2008-09 Meeting Minutes
Minutes from prior fiscal years

9/15/08 | 12/15/08 | 1/26/09 | 2/23/09 | 3/16/09 | 4/20/09 | 5/18/09

Human Rights Committee
May 18, 2009
Meeting Summary

The meeting was chaired by Peter Mikhail.

Members Present:  Justin Cummins, Mark Frey, Amanda Heyman, Sonja Peterson, Colleen Walbran, Lloyd Zimmerman and Nancy Mischel of the MSBA staff. 

Update and discussion of position on legislation regarding human trafficking: 
An update from Caroline Palmer on the results of the trafficking legislation this
session was distributed at the meeting. 

Drafting report for recommendation the MSBA adopt the ABA resolution concerning the International Criminal Court:  At its last meeting, the Committee approved recommending the MSBA adopt the ABA resolution on this topic.  A report providing the basis for that recommendation still needs to be written.  Members decided to wait until the September Assembly to put forward the recommendation so that they have time to write the report over the summer.  Mr. Mikhail and Mr. Cummins agreed to work on it.

Update from sub-committee on international rule of law projects:  Mr. Mikhail talked with Judge Greenberg and discovered that there is no lack of attorneys willing to volunteer for these projects, rather there is a lack of sufficient funding to support the work.  Mr. Mikhail will follow up with the Judge to determine if the need for volunteers is greater in certain areas. 

Update on workshop proposal for the Human Rights Day Conference:  Mr. Frey reported that a session on Comprehensive Immigration Reform would be presented at the Human Rights Day Conference in December.  Mr. Frey will ask the MN Department of Human Rights for permission to plan a separate hour-long CLE on Issues of Discrimination and Hate Crimes.  If that is not possible, he will ask that the Immigration Reform session be expanded to 90 minutes so that discrimination/hate crimes could be covered as part of that session.  Mr. Cummins will work with Mr. Frey on planning the CLE and finding speakers.

2009-10 Bar Year Planning - Discussion of how frequently the Committee needs to meet and goals:  Members want to continue to meet monthly.  Next year the Committee will explore the mortgage foreclosure issue to see if there is something they can do, and they will work with Phil Duran on the preemptory challenge proposal. 

Next Meeting:
The Committee will take the summer off and reconvene in September.

Meeting adjourned.

Human Rights Committee
April 20, 2009
Meeting Summary

The meeting was chaired by Peter Mikhail.

Members Present:  Valerie Aggerbeck, Justin Cummins, Greig Dahlke, Kristen Gast, Sonja Peterson, Valerie Tremelat, and Nancy Mischel of the MSBA staff.  Guests:  Barbara Frey and Duane Kronke.

International Criminal Court (ICC):  Ms. Frey and Mr. Kronke presented information regarding the ICC, which was established in 1998 and became effective in 2002.  More than half the countries in the world are signatories, but the United States is not one of them.  The court has jurisdiction over the most serious crimes that concern the international community, such as genocide and war crimes.  All of the cases that have been brought to the ICC so far have been from African countries. 

Ms. Peterson moved that the Committee recommend the MSBA support the resolution adopted by the ABA.  Mr. Cummins seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.  The Committee’s recommendation will be presented at the June Assembly meeting in Duluth.

Minnesota Department of Human Rights invitation to submit a workshop proposal for their 26th annual Human Rights Day Conference:  Mark Frey, via an email, suggested two topics for a workshop proposal.  Mr. Mikhail will get back to Mr. Frey and let him know that the Committee approved of both his suggestions.  If Mr. Frey chooses the immigration topic, Mr. Cummins volunteered to assist him.

Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be May 18, 2009 at Noon at the MSBA offices.

Meeting adjourned.

Human Rights Committee
March 16, 2009
Meeting Summary

The meeting was chaired by Peter Mikhail.

Members Present:  Justin Cummins, Kristen Gast, Caroline Palmer, Sonja Peterson, Francis Rojas, Valerie Tremelat, and Nancy Mischel of the MSBA staff.

Update and discussion of Cheryl Thomas’ proposed legislation regarding human
trafficking:  Ms. Palmer provided an update for the Committee members regarding this legislation.  It is somewhat difficult to track because it has been divided into a number of separate bills.  If the bill(s) will not be passed this session, members discussed the possibility of enlisting the support of the Criminal Law, Civil Litigation and Labor & Employment Sections for a resolution that the MSBA as a whole support the legislation. 
Ms. Palmer believes the proponents behind the legislation would be willing to speak to the sections to help garner support.

Discussion of whether to establish a sub-committee to further explore what we/MSBA can do to support/promote international rule of law projects:
Although the ABA has a program for members who interested in working on rule of law issues in other countries, many MSBA members do not belong to the ABA.  Mr. Mikhail expressed interest in trying to bring information on such opportunities to MSBA members.  Mr. Cummins and Mr. Mikhail agreed to look at the domestic connection, including rule of law issues here and the importance of an impartial judiciary.  They will report back to the Committee at a future meeting.

Other Business:  Ms. Gast reported that she participates on the Criminal Law subcommittee of the Rights of Unmarried Couples Task Force.  The Task Force plans to have a preliminary report ready in mid-April.

Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be April 20, 2009 at Noon at the MSBA offices.

Meeting adjourned.

Human Rights Committee
February 23, 2009
Meeting Summary

The meeting was chaired by Peter Mikhail.

Members Present:  Justin Cummins, Sonja Peterson, Valerie Aggerbeck, R. Mark Frey, Caroline Palmer, Hon. Lloyd Zimmerman, and Tram Nguyen of the MSBA staff.

Guest Speaker Sharon Thomas from the women’s program at The Advocates for Human Rights spoke on their sex trafficking report.

Discussion of whether to establish a sub-committee to further explore what we/MSBA can do to support/promote international rule of law projects:
This was tabled to the March meeting.

Discussion of whether the Committee thinks there is a need to have this current legislative position renewed.  This position will expire on June 10, 2009 unless there is a motion to renew it:

The committee did not have enough members present to make a qrorum therefore voting will take place via email.

Possible co-sponsorship re upcoming performance at the Walker Art Center:
Caroline Palmer will be sending an email invitation to committee members regarding this event.

Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be March 16, 2009 at Noon at the MSBA offices.

Meeting adjourned.

Human Rights Committee
January 26, 2009
Meeting Summary

The meeting was chaired by Peter Mikhail.

Members Present:  Justin Cummins, Valerie Tremelat, Hon. Lloyd Zimmerman, and Tram Nguyen of the MSBA staff.

Guest Speaker: Imani Jaafar Mohammed spoke on issues relating to human rights and Islamic relations and stereotyping issues.

Discussion of whether to establish a sub-committee to further explore what we/MSBA can do to support/promote international rule of law projects:
This was tabled to the February meeting.

Discussion of whether the Committee thinks there is a need to have this current legislative position renewed.  This position will expire on June 10, 2009 unless there is a motion to renew it:

This was tabled to the February meeting.

Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be February 23, 2009 at Noon at the MSBA Offices.  Cheryl Thomas from The Advocates for Human Rights will speak on their sex trafficking report.

Meeting adjourned.

Human Rights Committee
December 15, 2008
Meeting Summary

The meeting was chaired by Peter Mikhail.

Members Present:  Justin Cummins, Francis Rojas, Sonja Peterson, Valerie Aggerbeck, Valerie Tremelat, Hon. Lloyd Zimmerman, and Tram Nguye of the MSBA staff.

Guest Speaker Judge Myron Greenberg spoke on his rule of law project in Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Update on ICC Resolution:
The MSBA General Policy Committee referred the proposed resolution back to our committee for further work and development (why has the US. Resisted joining the ICC?).  The Committee explored possibilites for a speaker on this issue at the March meeting.  Potential speakers include Barb Frey/ David Weisbrot at the University of Minnesota (Valerie Tremelat will contact); Sanda Bancock (Caroline Palmer will contact), or someone from the Advocates for Human Rights.

Update on Foreign Language Translation Task Force:
The General Policy Committee rejected the report and sent it back to the Task Force to redo.

Report of the MSBA’s repose to our proposed resolution re the Divestment in Sudan:
Chair Peter Mikhail and Dr. Ellen Kennedy from the University of Minnesota Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies presented the resolution at the December 12 MSBA Assembly meeting and it was unanimoulsy passed, with a friendly amendment by MSBA President Mike Ford.

Next Meeting:
The MSBA offices will be closed on January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

The Committee will meet next on Monday, January 26, 2009 at Noon at the MSBA offices.  Imani Jaafar Mohammed to speak on issues relating to human rights and Islamic relations and stereotyping issues

Meeting adjourned.

Human Rights Committee
September 15, 2008
Meeting Summary

The meeting was chaired by Peter Mikhail.

Members Present:  Valerie Bowen, Justin Cummins, R. Mark Frey, Sonja Peterson, Valerie Tremelat, Hon. Lloyd Zimmerman, and Tram Nguyen (MSBA staff).

Peter welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the 2008-09 bar year; followed by brief introductions.

Draft Report and Recommendations of the Task Force on Foreign Language Translations:
Peter reported that at the last Task Force meeting, Task Force members voted to recommend that a Pilot Project be created with respect to the Real Property Lease.  However, upon reviewing the Task Force's charter, it is the Chair's belief that such a recommendation is outside the scope of what the task force was asked.  Therefore, the Task Force put together a report to specifically address the Task Force's convening questions (copies of the report are available by contacting Tram Nguyen at tnguyen@mnbar.org or 612.278.6316).  After some discussions, it was the consensus of the Human Rights Committee that the pilot project is a good idea. Peter will write to the Chair of the Task Force stating the Committee’s position and encouraging the Task force to expand the scope of the task force and do the pilot project.  If not, the Committee will dissent from the report because it feels the report does not accomplish anything.

Brainstorming for the year:
The Committee reviewed the list of brainstorming items for the year and noted a few items of interest including: issues relating to Darfur, use and misuse of law enforcement as it relates to the Constitution; have meaningful participation in the Human Rights Day Conference (contacting the Minnesota Department of Human Rights early on to get details on planning, etc); immigration issues/detention, amend the Human Rights Act to include jury trials and addressing punitive damages; CLEs on torture, civil liberties, nuts and bolts on immigration and employment law.

Other business:
The committee commended Chair Peter Mikhail and thanked him for taking on the leadership role.

Next meeting:
The Committee will meet next on Monday, October 20 at Noon at the MSBA offices.  The Committee will invite Dr. Ellen Kennedy of the University of Minnesota Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies to talk about the genocide occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan, Africa, based on its resident’s race, religion and national origin.

Meeting adjourned.