Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
1401 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005

For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kim Alton
(202) 662-8600
September 19 , 2007

Lawyers' Committee Submits Report to United Nations on U.S. Government's Failure to Comply with Treaty Obligations

Lawyers' Committee Co-Sponsors Civil/Human Rights International Symposium at Howard University

Washington, D.C. Ð The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers' Committee) submitted to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) its report, Unequal Opportunities: A Critical Assessment of the US Commitment to the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Report details the U.S. governmentÕs failure to enforce federal civil rights laws.

The Report finds that while the U.S. has taken significant strides to eliminate de jure discrimination and has established certain remedial structures, it has failed to meet its obligations under the UN Convention to identify and eradicate the de facto, systemic discrimination that continues to exist in the United States.

"The Lawyers' Committee was compelled to produce this Report in order to counter the misleading reporting of the U.S. government to the United Nations," said Barbara R. Arnwine, Executive Director of the Lawyers' Committee. "Our Report provides a realistic picture of how discrimination continues to affect communities of color in the United States and recommends its elimination," added Arnwine.

The Report focuses on key areas of concern, such as voting rights and electoral reform; employment discrimination; affirmative action; hate crimes; environmental justice; housing and community development issues; and equal educational opportunities. The Report also provides key recommendations for the CERD Committee.

In tandem with the release of the CERD Report, the Lawyers' Committee will co-sponsor a legal symposium on civil rights, human rights and race relations at Howard University School of Law on December 14-15. The purpose of the Symposium is to gather legal scholars, practitioners, and advocates to discuss the advancement of civil rights in the United States using international human rights standards and institutions. On Saturday, December 15, Barbara Arnwine and Voting Rights Senior Counsel, Marcia Johnson-Blanco will serve as panelists.

Next February, CERD will formally review U.S. compliance with the treaty during hearings in Geneva, Switzerland. The Lawyers' Committee will join other NGOs in conducting public advocacy and education efforts domestically and in Geneva.

CERD Shadow Report Unequal Opportunities: A Critical Assessment of the US Commitment to the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Information on Civil Rights, Human Rights and Race: An Applied Legal Scholarship Symposium

More information on the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

back to Press Releases