RealTime: Human Rights Committee Urges U.S. to Do Better

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has issued its concluding observations on the United States, noting that the U.S. needs to do a better job of reducing racial disparities in sexual and reproductive health.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has issued its concluding observations on the United States' compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, popularly known as CERD.

The Committee noted that the U.S. needs to do a better job of reducing racial disparities in sexual and reproductive health, citing higher rates of maternal and infant mortality, unintended pregnancies and abortions, and HIV among women of color, particularly African American women (see paragraph 33).

It also noted concern with high levels of violence against women of color, particularly Native American women and women who are migrant workers (see paragraph 26).

The Committee addressed a number of other issues, including persistent racial disparities in the criminal justice system, although these observations tend to be framed in terms of racial disparities and not in terms of the intersection of race and gender.

To learn more, visit the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and read the "shadow reports" submitted by non-governmental organizations.