MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UN human rights top official criticizes US “police violence” and historic inequalities

The pandemic was having a “devastating impact” on people of African descent and ethnic minorities in Brazil, Britain, France and the US, Michelle Bachelet affirmed

Protests in cities across the United States triggered by the killing of George Floyd underscore “police violence” against people of color, and historic inequalities in access to health, education, and jobs, the top United Nations human rights official said on Tuesday.

The COVID-19 pandemic was having a “devastating impact” on people of African descent and ethnic minorities in Brazil, Britain, France and the US, Michelle Bachelet added in a statement calling for improved access to testing and healthcare for racial and ethnic minorities.

“This virus is exposing endemic inequalities that have too long been ignored. In the United States, protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd are highlighting not only police violence against people of color, but also inequalities in health, education, employment and endemic racial discrimination,” Bachelet said.