ACLU Puerto Rico Submission to the UN on US Treatment of Puerto Ricans

On July 29th, the ACLU of Puerto Rico submitted a shadow report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination that focuses on the legacy of U.S. colonialism in Puerto Rico while emphasizing Puerto Ricans' access to justice and voting rights. The report describes how the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico ("Board") has exploited Puerto Rico's financial crisis by halting judicial actions against the Government of Puerto Rico, which has resultantly hindered Puerto Ricans' access to justice as well as police accountability. The Board also fosters Puerto Rico's economic dependence on the U.S. and vetoes the decision-making of elected public officials, which violates Puerto Ricans' constitutional right to vote. Unelected and unaccountable, the Board thwarts Puerto Rico's right to self-determination.