Los Angeles County Ushers in World Human Rights Day Declaring Support for the United States to Be Held Accountable to International Human Rights Principles

LOS ANGELES, Calif. —Ahead of World Human Rights Day on Wednesday December 10, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed Supervisor Mitchell’s motion directing Los Angeles County to formally share its support – via a signed letter from the entire Board of Supervisors – to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to hold the United States accountable to international human rights principles.

The United States broke precedent with the Trump Administration’s refusal to participate in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – a global human rights evaluation led by the United Nations Human Rights Council that occurs every 4.5 years. Since 2006, the UPR provides an opportunity for all 193 UN member nations to undergo a peer review of their human rights records.

Last month, in lieu of the formal UPR for the United States, the UNHRC convened state and municipal officials from the U.S. along with advocacy organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Geneva, Switzerland to share testimonies about human rights violations in their communities. Supervisor Mitchell joined Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, and other government leaders to share the challenges and to highlight local efforts to protect basic dignity and civil rights.

“At a time when the federal government has abandoned its responsibility to uphold human rights, local leadership must step forward. Los Angeles County will continue to do the work—to protect, to document, and to lead. We will not be silenced. Instead, we are joining nations across the globe in honoring our shared humanity and the fundamental rights for all people” Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.

From reports of masked, armed immigration agents detaining and removing residents without due process to deep cuts to essential safety-net programs, including health care, several recent federal actions have significantly harmed County residents and raise serious human rights concerns.

“The Trump administration’s unprecedented decision not to participate in the recent UPR human rights review is shameful and reflective of the fact that they are either unwilling or unable to defend their abhorrent human rights record,” said Chandra Bhatnagar, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California. “Local and state governments and officials of good conscience should heed L.A. County’s motion to urge the OHCHR to investigate the administration’s  human rights violations and do all in their power to defend our communities and our rights.”

The motion also calls on the LA County Human Relations Commission (HRC) to collaborate with the County’s Legislative Affairs Intergovernmental Relations branch on a report back in 90 days on ways to strengthen its ongoing coordination with the U.S. municipalities that joined LA County in providing testimony in Geneva, Switzerland. Executive Director of LA County’s HRC, Robin Toma shared:

“December 10th marks the day in 1948 when nations around the world united to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The federal administration’s disregard for basic human rights for LA residents and communities throughout this nation make Supervisor Mitchell’s motion and the Board of Supervisors support necessary. LA County continues to be an example for how local governments can prioritize equity, inclusion, and respect for human rights for everyone, something that our Commission has documented in our recent ‘A Human Rights Lens’ report.”