International Panel Backs Seat for Capital in Congress

[NewJerseyDem]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/11/politics/11VOTE.html

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 — They took their complaint to court, and lost. They implored Congress to act, and failed. So they went international, and won.

In a case brought by voting rights activists from Washington, an international human rights commission has ruled that the United States is violating international law by refusing to give residents of the nation's capital the power to elect members of Congress.

The ruling, issued on Dec. 29 by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, an agency of the Organization of American States, is not binding. But it brings the moral authority of a major international organization — one the United States belongs to and helps finance — to bear on Capitol Hill, which for 200 years has rebuffed proposals to give Congressional seats to Washington.

"No other federal state in the Western Hemisphere denies the residents of its federal capital the right to vote for representatives in their national legislature," the ruling said. The commission called on Congress to provide "an effective remedy" that would guarantee this city's residents representation in Congress.

[Just Me]

1. At least some one body has acknowledged their right.

It is a step and a victory!!!! To think they have had the courage and persistence to battle on and on. I support them and urge them forward.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!