Southern Center for Human Rights facts for kids
| Founded at | Atlanta, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Type | non-profit organization |
| Purpose | civil and human rights |
| Location | |
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Key people
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Stephen Bright (former director and president) |
The Southern Center for Human Rights (SCHR) is a special kind of organization. It is a non-profit group that works to protect the civil and human rights of people. They focus on individuals involved in the justice system in the Southern United States. Being a non-profit means they don't work to make money. Instead, they use their funds to help others.
SCHR is based in Atlanta, Georgia. They have helped people and won important cases in several states. These states include Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.
Contents
What the Southern Center for Human Rights Does
The Southern Center for Human Rights works hard to make sure everyone is treated fairly. They focus on several key areas to protect people's rights.
Making Sure Prisons Are Fair
One important part of SCHR's work is checking on prisons and jails. They represent people who are held there. Their goal is to make sure that conditions and practices in these places are fair and follow the law. They work to stop any unfair or unsafe treatment.
Helping People Get Legal Support
SCHR also works to ensure that everyone gets proper legal help. This is especially true for people who cannot afford a lawyer. They challenge problems in the legal system that might prevent poor people from getting fair representation in court. They believe everyone deserves a chance to have their side heard.
Supporting People in Serious Cases
The Center also helps people facing very serious legal situations. They step in to provide legal support when individuals might not have anyone else to represent them. For example, in Alabama, it is the only state that does not always provide legal help for people facing the most serious legal outcomes. SCHR helps fill this important need.
Important Moments for SCHR
The Southern Center for Human Rights has been recognized for its important work over the years.
Recognition for Leadership
Stephen Bright was a former director and president of the Center. In 2001, he was praised by a writer named Nat Hentoff in a newspaper called the Village Voice. This showed how important his work was in protecting human rights.
Highlighting Important Issues
In May 2004, the Center's work was featured in a special article. This article was in New York Times and was called an op-ed piece. The article talked about how people were treated in prisons in Georgia. It compared this treatment to some serious issues that happened at a prison in Iraq. This helped bring attention to the need for fair treatment everywhere.
