Genuinely combating racial discrimination is essential for a more just and peaceful society. This notably requires an end to impunity, especially when the perpetrators of racial discrimination and violence are representatives of the State. This is what ISHR and its French national partner, the Collectif Urgence Notre Police Assassine (UNPA), reminded France in a video statement presented at the 46th session of the Human Rights Council.
Today, Amal Bentounsi, founder of UNPA, delivered a joint oral statement by ISHR and UNPA drawing the Council’s attention to racist police violence in France. The organisations recalled that France, as a member of the Council, should uphold the highest standards of human rights. Yet, when it comes to racially charged police violence, France is still far from achieving this, allowing a climate of impunity to persist when such violence occurs.
The statement denounced the ‘judicial delays, repeated dismissal or dismissal of cases, and even judicial harassment against victims of such violence, their relatives and their defenders.’ Indeed, there are few cases where police officers who commit violence and/or other racist behaviours are sanctioned. When such sanctions are imposed, they fall far short of the right to effective remedy in line with international standards. Referring to the case of her brother Amine, who was shot dead in the back, Amal Bentounsi pointed out that the police officer, although convicted, had only been given a short and suspended 5-year imprisonment sentence. No disciplinary sanction has been imposed against him to date. The statement recalled that this is just one of countless cases of fatal violence for which the families of victims have not received justice, many of them still awaiting trial after several years.
ISHR and UNPA call on France to ensure prompt, effective and independent investigations which are inclusive of victims’ families and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable, in order to provide real guarantees of non-repetition. The statement also called on France to support the work of defenders working on the issue, to refrain from criminalising them, and not to deprive them of their main working tool, namely the possibility to film when they witness police violence.
The signatories also reiterated their call to the High Commissioner for Human Rights to center victims and their families in the preparation of her report on police violence and systemic racism against people of African descent.
Watch the statement here :
Photo: UN WebTV
The UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism presented the Human Rights Council with a report noting continued barriers for defenders working on albinism and calling for greater cooperation between civil society groups.
Assa Traoré, a woman human rights defender and the sister of Adama, a victim of racially-motivated police brutality, has faced reprisals by right-wing extremist groups and the union of the police following her participation in the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
For many rights holders, victims and human rights defenders, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) provides a vital lever increasing pressure for change at the national level, while for others it provides the last resort or only opportunity to expose violations, seek accountability, and garner support for their vital work towards a fair, equal and sustainable world. We need the HRC to be credible, effective and accessible to everyone. This is only possible if States demonstrate leadership, take action in line with objective human rights criteria, ensure that HRC members live up to their responsibilities, and fully cooperate with the HRC and its mechanisms.
