~ Human Rights ~

[Army_Wife 2]

I've been wizzing around on the United Nations website.

The member states can be found on this link:

http://www.un.org/members/list.shtml

This website also took me to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

"Article 16.

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State."

Not sure at this stage if these guys can help, but I thought it was worth a try .... maybe you'd like to mail/call/email them at:

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Palais Wilson

52 rue des Pâquis

CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland

Telephone: +41 22 917 90 00

Email: InfoDesk@ohchr.org

This the office which apparently covers the U.S.

Migrant workers (the H1-B's) are protected under Human Rights Law and are therefore able to speed through the system due to the allowance of expedite under family reunification ..... with them, it's just a given.

I know that family is not something that the Human Rights people have done a lot of work on, but if enough of you contact them, there may be something they can do to ensure that I-130 petitioners are treated at least equally with the other visa types.

They're also pretty hot on discrimination .... and if you look at the timeframe between a family under I-130 or I-129F (CR1/IR1 or K3) being together compared to I-129F (K1) or the H1-B's there is a massive discrepancy ..... and if there's children involved in your case, then they should be willing to listen .... I hope.

[kitty loves moudi 0]

Thanks Sara.. for all the information and research you've provided for all.

For those of us already approved at USCIS this applies to us as too, many have waited long while watching other types of petitions as mentioned by Sara.. fly by. Not fair!

[Army_Wife 2]

You're welcome Kitty

I know you understand why I'm still trying to help .... approved or not, there's is a problem with the I-130's and it hurts to see so many people caught up in it.

These Human Rights people have a lot of power ... I definately think they are worth a try, especially if they get tons of complaints.

I would certainly suggest everyone write a letter explaining their family situation and sending it to them asking for help

[Angie Y Shane 2]

Thank you I'm already going to start a research on this advise. thank you so much. this time has been very emotional and difficult. Our case may be one of those difficult cases. I'm trying to go another route here.

Thanks shane

[S_AL_ 1]

Thank you Sarah for this post and the other one about expedites.

[Army_Wife 2]

Thank you Sarah for this post and the other one about expedites.

You're welcome .... I want you guys out of this USCIS nightmare ASAP!!!

I really think if the Human Rights people are contacted, they will help as the H1-B's are now protected under them .... H1-B families normally wizz through in a month or so .... but the Human Rights people need to be made aware of the mess with the I-130's.

Till then, there's nothing that can really be done without expedite ....

Those with children should contact these people immediately and see if they can push things along.

Edited May 27, 2008 by KipandSarahJayne

[Ilya R. 0]

Did anyone look in to this? Any news?

[NicoleX08 1]

Did anyone look in to this? Any news?

I was wondering the same thing... I am too chicken to be the first to try...

[Army_Wife 2]

I can't do it, I'm attached to government being married to military .....

But I'm sure a nice fax/phonecall/email etc or all together from a shedload of you, may get some response.

Do outline the situation you're in .... and if you've got kids, all the better .... I think that would help get the ball rolling.

It may take a couple of tries, as the US is not reknowned for being an abusive place to live, and they may not believe it to begin with.

[Nor 0]

Thank you Sarah, for your help, research etc to expedite. We're also going to look for this option and do some research about this. Hopefully our case will be approve soooon and won't reach 1-year waiting period

Again, thanks a lot we really appreciate it.

[HOHOHO 0]

I've been wizzing around on the United Nations website.

The member states can be found on this link:

http://www.un.org/members/list.shtml

This website also took me to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

"Article 16.

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State."

Not sure at this stage if these guys can help, but I thought it was worth a try .... maybe you'd like to mail/call/email them at:

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Palais Wilson

52 rue des Pâquis

CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland

Telephone: +41 22 917 90 00

Email: InfoDesk@ohchr.org

This the office which apparently covers the U.S.

Migrant workers (the H1-B's) are protected under Human Rights Law and are therefore able to speed through the system due to the allowance of expedite under family reunification ..... with them, it's just a given.

I know that family is not something that the Human Rights people have done a lot of work on, but if enough of you contact them, there may be something they can do to ensure that I-130 petitioners are treated at least equally with the other visa types.

They're also pretty hot on discrimination .... and if you look at the timeframe between a family under I-130 or I-129F (CR1/IR1 or K3) being together compared to I-129F (K1) or the H1-B's there is a massive discrepancy ..... and if there's children involved in your case, then they should be willing to listen .... I hope.

nice idea

but the USA, while a token member doesn't adhere to any standards of the UN. Especially matters of Human rights!

[rebeccajo 14]

Declaration of Human Rights?

Are you serious?

[Catt 6]

Declaration of Human Rights?

Are you serious?

Obviously yes, hence the thread

Sarah had the right reflex. It definitely can be argued that keeping families apart for, in some cases, more than a year while they are waiting for a visa, is a violation of their human rights.

Unfortunately, there is no body like the ECHR to make sure the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is abided by, so it has in practice less of a kick to it than for example the European Convention on Human Rights (for Europe).

[rebeccajo 14]

Declaration of Human Rights?

Are you serious?

Obviously yes, hence the thread

Sarah had the right reflex. It definitely can be argued that keeping families apart for, in some cases, more than a year while they are waiting for a visa, is a violation of their human rights.

Unfortunately, there is no body like the ECHR to make sure the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is abided by, so it has in practice less of a kick to it than for example the European Convention on Human Rights (for Europe).

Aren't bodies like the ECHR created to protect people from things like oppressive governments, tanks rolling in the streets, genocide and the like?

I realize you miss your husbands and wives, but some perspective is in order, IMO.

[przy 0]

Thanks for posting this Sarah. Luckily, I didn't have to deal with the VSC, but at this point, anything that could possibly help anyone out it appreciated at this time. In addition that that, if no one ever attempts anything, no one will know. Thanks for putting your head out there to help the people here. You're wonderful and I am happy that your petition finally got approved!