The experts said it should be an “imperative priority” to address and unpack the issue of poverty as it impacts people of African descent, moving from a criminal justice response to a human rights-centred response to poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, and mental illness. “In each of those aspects, available data points to a clear disproportional impact upon people of African descent.” Transition to human rights-centred response

Racial discrimination permeates all contacts with law enforcement, from the first contact – often during early school years – by means of racial profiling, arrest, detention, sentencing and disenfranchisement in some US states, the said. Slavery has left a deep and long-lasting entrenched legacy on the country, which can be perceived through generational trauma, the independent experts noted. “This includes boosting oversight mechanisms with compelling power”, providing sufficient resources and “robust and holistic” reparation, together with support and rehabilitation to victims, including “ access to justice and health, including mental health services.” The legacy of structural racism “But we strongly believe that more robust action, including on part of federal authorities, is needed to result in strong accountability measures for past and future violations.” “We welcome the reparatory measures taken so far, including executive orders signed in 20, as well as individual reparation initiatives by way of civilian settlement for damages,” said Tracie Keesee, an expert member of the Mechanism. “We saw some promising initiatives centering the voices of victims and survivors, as well as law enforcement initiatives that could be replicated throughout the United States. Members of the UN Human Rights Council-appointed delegation said they “ felt an urgency, and a moral responsibility, to echo the harrowing pain of victims” and their resounding calls for accountability and support

Up from slavery