U.S. Refuses to Defend Human Rights Record at U.N. – ACLU of Southern California

Report on Human Rights Violations in Southern California and Their Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

A report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California highlights significant human rights concerns following the United States’ refusal to participate in the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR process is a key mechanism for ensuring accountability among member states, directly supporting Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). In the absence of federal representation, the ACLU presented testimony to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, detailing alleged abuses that undermine several SDGs.

Testimony on Violations of Human Rights and SDGs

The testimony focused on three primary areas of concern, which present direct challenges to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those concerning justice, equality, and community well-being.

1. Violent Raids on Immigrant Communities

   Federal immigration enforcement actions have reportedly targeted immigrant communities, actions which conflict with core SDG principles.

   • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allegedly targeted locations with high proportions of people of color, particularly Latino communities. The reported use of racial profiling in enforcement directly contravenes the goal of reducing inequality.
   • SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The raids were described as unconstitutional, often conducted without warrants. Detainees were allegedly held in inhumane conditions with insufficient access to food, water, medical care, or legal counsel, undermining targets for access to justice and accountable institutions.
   • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The targeting of workplaces, including garment factories and construction sites, disrupts local economies and creates an environment of fear, which is antithetical to the principles of decent work for all.

2. Excessive Use of Force Against Protesters and Journalists

   The response by federal and local law enforcement to public protests against the immigration raids has raised further human rights issues.

   • SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The use of tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against protesters, legal observers, and journalists represents a failure to protect fundamental freedoms, a key target of SDG 16. The subsequent filing of charges, allegedly based on false testimony, further erodes trust in judicial institutions.
   • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The use of force resulted in severe and potentially permanent physical injuries to civilians, directly impacting their health and well-being.
   • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Suppressing peaceful assembly through force makes public spaces unsafe and undermines the development of inclusive and resilient communities.

3. Deployment of Military Personnel in Civilian Areas

   The deployment of National Guard members and U.S. Marines in Southern California was presented as a pretextual response to the protests.

   • SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The militarization of domestic law enforcement blurs the lines between civilian and military roles, potentially weakening civilian institutions and undermining the goal of promoting peaceful societies.
   • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The presence of military personnel in cities can create an environment of intimidation, conflicting with the goal of fostering safe, inclusive, and sustainable communities.

Legal and Advocacy Response in Support of SDGs

In response to these alleged violations, the ACLU has initiated several lawsuits against the federal government. These legal actions seek to hold institutions accountable and provide justice for affected individuals, thereby reinforcing the objectives of SDG 16. The organization emphasizes an integrated advocacy model that combines litigation, public policy, and community organizing. This approach is positioned as essential for achieving the broader SDG framework, particularly goals related to freedom, justice, equality, and the development of strong, accountable institutions for all people.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article extensively discusses the breakdown of justice and the rule of law. It details unconstitutional raids, the excessive use of force by law enforcement (DHS, ICE), the suppression of peaceful protests, and the denial of access to legal counsel. These actions represent a failure of institutions to protect human rights and ensure justice, which is the core focus of SDG 16. The U.S. government’s refusal to participate in the UN’s Universal Periodic Review further underscores a disregard for international mechanisms designed to uphold justice and human rights.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article explicitly states that enforcement actions were discriminatory. It highlights that ICE raids targeted “places with high proportions of people of color, particularly Latino community members” and that the administration used “racial profiling to guide their enforcement.” This directly relates to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities and eliminate discriminatory policies and practices based on race, origin, or other status.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article describes violence perpetrated by state actors, including “masked heavily armed federal agents” conducting “violent raids” and law enforcement using force against protesters by “shooting at press and protesters with tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, and other weapons.”
   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” This target is relevant due to the article’s description of “unconstitutional” raids conducted “without warrants,” the denial of “access to attorneys in their facilities,” and the filing of charges against protesters based on “false testimony.”
   • Target 16.10: “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.” The article highlights the violation of fundamental freedoms, such as the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of the press. It describes how law enforcement actions were “intended to criminalize dissent” and “deter residents from exercising their First Amendment rights.” The use of force against “protesters, legal observers and journalists” is a direct assault on these freedoms.
2. Under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices.” The article provides direct evidence of discriminatory practices. It notes that the Trump administration “has explicitly stated they are using racial profiling to guide their enforcement” and are detaining people “based on their physical appearance.” This is a clear example of a discriminatory policy that this target seeks to eliminate.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 16 Targets
   • For Target 16.1 (Reduce Violence): The article implies indicators such as the number of civilians injured by law enforcement during protests (“caused severe and potentially permanent injuries”) and the types of weapons used against them (“tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets”).
   • For Target 16.3 (Access to Justice): The article points to indicators like the number of people detained without access to legal counsel (“refused to provide access to attorneys”), the number of people held in inhumane conditions (“insufficient access to food, water, beds, toilets, or medical care”), and the number of arrests and raids conducted without warrants.
   • For Target 16.10 (Protect Fundamental Freedoms): The article provides specific numbers that can be used as indicators, such as the number of protesters arrested (“hundreds of people”) and the number of protesters prosecuted (“dozens of protesters”). Another implied indicator is the number of attacks on journalists and legal observers.
2. Indicators for SDG 10 Target
   • For Target 10.3 (Eliminate Discrimination): A key indicator mentioned is the existence of a government policy based on racial profiling (“explicitly stated they are using racial profiling”). The number of people targeted for arrest from specific ethnic groups can also serve as an indicator; the article mentions a daily arrest target of “3,000 people” in raids that disproportionately affected Latino communities.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aclusocal.org