Comments | ontd_political: United States Is Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading to Poor, UN Report Charges

mickeym in ontd_political

United States Is Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading to Poor, UN Report Charges

Apr 02, 2014 15:45

The UN Human Rights Committee says the U.S. should stop criminalizing homeless people for being homeless.Jerome Murdough, 56, a mentally ill homeless veteran, was just trying to stay alive during a New York City cold snap when he thought he found his spot: a stairwell leading to a roof in a Harlem public housing project. But that desperate act set ( Read more... )

homelessness, usa, police, poverty, united nations, police brutality

Comments 7

lovedforaday April 6 2014, 19:48:14 UTC

Weren't we one of the good guys, once upon a time?

not really.

moonshaz April 6 2014, 20:24:15 UTC

Depending on the time period in question and who you compare us to, we at least weren't always one of the worst.

Now we suck so hard that we can't even PRETEND to THINK we don't!

moonshaz April 6 2014, 20:22:39 UTC

The U.N. Human Rights Committee in Geneva on Thursday condemned the United States for criminalizing homelessness, calling it "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" that violates international human rights treaty obligations. It also called upon the U.S. government to take corrective action, following a two-day review of U.S. government compliance with a human rights treaty ratified in 1992.

3 words: HELL. FUCKING. YES.

masakochan April 6 2014, 20:24:05 UTC

Weren't we one of the good guys, once upon a time?

Isn't there a quote somewhere that's like: "A country is only as great by how it treats those who are most in need of help." Because this country's been shitty for a long fucking time.

ETA: Edited 'cuz I keep forgetting words. :/

elialshadowpine April 7 2014, 11:42:15 UTC

Pretty much. I don't think there's a time period where things have been all roses and sunshine in this country. We've been pretty fucked up all along. :-\

mastadge April 6 2014, 20:48:49 UTC

Unfortunately, these UN committees don't actually have any legislative authority, as I understand it (please correct me if I'm wrong); they basically work by shaming a nation in front of other nations. And as a nation we are still pretty much shameless with our exceptionalism complex. I see it as a very hard sell politically for any state or federal politician to actually attempt to make changes to comply with ICCPR.

lovedforaday April 6 2014, 21:00:33 UTC

I see it as a very hard sell politically for any state or federal politician to actually attempt to make changes to comply with ICCPR.

hell, there are politicians who want the US to withdraw from the UN and expel them from this country. it's not just a hard sell right now, it's damn near impossible.