Toward a Human Rights Framework in Homelessness Advocacy: Bringing Clients Face-to-Face with the United Nations

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Advocates from Legal Services of Northern California are working to persuade local officials in Sacramento to stop criminalizing homelessness and to create a safe ground for people transitioning from homelessness. Together with other advocacy groups, the advocates have helped educate the United Nations about the homeless who live in tent camps along the American River Parkway and do not have access to clean water and sanitation facilities. In June 2011, Legal Services of Northern California filed a complaint against Sacramento; the complaint used international human rights conventions and norms to challenge the city’s continual rousting of homeless campers and blocking campers’ access to clean water and sanitation.

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By Mona Tawatao and Colin Bailey From September-October 2011