GENEVA: Relatives of victims and activist groups called on Monday (Jun 8) for the top United Nations human rights body to launch an investigation into "police violence and repression of protests" in the United States.

The joint letter calling for a special session of the UN Human Rights Council was sent to its 47 member states. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), and World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) were among some 600 groups that signed.