A report by the United Nations (UN) has found that the police use of racial profiling is systemic in much of North America, Europe and Latin America. It proposes a four-point agenda towards “transformative change for racial justice and equality”.

Racial Profiling – England and Wales

If you need a criminal defence solicitor, please contact us now at Ashmans Solicitors. We specialise in criminal defence law and can represent you throughout proceedings, starting with the police station interview. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Stop denying, and start dismantling”

George Floyd’s death in 2020 shone a light on the way in which black, Asian and minority ethnicities are treated by the police. This prompted the UN to produce a report analysing racial justice, which has recently been published. The content is fairly damning. In fact, it pointed towards deficient investigations, a presumption of guilt against those of African descent, and systemic use of racial profiling and excessive force amongst the police. The UN rights chief called for all nations across the globe to “stop denying, and start dismantling, racism… to end impunity and build trust; to listen to the voices of the people of African descent; and to confront past legacies and deliver redress”.

Working towards “transformative change”

The UN went one step further in an annex to the report, detailing a four-point agenda that aims to dismantle systemic racism in judicial systems. These are as follows:

1. Step up

  • Reforms should be adopted to dismantle systemic racism using comprehensive and adequately resourced national and regional action plans.
  • Time-bound commitments to be made on the implementation of the national and regional action plans.
  • Data to be used to assess responses to systemic racism and collect and make public comprehensive data to analyse the effect of laws and policies on Africans and people of African descent.
  • Respond to racist behaviour with the full force of the law and power of leadership.
  • Accelerate implementation of UN recommendations, monitor and report on progress

2. Pursue justice

  • Policing and criminal justice systems must be reimagined by implementing and supporting community-driven models that serve all members of communities without discrimination.
  • Reforms to be implemented to resist the use of force, prohibit racial profiling, and provide redress for victims and their families.
  • Regularly publish data, disaggregated by victims’ race or ethnic origin, on deaths and serious injury by law enforcement officials and related prosecutions and convictions, as well as any disciplinary actions.
  • Strengthen or create independent oversight and complaints procedures regarding action by law enforcement; standardise reporting and review of the use of force leading to death or serious injury and stocktake lessons learned.
  • Establish independent mechanisms to support families and communities affected by violations, including funding for separate autopsies, victim compensation funds, psych-social and bereavement assistance, support to bury victims and accessing justice.

3. Listen up

  • Ensure representation of people of African descent at every level in state institutions, law enforcement, the criminal justice system and policy-making processes.
  • Ensure full respect for the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and recognise the right to a peaceful protest as a way of effecting change.
  • Protect the rights and safety of those involved in protests.
  • Investigate all allegations of human rights violations or abuses against individuals and organisations that stand up against racism, in a timely and impartial manner.

4.Redress

  • Recognise that behind contemporary forms of racism lies the failure to acknowledge the responsibilities for enslavement and the transatlantic trade in slaves and to comprehensively repair the harms.

Justice System and Racial Profiling

Racism can never be tolerated, especially in the justice system. But unfortunately, it does happen. If you are treated unfavourably at any point during criminal proceedings because of the colour of your skin, your ethnicity or your beliefs, we will pursue the necessary recourse. Everyone has the right to a fair trial that is free from bias. As your legal representatives, we are here to uphold your rights. Wait, do you have to answer police questions UK ?

If you need a criminal defence solicitor, please do not hesitate to contact us at Ashmans Solicitors for free legal advice.

Call us on 0333 009 6275. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also email us on enquiries@ashmanssolicitors.com or complete our Free Online Enquiry Form and we’ll be in touch soon.