S, President Biden Commemorates 160th Anniversary of Lincoln’s mancipation Proclamation

Gerren Keith Gaynor

The 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation is a reminder of how far we’ve come as a country — and the work still to be done

Because the Emancipation Proclamation technically preserved the institution of slavery in states that remained within the Union, Biden acknowledged that Lincoln’s order “was not a perfect solution.” Still, he noted, “it began the active pursuit of perfection, the quest that persists to this day to realize the full promise of democracy in America.”

President Biden added, “With the stroke of a pen, President Lincoln aligned the future of our Nation with the challenge of our world, to end humanity’s war against itself, to recognize there is more that unites us than could ever divide us, and to finally reconcile ourselves with one another in peace.”

As the country marks the 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the history of slavery remains a thorny issue in the United States. A current political movement amongst conservatives has attempted to thwart or alter how slavery is taught in American classrooms in the form of anti-critical race theory. The Republican-led efforts emerged in the years after the publishing of journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones’ Pulitzer Prize-winning, “The 1619 Project,” which reexamines slavery and the role of African Americans in pushing the United States closer to its ideal of democracy and liberty for all.

The United States has also yet to officially apologize for the enslavement of African Americans, and many scholars and activists have for decades called for some form of reparations. In Congress, there have been many attempts to pass H.R. 40, or the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act. The bill, which was first introduced by U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., would create a commission to study the history of slavery and potential reparations. However, despite being introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives several times since 1989, it has yet to advance out of committee and to a floor vote.

As theGrio previously reported, Black advocates, with support from some members of Congress, have called on President Biden to sign an executive order that would essentially do what H.R. 40 aimed to do, given congressional inaction. During the 2020 presidential campaign, Biden said that he supports a reparations commission and would sign H.R. 40 if passed by Congress. When asked by theGrio last summer whether Biden would instead sign an executive order, the White House said, “The president’s position hasn’t changed.”

As the 118th Congress is sworn into office on Jan. 3, President Biden will now govern with a divided Congress, as Republicans will hold a slim majority in the House. The chance of H.R. 40 being passed in this Congress remains unlikely.

In his statement acknowledging the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Biden projected a message of unity and bipartisanship — something he hopes will continue in the next Congress.

“Let us rejoice that freedom is our goal, and let us set aside our differences, break through bitter and divisive partisanship, our finger pointing and blame, and rise up to meet our great calling as a Nation,” the president said.

“Let us do all we can in 2023 to create ‘a new birth of freedom’ in the United States and ensure that ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people, shall not perish,’ but will shine like a sun, a beacon to all people, demonstrating that from the many our great Nation can become one.” https://thegrio.com/2023/01/02/bidencommemorates-160th-anniversary-of-lincolnsemancipation-proclamation/

Call for Inputs on Upcoming Country Vis

United Nations International Independen

Justice and Equality in the context of Law

Issued by: International Independent Expert Mechanism to Input Deadline: 2

Purpose

To Collect information in preparation for the Expert Mechanism's visit to the United States of America scheduled to take place 24 April – 5 May 2023

Background

The mandate of the Expert Mechanism is detailed in resolution 47/21. The Expert Mechanism is mandated under paragraph 11 of the resolution to advance racial justice and equality in the context of law enforcement in all parts of the world by, inter alia conducting country visits, inclusive outreach, and consultations with States, directly affected individuals and communities, and other stakeholders, and taking into account an intersectional approach. The Expert Mechanism is comprised of three members- Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, Dr. Tracie Keesee, and Professor Juan Méndez.

Learn more about the Expert Mechanism here

During the mission, the Expert Mechanism will meet national stakeholders, including government officials including law enforcement authorities, civil society organisations, United Nations representatives, academics, lawyers, and victims. The Expert Mechanism will also conduct site visits and spend time outside the capital city to better understand the issues faced by Africans and people of African Descent in the country.

The Expert Mechanism will offer recommendations to support the Government's efforts in combatting structural and institutional racism, the excessive use of force, and other human rights violations by law enforcement and the criminal justice system against Africans and people of African descent. The Expert Mechanism will present a mission report with its findings and recommendations.

Objectives

The Expert Mechanism seeks to understand the USA’s efforts in combatting structural and institutional racism, the excessive use of force, and other human rights violations by law enforcement against Africans and people of African descent, in the spirit of cooperation and dialogue.

During the visit, the Expert Mechanism will study:

• Systemic racism as a root cause of excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement against Africans and people of African descent.

• Access to justice, accountability, and redress for excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officials against Africans and people of African descent.

• Alignment of domestic laws, policies, and practices on the use of force by law enforcement officials with international human rights norms and standards.

• Alignment of domestic laws, policies, and practices in the criminal justice system with international human rights norms and standards

• Good practices and lessons learned related to laws, policies and practices on racial justice and equality in the context of law enforcement and the justice system.