GENEVA, (Reuters) – United Nations human rights experts added their voices to criticism of a new immigration law in Arizona, saying it may lead to police targeting people on the basis of ethnic origin, a violation of international law.
In a joint statement, five independent U.N. experts expressed concern that Hispanics could be subject to discriminatory treatment in the border state.
“The law may lead to detaining and subjecting to interrogation persons primarily on the basis of their perceived ethnic characteristics,” they said.
“In Arizona, persons who appear to be of Mexican, Latin American or indigenous origin are especially at risk of being targeted under the law.” The U.N. experts decried a “disturbing pattern of legislative activity hostile to ethnic minorities and immigrants” in Arizona, which passed the United States’ toughest immigration law last month.
The Arizona law requires police to determine if people are in the country illegally, previously a function carried out by U.S. federal immigration police and some local forces.
Critics of the law argue it is unconstitutional and a mandate for racial profiling, and fear it will destroy trust between Hispanic communities and law enforcement in Arizona.
