Name of Council Candidate: Naaimat Muhammed Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: Campaign Website: Naaimat2013.

com

2013 CITY COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Many in the United States think of international affairs when they think of human rights. Our work emphasizes the applicability of the human rights framework here in the United States. Please share your thoughts on the domestic applicability of human rights, and discuss why human rights are important to you in the context of New York City and the City Council. As Americans living in the First World, when we think of human rights we often solely explore the conditions of those living in the Third World. We often forget or neglect to acknowledge that there are Americans experiencing similar situations right here in the United States. Access to adequate healthcare and education. Access to affordable housing and healthy food options are universal circumstances that are experienced by millions all around the world. The primary duty of an elected official is to ensure the rights of the constituents he or she represents. Because the 16th district is one of the poorest districts in New York City, human rights issues are seemingly unaddressed in this area. We have some of the highest crimes rates, lowest performance scores in the schools and are experiencing a daunting health crisis. Being born and raised in this district, these are issues that I have been directly affected by. This will allow me to adequately represent members of this district in the City Council. 2. How have you used current or previous professional positions to advance human rights? During my tenure as the Community Outreach Liaison for the current Councilwoman, my work consisted of working directly with the constituents of the 16th district. By collaborating with number of community organizations, I was able to understand the issues members of this community faced on a daily bases. I worked with a number of institutions aimed at advancing the quality of life of the numerous immigrants groups in the 16th district, primarily the African population. I believe that access better healthcare options and a decent education are a human right that should be available to everyone, no matter what their immigrant status is. Ive worked tirelessly with the African community by acting as a facilitator, connecting this immigrant group to services that will enable them to improve their quality of life. 3. What will your top 3 legislative priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. Oversight of NYPD 2. Community Safety 3. Human Rights

4. What will your top 3 budget priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. Youth and Senior Initiatives 2. School programming 3. Services aimed at strengthening immigrant populations in New York 5. Do you plan to use participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? I want to solicit community input from my district and community members and leaders prior to deriving a position. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. Human Rights GOAL Legislation 7. Legislation is only one of many ways in which Council Members can work to advance human rights. What ways other than through legislation will you advance the human rights of New Yorkers as a City Council Member? I believe that working directly working with the members of the community is an effective mechanism for promoting human rights. This is a proven tactic that many legislators often do not execute. When I am elected to the City Council, I will make it my priority to work directly with community organizations who aim at promoting the right s of all the constituents in this community. Also, I will work to understand their issues, firsthand so I can effectively relay their messages and adequately represent them in the City Council. I strongly believe in working directly with the members of this community because I too am member of this community. I was born and raised in this district and my lifes story is not unique. I understand what is to grow up and live in an impoverished area. 8. Some advocates contend that the position of the Council Speaker has too much power over the progression of legislation. Please use this space to respond to that critique. I agree power needs to be shifted to the City Council whereby the Speaker should abide by certain guidelines to support the needs of individual districts represented by CMs.

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