U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on Friday May 29, 2020 condemned the killing of George Floyd by the Minneapolis Police Department officers.
“Dismayed to have to add George Floyd’s name to that of Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Michael Brown and many other unarmed African Americans who have died over the years at the hands of the police—as well as people such as Ahmaud Arbery and Trayvon Martin who were killed by armed members of the public,” Bachelet said.
“This is the latest in a long line of killings of unarmed African Americans by U.S. police officers and members of the public,” she added.
“The U.S .authorities must take serious action to stop such killings, and to ensure justice is done when they do occur.”
“Procedures must change, prevention systems must be put in place, and above all police officers who resort to excessive use of force should be charged and convicted for the crimes committed,” she reiterated.
Bachelet acknowledged and appreciated Federal Bureau of Investigation for their intervention in the case.
She however warned that most cases of similar killings have been justified in the past on grounds of administrative measures.
“The role that entrenched and pervasive racial discrimination plays in such deaths must also be fully examined, properly recognized and dealt with,” she said.
Floyd’s death on Monday led to demonstrations with protesters resorting to violence and destruction of property expressing their anger.
Bachelet in her statement urged people to protest peacefully to allow justice to prevail.
“Violence and destruction of property won’t solve the problem of police brutality and enshrined discrimination,” Said Bachelet.
“I urge protestors to express their demands for justice peacefully, and I urge the police to take utmost care not enflame the current situation even more with any further use of excessive force,” she added.
Floyd, 46, was killed on Monday after he was arrested for matching the profile of a person said to have used a counterfeit $20 bill at a deli.
He died shortly after he was taken to the hospital when he stopped breathing when one of the officers kneeling on Floyd’s neck for several minutes resulting to Floyd losing consciousness.
