MRG joins families of victims and rights groups in a call for effective implementation of HRC resolution on police violence and structural racism

Joint letter from 143 families of victims of police violence in the US and over 360 civil society groups calling on the High Commissioner to ensure effective implementation of the HRC resolution on police violence and structural racism

August 3, 2020

Dear High Commissioner,

The undersigned families of victims of police violence and civil society organizations write with regard to the Human Rights Council resolution (A/HRC/43/L.50) on the promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Africans and of people of African descent against excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officers.

As you know, the resolution has mandated your office, with the assistance of relevant Special Mandate Holders, “to prepare a report on systemic racism, violations of international human rights law against Africans and people of African descent by law enforcement agencies, especially those incidents that resulted in the death of George Floyd and other Africans and of people of African descent, to contribute to accountability and redress for victims.” The resolution has also requested that your office “examine government responses to antiracism peaceful process peaceful protests, including the alleged use of excessive force against protesters, bystanders and journalists.” In addition, the resolution also requested that the High Commissioner “include updates on police brutality against Africans and people of African descent in all her oral updates to the Council.”

While we were disappointed that the Council adopted a watered-down resolution due to enormous diplomatic pressure from the United States and other allied countries, we consider the outcome of the urgent debate a crucial first step towards full accountability for systemic police violence against Black people in the United States and more generally against people of African descent around the world. We wish to make the following recommendations and suggestions to ensure effective implementation of the resolution and a transparent, inclusive process for producing the report with maximum meaningful participation and engagement from directly impacted communities and other relevant stakeholders.

First, we strongly believe that the High Commissioner’s report should center the lived experiences of people of African descent and be informed primarily by individuals and communities directly impacted by structural racism and police violence. This requires inclusive outreach to communities of color and the creation of meaningful, safe, and accessible opportunities for consultation. It must also involve modalities to provide testimonies, evidence, and other relevant information and materials to encourage unhindered reporting from those fearing retaliation.

Second, for the report to fulfill the mandate of the Council’s resolution and respect the memory of George Floyd and other victims of police violence, it must examine and highlight individual cases of extrajudicial killings of people of African descent and entrenched impunity for police violence rooted in structural racism. The resolution specifically mentions the killing of George Floyd, whose horrific murder by a Minneapolis police officer (and the complicity of other officers) shocked the world and sparked unprecedented protests calling for police accountability and racial justice. The reference to the killing of “other Africans and of people of African descent” suggests that Floyd’s killing should not be the only case examined and highlighted in the report.

Third, we encourage you to thoroughly examine the history of racist policing in the United States and other countries in order to make recommendations for a concrete path forward regarding the Council’s role to ensure effective accountability and follow-up. The report should outline steps and measures that must be taken to dismantle structural racism and bring the country‘s criminal legal system in line with international human rights norms. The report should build and expand upon, rather than replicate, previous research and reports published by regional and international human rights bodies, including UN treaty bodies and relevant Special Mandate Holders. Extensive research has already been completed by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on racism, the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, and the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Fourth, we are fully aware of the extraordinary financial challenges and limited resources at your disposal, as well as the overwhelming responsibilities of your Office, especially in response to the ongoing global health and economic crises imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we believe the implementation of this Council resolution resulting from an historic urgent debate should be of high priority. Sufficient resources must be allocated to ensure that the report comprehensively and thoroughly examines structural racism and police violence. We cannot exaggerate the unfathomable importance of this issue for millions of people and its implications on the full enjoyment of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms for people of African descent, Indigenous Peoples, and racial and ethnic minorities. In the United States alone, there are over a thousand people killed by law enforcement every year, below are just some of the signatures of the many family members, whose loved ones were killed by police that you will never hear of in the mainstream media. They have long been denied justice and accountability and treated as second class citizens; the opportunity to begin rectifying this wrong rests in your hands.

Fifth, the examination of racist police violence and government responses to antiracism protests, including the alleged use of excessive force against protesters, bystanders and journalists, must not be limited to desk research and/or a call for written submissions through notes verbales. Rather, it must be based on regional hearings and consultations, potentially facilitated by OHCHR’s regional and field offices, that will provide adequate and meaningful opportunities for a wide range of voices and experiences to be presented. Holding public hearings will increase the transparency and legitimacy of the process and outcome. It will also create opportunities to educate the public on racial justice and the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement at this historic juncture. It is possible to conduct more comprehensive outreach and consultations using virtual hearings and meetings, especially when travel and country visits are limited due to COVID-19 or financial constraints.

We stand ready to support you and your dedicated staff as you begin to implement the Council’s resolution. Please accept our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for the enormous work you do each day as the world’s collective human rights conscience.

Sincerely,

The Families of the Victims of Police Brutality, by year that they lost their loved one

2020

Tamika Palmer, daughter Breonna Taylor killed by Louisville, KY Metro Police Department Philonise Floyd & Quincy Mason, brother & father George Floyd killed by Minneapolis, MN Police
Addie Kitchen, son Steven DeMarco Taylor killed by San Leandro, CA Police
Amy Fizer, daughter Hannah Renee Fizer killed by Pettis County, MO Police
Jeannie Williams, son John Henry Ross II killed by Harrisonburg City Police, Rockingham County VA Sheriffs, and VA State Police

2019

Desiree Lauren, son Sterling Humbert killed by Carrollton, TX Police
Irma Woodard-Duncklee, son Michael Lee Duncklee killed by Tucson, AZ Police Lisa Finch, daughter Adelina Finch killed by Wichita, KS Police
Tammie Atchison Featherstone, nephew Jimmy Atchison killed by Atlanta, GA Police Toni Biegert, son Joseph R. Biegert killed by Green Bay, WI Police
Trena & Quiana Miller, son TreShun Miller killed by Arlington, TX Police

2018

Azucena Albrethsen, son Jacob E. Albrethsen killed by Orem Police
Barbara Okamoto, grandson Christopher A. Okamoto killed by Bakersfield, CA Police Catherine Young, son D’Quan Young killed by Washington DC Police
Iris E. Salazar, daughter Leslie Salazar killed by Austin, TX Police
Lisa Vargas, son Anthony Daniel Vargas killed by Los Angeles County, CA Sheriff’s Deputies Sabrina Passalaqua Courtroul, son Tommy Henley killed by Westminster, CO Police
Tiffany Simpson, son Logan Simpson killed by Bixby, OK Police

2017

Aaron Heather Nordin, brother Jason Fanning killed by St. Joseph Police
Angelique Negroni-Kearse, husband Andrew Kearse killed by Schenectady Police Annice Evans, son Angel Ramos killed by Vallejo, CA Police
Candance Gipp, brother G. Ryan Gipp Jr. killed by Standing Rock Police Department Constance Joann McGuire, Tavaris Khalil McGuire killed by Kokomo Police
Cynthia Brown, nephew Kareen Ali Nadir Jones killed by Columbus, OH Police
Denise Fanning, son Jason Fanning killed by St. Joseph, MO Police
Donna Chisesi, son Jonathan David Victor killed by Baldwin County, AL Sheriff’s Office Gina Torres, son Isaiah Hammett killed by St. Louis City SWAT/ St. Louis, MO Police James & Kelly Ghaisar, son Bijan Ghaisar killed by Park Police in Northern Virginia Kathy Scott-Lykes, son Jarvis Lykes killed by Georgia State Troopers
Katrina Johnson, cousin Charleena Lyles killed by Seattle, WA Police
Kimberly Handy-Jones, son Cordale Q. Handy, killed by St. Paul, MN Police
Krystal Wagner, son Shane Allen Jensen killed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources Lisa Finch, son Andrew Finch killed by Wichita, KS Police
Marion Jones-Tamba, son Tyler J. Lee killed by Dekalb County Police
Natasha Manning, son Arties Manning III killed by New Orleans, LA Police
Pochya Mifflin, son Cedric Jamal Mifflin killed by Phenix City, AL Police
Rosie Chavez, nephew Jacob Dominguez killed by San Jose Police
Shae Powell, son James Daniel Jill killed by Arapahoe County Sheriff Department
Tiffany Tabares, son Dillan Tabares killed by Huntington Beach, CA Police
Valerie Rivera, son Eric Rivera killed by Los Angeles, CA Police Department
Vanessa Moore, son Hayden Stutz killed by Canton, OH Police

2016

Adrienne Hood, son Henry Green killed by Columbus, OH Police
Alice Corley, son Lionel Vincent Gibson Jr. killed by Long Beach, CA Police
Arlene Molinaro, son Joseph Molinaro killed by Carbondale, PA Police
Ayanna Johnson, son Darius Wimberly killed by Bent Harbor, MI Police
Cruz Weick, son Sergio Daniel Weick killed by Vista, CA Sheriff’s Department
Dalphine Jabril Robinson, son Jabril B. Robinson killed by Clayton County, GA Police Emily Gonzales, son Jordan Love killed by Corpus Christi, TX Police
Felicia Thomas, son Nicholas Thomas killed by Smyrna, GA Police
Heather Boland, cousin Bodhi Phelps killed by Gresham, OR Police
Irene Kalonji, son Christopher Kalonji killed by Clackamas, OR Sheriffs & Officers
Kim Thomas, son Earl Shaleek Pickney killed by Harrisburg, PA Police
Kristina Murphy, husband Christopher Murphy killed by Woodland, CA Highway Patrol Lorenza Olivares, son Elias Portillo killed by Dallas, TX Police
Monteria Robinson, son Jamarion Robinson killed by Atlanta, GA Police
Pattie Gonzalez, husband Fermin Vincent Valenzuela killed by Anaheim, CA Police Sandy Sanchez, son Anthony Nunez killed by San Jose, CA Police
Vicki Timpa, son Tony Timpa killed by Dallas, TX Police

2015

Annemarie Grant, brother Thomas Purdy killed by Washoe County Sheriffs & Reno Police Beverly Smith, son Alonzo Smith, killed by Special Police Officers in Washington, D.C. Diane Winter, nephew Deven Guildford killed by Eaton County, MI Sheriff Department Dominic Archibald, son Nathaniel Pickett II killed by San Bernardino County, CA Sheriff Dorothy Osteen, son Bertrand Davis killed by Dallas, TX Police
Greg & Tammy Dyksma, son Nicholas Dyksma killed by Harris County, GA Deputy Holly Galbraith Hester, son Delaney Hester beaten by Keller, TX Police
Holly Quigley-Papke, son Patrick Wetter killed by Stockton, CA Police Jindia Blount, brother Juan May killed by Arlington, TX Police
Judy Alderman Edens, son Jason Alderman killed by Bakersfield Police Kimberly Davis, son Kimoni Davis killed by Hanging Rock, OH Police LaToya Howell, son Justus Howell killed by Zion, IL Police
Lynn Eagle Feather, son Paul Castaway killed by Denver, CO Police Department Pamela Fields, cousin Derrick Hunt killed by Long Beach, CA Police
Sarah Fitch, son Samuel Toshiro Smith killed by Seattle, WA Police
Sharon Irwin, grandson Tony Terrell Robinson, killed by Madison, WI Police Sheila Banks, godson Corey Jones killed by Palm Beach Gardens, FL Police Officer Stephanie Babb, brother Captain Brian Avon Babb killed by Eugene, OR Police Tania Hudson, son Deaunte Bell killed by Columbus, OH Police

Tina Taylor, son Christian Taylor killed by Arlington, TX Police

2014

Cheryl Jones, son Marquise Jones killed by San Antonio, TX Police
Deanna Joseph, son Andrew Joseph III killed by Hillsborough County Sheriff Tampa, FL Denise Rankin, son DaRon Gaylor Jr. killed by Flint, MI Police
Dorothy Holmes, son Ronald Johnson III killed by Chicago, IL Police
Gina Thayne, nephew Dillon Taylor killed by Salt Lake City Police
Janet Baker, son Jordan Baker killed by Houston, TX Police
Kathi Roberts Gaynier, son Andrew Gaynier killed by Dallas, TX Police
Laurie Valdez, partner Antonio Guzman Lopez killed by San Jose State, CA Police
Lisa Mays-Parramore, son Kelvin Mays killed by Garland, TX Police
Mary Wilsey, son Keith Vidal killed by Southport, NC Sheriff Department
Michael Brown Sr. & Lezley McSpadden, son Michael Brown Jr. killed by Ferguson, MO Police
Pamela Brooks, son Amir Brooks killed by Prince George’s County Police
Pamela Fields, nephew Donte Parker killed by San Bernardino County Sheriff
Shirley & Sean Harrison, son & brother Jason Harrison killed by Dallas, TX Police Department Syreeta Myers, son VonDerrit Myers Jr. killed by St. Louis, MO Police
Tressa Sherrod, son John H. Crawford III killed by Beavercreek, OH Police
Vanessa White, son Victor White III killed by Iberia Parish, LA Sheriff Department
Vickie McNeill Williams, son Tinoris Williams killed by Palm Beach County, FL Sheriff Department

2013

Collette Flanagan, son Clinton Allen killed by Dallas Police
Jenette Munoz, brother Salvador Munoz killed by Dallas, TX Police
Kristine Rose, son Jessie Rose killed by Utica, NY Police
Mary Wills, son Taylor Thompson killed by Escambia County, FL Sheriff
Milca Perez & Gerardo Pineda Sr., son Gerardo Pineda Jr. killed by Dallas, TX Police Montye A. Benjamin, son Jayvis L. Benjamin killed by Avondale Estate Police, Decatur, GA Murlene Spinks, son Anthony Skeaton killed in Placer County Jail
Pamela Fields, son Donte Jordan killed by Long Beach, CA Police
Royce Eckley, son Marcus Anthony Merritt Sr. killed by Louisiana State Police

Susana Lopez, son DeAngelo Lopez killed by Compton, CA Sheriff Department Tawanda Jones, brother Tyrone West killed by Baltimore, MD Police
Toni Taylor, son Cary Ball Jr. killed by St. Louis, MO Police
Tyann Lavonne Salgardo, son Derek Brown killed by Tennessee State Troopers
Val Greenoak, son Jesse Hamilton killed by Santa Rosa Police Department
Valarie Carey, sister Miriam Carey killed by U.S. Secret Service & Capital Police in Washington D.C.
Virginia Bradford, son Fred Bradford killed by Dallas, TX Police

2012

Amalia Villafane-Gregory, son Sebastian Gregory shot by Miami, FL Police
Ashley Harper, brother James Harper killed by Dallas, TX Police
Cynthia Mitchell, son Mario Romero killed by Vallejo, CA Police
Genevieve A. Huizar, son Manuel Diaz killed by Anaheim, CA Police
Jeralynn Brown-Blueford, son Alan Blueford killed by Oakland, CA Police
Krissy Johnson, father Inzer Allen Johnson killed by Rainbow City, AL Police
Lydia and Richard Adams, son Seth Issac Adams killed by Palm Beach, FL Sheriff Department Martinez Sutton, sister Rekia Boyd killed by off-duty Chicago, IL Detective
Yolanda McNair, daughter Adaisha Miller killed by off-duty Detroit, MI Police

2011

Anita Harris, grandson Dawntrae Ta’Shawn Williams killed by Gwinnett City, GA Police Anita Willis, grandson Kerry Baxter killed by Oakland, CA Police
Bridzette Lane, son Ralphael Briscoe killed by Washington DC Police
Jean Thaxton, son Michael Lee Nida II killed by Downey, CA Police

2010

Alicia Alvarez, son Johnathan Cuevas killed by Los Angeles, CA Sheriff Lynwood Station Dionne Smith, son James Rivera Jr. killed by Stockton, CA Police

2009-2000

Theresa Smith, son Caesar Cruz killed by Anaheim, CA Police, 2009
Wanda Johnson, son Oscar Grant killed by BART Police in Oakland, CA, 2009
Darlene Cain, son Dale Graham killed by Baltimore, MD Police, 2008
Lola Jones, son Derrick Jones killed by Dallas, TX Police, 2008
Alicia Kirkman, son Angelo Miller killed by Cleveland, OH Police, 2007
Antoinette Washington, son Brandon Washington killed by Dallas, TX Police, 2007 Corie Angle Cline, brother Joe Whitehouse killed by Anaheim, CA Police, 2007
Sandra Lane, nephew Bobby Walker killed by Dallas, TX Police, 2007
Theresa James, partner Jay Martin Murphy Sr. killed by Albuquerque, NM Police, 2007 Verbena Hawkins, son Trinton Hawkins killed by Dallas, TX Police, 2007
Greta Willis, son Kevin L. Cooper killed by Baltimore City police, 2006
Kat Espinosa, son Asa Benjamin Sullivan killed by San Francisco, CA Police, 2006 Patricia Scott, son Raemawn Scott killed by Powder Spring, GA Police, 2003
Deborah Forge, son Keenen L. Forge killed by Dallas, TX Police, 2002

1999-1990

Marion Gray-Hopkins, son Gary Hopkins Jr. killed by Prince George County, MD Police, 1999 Vicki & Sara Mokuria, father Tesfaie Mokuria killed by Dallas, TX Police, 1992

Civil Society Organizations, in alphabetical order: