The UN “George Floyd” Mechanism: Local to Global Human Rights Advocacy on Racial Justice and Law Enforcement
This session will discuss the new, ground-breaking UN Expert Mechanism established in 2021 to advance systemic change “for racial justice and equality in the context of law enforcement globally.” The UN Expert Mechanism will conduct an official country visit to the US and will be in Minneapolis this May 2, 2023. Our guest experts will discuss the origins and mandate of this unique body and its place in the history of anti-racism struggles at the UN. We will consider the opportunity the visit presents for Twin Cities racial justice efforts.
We will be joined by the following expert panelists for this session:
Salimah Hankins, Director, UN Anti-Racism Coalition. Salimah supports the engagement of organizations around the world, who are working on United Nations accountability for systemic racism and police violence against Africans and people of African Descent. Salimah is also an attorney and former community organizer with over 15 years of experience in the area of civil and human rights. Salimah Hankins will be joining the session via video.
Judge LaJune Thomas Lange ‘78 (ret.), Fourth Judicial District Court, Minnesota; Honorary Consul of South Africa in Minnesota; President, International Leadership Institute. The Honorable LaJune Thomas Lange began her legal career with the Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office as a trial lawyer until appointed by the governor to the trial court. Judge Lange served as a Fourth Judicial District Court Judge for the State of Minnesota handling complex civil and criminal cases until her recent retirement.
Elina Castillo-Jiménez, Weissbrodt Fellow, Human Rights Center. Elina is a feminist lawyer and human rights strategist, committed to using her voice and skills to contribute to building a more just and inclusive world. Elina’s work at the Human Rights Center is focused on the United Nations Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement, including its creation, legal implications and civil society engagement.
Ta’Mara Hill, Policy Director, Minnesota Justice Research Center. Ta'Mara is an experienced policy professional, focused on equity, human rights, global policy, and foreign affairs.
Aman Obsiye ‘14, Assistant Ramsey County Attorney. Aman is currently the Assistant Attorney of Ramsey County's Trial Division. He earned his JD from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2014.
Prof. Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Faculty Director, Human Rights Center; UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights. Prof. Ní Aoláin was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism in 2017. In this capacity she works closely with states and United Nations entities to advance human rights protections in some of the most difficult contexts globally.
Light lunch available starting at 12 pm.
This session is part of the Human Rights Center Day programming for Minnesota Law Spring Alumni Week. More information on the full program of events can be found here.