Amnesty International has grave concerns over the state of human rights in the United States and will closely monitor and expose human rights violations related to protests and demonstrations during and after the 3 November elections, the organization announced today.
“The world is watching the United States and we at Amnesty International stand ready to document and denounce violations of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly throughout the election period. The widespread availability of guns, combined with the incitement of violence and the enabling and abetting of white supremacy — at the highest levels of government and by those elected to serve the people — has left the country dangerously vulnerable to civil and political unrest,” said Bob Goodfellow, Interim Executive Director of Amnesty International USA.
The world is watching the United States and we at Amnesty International stand ready to document and denounce violations of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly throughout the election period.
Bob Goodfellow, Interim Executive Director of Amnesty International USA
“The US authorities must ensure that everyone is free from armed intimidation at the polls, as well as guaranteeing freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, whatever the outcome of the election. This includes preventing police abuses and gun violence and protecting all people from racism and discrimination.”
Amnesty International has crisis researchers prepared for rapid deployment in case of serious abuses in the context of protests, and will actively monitor social media and other online platforms to document and verify such violations. Members of the media can expect to receive timely updates and analysis from Amnesty International on such violations as they arise.
This effort comes on the heels of Amnesty International’s work throughout 2020 to research, document, and campaign globally against the excessive use of force by the police in the USA — including discriminatory lethal force against Black people, as well as unnecessary or excessive force against peaceful protesters.
In its most recent research publication, Amnesty International also documented the failure of police across the USA to ensure and protect freedom of peaceful assembly from disruption by third-party actors, including outbreaks of violence between protesters and counter-protesters. The organization has expressed concern that these patterns of human rights abuses could be exacerbated as tensions continue to rise during the elections.
Amnesty International takes no position for or against any political ideology, party, candidate, or official. The organization’s sole purpose is the promotion and defense of freedom, equality, justice, dignity, and human rights worldwide.
Amnesty International spokespeople will be available for comment throughout the election period.