On behalf of Dr. Y. N. Kly, Chairman of the International Human Rights Association of American Minorities (IHRAAM), myself as Director of the U.S. National Secretariat, and on behalf of the other distinguished members of IHRAAM's international Directorate, I extend the warmest of greetings to the organizers of this most historic and auspicious gathering of the Million Youth Movement, and to you courageous participants who truly represent the new vanguard of our community's leadership for the 21st Century.

In the interest of time, and fully recognizing the wealth and extent of the vital information to which you are being exposed during this event, I will attempt to be as concise and as precise as possible.  IHRAAM is an international nongovernmental (NGO) human rights organization which has been granted consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.  In such capacity, IHRAAM has been granted representative status with the UN Human Rights Commission which is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.  IHRAAM serves as an umbrella organization to facilitate and coordinate the efforts of individuals, minorities and community organizations to gain access to international law and its enforcement mechanisms.

In addition to consultative status with ECOSOC, IHRAAM also holds Associate Status with the UN Department of Public Information and Observer Status with the African Commission on Human & Peoples' Rights, and several other international organizations.  We consult with such organizations as the UN Working Group on National Minorities, ECOSOC, the Organization on Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), UNESCO, the Organization of American States, the Islamic Commission on Human Rights, North American Partners in Human Rights Education, etc.

IHRAAM was founded in 1985 at The Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands by African American students.  It was incorporated in 1988 in Chicago, 1996 in London and 1997 in Canada, with a view to facilitating individuals and groups awareness of international law, particularly as it relates to human rights.

Therefore, on behalf of IHRAAM, I would like to respectfully present for the careful consideration of the organizers of this great event -- as well as all members of this distinguished audience -- a formal proposal which we call the "New Initiative."  In essence, the "New Initiative" calls for a national plebiscite and the formation of a National Consultative Assembly of African American leadership.  This duly selected national body would be empowered, under the rule of international law, to help manage and represent our collective interests -- both before the U.S. government and appropriate international venues.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, IHRAAM very strongly suggests that peoples throughout the African Diaspora, particularly those of us in the Americas, begin to redefine the political and social context in which we conceptualize our collective problems.  Instead of using antiquated and domestically created "Civil Rights" law (which has been created to legitimize and maintain our historical oppression), we must begin to chart our destiny for true liberation and self-determination within the context of international human rights law.

With this premise in mind, IHRAAM has already presented a series of strategically designed socio-legal interventions before the UN on behalf of we African Americans, or formerly enslaved ethnic minorities in the Americas.  The UN and its member states -- including the U.S. government -- are obligated to operate within the context of international human rights law as defined by several binding international covenants.  Time precludes my spelling out, in precise detail, all the parameters of such treaty obligations.

Suffice to say that the U.S., after 26 years of deliberate avoidance, only recently became signatory to some of the most noteworthy international human rights instruments.  IHRAAM, on behalf of we African Americans, has already established a formal, collegial and highly strategic relationship with the UN Commission on Human Rights, and more particularly, its Working Group on National Minorities.  We collaborate with the latter on a regular basis.

IHRAAM has already presented the "New Initiative" concept to the U.N. and has explored its socio-political implications with varied experts throughout the international community.  We are proud to declare that there is widespread support and  recognition of our rights as a national minority to fully exercise our collective right to self-determination, should we choose to do so.

As mentioned in one of IHRAAM's formal interventions before the UN Working Group on Minorities in Geneva Switzerland, we stated that the problems of formerly enslaved ethnic minorities in the U.S. has not improved since the historic 1995 report to the Commission on Human Rights that was prepared by its Special Rapporteur who visited the U.S..

We noted that gross disparities between European Americans and African Americans relative to such critical socio-economic indicators as health, education, housing, employment, political participation, criminal justice, and the application of the death penalty, police violence and incitement to racial hatred are well documented and continue to worsen.

Consistent with the protocol of the UN Working Group's Agenda under items 3(B) and 3(C), which proposed solutions to problems among national minorities and governments, and recommending further measures for the protection of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities -- IHRAAM submitted this New Initiative.

The New Initiative serves as a strategic model for information sharing, collective problem solving and subsequent mobilization by diverse segments of the African American community.  In short, its major intent is to facilitate the establishment of an African American Consultative Assembly or Council, as is the right of minorities under international law, particularly as regards compliance with Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

IHRAAM has been inspired by the fact that preliminary survey evidence which we conducted in Chicago documents the fact that 72% of African American registered voters "believe that African Americans have the right to independently elect state and national councils to help manage and represent their collective interests."  IHRAAM has already identified well over 14 major American cities where the plebiscite and consultative processes can be initiated.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, in conclusion -- IHRAAM humbly makes the following recommendations to the leadership of the Million Youth Movement, as well as all members of the listening audience.

Should you have interest in learning more about IHRAAM, your rights as a people to collectively strive for self-determination and/or the New Initiative concept, then please do the following:

1) Visit IHRAAM's website at http://www.ihraam.org.  All means of staying in touch and accessing information can easily be achieved by visiting this website.  (Or call 306-789-0474)

2)  For those of you who are college graduates and/or have legal background and have an interest in pursuing further formal study of human rights law, IHRAAM has established an international education program that might be of interest to you.  Once again, please visit our website at www.ihraam.org and go to "Educational Programs."

3) And lastly, for those of you who want free copies of the entire New Initiative Document as submitted to the UN Human Rights Commission, please just send an 8 1/2 x 11" self-addressed envelop with $1.20 postage to:

Dr. Farid Muhammad
East-West University
816 So. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL. 60605

We will try to accommodate as many requests as possible.

Once again, we thank you for this historic opportunity.  Should the leadership of the Million Youth Movement Committee so desire, IHRAAM stands ready to work with you in the articulation of your 10 year plan.

We wish you all God's speed and trust you will be blessed with a safe return to your homes and loved ones!

Thank you.