A coalition of community-based organizations and the University of Miami School of Law Human Rights Clinic collaborated to submit a comprehensive report to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights in preparation for his official 2017 visit to the United States.

The report draws attention to the human rights violations that are occurring to vulnerable communities in Florida to promote accountability on the part of state and non-state actors.

In its section of the report, the American Civil Liberates Union (ACLU) of Florida highlighted the issues of homeless rights, bail reform, indigent defendants’ right to counsel, and voting rights—all of which are related to unprecedented levels of discrimination, incarceration, and other harms to low-income Floridians. Its findings demonstrate how each of these issues contributes to and exacerbates the struggles of impoverished citizens in the state of Florida, with a specific focus on South Florida.

From the ACLU of Florida/UM Law Human Rights Clinic letter:

“[W]e urge you to highlight the importance of reforming practices in the state

of Florida regarding the criminalization of homelessness, excessive bail, right to counsel, and felon disenfranchisement. These practices violate the human rights of some of the most vulnerable citizens of Florida and perpetuate poverty across the state.”

The full report, which will be part of the research presented to the Humans Rights Council and the UN General Assembly, is available here: https://www.aclufl.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/community_rep...