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HRE USA

A network dedicated to building a culture of human rights

The Need for a Human Rights Education Initiative to Create A Culture of Human Rights Friendly Law Enforcement (2016)

Presented to: the Civil Society Consultation on UPR Implementation: Civil Rights and Discrimination Recommendations Related to Law Enforcement, US State Department UPR Working Group 1, Pre-Submitted July 28, 2016 for Consultation Scheduled for August 4, 2016

Summary of Recommendations:
HRE USA makes the following specific recommendations to Working Group 1 and to the United States government generally in regard to Civil Rights and Discrimination Recommendations Related to Law Enforcement:

  • Undertaking a nationally coordinated effort in cooperation with state and local governments to bring law enforcement in the United States into compliance with the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 and with the human rights treaties ratified by the United States.
  • Disseminate to state and local law enforcement agencies, state and local governments and the general population, information on these internationally recognized and US State Department promoted standards.
  • Identify the U.S. Department of Education as one of the “Lead Agencies” for implementation of the United States’ obligations to educate the civil population about human rights standards, including those applicable to law enforcement, and
  • Direct the Department of Education to work in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of State, Justice and any other appropriate federal agencies and in coordination with stand and local educational agencies, public and private institutions of higher education and civil society organizations.

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The core values of HRE USA and its partner organizations include transparency and critical thinking skills. We believe that human rights--and human rights education--belong to everyone, and that the full realization of human rights means that access to human rights education materials must never be conditioned upon the subscription to any particular religious faith, ideology, political affiliation, or membership in any particular organization and that any organizational connections should be openly acknowledged.