The Russian Foreign Ministry's special representative for human rights and democracy matters cited numerous reports, saying, "The tragedies in Ferguson and New York are the 'tip of the iceberg' in what has become a routine of trampling ethnic minority rights in that country [the United States], specifically by law enforcement personnel.”
Dolgov accused the United States of continuously "covering up and hushing up facts of inconvenient crimes," adding the actual number of racially-biased offenses perpetrated by its police officers "can be significantly higher."
Unrest and protests in New York and Arizona indicate "a massive breakdown in the US system that is supposed to safeguard human rights and freedoms," Dolgov noted.
His comments came in the wake of protests in Phoenix, Arizona, over the shooting of 34-year-old Rumain Brisbon, an unarmed black father of four, by an unnamed police officer.
According to ABC News, more than 200 demonstrators were detained in New York City overnight. Most of the arrests came after protesters refused to clear the streets. They gathered in midtown Manhattan, waving placards and chanting "No Justice – No Peace!"
On Thursday, riots erupted in Washington, Boston, Chicago and Pittsburg. So-called die-ins, where protesters lie on the ground symbolizing those killed by police, occurred throughout the rallies. Protesters staged one at an intersection a block from the White House, blocking traffic in the city center.
