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Agence France-Presse

African countries are pushing for the UN’s top rights body to launch a high-level investigation into “systemic racism” and police violence in the United States and beyond, according to a draft resolution introduced Tuesday.
The text was the subject of heated discussions in Geneva ahead of a so-called “urgent debate” on the topic at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday.
The debate was called for following unrest in the United States and elsewhere over George Floyd’s death in police custody.
The draft resolution, introduced by the African group, condemns “racial discriminatory and violent practices perpetrated by law enforcement agencies against Africans and people of African descent and structural racism endemic to the criminal justice system, in the United States of America and other parts of the world.”
Fresh world protests against racism and police violence
The text calls for the establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry (COI) – one of the UN’s highest-level probes, generally reserved for major crises like the Syrian conflict.
The commission, the text said, should probe “systemic racism, alleged violations of international human rights law and abuses against Africans and of people of African descent in the United States” and elsewhere by law enforcement agencies.


The aim, it said, should be “bringing perpetrators to justice”.
The investigators should also probe “government responses to peaceful protests, including the alleged use of excessive force against protesters, bystanders and journalists,” it said.
A senior US diplomat in Geneva voiced outrage at the draft resolution.
“Our transparency, commitment to a free press, and insistence on the right to justice allow the world to see our problems and openly engage on our efforts at finding solutions,” said the diplomat.
“It is countries that hide the truth, violently silence their critics, don’t have democratic accountability, and refuse even to recognise fundamental freedoms that merit censure.”
Another senior US official said the United States would take a “hard look” at whether to cooperate on a COI.
Floyd protests and sanctions row leave US failing to win friends and influence Africa
The draft resolution urges the US government, as well as other relevant countries, to “cooperate fully” with the COI, which would present its findings to the council in a year’s time.
The rights council’s 47 members are due to vote on the resolution following the urgent debate, which was set to begin Wednesday and conclude Thursday morning.
George Floyd’s brother is expected to address the council by video link.
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died in Minneapolis on May 25 after a white police officer, who has since been charged with murder, pressed his knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
While his death, which was caught on video, has sparked global outrage, it remains unclear which way Thursday’s vote will go.
The United States itself withdrew from the council two years ago, but observers of the process said some of its allies were strongly opposed to the text.
A Western diplomat said a number of countries felt the resolution was “being pushed through to advance a political agenda.”
Rights groups urged the council to take a stand.
“Systemic racism and police violence in the US have reached a tipping-point,” said John Fisher, head of Human Rights Watch’s Geneva office.
“When national processes consistently fail, international processes are needed.”
J


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Racism and other prejudice

Africa seeks UN probe into US ‘systemic racism’

The United States itself withdrew from the UN’s top rights body two years ago. Photo: AFP

George Floyd protests and sanctions row leave US failing to win friends and influence Africa

A man sits in front of graffiti in memory of George Floyd painted by Kenyan artists in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in Nairobi. Photo: EPA-EFE

Protesters demonstrate against police brutality, in the Mathare slum, or informal settlement, of Nairobi, Kenya Monday, June 8, 2020. The protest against police brutality in Kenya was in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and in response to the recent killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, USA, that has led to protests in many countries and across the US. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)

Members of South Africa's opposition party the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) hold placards as they demonstrate against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd and Collins Khoza, who died after a confrontation with South African security forces enforcing the nationwide coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown, outside the U.S embassy in Pretoria, South Africa June 8, 2020. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Demonstrators march as they hold placards during a Black Lives Matter protest, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, in front of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, June 9, 2020. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Fresh world protests against racism and police violence

A protester carries an injured counter-protester to safety, near the Waterloo station in London. Photo: Reuters

Police officers are seen during a protest against police brutality and the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Paris, France June 13, 2020. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

A banner and a U.S. flag are placed on the Monument a la Republique during a protest against police brutality and the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, at the Place de la Republique square in Paris, France June 13, 2020. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A far-right protester gestures towards police officers at Trafalgar Square in London. Photo: AP

News

World

Africa


Draft UN draft resolution calls for a commission of inquiry – the human rights body’s most powerful tool to inspect rights violations
A senior US diplomat in Geneva voiced outrage at the draft resolution



African nations have prepared a draft resolution at the UN’s top human rights body that singles out the United States and would launch intense international scrutiny of systemic racism against people of African descent.


George Floyd protests

Africa seeks UN probe into US ‘systemic racism’

Draft UN draft resolution calls for a commission of inquiry – the human rights body’s most powerful tool to inspect rights violations A senior US diplomat in Geneva voiced outrage at the draft resolution

Draft UN draft resolution calls for a commission of inquiry – the human rights body’s most powerful tool to inspect rights violations

A senior US diplomat in Geneva voiced outrage at the draft resolution