In light of recent events, the United States is in what many would call a social disaster. Americans and those overseas question the integrity of its justice system. Internally, the US is fighting for human rights in this country. The United Nations is reportedly concerned about “institutionalized discrimination across the United States,” particularly, with respect to African Americans. Also in recent news the Senate released its five-year executive summary report on blatant violations of international human rights under the Bush administration. The UN is yet again, putting the spotlight on the US, and holding it accountable from those who planned and carried out the extremities. The dividing lines of crime and punishment have converged in the United States, and the justice system exhibits deficiencies on both local and international platforms.
Saturday, December 13, The Justice For All March was one of many protests sparked by the recent death of an African American boy and man, particularly Michael Brown Jr. Eric Garner, Akai Gurley, and Tamir Rice. The Justice for All March takes place in Washington DC and concurrently Millionaire’s March took place in New York City, in solidarity. The march in DC, particularly organized by the Pastor Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, highlighted the power of the victims’ families and the need to reform the legislature to hold law enforcement accountable. Both Marches had more than 5,000 protesters of all colours and creeds promoting the need for change, NYC’s numbers growing to 25k by the end of the night. Additionally the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said, “I urge the US authorities to undertake an in-depth examination of how race-related issues affect law enforcement and the administration of justice, at both the federal and state levels. .”
The Justice for All March, in DC, is unique in that once protesters walk the 10 or so blocks down Pennsylvania Avenue, it turns into a rally in front of the Capitol building. The protesters not only shouted, but they were also informed about what steps to take to hold law enforcement agencies accountable. Congressman Al Green, for example, briefed protesters on the Transparency in Policing Act, HR 5407, which requires law enforcement agencies to wear body cameras. This was practiced partly by a pilot program, in which 60 officers wore body cameras in New York City. Influential judge Greg Mathis addressed the audience, while director Spike Lee stood in the front row singing and cheering on the speakers. When Social asked the Honorable Judge Mathis what goal he wanted to attain, he replied, “Try to advocate for improvements to Federal and State laws.”
The Senate Intelligence Committee released the executive summary, revealing that the CIA had committed extreme violations of international human rights. These torture tactics included rectal feeding, waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and ice baths. In this report 26 of the 119 detainees should never have been arrested. The first full report from Abu Zubaydah provides information that he was left in water until he became unresponsive. CIA officials repeatedly reported misinformation to congress that misrepresented the number of prisoners and the tactics used. Officials also made false claims that these enhanced interrogation techniques led to Osama Bin Laden’s arrest. Instead, the report suggests that extreme torture methods may have slowed Bin Laden’s pursuit.
The United Nations is calling on the United States to address those responsible for this inhumane treatment. The UN’s Ben Emmerson, special counter-terrorism and human rights reporter has publicly condemned the CIA’s interrogation and detention programs, and is seeking criminal prosecution of the Bush-era officials involved. He was quoted as saying, “Now is the time to take action. Those responsible for the criminal conspiracy uncovered in today’s report must be delivered to justice, and must face criminal penalties commensurate with the gravity of their crimes.” Countries such as Britain, North Korea, Russia and China have all spoken out against torture and urged the United States to abide by the same international integrity it holds in other countries.
Questions arise for the US and its justice system. How can the United States recover from such chaos? If this country is seen as a world leader, does this give other developing countries a license to commit genocide and torture? It is obvious that US human rights policies aren’t prioritized or fully enforced by law. Now that this country is pressed for conformity and accountability, is there hope for a better America or will this country crumble under the weight of human rights at home and overseas?
Works cited
Froomkin, Dan. “For the CIA, The Truth About Torture Is an Existential Threat.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, December 10, 2014. Web. December 15, 2014.
Hjelmgaard, Kim, and Jame Onyanga-Omara. “What the World Says about CIA Torture Reports.” USA Today, December 10, 2014. Web. December 15, 2014.
Mazzetti, Mark. “Senate Torture Report Condemns CIA Interrogation Program.” The New York Times. The New York Times, December 9, 2014. Web. 09 December 2014.
“United Nations Human Rights Chief Concerned Over ‘Disproportionate’ Killing of African Americans by US Police.” The New United Nations Center with the Latest News from the New United Nations Service. Np, and Web.
