New Report Highlights LA County’s Work To Advance Human Rights

The LA County Commission on Human Relations released a new report, “A Human Rights Lens on LA County Government”, which aims to raise awareness of the daily work of LA County agencies that reflect, realize, and reinforce fundamental human rights principles.

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations (LACCHR) released a report on how LA County priorities and operations reflect and implement internationally recognized human rights. This report, a collaboration between LACCHR, the International Justice Clinic at UC Irvine School of Law, and Northeastern University School of Law Center for Global Law and Justice, aims to raise awareness of the often-unrecognized ways the daily work of LA County agencies reflects, realizes, and reinforces fundamental human rights principles.

“This report gives the public a clear look at how we are working to protect human rights every day in Los Angeles County,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “It’s a responsibility we take seriously—it’s part of our core mission to serve every community with fairness and respect.”

“Los Angeles County remains steadfast in its commitment to lead with integrity, inclusivity, and compassion, and to protect the rights of all Angelenos,” said Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “In these unprecedented times, amid recovery from devastating wildfires and growing fear in our communities due to ongoing immigration actions, we stand united in our promise to build a stronger, more inclusive County for all.”

“There are countless unseen acts of courage and effort that go into protecting and advancing human rights. This report highlights key actions the County has taken and calls on each of us to uphold our shared responsibility —in government and in our communities—to safeguard fundamental freedoms,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District. “Four years ago, the Board of Supervisors approved my motion to incorporate the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination into a County ordinance, building on our commitment to advancing human rights. Now is the time to double down on that commitment—together—for all residents, including women, immigrants, and our most vulnerable communities.”

“Los Angeles County is showing what’s possible when government leads with dignity, fairness, and equity,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District. “This report makes clear that human rights are not abstract ideals — they are reflected in the everyday work of our County. From adopting CEDAW principles to reimagining how we create safety and opportunity in our communities, we are proving that human rights live in action. I’m proud that this report highlights our progress and pushes us to go even further for the people we serve.”

“Whether it’s our public defenders safeguarding the right to counsel or our public hospitals delivering care to everyone regardless of income, the work of Los Angeles County employees is, at its core, the work of protecting human rights,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Fourth District.

“This report highlights how the LA County government promotes and protects human rights, which is the crucial foundation of healthy relations among all County residents,” said Robin Toma, LACCHR Executive Director.

LA County departments and agencies share a core mission: to measurably improve the quality of life for the people and communities of LA County with integrity, inclusivity, compassion, customer orientation, and equity. This report makes explicit how this shared purpose aligns with globally recognized human rights standards, offering a framework through which local work can be linked to broader international commitments. It is a valuable resource for public officials, advocates, and community members; it clearly demonstrates that advancing human rights is not a distant goal but a daily responsibility already being carried out across Los Angeles County.

While many County government functions may seem routine or bureaucratic, the report lays bare the fact that nearly every County responsibility relates to one or more human rights. LACCHR works to support, amplify, and expand these efforts. This report is part of that work to engage diverse stakeholders across the County in understanding, contributing to, and participating in local recognition and implementation of global human rights norms.

To indicate alignment of the County’s work with human rights, twelve key international documents, known as “instruments,” are referenced in the report. Each instrument promotes specific rights and freedoms. All the instruments share a common commitment: that government respects, protects, and fulfills the rights of all people within their jurisdiction, without discrimination. To facilitate understanding of the instruments and rights cited in the report, LACCHR has produced a reference guide.

About the LA County Commission on Human Relations The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations is dedicated to protecting human rights and promoting positive human relations in our richly diverse, multicultural county throughout all five Supervisorial Districts. The Commission works to develop programs that proactively address racism, homophobia, religious prejudice, linguistic bias, anti-immigrant sentiment, and other divisive attitudes that can lead to intercultural tension, hate crimes, and related violence. For more information about LA County’s Commission on Human Relations, click here.

About the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors The LA County Commission on Human Relations is housed within the Executive Office of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The Executive Office provides a multi-functional support role for the Board of Supervisors in administering and managing technology, staffing, procurement, and facilities resources, as well as the publication of information for the Board, various County departments, and the public. The Executive Office also administers and oversees over 30 County commissions and offices, and its mission is to provide excellent customer service and support the Board in achieving its objectives.

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