Overview
Title
Notice of Formal Determination on Records Release
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ELI5 AI
The government has some old, important papers about civil rights cases, and they've decided to share most of them with everyone. But some papers will be kept secret for a while because the police and law helpers say it's not safe to share them yet.
Summary AI
The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board announced that it received 265 pages of records related to four civil rights cold case incidents. The Board decided to make 238 pages fully public and 27 pages partially available, while approving 129 proposed delays for the release of certain records by the FBI and the Department of Justice. They are still reviewing 4 other postponements suggested by the FBI. This action complies with the legal requirement to share their decisions about withholding or releasing records within 14 days.
Abstract
The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board received 265 pages of records from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) related to four civil rights cold case incidents. The Review Board assigned the unique identifiers 2023-002-007, 2024- 003-025, 2024-003-040, and 2024-003-044 to the incidents. The Department of Justice and the FBI proposed postponements of disclosure for records related to incident 2023-002-007. No postponements of disclosure were proposed for records related to the other three incidents. On November 22, 2024, the Review Board determined that 238 pages in full and 27 pages in part should be publicly disclosed in the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection. The Review Board approved 129 postponements proposed by the Department of Justice and the FBI. The Board is still considering 4 postponements proposed by the FBI. By issuing this notice, the Review Board complies with section 7(c)(4) of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 that requires the Review Board to publish in the Federal Register its determinations on the disclosure or postponement of records in the Collection no more than 14 days after the date of its decision.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Document
The document is a notice from the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board regarding the release of records related to four civil rights cold case incidents. A total of 265 pages were reviewed, coming from various agencies including the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Board has decided that 238 pages can be fully disclosed to the public, while 27 pages will be partially released. However, the Board approved postponements for 129 records requested by the Department of Justice and the FBI, with four additional postponements still under consideration.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues arise from this document. Firstly, while it mentions postponements in disclosure, it does not provide detailed reasons for these delays, which could limit transparency. The absence of an explanation leaves readers questioning the necessity and motive behind withholding certain information. Additionally, the nature of the civil rights cold cases reviewed is not specified, leaving a gap in understanding the importance or sensitivity of the records.
The document references section 7(c)(4) of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 but does not provide a summary of this section, potentially requiring readers to conduct external research to grasp its implications fully. Moreover, while contact information is listed, the absence of office hours or expected response times could create uncertainty for those seeking further details.
Furthermore, the term "unique identifiers" is used without explaining their significance in the process of record-keeping, which might be unclear to individuals not familiar with such technical terms.
Impact on the Public
This document broadly impacts the public by revealing the government's efforts in dealing with historic civil rights cold cases. For the general public, the disclosure of these documents contributes to transparency and accountability concerning past injustices. However, the decision to postpone the release of certain documents might be seen as hindering full transparency and may result in public skepticism regarding the completeness of the information shared.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For historians, researchers, and civil rights advocates, this notice signals progress in accessing previously unavailable records. The partial disclosure of pages could offer crucial insights into past civil rights violations, providing a fuller picture of historical events. However, the postponements could be a cause for frustration, as access to the entirety of records is essential for thorough research and understanding.
On the other hand, the families and communities still affected by these unsolved cases might view the notice as a step towards closure and justice. The release of information could bring solace or new information that aids in understanding their history. Nonetheless, the lack of complete disclosure might also feel like a postponement of justice and closure, prolonging the wait for answers.
Overall, while the document represents progress in transparency, it raises questions about the balance between public interest and governmental discretion in determining what information is ready to be shared.
Issues
• The document mentions the postponement of disclosure for certain records but does not provide a detailed rationale for these postponements, which might lack transparency.
• The precise nature of the civil rights cold case incidents is not described, which may leave readers without adequate context about the importance or sensitivity of these records.
• Contact information is provided in the form of an email and phone number, but there is no mention of office hours or expected response times, potentially creating uncertainty for individuals seeking information.
• The document refers to section 7(c)(4) of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 without summarizing its content or impact, which may require readers to look up external references for understanding.
• The term 'unique identifiers' is used without explaining their significance or how they are utilized in record-keeping, which may be unclear for those unfamiliar with the process.