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#colonization, #humanrights, #malcolmxonhumanrights, #unitednationshumanrightsofficeofthehighcommissioner, #UnitedNationsWorkingGroupofExpertsonPeopleofAfricanDescent
United Nations’ Working Group on People of African Descent found…
Full Report:
– The Fair Sentencing Act.
– The Justice Department’s “Smart on Crime” initiative.
– The report and recommendations of the Task Force on 21st Century Policing to strengthen community-police relationships across the country.
– The new Guidance for Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Regarding the Use of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, National Origin, Religion, Sexual Orientation, Or Gender Identity
– The Guidance for consideration of arrests and conviction records in employment decisions under title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964
– During our visit, the Government adopted an executive order to reduce the use of solitary confinement at the federal level by prohibiting solitary confinement of juveniles, diverting inmates with serious mental illness to alternative forms of housing and establishing that inmates should be housed in the least restrictive setting, among other issues. These changes are part of a larger effort to pass criminal justice reforms now pending in congress.
– White House Initiatives such as My Brother’s Keeper and on Educational Excellence for African Americans, aimed at addressing opportunity gaps and improving educational outcomes for African Americans.
– The new report from the Charles Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections that punitive mandatory sentences for drug crimes represents the primary driver for prison overcrowding.
The Working Group was also informed about some positive steps at the state level:
There is also an excessive punishment of poor children for minor offences.
– Security policies in schools should be revisited. Policing in schools should be abolished.
– The Working Group recommends upholding the right to adequate standards of living including the right to food, right to water and the right to adequate housing. The Government should immediately halt the demolition of public housing without guaranteeing replacement units. All such activities must be undertaken only through prior and informed consent and participation of the communities affected.
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– The Working Group urges the government to strengthen the implementation of
Executive Order 12898 including through the allocation of adequate resources.
– The US government should undertake a review of policies to improve protection and ensure environmental justice is provided.