Item 8: Resolution Reaffirming City Position on Human Rights

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Resolution 4881 Reaffirming the City’s Commitment to the Protection of Human Rights as Expressed in Council Resolution No. 4589 Meeting Date: June 12, 2006 Agenda Item Number: 8 Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Greg Rikhoff www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5177 ISSUE STATEMENT The City Council is asked to adopt a resolution reaffirming the City’s commitment to protect the human rights of community members regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. BACKGROUND Mayor Piercy expressed a desire to have the City of Eugene respond to the increasing polarization attending the national debate over immigration. As the debate continues, the Mayor is concerned that community members on all sides of the issue may be subjected to discrimination and harassing behavior. To address the threat, Mayor Piercy is asking the City Council to publicly state the City’s ongoing commitment to protect the human rights of all community members. On April 21, 1999, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 4589 that affirmed the City’s commitment to the protection of human rights and pledged its adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human rights adopted by the United States. This resolution reaffirms the City’s promise to strive to ensure that the rights of all community members, including immigrants, whatever their legal status, are protected and to be attentive to the fair and humane treatment of any individual subject to any interaction with a City, County, State or Federal agency. RELATED CITY POLICIES In addition to the adoption of Resolution No. 4589, the City of Eugene has had a legislative policy since 1999 to oppose any State or Federal legislation that would broaden the authority and responsibilities of local law enforcement to enforce Federal immigration laws to the detriment of the community. The City policy position is to continue to comply with ORS 181.850(1), which provides that “No law enforcement agency of the State of Oregon or of any political subdivision of the state shall use agency moneys, equipment or personnel for the purpose of detecting or apprehending persons whose only violation of law is that they are persons of foreign citizenship residing in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws.” L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060612\S0606128.doc