US Academy of Diplomacy cautions Pompeo to ‘ensure equal treatment’ of diplomats

The American Academy of Diplomacy (AAD) has called on US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to “ensure equal treatment” of Black, Hispanic and other minority diplomats returning home.

News ID: 450457

Date: 14 July 2020 - 17:57

Rasa - In a letter on Monday, the AAD accused the US Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) of a "deeply troubling pattern," in mistreatment, described as "unacceptable," Reuters reported.

A border agency spokesperson asserted in a statement that CPB follows guidelines formulated by the US Justice Department and "strictly prohibits profiling on the basis of race or religion."

The academy complained about "regular and persistent discrimination and harassment," manifested in "repeated and hostile questioning and delays."

The discrimination becomes further evident when Black or Hispanic diplomats are accompanied by white colleagues that easily go through, the AAD suggested.

"This is made even more glaring when they travel with Caucasian colleagues who pass through with the same documentation," the letter said.

The group also reported "that such incidents have often disrupted" the diplomats’ travel.

The letter was written at a time that the American nation was grappling to put an end with racial injustice and police brutality, triggered by the death of George Floyd, a black resident of Minneapolis who died on May 25 after a white police officer knelt on his neck.