U.N. Report: U.S. Should Create a National Human Rights Commission

A new report by the U.N. Working Group on the Rights of People of African Descent commends the steps the U.S. government has taken to promote the rights of people of African descent, but states that much more needs to be done to bring the U.S. into compliance with international treaty obligations.

According to the working group's report, "due partially to the legacy of slavery, racism and discrimination, African Americans have had economic, social and educational disadvantages, as well as challenges to the enjoyment of basic human rights." The report noted that these challenges continue today in the forms of unequal access to quality education, electoral disenfranchisement and discrimination in the justice and legal systems.

One way to move forward toward full human rights protections recommended by the working group is to reform the existing U.S. Commission on Civil Rights into a civil and human rights commission that oversees compliance with human rights treaty obligations. Another is an Executive Order on Human Rights that would integrate the United States' human rights obligations into federal agency policies. Click here to take action!