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Cities Feature
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US Should Stop Funding Governments That Use Child SoldiersThe Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008--authored by Illinois Senator Dick Durbin (D)--prohibits military aid to governments that use child soldiers. Several of these countries, however, continue to receive US military assistance, despite exploiting children as young as 11. The Obama administration cannot tolerate such behavior, and it must make clear to these nations that US aid will be withheld should they fail to cease their use of child soldiers.
In the News
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California Passes Bill to Allow Review of Juvenile Life Without Parole Sentences: Illinois Should Follow SuitOnly weeks after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down statutes in 29 states, including Illinois, that provided for mandatory life-without-parole sentences for children, the California State Assembly and California State Senate have passed a bill that allows the review of life without parole sentences for youth offenders. Illinois should recognize children's capacity for change and follow suit.June 12, 2012 -
Update: Governor Quinn Announces Closure of Tamms Correctional FacilityTamms Correctional Facility, Illinois' only supermaximum security prison, is slated to be closed as part of an effort by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to reduce the state's spending. The facility's closure also represents an advance for human rights. Long term solitary confinement is tantamount to torture and fails to meet international human rights standards. Tamms is scheduled to close by August 31, 2012.April 12, 2012 -
NATO Summit in Chicago: "Dereliction of Duty"The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) held meetings in Chicago from May 20-21. As the announced departure of US and NATO forces in 2014 draws closer, many Afghan women look to the future with fear. They worry that the troop pullout signals the end of interest in Afghanistan, and with it the international commitment to push the Afghan government to promote and protect women's rights. Stay informed about the situation in Afghanistan and help us keep women's rights at the top of the agenda.April 12, 2012 -
Fair Sentencing for Illinois Youth?The Chicago Committee of Human Rights Watch is a member of the Illinois Coalition for the Fair Sentencing of Children, a project of the Northwestern Children and Family Justice Clinic. Learn more about how you can get involved to address mandatory life sentences for youth. The Supreme Court recently ruled that the young are indeed different, but what needs to be done at the state level to address the issue?August 10, 2010