Senate Committee Passes Assemblymember Holden’s Human Rights Legislation

Assemblymember Chris Holden’s (D-Pasadena) bill to expand the time limit for filing human rights claims in cases of torture, rape, and sex trafficking was approved late today in the Senate Judiciary Committee. AB 15 extends the statute of limitations on human rights abuse cases from two to ten years, bringing it into line with federal law.

“I am extremely pleased that my efforts to ensure victims of Human Rights abuses will have their day in court has been approved in the Senate Judiciary Committee,” said Assemblymember Holden.

“I think it’s important to understand that victims of human trafficking and other abuses often suffer mental and physical problems that prevent them from filing these cases quickly. Because of that, many of these crimes are never prosecuted and the horrific abuses continue.”

Human trafficking – including child sex trafficking – remains a fast-growing criminal industry.
California has the questionable distinction of being a top destination for human traffickers with most cases simply flying under the radar. This bill will help the victims and their families find some measure of justice.

AB 15 was supported by more than 35 local, national and international human rights advocates including Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), American Jewish World Service, Amnesty International, Consumer Attorneys of America, EarthRights International, International Corporate Accountability Roundtable and Oxfam.