The Biden-Harris administration is deeply committed to addressing the challenges of racism at home and abroad, including the structures, policies, laws, and practices that support racial injustice. Democracy also believes that any commitment to promoting human rights around the world must begin with a commitment to promoting human rights at home.
In that context, the United States gathered representatives of various organizations for the upcoming meeting of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in Geneva, Switzerland (August 11-12).
The delegation will be led by Ambassador Michèle Taylor, the U.S. Representative. Permanent to the UN Human Rights Council, and Desirée Cormier Smith, Special Representative of the Department of State for Racial Equality and Justice. It will also feature representatives from nearly a dozen major department offices including the Departments of Justice, Labor, and Education, as well as Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and representatives from the California Attorney General’s office.
In Geneva, delegates will present a 2021 report on the implementation of U.S. commitments. under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. This report details the actions taken by the U.S. Government. promote racial equality and address racism and discrimination.
In preparation for the presentation, the United States organized a series of dialogues with American civil society organizations on a variety of issues affecting marginalized communities of color and ethnicity. The US’s participation in this process demonstrates the administration’s commitment to the provisions of the human rights treaty, and its strong belief that the United States must lead by example.
The official version of the Periodic Report of the United States of America to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination is available online.
If you have any questions about the US CERD presentation or need more information, please contact USERD2022@state.gov.
