Recommendations Presented to Mayor Mamdani by the United Nations Committee

SUMMARY

The United Nations Committee (Sophia Murashkovsky, Chair) issued a report offering recommendations to the new mayoral administration. The Committee emphasizes the importance of leadership that promotes dialogue, protects human rights, and fosters trust among New York City’s diverse communities. It encourages the Mayor to engage directly with community leaders and organizations, particularly during times of tension, and suggests creating crisis-response “bridge-building” teams to facilitate dialogue, provide accurate information, and help deescalate conflicts.

The Committee also recommends addressing all forms of hate with consistent moral clarity, establishing a transparent framework for combating bias, and clarifying the roles of city offices responsible for addressing hate crimes and community relations. Additional recommendations include investing in youth-led dialogue and educational initiatives, communicating transparently during moments of crisis, providing culturally informed training for city agencies responding to hate incidents, protecting freedom of expression while preventing harassment and intimidation, and promoting public initiatives that highlight shared narratives and solidarity across communities to reduce polarization and strengthen mutual understanding.

REPORT

REPORT BY THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE

 RECOMMENDATIONS RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED TO THE MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION

The United Nations Committee of the New York City Bar Association (City Bar) extends its sincere congratulations to Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The Mayor shoulders the profound responsibility of guiding one of the world’s most diverse cities through a divisive time that demands both courage and compassion. New Yorkers are looking to leadership to foster genuine engagement among communities in this period of heightened polarization. The Committee appreciates this opportunity to offer its recommendations as Mayor Mamdani continues to identify his priorities for the new administration.

The City Bar’s United Nations Committee plays an essential role in advancing human rights and respect for international law within New York City and beyond through public programs, statements, hearings, and educational initiatives. The Committee brings together advocates, scholars, and policymakers to confront discrimination, extremism, and injustice in all their forms. One of its central goals is to promote a New York City in which all communities feel heard, protected, and represented, consistent with the principles of equality and dignity reflected in international human rights law.

In this spirit, we offer the following recommendations:

I. ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH COMMUNITIES TO BRIDGE DIVIDES

Regular, direct dialogue with community leaders, youth groups, and other local and community-based coalitions in candid, face-to-face settings fosters trust and understanding that cannot be achieved through intermediaries alone. In addition, consider creating “bridge-building” teams of trained mediators, mental-health professionals, and community liaisons to respond in moments of crisis to provide accurate information, facilitate dialogue between affected groups, and engage in proactive deescalation.

II. ADDRESS ALL HATE WITH EQUAL MORAL CLARITY

The safety of one community does not diminish the safety of another. We encourage the Mayor to provide clarity on the future of the City’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships and other institutional mechanisms, including how they will function under the new administration to ensure that bias-motivated conduct is addressed effectively.

We understand the new administration’s desire and intention to establish its own framework with a fresh start but are concerned about the absence of a clear and transparent standard following the repeal of the prior executive order addressing antisemitism. We encourage the adoption of a well-defined framework that is consistent with international human rights principles and that provides meaningful guidance for policy development, enforcement, and education.

III. INVEST IN YOUTH-LED DIALOGUE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Young people are often the first to bridge divides — when they are provided with the space to do so safely. Partnerships among schools, universities, community centers, and other community-based youth-focused organizations can foster genuine understanding across communities.

IV. COMMUNICATE TRANSPARENTLY DURING MOMENTS OF CRISIS, EVEN WHEN THE MESSAGE IS COMPLEX

In times of rising tensions or violence, New Yorkers look for steady and honest leadership. Acknowledging pain and encouraging thoughtful dialogue sets the tone for responsible public discourse. Leadership that affirms the safety, dignity, and rights of all New Yorkers plays a stabilizing role during moments of division.

V. ENSURE CITY AGENCIES RECEIVE ROBUST TRAINING ON CULTURALLY INFORMED RESPONSES TO HATE INCIDENTS

Responding to acts of bias-motivated harassment, intimidation, discrimination or violence requires more than procedure — it requires understanding and cultural sensitivity. Training enhances public trust and protects vulnerable communities.

VI. PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION WHILE ADDRESSING HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION

The Committee underscores the importance of safeguarding the rights to expression and peaceful assembly, consistent with the United States. and New York State Constitutions, applicable state and local laws, and international human rights standards, while also protecting against conduct that constitutes harassment, intimidation, or threats—particularly near homes, places of worship, and schools.

VII. PROMOTE INITIATIVES THAT HUMANIZE COMMUNITIES THROUGH SHARED NARRATIVES

Promote initiatives that humanize communities through shared narratives.
Public initiatives that highlight stories of solidarity and coexistence—through libraries, cultural institutions, and media partnerships—can reduce polarization and foster empathy across communities.

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 We thank the Mamdani Administration for considering these recommendations and look forward to constructive engagement with your administration to address hate and discrimination, strengthen intercommunal trust, and uphold New York City’s long-standing commitment to diversity, dialogue, and the rule of law and the shared goal of a safer, more equitable, and more unified city for all New Yorkers.

United Nations Committee
Sophia Murashkovsky, Chair
Yveline Dalmacy, Secretary
Negin Nader Bazrafkan, Member

March 2026