Human Rights at Home Blog

23 UN Human Rights Experts Issue Statement on Policing and Systemic Racism in the US

On Friday February 26, 2021, 23 UN human rights experts issued a very strong statement on policing and systemic racism in the United States. The statement calls out police use of excessive force against protesters, highlighting the Philadelphia Police Department’s violent crackdown on Black Lives Matter protesters last June. The statement is also the first time international human rights experts have echoed the Black Lives Matter Movement and allied groups in calling to shift resources from police departments to social and economic resources to support communities of color.

This is also very significant because the last time the UN addressed the issue there was outrage after the UN Human Rights Council watered down a resolution on police brutality and racism after George Floyd's murder, removing the language condemning the US and calling for an investigation. 

This statement would not have been possible but for the incredible advocacy of Professors Rachel Lopez and Lauren Katz Smith and their students at Drexel's Kline School of Law, as well as the ACLU of Pennsylvania. 

Free Her

 

 

  For the second year, the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls will

  hold a national conference.  The National Council is dedicated to the abolition of prisons for women and girls,

  a position endorsed by presidential candidate Kamala Harris at last week's Democratic debate. 

 

  The National Council has programs that empower women in the community as well as those who are

  incarcerated.  For example, the Council trains community members in participatory defense where

  family and friends and those engaged in the justice systems are empowered to be advocates in their

  own cases and the cases of those they know.  Another grassroots advocacy goal is Reimagining Communities

  whose goals are "to end mass incarceration and law enforcement led policies".

 

  Activists from all over the country will gather in Montgomery Alabama from October 4-6th. 

 

  Registration information can be found here.