Geneva, Switzerland - July 08, 2024

A UN human rights expert said on Monday that systemic racism still permeates society in the United States even as racial injustice issues gain increasing attention in the nation.

Ashwini K.P., the UN's sixth Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, made the remark at the 56th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

"Many from racially marginalized groups in the United States continue to experience persistent systemic racism. Individuals I met with during my visit describe systemic racism in the United States as 'being in the air we breathe' and 'persisting from cradle to grave,' articulating the pervasive, pernicious, far reaching and unrelenting nature of racial injustice," she said.

The expert said factors such as political extremism and economic uncertainty in the U.S. offer a fertile ground for hate crimes while reinforcing the alienation of and prejudice against racially marginalized groups.

She proposed a series of approaches on achieving racial equality in the country, including the establishment of a commission on eliminating racial discrimination, a human rights committee and an expert mechanism to promote racial equality in law enforcement.

Shotlist:
Geneva, Switzerland - July 8, 2024:
Geneva, Switzerland - June 12, 2024
1. Various of United Nations flag; Palace of Nations; flags;
Geneva, Switzerland - July 8, 2024
2. 56th Regular Session of UN Human Rights Council in progress;
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Ashwini K.P., sixth Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, UNHRC:
"Many from racially marginalized groups in the United States continue to experience persistent systemic racism. Individuals I met with during my visit describe systemic racism in the United States as 'being in the air we breathe' and 'persisting from cradle to grave,' articulating the pervasive, pernicious, far reaching and unrelenting nature of racial injustice.;
FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown
4. White House;
5. Various of Capitol building, U.S. national flag.

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