Human rights Violations

Economy
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Proposed Policy to Address Employment Blacklisting, Housing Discrimination, and Targeted Harassment in Georgia

Policy Title: Georgia Fair Employment and Housing Protection Act

Purpose:
This policy seeks to eliminate the blacklisting of individuals from employment, address housing discrimination, and protect residents from targeted harassment. It is designed to uphold the principles of fairness, human dignity, and equality as guaranteed under international human rights law and the U.S. Constitution.

Background:

Blacklisting individuals from employment due to personal conflicts, discrimination, or abuse of power—especially by celebrities, public figures, or influential individuals—violates basic human rights and economic opportunities. Similarly, housing discrimination and gang-related targeting further marginalize vulnerable individuals. These practices disproportionately affect individuals like myself, a mother of two in Georgia, who has been unable to secure employment due to targeted harassment and systemic barriers.

Due to my disabilities, I am unable to work certain in-person jobs, necessitating remote work accommodations. However, the ongoing targeting and harassment I face—both in seeking housing and employment—have left me without work for months, compounding the economic and emotional toll on my family. This policy aims to ensure no one else in Georgia faces such unjust treatment.

Policy Provisions:

  1. Employment Anti-Blacklisting Protections

    • Prohibition of Blacklisting: Employers, including corporations and individuals (such as celebrities or public figures), are prohibited from using influence, threats, or defamation to prevent individuals from obtaining employment.
    • Accountability Mechanisms: Any individual or entity found guilty of blacklisting shall face:
    • Civil penalties of up to $250,000.
    • Mandatory restitution to affected individuals, including lost wages and damages.
    • Inclusion on a public “Fair Employment Violations Registry.”
    • Whistleblower Protections: Protect individuals who report blacklisting practices from retaliation.

  2. Housing Discrimination Protections

    • Anti-Discrimination Clause: Landlords, property managers, and housing authorities must not deny housing based on race, disability, gender, family status, or economic status.
    • Accessible Housing Options: Ensure housing accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including those who require remote work.
    • Enforcement: Violators of housing discrimination laws will face:
    • Civil fines.
    • Suspension of rental licenses for repeat offenders.
    • A public complaint system to report violations.

  3. Protection Against Harassment and Targeted Violence

    • Anti-Harassment Task Force: Establish a task force to investigate and address gang-related targeting, cyber harassment, and coordinated campaigns of abuse against individuals.
    • Legal Protections for Victims: Expand protective orders to include harassment through employment blacklisting or housing denial.
    • Community Resources: Allocate funds to provide support for victims, including housing assistance, job placement services, and legal aid.

  4. Support for Vulnerable Populations

    • Remote Work Accommodations: Create a state-funded program to match individuals with disabilities to remote work opportunities.
    • Emergency Assistance: Provide financial assistance and housing subsidies for victims of blacklisting and harassment.

Human Rights Justification:

This policy aligns with Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to work without discrimination, and Article 25, which protects the right to adequate housing. By ending blacklisting and housing discrimination, Georgia can uphold these principles and ensure all residents, including vulnerable individuals like mothers and those with disabilities, can live with dignity and security.

Implementation Timeline:

•	Phase 1: Establish a statewide Anti-Blacklisting Commission within six months.
•	Phase 2: Enforce housing and employment protections and provide resources to impacted individuals within one year.
•	Phase 3: Conduct annual audits to ensure compliance and assess the policy’s impact.

Call to Action:

As a mother of two who has been out of work for months due to blacklisting, harassment, and systemic barriers, I urge our government and current state of Georgia to adopt this policy to restore fairness and opportunity for all residents. It is essential to protect vulnerable populations and end the cycle of injustice that prevents individuals like me from surviving and thriving.