Report: United Nations human-rights commissioner calls for Trayvon Martin investigation

7:48 p.m. EST, April 7, 2012

The United Nations high commissioner for human rights is calling for an investigation into the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, telegraph.co.uk is reporting.


The commissioner, Navi Pillay, told reporters in Barbados Friday that the case is about justice not just for Trayvon, 17, but for others in similar situations, the website reported.


Report: United Nations human-rights commissioner calls for Trayvon Martin investigation - Orlando Sentinel


Trayvon Martin killing: UN human rights chief calls for investigation
April 08.2012

UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay has called for an "immediate investigation" into the circumstances surrounding the death of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teen who was shot dead by a volunteer neighbourhood watchman in Florida.



The UN's human rights chief, Navi Pillay concludes that crimes against humanity are likely to have been committed in Syria.

Neighbourhood watch captain George Zimmerman, a white Hispanic, fatally shot 17-year-old Martin inside a gated community in the Florida town of Sanford on February 26.


Mr Zimmerman has said he acted in self-defense after Martin punched him in the nose, knocked him down and slammed his head into the ground.


The case has unleashed a national uproar over race relations and the right to self-defense in the United States.


Ms Pillay expressed shock that Zimmerman was not arrested right away, and expressed concern about Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows the use of deadly force in situations where there is a belief of a threat.


"The law should operate equally in respect of all violations. I will be awaiting an investigation and prosecution and trial and of course reparations for the victims concerned," Ms Pillay said.
Since Martin's death, there have been numerous large public protests calling for Zimmerman's arrest, but there have been no detention orders and the 28-year-old has gone into hiding, fearing for his life.

Trayvon Martin killing: UN human rights chief calls for investigation - Telegraph