Racism and Race Relations in the U.S.: What Value for an International Human Rights Perspective?

 

Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Donia Human Rights Center Panel. "Racism and Race Relations in the United States: What Value for an International Human Rights Perspective?" Debates and protests in the United States about systemic racism are dominated by discussions of American institutions, law, and practices and the need to change them. But international human rights law, developed over decades to address and respond to human rights violations around the world, offers important frameworks and rules to address racism and race discrimination. Human rights law has already been utilized by some advocates for change in the U.S., but not as much as in other countries. This distinguished panel will offer perspectives on whether and how an international human rights lens provides an added value for discussions of, and solutions to, problems of racism in the United States. It will consider how human rights law might change ongoing conversations, as well as its limits. It will also offer a comparison between the use of human rights on issues of race discrimination in the United States and South Africa. Panelists: Catherine Powell, Professor of Law, Fordham Law School; Former White House National Security Council, Director for Human Rights Yasmin Sooka, Former Member, South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission Moderator: Steven Ratner, Bruno Simma Collegiate Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School; Director, Donia Human Rights Center, University of Michigan https://ii.umich.edu/humanrights/news-events/all-events.detail.html/76542-19725088.html