African countries urge UN Human Rights Council to investigate systemic racism in US News
© WikiMedia (Paul Becker)
African countries urge UN Human Rights Council to investigate systemic racism in US

According to a draft resolution revealed Tuesday, African countries are urging the UN Human Rights Council to investigate systemic racism and police violence in the US.

Diplomats received the resolution ahead of a debate at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that will be held on Wednesday regarding this topic. The debate is a response to the death of George Floyd and others in police custody, as well as the ongoing unrest.

The draft resolution calls for the establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry (COI), which is normally used in a major crisis, such as the armed conflict in Syria. The resolution states that the aim of the investigation is to “bring perpetrators to justice” and “establish facts and circumstances related to the systemic racism, alleged violations of international human rights law and abuses against Africans and of people of African descent in the United States.”

In addition, the resolution stated that the commission should also investigate “the federal, state and local government responses to peaceful protests, including the alleged use of excessive force against protesters, bystanders and journalists.”

A vote by the 47-member council is due after the debate Wednesday once a final text version of the resolution is tabled for 24 hours.