City of Eugene Human Rights Commission

1 Office of Human Rights & Neighborhood Involvement | City of Eugene | 99 W 10th Ave | Eugene OR 97401 | (541) 682-5272 Meeting packet for Tuesday, February 16, 2020, 5:30 – 7:45 PM Online meeting Join online: https://eugene-or-gov.zoom.us/j/94797676360 Passcode: HRC-2021 Packet Contents Item Description Page 1 Draft Agenda 2 2 January 2021 minutes 3 3 HRC Budget 7 4 Temporary urban camping 8 5 Report hate against unhoused people poster 12 6 Liaison to the Police Commission report 13 7 Recommendation to Ad Hoc Commmittee 15 8 UNESCO - Human Rights Go Local - Outcome 16 document  2 City of Eugene Human Rights Commission Human Rights Commission Agenda for Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 5:30 – 7:30 PM Join online: https://eugene-or-gov.zoom.us/j/94797676360 Passcode: HRC-2021 Human Rights Commissioners: Amanda McCluskey (Chair), Daniel Borson (vice chair), Joel Iboa, Ibrahim Coulibaly, Heather Sielicki, Ibrahim Hamide, Serena Markstrom, Rick Guerra, Bonnie Souza, Kirstin London, Councilor Randy Groves Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement Staff: Michael Kinnison, Fabio Andrade The mission of the Human Rights Commission is to promote implementation of universal human rights values and principles in all City of Eugene programs and throughout the wider community. To carry out this mission the commission shall affirm, encourage and initiate programs and services within the City of Eugene and in the wider community designed to place priority upon protecting, respecting, and fulfilling the full range of universal human rights as enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To support and promote human rights, the commission will: provide human rights education, be proactive in human rights efforts, address human rights violations, ensure active public participation, be transparent and open, be publicly accountable for human rights progress. Item Description Action Time Duration 1 Agenda/Minutes Review (Chair) Discuss/Vote 5:30 - 5:35 5 min 2 Public Comment (Chair) 5:35 - 5:45 10 min 3 Eugene Police Liaison Updates 5:45 – 5:55 15 min 4 Support request Discuss/Vote 6:00 - 6:05 10 min 5 Legislature agenda review – Equity bills Discuss/Vote 6:05 – 6:10 5 min 6 Meeting with Mayor Updates 6:10 – 6:20 10 min 7 HRC recruitment Updates 6:20 – 6:35 15 min 8 Work groups and Liaisons to other boards and Commissions Updates 6:35 – 6:55 10 min 9 Council Liaison Updates 7:15 – 7:25 10 min 10 HRNI updates Updates 7:25 – 7:35 10 min 11 March HRC Meeting Agenda Discuss/Vote 7:35 - 7:40 5 min The next scheduled meeting of the Human Rights Commission is on March 16, 2021 The Eugene Human Rights Commission welcomes your interest in these agenda items. For the hearing impaired, FM- assistive listening devices are available or an interpreter can be provided with 48 hours’ notice prior to the meeting. Spanish-language interpretation will also be provided with 48 hours’ notice. To arrange for these services, contact staff at (541) 682-5177. La Comisión de Derechos Humanos agradece su interés por participar en los asuntos de esta agenda. Para las personas con dificultades auditivas ofrecemos sistemas FM para ayudarlo a escuchar, o intérpretes de lenguaje de señas. También ofrecemos intérpretes de español. Si necesita cualquiera de estos servicios por favor solicítelos con 48 horas de anticipación, llamando al (541) 682-5177. The Human Rights Commission meets monthly on the third Tuesday at the Sloat Room, Atrium Building, 99 W 10th Street Eugene, OR 97401 - Contact: Fabio Andrade, 541-682-5177 fandrade@eugene-or.gov  3 City of Eugene Human Rights Commission MINUTES Eugene Human Rights Commission - HRC Online meeting Eugene, Oregon January 19, 2020 - 5:30 p.m. PRESENT: Daniel Borson, Amanda McCluskey, Rick Guerra, Heather Sielicki, Councilor Randy Groves, Kirstin London, Bonnie Souza, Ib Hamide, Ibrahim Coulibaly, Mike Kinnison (staff), Fabio Andrade (staff) Absent: Serena Markstrom, Joel Iboa Opening Chair McCluskey called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM Agenda Review – Approved with addition of an entry for work group updates. Minutes Review - November minutes approved with a corrected title for Chair and Vice Chair elections section. Public Comments Jennifer Frenzer thanked the commission for supporting the banner recognizing the unhoused people memorial day and reported on the events held on December 21, 2020. Eugene Police Liaison Updates Lieutenant Harrison presented the latest statistics on hate crimes reported to EPD and a comparison between reports made in 2019 and 2020. Lieutenant Harrison answered questions presented by the commission including the type of recent incidents, location, and communities impacted. Finally, HRNI staff and Lt. Harrison addressed questions on how victims of hate crimes are supported. Council Liaison Updates Councilor Randy Groves was appointed as the new liaison to the HRC starting in January 2021. Councilor Groves introduced himself and had a conversation with other commissioners about his new role. Each commissioner present also introduced themselves to Councilor Groves. International Human Rights Day Fabio Andrade presented the results of the event held on December 10, 2020 and viewership for the Healing from Hate documentary. 123 watched the documentary online and 35 people joined the conversation on December 10. 99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401 541.682.5177 |HRNI@ci.eugene.or.us | www.eugene-or.gov/HRC  4 City of Eugene Human Rights Commission MLK Award A committee formed by Rick Guerra, Kirstin London, Joel Iboa, Heather Sielicki and Bonnie Souza was formed to revise the nomination materials and select the award recipient. The 2021 MLK award was presented at the NAACP’s virtual event at Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18, 2021. Linda Hamilton was selected as the award recipient. Daniel Borson and Ibrahim Coulibaly presented the award at the virtual event. Ibrahim Coulibaly reported that NAACP’s received several comments in support of the event and the award being delivered to Linda Hamilton. Rick Guerra talked about the revised process used to receive nominations this year. Housing as a protected Class Fabio Andrade talked about the proposal for Code amendments prepared by the City Attorney to be reviewed by City Council. The amendments include the inclusion of protections based on housing status to the City Code as illustrated below. Council held a public hearing on the matter on January 19, 2021. Amends EC 4.731 for consistency with ORS 166.155 (bias crime) and to add “unhoused status” as a category of perceived characteristics of a person against whom the offense is committed. Amends the title of the offense of intimidation to change it to “bias crime.” Defines “unhoused status” and amends other definitions consistent with state law. Changes to the 13th amendment to the US constitution Daniel Borson presented on the proposal co-sponsored by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley to change the language of the 13th Amendment to include a prohibition of forced labor. The Commission directed the WECU group to draft a recommendation to be submitted to Council requesting support to this initiative. Work Group and Liaison updates WeCU - Bonnie Souza reported that WeCU members have been absorbed by the Ad Hoc committee’s work. The group will discuss at the January meeting how o prioritize items from its work plan. Homelessness and Poverty Work Group – Heather Sielick reported on the December 21 event and on a presentation by Jason Dedrick (City Manager’s Office) on new policy regarding camp removal from city property. Michael Wisth (Waste Management) discussed an administrative rule that would impact the people who collected recyclables as main source of income. The new rule would require locks in dumpsters. Over 200 comments were received and staff will revise the proposed rule to prevent the negative impacts raised by the community. 99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401 541.682.5177 |HRNI@ci.eugene.or.us | www.eugene-or.gov/HRC  5 City of Eugene Human Rights Commission Ad Hoc Committee on Police Policy – Daniel Borson presented updates from recent Ad Hoc Committee meetings including how recommendations are moving along despite the challenges of following parliamentary rules in all committee and subcommittees proceedings. Daniel encouraged all commissioners to watch the recordings and said that he is learning a lot in the process. Ib Hamide reported on his experience in the committee and hopes that the changes recommended by it will have a positive impact in the community. Ibrahim Coulibaly attend the committee meetings representing NAACP and declined to comment. Councilor Groves expressed support for how the committee is doing its work. At the end of the meeting, Bonnie Souza asked to add a recognition of the work being performed by Kazim Zaidi, Mo Young, and Kevin Altucker in managing the Ad Hoc Committee work. Ibrahim Coulibaly added that positive comments have been received regarding their facilitation work. HRNI updates Fabio Andrade presented updates on the CSI community engagement process. HRNI has organized four focus groups with people of color and other marginalized communities. A survey for the general community to express their views on the CSI is under development. Fabio also presented updates regarding the Belonging Training program, which the City is delivering to its entire workforce. A version of that training was offered in December to members of neighborhood associations, boards, and commissions. The third module of that series will start being delivered in January 20, 2021 and the plan is to have the entire workforce trained by summer 2021. Fabio asked HRC members who attended the training to submit their comments and suggestions for training improvement. Bonnie Souza, Heather Sielicki, Daniel Borson, and Rick Guerra expressed support for the training program. Fabio reported that HRNI has moved to the LCC Downtown campus alongside the Council offices and chambers, Mayor’s office, and City manager Office. Between January 5 and 8 Fabio will attend the UNESCO academy and conference on human rights at the local level. A report on that event will be presented at the February meeting. Other topics • Commissioners discussed offering one more event, which could be a documentary or movie based on the success of the December event. Amanda McCluskey and Heather Sielicki mentioned showing a trailer of a movie about homelessness in the February meeting. • Kirstin London asked about the HRC recruitment. Fabio Andrade described the process, which is expected to start in early February and is guided by Council support staff. • Ibrahim Coulibaly asked about Neighborhood analysis. Mike Kinnison explained the process, which is based on census data. Currently, there is no plan or money for new version of that project. • Bonnie Souza asked for standing agenda item regarding Ad Hoc Committee’s work. 99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401 541.682.5177 |HRNI@ci.eugene.or.us | www.eugene-or.gov/HRC  6 City of Eugene Human Rights Commission • Mike Kinnison mentioned that Council will consider a resolution on white supremacy at their work session on January 20, 2021. • Ibrahim Coulibaly asked for EPD Liaison to use remaining time at HRC meeting to update the HRC on EPD’s work educate the community on issues regarding EPD and community relations. Amanda McCluskey mentioned that t would be discussed on agenda preparation meeting with HRNI staff. Bonnie Souza wanted to know about EPD’s work regarding officers involvement in white supremacy groups and activity. Councilor Groves mentioned that Council asked Chief Skinner about this and heard that there is no indication of any EPD officers involvement in such activities. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm Recorded by Fabio Andrade A video recording of this meeting is kept by the Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement Office 99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401 541.682.5177 |HRNI@ci.eugene.or.us | www.eugene-or.gov/HRC  7 Human Rights Commission Budget Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) DATE REQUESTING GROUP EVENT OR DESCRIPTION AMOUNT BALANCE July 1. 2020 $5,000.00 SPONSORSHIP 12/21/20 HRC's Homelessness and Poverty Work Group Unhoused Memorial Day $597.28 $4,402.72 $4,402.72 $4,402.72 $4,402.72 $4,402.72 $4,402.72 SUBTOTAL $597.28 $4,402.72 WORKPLAN EXPENSE 12/10/20 HRC's Education and Outreach work group International Human Rights Day event $500.00 SUBTOTAL $500.00 TOTALS $1,097.28 $3,902.72  8 Temporary Urban Camping Available at https://www.eugene-or.gov/3484/Temporary-Urban-Camping In order to support community health during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Eugene has temporarily adjusted its enforcement process around prohibited camping in order to help people maintain recommended physical distancing while reducing the need to move around the community. These adjustments align with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, Oregon Health Authority, and Lane County Public Health. The City continues to work with Lane County and partners in the community to find safe places for unhoused community members, including the newly established microsites, additional Rest Stops, overnight car camping sites and in existing shelters. However, it is still the case that many people experiencing homelessness are residing in Eugene’s parks, natural areas, and right of way areas for the time being. The City has developed criteria aimed at balancing the need for places to sleep with the public health crisis that requires adequate physical distancing to protect community members’ health and well-being. These criteria set parameters around location of camps, safety and cleanliness, acceptable behaviors and impacts to neighbors, the environment, and city infrastructure. Further, there are locations in Eugene’s parks, natural areas, and the rights of ways that are not acceptable for camping at any scale due to unmitigable impacts on the environment, neighborhoods and the usability of parks and public infrastructure such as streets. The criteria described below may be refined as we work through these new processes, coordinate with community partners and respond to community feedback. Eugene City Code 4.815 prohibits camping in public right-of-ways, parks and other publicly- owned property. The City recognizes this is a very challenging issue and works hard with its partners toward solutions that balance neighborhood livability, safety, health, and compassionate and humane responses to homelessness. If you are witnessing an emergency or a crime in progress, call 911. 1. IN PARKS 2. ALONG STREETS/ PUBLIC PROPERTY 3. ON PRIVATE PROPERTY 4. IN CARS  9 There are locations in Eugene’s parks and natural areas that are not acceptable for camping at any scale due to unmitigable impacts on the environment, neighborhoods, and the usability of parks. Where camping is not allowed in the parks system  All parks designated as neighborhood parks (For details see Parks and Natural Areas ).  Riparian areas such as along the Willamette River and Amazon Creek. Wetlands such as Delta Ponds and the West Eugene Wetlands.  Sensitive natural areas such as the Whilamut Natural Area.  The City’s vegetated stormwater facilities that are designed to filter and clean water.  Within 300 feet of playgrounds, sports courts, park shelters, picnic shelters and City of Eugene Rest Stop and microsite locations.  Within 50 feet of private property. How we respond Campers in these areas are issued a 24-hour notice of cleanup which requires they vacate the area. COVID-19 public health criteria for temporary camping in parks Outside of areas where camping is not allowed, a temporary camp needs to meet these criteria:  Camp site supports public health and safety by following physical distancing guidelines: o Tents are 12 feet apart from individuals not in the camper’s pod o It is possible for the public to reasonably maintain six feet of distance from the person camping and their property at all times.  Camp maintains public access to sidewalks, paths, transit stations, restrooms or building entrances.  Camp maintains clean and healthy spaces with no significant garbage or debris.  Camp is safe with no evidence of conspicuous drug use: uncapped, used hypodermic needles or other paraphernalia that could be a health hazard to other community members are not permitted.  There are no Eugene Police Department verified reports of criminal behavior.  Camp site is not negatively impacting properties adjacent to parks.  10 o Examples include blocking sidewalks, loud noise, aggressive dogs, threatening behavior, public indecency.  Camp site is not negatively affecting nearby business activities. o Examples include blocking sidewalks, loud noise, aggressive dogs, threatening behavior, public indecency.  Camp site is not disturbing vegetation.  Camp site is not damaging or preventing maintenance of park infrastructure. How we respond The City provides a 48-hour warning notice to camps that do not meet the above criteria and are in temporarily allowed areas of Eugene’s parks and natural areas. The notice provides clear information about what needs to be corrected to meet accepted criteria. City staff visit the site no sooner than 48 hours later. If the site is in compliance, the camp site will be allowed to remain. If the criteria have not been met, the camp will be given a 24-hour notice of cleanup and cleanup will occur no sooner than 24 hours later. Whenever the National Weather Service projects freezing temperatures, accumulating snow or other frozen precipitation, 48 hours before or after a posted closing/cleaning, we will not take action on postings. New Oregon Department of Transportation Rules The Parks and Open Space Division cares for several areas owned by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) such as Washington Jefferson Park. While this park was built on ODOT land, Parks has cared for it just like any other park in the system for decades. In the fall of 2020, a growing encampment on the site at 1st and Jefferson and 1st and Washington led to a review of our policies and intergovernmental agreements. In particular, because of differences in how ODOT and the City address camping violations, the City worked with ODOT over several weeks to revise our previous agreement in order to manage the area in a way that is in line with their jurisdiction. Currently, for lands like Washington Jefferson Park that Parks leases from ODOT, all park rules and policies apply except for the City’s 24-hour camp posting procedures. In these locations the City must follow ODOT’s camp posting requirements which allow for cleanup of belongings no sooner than 10 days and no later than 19 days from the date the site is posted for cleanup. There are some exceptions that would allow for cleanup within 24 hours but those are reserved for severe situations. How to Report Concerns  11 If community members have specific non-emergency campsite concerns, these can be reported online through Park Watch or by calling 541-682-4800 – Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Allowable Camping Options Recognizing the housing and homelessness crisis that our community and cities across the nation are facing, the City Council has approved specific provisions through City Code 4.816 for permitted overnight sleeping. These provisions provide more options for people who are experiencing homelessness to find safe and legal places to sleep. Options include:  Permitted Overnight Sleeping (Camping)  Car Camping Program  Rest Stops  Dusk to Dawn 12  13 Report from HRC liaison to the Police Commission Agenda: https://www.eugene-or.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6076 Provided HRC Updates: -Positions coming open, hoping to fill with BIPOC, please feel free to let people know -HRC resuming quarterly meetings with the Mayor and city manager Homelessness and Poverty work group providing recommendations re sweeps coordination -Pepperball policy -MLK Day award: Linda Hamilton -New City Council Liason, Randy Groves Illegal Camping Response Status Update -Responding to calls of service based on behavior -gives warning first usually, then gives citations or arrests (private property) -leaving people in place (public property) -Seeing communities build when people are allowed to shelter in place on public property -Created a scoring matrix to decide if closing camp or allowing camp to stay in place -Starts by having public works evaluate the camps: garbage, environmental hazards -Asks to clean up and mitigate issues, if can’t, then the camp is closed -Referring to Dawn to Dawn: capacity 150, added pallet shelters, Eugene Mission: limited capacity -Tent shelters: no place where people can legally camp -Have created micro sites with pallet shelters -Discussed laws around ticketing for trespassing -Now have 9 rest stops -Discussed need to have more places for people to go -EPD Liaison Lt. Doug Mozan meets regularly with city manager’s office -5th and Alameda and 5th and Fillmore likely to be swept soon -Homeless operation team: section managers from Library, police, public works, fire dept, talk re how to help each other re this topic Chief’s Report -Struggling with lack of inventory -working on: budget, community safety, state legislation and ad hoc committee -looking at having ad hoc report by end of March to City Council -Budget will be a challenge, has a deficit -looking at where can make cuts due to revenue down re COVID -Looking at Community Safety Initiative, ways to use funds that prevent problems that require policing -No info to suggest any EPD members were in DC during insurrection -Not analyzing data of who took time off around 12/6/2020, feels confident would come to light -Monitoring background, social media, on duty and off duty conduct re white supremacy/white nationalism -Vaccine and PD: has to be careful about how talks about vaccine to not make it sound like a mandate, vaccines available to PD staff, pushes out vaccine notifications to staff Field Force Policy (318) This policy is intended to be used in conjunction with other relevant policies, including Policies 316 - Public Assemblies and Demonstrations, 317 – Civil Disturbances, 803 -  14 Oleoresin Capsicum Aerosol, 808 – Handcuffing, Control holds, and Impact Weapons, 1202 Audio Video Recordings, and 1203 Body-Worn Video Discussion: -This policy may need to be revised due to recommendations from ad hoc or changes from state legislature -Ways to make sure badge number and name are visible -Dislike of uniforms that look similar to military uniforms -add to policy quality control to make badge info visible -Visibility of EPD vs other departments such as SPD or LCSD -wedge formation used in emergency situations -When officers have gas masks on, people cannot hear them, vehicles with loudspeakers were best mode to communicate -body worn camera and vehicle cameras allowed, separately videoing the crowd not allowed -Will look for better description for “display of force” -Chief clarified, most people in crowds are not looking to cause problems, small group looking for a fight, most people who are interested in being lawful disburse selves when the crowd starts to turn unlawful, -Use of chemicals and OC spray is being reviewed at the state legislative level -CS gas not used near hospitals -presence of children, people with disabilities as a consideration -creating a separate policy on tear gas, does not exist yet -Will change name from grenadier to something else: clarified by Chief, working to demilitarize -Body cams can be obscured by protective equipment -May add incident debrief after event Determine Retreat Date: Saturday May 1st, 15th or 22nd -Will revise work plan Liaison Reports CRB: reviewed May protests, supportive of ongoing training, de-escalation -Ad hoc committees: little concerns, no concerns about investigations seen at CRB, thorough, transparent, very professional -concerned re discipline and adjudication, disagreement between chief and auditor on adjudication gives pause -discipline based on past precedent is concerning -would like to see disciplinary matrix and break from historical discipline -Like to hear more about Community Safety Initiative -Lindsey Foltz stepping down, Michael Hames Garcia as replacement  15 MEMO TO: Eugene Human Rights Commission members FM: WeCU Work Group RE: Recommendation to Ad Hoc Committee on Police Reform DT: February 12, 2021 We would like the Human Rights Commission to approve the following WeCU recommendation to the full Ad Hoc Committee on Police Reform. Proposed text: The Eugene Human Rights Commission and Whole Eugene Community United (WeCU) work group, comprised of members of 11 marginalized communities, respectfully request that the following be considered and adopted by the Ad Hoc Committee as a recommendation in its upcoming report to the Eugene City Council: The Eugene Ad Hoc Committee on Police Reform recommends that the Eugene Police Department create a publicly-searchable database that includes all stops, including these fields: 1) Date of stop; 2) Purpose of stop; 3) Arrests and charges; 4) Use of force, if any; and 5) protected class(es) of people involved. The data in above publicly-searchable database must be aggregated and anonymized to ensure we register protected class, so that long-term trends of potential biases can be tracked.  16 "Building Bridges between Local Governments and the Scientific Community to Promote Human Rights" OUTCOME DOCUMENT of Human Rights Go Local: What Works - Academy and Conference on Human Rights at the Local and Regional Levels 2021 on Field-proven Research Methods on Human Rights, 1-9 February 2021. 9 February 2021 We, the participants of the first Academy and Conference on Human Rights at the Local and Regional Levels, a. recalling the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolutions on local government and human rights, in particular Resolution A/HRC/RES/45/7, b. recognizing the role of local government in the promotion and protection of human rights, without any prejudice to the primary responsibility of the national government in this regard, c. recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948, which provides in Article 27.1 that everyone has the right to share in scientific advancement and its benefits, which encompasses the freedom indispensable for scientific research as well as the conservation, development and diffusion of science, d. recalling the recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers adopted by the UNESCO General Conference at its 39th session on 13 November 2017 and the Education 2030 Agenda, e. recalling General Comment No. 25 (2020) on science and economic, social and cultural rights by the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, f. recalling that the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training (A/C.3/66/L.65) and the Plan of Action for the second phase (2010- 2014) of the World Programme for Human Rights Education (A/HRC/15/28) stress the relevance and importance of human rights education at the local level, International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights at the Local and Regional Levels Elisabethstraße 50B | A-8010 Graz | Austria humanrightsgolocal.org  17 g. recalling that conceptual frameworks and key principles for Human Rights Cities have been discussed in various forms, including in the Gwangju Guiding Principles on a Human Rights City, the Global Charter-Agenda for Human Rights in the City and the European Charter for the Safeguarding of Human Rights in the City, h. underscoring the indispensability of local governments to protect, respect and fulfil all human rights of everyone without discrimination of any kind within their function and competence provided for in the respective constitutional and legal system of the state concerned, i. recalling that the proximity of local governments to the people is an important asset for the provision of public services that address local needs and priorities compliant with human rights obligations, standards and principles, including gender equality, j. recalling that local governments are key actors for the implementation of the commitments set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is further concretised in particular by the Sustainable Development Goal 11 on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, as well as by the United Nations New Urban Agenda, k. recalling that the 2030 Agenda aims at realizing human rights for all, in particular by calling upon local governments to leave no one behind, ensuring that the rights of people in vulnerable situations including those suffering from multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination are also defended, l. acknowledging that a human rights-based approach to local governance need to be reinforced by the results of locally-owned or accepted participatory research on human rights, m. recognizing that human rights research is a valuable means to foster evidence- based decision making on promoting human rights enjoyment at the local level and to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of local public services and responses to human rights issues and thereby the accountability of local governments, n. acknowledging that research on human rights at the local level should build on human rights principles and standards and requires participatory methods tailored to the specific context, o. recognizing the importance and impact of the collaboration between political decision makers and scientists, researchers or other evidence-providers to ensure a high level of quality in human rights research, p. recognizing that scientific freedom is a prerequisite for the credibility and quality of research on human rights at local level, q. bearing in mind the vulnerability of the scientific community including human rights researchers to political pressures which could undermine scientific freedom, 2  18 r. noting with concern trends that are putting civil society under severe pressure weakening also the protection of Human Rights Defenders and resulting in poor conditions for conducting research, s. affirming the necessity of multi-level-governance approaches for the delivery of human rights at the local and regional levels, t. acknowledging the efforts made by city networks and further regional and international initiatives to promote human rights at the local level, u. recognizing the importance of partnering with civil society and relevant stakeholders in the pursuit of promoting human rights at the local level, v. recognizing the importance of building capacities of local governments and encouraging innovation in the implementation, protection and promotion of human rights, as well as the importance of human rights actors providing guidance, including peer-to-peer advice, sharing of tools and instruments, to all levels of governance, w. recalling that the Human Rights City movement is a valuable part of the larger trend toward the localization of human rights norms recognizing cities as key players in the promotion and protection of human rights, x. appreciating that self-declared Human Rights Cities increasingly resort to international human rights standards and principles as guidance for urban policies, local programming, and city development, y. taking note of the report A/HRC/42/22 of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on effective methods to foster cooperation between local governments and local stakeholders including civil society for the promotion and protection of human rights at their level, which underscores, inter alia, that partnerships between local government, civil society and international actors are an important way to overcome local challenges, and presents key lessons for local governments on the methodology developed on human rights indicators and the guidance provided by a human rights-based approach to data, encourage all local level governments worldwide to 1. base the development of their key policies, programmes and decision-making processes and their monitoring and evaluation on research on human rights at the local level, 2. resort to, cooperate in and promote research taking up established and field- proven human rights research methods for the local level upholding highest quality standards and to refine them within their specific context, also by way of community-based needs assessment and participatory action research, 3. resort to or commission research building on human rights indicators giving account of the respect, the protection and the fulfilment of human rights, where methodologically adequate and feasible, as well as to commit to making local data on human rights available publicly, 3  19 4. use the synergies between local efforts to measure the progress in the enjoyment of human rights by everyone and local efforts to measure the progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, 5. review existing qualitative and quantitative data in light of the requirements for relevant human rights information and the call to leave no one behind, 6. complement already existing qualitative and quantitative data with information deemed necessary to fill data gaps, including on data for groups left behind or at risk of being left behind, 7. collect further relevant human rights data upholding the data protection provisions and respecting concerns of marginalized groups, 8. strengthen collaborative platforms among the human rights communities and statistics and data communities to implement and abide by the principles of a human rights-based approach to data, and to provide support for the consultation and participation of communities in data collection, 9. acknowledge the benefits of a collaboration with local, national and international research institutions and academia to conduct research on human rights at the local level, including young researchers and innovative research methods, 10. ensure transparency and availability of research data and respect and ensure the scientific freedom of researchers, as well as their freedoms of information, expression, and association, which imply their rights to seek and receive information, to freely communicate research results to others, and to publish and publicize them without censorship, and to collaborate with others both within and across the country’s borders, 11. strengthen the engagement with civil society, the local populations and all relevant stakeholders and create the space for them to participate in research on human rights at the local level, 12. cooperate with National Human Rights Institutions, as well as regional and international organizations to identify areas where existing research and results can benefit, promote and strengthen efforts at the local level, 13. exchange knowledge and innovation with other local governments, including by joining and collaborating with city networks and human rights cities, in order to promote human rights at the local level and globally, 14. exchange knowledge and innovation with research institutions worldwide with the aim to build bridges between local governments and the scientific community in order to globally promote human rights at the local level. 4