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Racism Induced Police Harassment/Brutality is a Worldwide Problem

This is not a problem peculiar to the U.S. alone as research has proven.

In a number of States, very few cases of racial discrimination -- and sometimes none -- are ever filed before courts or administrative bodies, which CERD has identified as a problem of access to the legal system .
For example, in reviewing Panama's periodic report, CERD "noted with concern that NO complaints have been filed with the appropriate governmental bodies by individuals or groups during the last 10 years, despite reports that rights covered by the Convention were not fully respected."[12]

Similarly, in the case of Costa Rica, CERD stated that "few cases of racial discrimination have reached the courts or administrative bodies, the Committee is concerned about the effective access to protection and remedies against any acts of racial discrimination of, in particular, the indigenous population, the black minority, refugees and immigrants."[13]
CERD has recommended that the Government of South Korea commit resources to provide GENUINE access to the legal system, given that "no cases of racial discrimination have reached the courts or the administrative bodies."[14]

Although police brutality and other forms of harassment against racial minorities is probably not a "forgotten issue," perhaps the scope of the problem is.

The list of States which have received strong criticism by CERD due to police abuses against racial minorities includes: Armenia ([C]oncern is expressed at the reported cases of torture and other cruel or degrading treatment on the part of police and investigating officers.);[15]

Austria (Concern is expressed about reports of serious incidents of police brutality in dealing with persons of foreign origin and ethnic minorities, including the Roma.);[16]
Czech Republic (Taking into account reports of cases of harassment and of excessive use of force by the police against minorities, especially against members of the Roma community, concern is raised that there may be insufficient training provided to law enforcement officials regarding the provisions of the Convention.) ;[17]
Denmark (Danish police have treated persons with a non-Danish background in an unacceptable manner.);[18]

Germany (Concern is expressed at instances of police brutality against foreigners, particularly Africans and Turks, which have been reported in the press. Better training and stricter disciplinary action against the perpetrators appear to be necessary.);[19]
Hungary (Alarm is also expressed at apparent harassment and use of excessive force by the police against Gypsies and foreigners.);[20]

Italy (In connection with reports of acts of violence and ill-treatment by police and prison guards against foreigners and members of minorities in detention, concern was also expressed about the apparent lack of appropriate training for law enforcement officials and other public officials regarding the provisions of the Convention.);[21]

Spain (It is noted with serious concern that evidence of racist attitudes on the part of members of the police and the Civil Guard seems to be increasing[color], and that the number of convictions resulting from such incidents does not seem to increase proportionately.);[22]

Switzerland (Concern is also expressed about serious incidents of [color=red]police brutality in dealings with persons of foreign ethnic or national origin.);[23]
Ukraine ([C]oncern is expressed about reports of mistreatment by the police of members of the Roma population, especially those living in the Transcarpathian region.);[24]

and the United Kingdom ([A]mong the victims of death in custody are a disproportionate number of members of minority groups, that police brutality appears to affect members of minority groups disproportionately, that allegations of police brutality and harassment are reportedly not vigorously investigated and perpetrators, once guilt is established, not appropriately punished.).[25]

To read complete article visit http://www.hri.ca/racism/Projects/think1.shtml