The University of Washington Center for Human Rights is an incredible resource: it brings the research capacity of the university to support the work of grassroots organizations witnessing human rights violations. The Center also reaches students through its classes and work-study positions. It is a powerful model, where addressing human rights today, UWCHR is also training the human rights practitioners of tomorrow.
The Center focuses on practical application of its research. For instance, by submitting and analyzing public records requests, UWCHR has documented the use of force – including chemical agents and solitary confinement – public health violations, and suicide attempts at the privately run Northwest ICE Detention Center. Their work has provided data to daylight human rights abuses, whether for a state agency to investigate health conditions or state and federal policy makers to call for greater accountability.
UWCHR is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and the Jackson Foundation is proud of its role in launching and supporting the Center. We recently began to define our work with the tagline “We impact people who impact the world,” and the Center for Human Rights couldn’t be a more fitting example. It also reflects the ongoing legacy of Senator Jackson and his wife, Helen Jackson, who worked to advance democracy and respect for human rights around the world.
While filming our 40th anniversary video last year, Prof. Angelina Godoy, who holds the Helen H. Jackson Chair in Human Rights, shared some of the history of the Jackson Foundation’s role in launching the Center. We think it is a great story and want to share it with you.