In June 2023, RFK Human Rights and Atlas of Blackness submitted written testimony and proposed recommendations to the United Nations International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the Context of Law Enforcement (EMLER). This submission followed EMLER’s visit to Minnesota, MN.

The submission provided evidence of violence and other human rights violations perpetrated against Black foster youth both currently and formerly incarcerated by the State of Minnesota.

What solutions exist?

The submission provided a recommended list of concrete actions to EMLER to address systemic racism and human rights violations against against Black youth and people of African descent in the context of law enforcement experiencing or who have experienced solitary confinement. They include, but are not limited to:

• Tour facilities that impose solitary confinement or any form of isolation on youth, including Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) and Avanti Center.
• Document human rights abuses related to solitary confinement and issue a report on the findings.
• Communicate with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz via Urgent Appeal or Letter of Allegation regarding harms of solitary confinement, especially as it pertains to youth and foster youth.

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May 2023

Written Testimony and Proposed Recommendations to EMLER