Dearborn, MI (PRWEB) June 06, 2014
Michigan Group Announces Formation of New Human Rights Council- AHRC
A coalition of civil rights activists and community leaders in Michigan announced today the formation of the American Human Rights Council (AHRC), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting, promoting, and defending human rights.
The group adopted its founding mandate principles defined by the U.S. Constitution and formally embraced in the United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) at http://www.UN.org/en/documents/udhr.
The AHRC will serve the needs of all people whose rights are being denied or violated. The AHRC founding board consists of notable leaders from Michigan’s civil rights, religious and community activist groups.
The AHRC will place a special emphasis on the rights of prisoners in the United States and in foreign nations. The AHRC will collaborate with other civil and human rights organizations and maintain constructive engagement with courts, social service agencies, and various governmental agencies.
Imam Mohammad Mardini will serve as the Interim AHRC President. Civil Rights Attorney Shereef Akeel will serve as AHRC Advisory Board Chairman.
“Human rights are precious to all of us,” Imam Mardini said. “I have accepted a leadership role with the AHRC to fulfill my strong commitment to protecting the rights of all individuals. With the support of our members, along with the community-at-large, I sincerely believe that we will be successful in protecting and restoring human rights wherever they are threatened or denied,” continued Imam Mardini.
“In my twenty or so years of volunteering in jails or correctional facilities across the State of Michigan, I saw a great need for an organization such as the AHRC,” said AHRC board member Imam Mustapha Elturk. “Human rights of prisoners, or anyone whose rights are being violated, must be protected, regardless of skin color, language, race, national origin, or other discriminatory factors,” continued Imam Elturk.
“Working on the Abu Ghraib case, I developed a keen sense of appreciation for prisoners being afforded their proper rights,” said attorney and AHRC Board Chairman Shereef Akeel. “We have a duty, and an obligation, as an organization, and as individuals, to ensure that prisoners are treated as human beings, and not just another neglected segment of our societies,” continued Atty. Akeel.
AHRC Board member Ms. Minnie Washington said, “The protection of one’s human rights will help change the world for the better.”
The board identified the primary function of the AHRC as seeking to intervene in “situations where human rights are being violated or denied.”
The AHRC mandate states, “We will provide advocacy and other related services wherever the restoration of human rights is essential to peoples’ well-being. Our initial focus will be on prisoners’ rights. The AHRC will work to ensure that the rights of prisoners, and their families, are recognized and defended. In doing so, we will also encourage cooperation between similar organizations in Michigan, and other states, as well as other countries. We will collaborate to implement projects, programs, and activities for the benefit of our intended beneficiaries, utilizing all available synergies in order to maximize the benefits of our service. Although the AHRC will primarily focus on the United States, we will work in conjunction with any organization which can help us achieve our mission of protecting human rights around the world, regardless of geographical or other boundaries.”
The AHRC has established offices at 13530 Michigan Avenue, Suite 332, in Dearborn, Michigan 48126. Offices are also planned for other cities across the United States. The telephone number of the Michigan Office is 313-914-3251 and the fax number is 313-914-3284. The AHRC website is http://www.AHRCUSA.org. The contact email is info(at)AHRCUSA(dot)org.
"Breaking Barriers, Building a Future"
American Human Rights Council (AHRC)
13530 Michigan Ave # 332
Dearborn, Michigan 48126/USA
Tel: 313-914-3251 Fax: 313-914-3284
http://www.ahrcusa.org