Racial Profiling

Racial profiling occurs when race is used by law enforcement or private security officials, to any degree, as a basis for criminal suspicion in non-suspect specific investigations. Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality or on any other particular identity undermines the basic human rights and freedoms to which every person is entitled.

Tell Us Your Story: Amnesty invites you to share your story or thoughts of racial profiling with us. We will post some of these experiences on our website as a testimony to the violations occurring within the United States today. Share your story and join us in speaking out against these serious human rights violations.

Report - Threat and Humiliation: Want to learn more about racial profiling? Read the executive summary of AIUSA's groundbreaking 2004 report Threat and Humiliation: Racial Profiling, National Security, and Human Rights in the United States. Or click here to download the full report in pdf format.

Campaign Materials: Are you involved in an Amnesty International organization in your school or community? Do you want to help call attention to the need to end racial profiling? To view or request AIUSA End Racial Profiling campaign materials, including our bold new stickers and buttons, click here.

Five Facts About Racial Profiling: Racial profiling makes us less safe, inhibits law enforcement efforts and undermines national unity. Most importantly, the Bush administration has failed to keep its promise to bring an end to its practice. Click here to read more about the key facts pertaining to racial profiling.

Questions and Answers on Racial Profiling: Why is Amnesty International concerned about racial profiling by law enforcement? Why should people in your community be concerned about racial profiling? Is there evidence that racial profiling still occurs? Is racial discrimination prohibited under international human rights agreements? Answers to these and other pressing questions can be found here.

Key Recommendations: How should lawmakers respond to the problem of racial profiling? Read the major recommendations contained in the Amnesty International report Threat and Humiliation: Racial Profiling, National Security, and Human Rights in the United States.

Laws In Your State: 26 states have no law explicitly prohibiting racial profiling. 46 states do not ban racial profiling based on religion or religious appearance. Find out how the report rates racial profiling laws in your state.

Act Now to Raise Awareness About Racial Profiling: Help raise awareness about racial profiling in your school or community with these fun and engaging activities.