WHEREAS, The United States endorsed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and

WHEREAS, The United States has ratified (1) the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (2) the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, (3) the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and (4) the Charter of the Organization of American States; and

WHEREAS, The United States has signed (1) the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, (2) the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, (3) the Convention on the Rights of the Child, (4) the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and (5) the American Convention on Human Rights, all of which now await ratification; and

WHEREAS, The human rights instruments mentioned above constitute an important framework of human rights principles for cities to strengthen and improve the impact of laws and policies on local communities and work on their commitment to protecting, respecting and fulfilling the full range of universal human rights, including civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights; and

WHEREAS, The City of Seattle has long been committed to promoting human rights as demonstrated by the creation in 1963 of the Seattle Human Rights Commission "to act in an advisory capacity in respect to matters affecting human rights" and make recommendations "with regard to the development of programs for the promotion of equality, justice and understanding among all citizens of the City" as well as recommend policies "affecting civil rights and equal opportunity;" and

WHEREAS, Thirty-seven years ago the Seattle City Council recognized December 10 ^th as the official date for commemoration of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and

WHEREAS, The City of Seattle has applied human rights principles in its policymaking, as demonstrated by implementation of the Race and Social Justice Initiative, a citywide initiative to address racial and social disparities and achieve racial equity; and endorsed the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness in King County, partnering with "other levels of government, the United Way, faith-based and civic groups, affected communities, philanthropies, the business community, non-profit housing and service providers, and others to implement this plan"; and

WHEREAS, The idea of a "Human Rights City" developed to provide a model for municipal government to translate and implement universal human rights principles at the local level; and

WHEREAS, Six cities in the United States and 17 cities in the world have been proclaimed a "Human Rights City" serving as models for leadership and advocacy on behalf of human rights for all people; and

WHEREAS, A "Human Rights City" consciously aspires to respect, protect and fulfill universal human rights as spelled out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the human rights instruments previously enumerated; and

WHEREAS, On the occasion of the sixty-fourth anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the thirty-seventh anniversary of the City of Seattle's celebration of Human Rights Day, the City of Seattle seeks to reaffirm and deepen its commitment to promote human rights by proclaiming Seattle a Human Rights City and adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING:

Section 1. In recognition of the sixty-fourth anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the City Council proclaims Seattle to be a Human Rights City, endorses the human rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and commits to their progressive realization in the City of Seattle.

Section 2. This resolution shall become effective upon adoption.

Adopted by the City Council the _____ day of _____________, 2012, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this _____ day of ________________, 2012.

_________________________________

President __________ of the City Council

THE MAYOR CONCURRING:

__________________________________

Michael McGinn, Mayor

Filed by me this ______ day of _________________, 2012.

____________________________________

Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk

(Seal)

jls LEG Human Rights City RESO December 4, 2012 Version #5

Attachment: Universal Declaration of Human Rights