COVER EMAIL TO WORKING GROUP

RacialJusticeNow in conjunction with 22 organizations and 70 individuals submit a Report on the Status of Descendants of Africans Enslaved in the United States. We submit this report in preparation for the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent's visit to the United States in January 2016.  We are concern that notwithstanding the Working Group's mandate there has not been a clear reference to the unique circumstances of the Descendants of Africans Enslaved in the United States (DAEUS).  Neither the report from the Working group's initial visit to the US  or the report from the Working Group's annual conference earlier this year addresses the issues of DAEUS.  

Not addressing DAEUS is a significant oversight that must be addressed in this upcoming visit. To effectively address the issues confronting blacks in the United States, it is essential that Working Group recognizes that the situation of DAEUS is different from other minorities including immigrant blacks.

We hope that our report help lays the foundation for that recognition, and we are prepared to provide support and testimony.  To that end, we would appreciate the opportunity to talk with the Working Group during your visit and would be happy to meet you at one of your planned stops.