12, 2011

Trudy Peterson has worked as the Acting Archivist for the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration and for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Her consulting work has shaped important aspects of transitional justice in all corners of the globe, including (but by no means limited to) in Central & Eastern Europe, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Guatemala.

Opening Archives Around the World: Drafting New International Standards
Monday, April 11, 2011 4 pm
1117 University Capitol Centre

CAREERS FOR CHANGE: Archivist for Human Rights
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 12 pm
303 Schaeffer Hall

Historians, Archivists, and the Records of Medical Experimentation: The U.S. and the Guatemala Syphilis Study 1946-2010
Tuesday April 12, 2011 4 pm
1117 University Capitol Centre

Two Sides of the Moon:
Screening and Fundraiser

“Two Sides of the Moon” explores the murder of Hatun Sucuru. In the film, two cultures clash and at their intersection is Hatun Sucuru- a 23 year-old German born Muslim woman. When her very traditional Kurdish family could not accept her modern lifestyle, Hatun’s younger brother murdered her.

Quickly classified as an “honor killing,” Hatun’s story highlights a particularly egregious form of violence against women. Yet, gender-based violence takes a myriad of forms and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion or belief, health, status, age, class, caste, and sexual orientation or gender identity.

The problem of violence against women is truly a global one. The Domestic Violence Intervention Program estimates that more than 75% of women killed in Iowa were murdered by their intimate partners. The American Medical Association reports that every five years as many women die at the hands of their partners as did U.S. men and women in the Vietnam War. The WHO has called the global scale of all forms of violence against women an international public health crisis.

The UICHR hopes that the screening of “Two Sides of the Moon” will spark a community-wide discussion on addressing women’s human rights at the local, national and international levels. Please consider a donation to the Cmiel internship program to support a student engaged in promoting the human rights of women.

For more information about the film, visit the Two Sides of the Moon website.

Monday, April 11
Join filmmaker David Gould and internationally recognized anthropologist Unni Wikan for the screening and discussion.

5:30 pm
Reception- Penn State Room, Iowa Memorial Union

6:30 pm
Screening- Illinois Room, Iowa Memorial Union

Careers for Change: Academic Activism

The UI Center for Human Rights (UICHR) will host a Careers for Change lecture featuring University of Oslo, Norway social anthropologist Unni Wikan. Wikan will speak about her career as both an academic and an activist.

2:00 pm
Monday, April 11
Room 1117, University Capitol Centre

Professor Wikan has worked as a consultant for UNICEF, The World Food Programme in Bhutan, and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation in Bhutan. Her published works include Generous Betrayal: Politics of Culture in the New Europe and In Honor of Fadime: Murder and Shame. She is well known for her research and writing on the changing culture of Western Europe and the culture changes brought about by increased immigration.

Recently, she has worked with UI Professor David Gould on “Two Sides of the Moon,” a film exploring the tragic “honor killing” of a young Muslim woman. The UICHR will be hosting a reception and screening of the film on April 11, 2011 at 6:30 pm. For more information about this event, visit the UICHR website.

You're Invited to "Inside Out," a workshop

April 2, 2011
South Room, Iowa Memorial Union
University of Iowa
Iowa City

The UI Center for Human Rights and Working Group Theatre invite you to "Inside Out," a workshop event designed to address gender identity-related discrimination, oppression, and bullying . During the workshop, participants will learn to use Forum Theatre and storytelling to promote social change.

This event is free and open to the public.

This workshop is a part of the "Make it Better, Iowa" project, a  collaboration between Working Group Theatre, The UI Center for Human Rights, and Iowa Pride Network with support from Prairie Lights Bookstore and Hotel Vetro.

Find more information about the "Make it Better, Iowa," project and event details here.

As We Forgive: A Laura Waters Hinson film

March 28, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Shambaugh Auditorium

Could you forgive a person who murdered your family? This is the question faced by the subjects of As We Forgive, a documentary about Rosaria and Chantal—two Rwandan women coming face-to-face with the men who slaughtered their families during the 1994 genocide. The subjects of As We Forgive speak for a nation still wracked by the grief of a genocide that killed one in eight Rwandans in 1994. Overwhelmed by an enormous backlog of court cases, the government has returned over 50,000 genocide perpetrators back to the very communities they helped to destroy. Without the hope of full justice, Rwanda has turned to a new solution: Reconciliation.

For more information about the film, visit the website.

The UI History Department presents Ida Beam Distinguished Visiting Professor, Dirk Hoerder

Professor Dirk Hoerder is a distinguished historian of global migration and American cultural and social history. He is a longstanding member of the history faculty at the University of Bremen, and now a member of the faculty at Arizona State University.

Monday, March 28, 2011
4:00 p.m.
International Commons, 1117 UCC
"Permeable Borders: North America as a Migration Region since the 19th Century"
A lecture, open to the public

Tuesday, March 29, 2011
12:00-1:30 pm
History Conference Room, 273 SH
Professor Hoerder will meet with faculty and graduate students for a lunch seminar. Discussion will be based on a pre-circulated paper on gender and global labor migration. Contact Pat Goodwin (patricia-goodwin@uiowa.edu /335-2309) to request an electronic or hard copy of the paper.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011
4:00 pm
The Commons, 302 SH
Professor Hoerder will hold an informal discussion with graduate students on their research interests.

These events are co-sponsored by the History Department, International Programs, American Studies, UI Labor Center, Crossing Borders Program, and UI Center for Human Rights.
If you need accommodation in order to attend these events, please contact the UI Department of History at 319/335-2299.

In Memoriam: The Triangle Factory Fire 100th Anniversary

On Friday, March 25 the Iowa Women’s Archives will host, “In Memoriam: The Triangle Factory Fire 100th Anniversary,” an event to commemorate the 146 young, immigrant garment workers who lost their lives in this tragedy. Remarks by Professor of History Linda K. Kerber will begin at noon. Dramatic readings by Carol Macvey and theater students will follow, with comments by playwright Janet Schlapkohl.
This event will take place from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor conference room (2032) of the UI Main Library. For further information call 319-335-5068.

Antigone 2.0, performance and discussion

The University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts, in association with the UI Center for Human Rights and the UI College of Law, will present a public panel discussion following UI Theatres’ performance of Antigone 2.0 on Thursday, March 10.

The discussion will begin immediately after the March 10 performance of Antigone 2.0 at the Theatre Building on the UI campus – approximately 9:15 pm. The panel will include Steven J. Burton (College of Law), Burns Weston (Emeritus, College of Law and Senior Scholar for the UI Center for Human Rights), and Diane Jeske (Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy). Christine Scarfuto, dramaturg for Antigone 2.0, will be the moderator.

The panel discussion is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Christine Scarfuto at christine-scarfuto@uiowa.edu.

Visit the UI Theatre Department's website if you are interested in purchasing tickets for Antigone 2.0.

Join us for the 2011 Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems Symposium

The UICHR is pleased to be co-sponsoring the 2011 TLCP Symposium. This year's symposium, Ten Years After 9/11: Rethinking Counterterrorism will take place on February 10th and 11th, 2011. For information about the keynote address and the symposium panel events, visit the TLCP website.