Senate Bill S8517

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8517

SPONSOR: BRISPORT
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring the depart-
ment of state to participate in the United Nations for certain purposes
where the federal government has disengaged

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one amends the executive law by creating a new section 111 call-
ing for the department of state to participate in the United Nations'
Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review to the fullest extent
possible when the federal government disengages from and until the
federal government reengages with such review.

Section two sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Since 2011, the United States has participated in the Universal Periodic
              

Review (UPR) process, which requires governments to report to the United
Nations on how human rights are being upheld at the federal, state, and
local level. While the federal government is responsible for compiling
the national report, state and local governments provide essential
information to ensure that what is submitted reflects realities on the
ground.

However, the United States has now withdrawn from participating in the
UPR process, placing it on track to be the first country to miss a
required review. This undermines global human rights accountability and
gives cover to countries with far worse records to avoid scrutiny.

As home to the United Nations headquarters and one of the most diverse
states in the country, New York has the unique responsibility and oppor-
tunity to serve as a leader in the improvement of human rights at home.
We are positioned to provide meaningful data on multiple issues such as
housing, policing and corrections, education, public health, and other
areas that directly affect the daily lives of our residents and reflect
how we are meeting our nation's human rights commitments.

Collecting and sharing this information for the universal periodic
review will not only help the federal government meet its treaty obli-
gations, but will also strengthen New York's own legislative process. It
will raise awareness among state and local officials about human rights,
help us assess how our policies measure up to international standards,
and encourage agencies to integrate human rights principles into their
work.  This bill ensures that New York does its part in upholding human
rights while also improving the way we serve our residents here at home,
particularly in moments when the federal government reduces its commit-
ment in this area and until it renews its obligation.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.