United Nations experts, after a visit to the United States, have pointed to the "exhaustion" of the black population in the face of deep-rooted racism. The legacy of slavery must be addressed by the authorities "at all levels," said the group, which was founded a year after the death of African-American George Floyd in a brutal police operation, on Friday.

The mission of the independent UN body is to promote justice and equal treatment regardless of skin color in the maintenance of public order. He spent twelve days in the United States to speak with victims, civil society, the justice system, police unions, federal and local officials, and visited Washington, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, and New York.

Racial inequality goes back to the early days of the United States, Tracie Keesee, one of the racism experts, told journalists in Washington. "And there won't be a quick fix." What is needed is a comprehensive approach by the government. "This must be more than a buzzword and calls for comprehensive reform and strong leadership at all levels," she stressed.

The legacy of slavery and legalized discrimination is deeply rooted and felt in the everyday lives of people of African descent, Keesee said. "To this day, racial discrimination is pervasive in encounters with law enforcement agencies – from initial contact to arrest, imprisonment, conviction and disenfranchisement."

The talks in the United States had shown the "exhaustion of the black population". "And the exhaustion of being black is palpable in everyday life." In a statement, the experts, who will present a detailed report, welcomed "various promising initiatives" that had been taken by the authorities, including at the state level, to combat racial discrimination against African Americans.

However, after their conversations in the United States, they felt the "urgency and moral responsibility to echo the harrowing pain of the victims and their loud calls for accountability and support that were heard throughout the trip."

George Floyd had died in Minneapolis in May 2020 after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine and a half minutes. The case sparked mass protests against police violence and racism in the United States and numerous other states for months. Chauvin was sentenced to 22 years and six months in prison.