Overview
Title
Notice of Formal Determination on Records Release
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board looked at some old papers to decide if they can be shared with everyone. They said it's okay to share most, but some have to stay secret for now because of special rules.
Summary AI
The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board received 212 pages of records from the National Archives and Records Administration, the Department of Justice, and the FBI related to a civil rights cold case. The board, after reviewing the records, approved 186 out of 471 postponements of disclosure that were initially proposed. They decided that 168 pages could be fully disclosed and 44 pages partially disclosed. This decision complies with the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018, which requires the board to publish its determinations on records within 14 days in the Federal Register.
Abstract
The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board received 212 pages of records from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) related to a civil rights cold case incident to which the Review Board assigned the unique identifier 2023-001-002. NARA did not propose any postponements of disclosure. The Department of Justice and the FBI proposed 471 postponements of disclosure. The Department of Justice later withdrew two postponements it proposed. On March 28, 2025, the Review Board met and approved 186 postponements, requested changes to 26 postponements, and determined that 168 pages in full and 44 pages in part should be publicly disclosed in the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection. 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.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
In this notice published by the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board, the board shares the outcomes of its review of 212 pages of records related to a civil rights cold case. These documents were provided by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Department of Justice, and the FBI. The board's task was to decide which documents could be made available to the public. They approved 186 postponements of disclosure out of an initial 471 proposed by the DOJ and the FBI, but chose to fully disclose 168 pages and partially disclose another 44 pages. This action complies with legal requirements to publicize these decisions within 14 days.
Issues and Concerns
Several points of concern arise from this notice:
Lack of Case Details: The specifics of the cold case remain undisclosed, providing little context for understanding why certain records should be released or withheld.
Criteria for Postponement: There is no explanation of what qualifies as a 'postponement of disclosure'. This lack of clarity might lead to questions about the transparency of decision-making processes.
Reasons for Postponement: The notice does not articulate why the Department of Justice and FBI initially sought to postpone 471 disclosures, nor does it offer insight into the rationale guiding these decisions.
Modifications to Postponements: Mention of 'requested changes to 26 postponements' lacks detail on what the changes entail or why they are necessary.
Public Engagement and Accountability: While contact information is supplied, the notice does not mention any process for public consultation or the ability for individuals to appeal or contest decisions.
Impact on the Public
The release of specific civil rights cold case records potentially holds significant implications for public understanding of historical events. By making these records available, the board increases transparency around civil rights cases and perhaps aids in achieving restorative justice. However, the ambiguity around postponements and lack of clear reasoning might leave the public questioning the fairness and openness of the Review Board’s procedures.
Impact on Stakeholders
For specific stakeholders such as families of victims, civil rights activists, and historians, the disclosure of these records can offer vital information that brings closure or sheds light on unresolved matters. Conversely, the withheld information might lead to continued frustration for those seeking answers or reparative justice. Government entities, such as the Department of Justice and FBI, may view the postponements as necessary for protecting sensitive data, yet this may evoke criticism for possibly preserving government confidentiality over public interest.
In sum, while the notice reflects a step forward in transparency and historical acknowledgment, it also underscores the need for clearer communication surrounding decisions of public record disclosure.
Issues
• The document does not specify the nature of the civil rights cold case incident, which could provide more context for understanding the importance of disclosure versus postponement decisions.
• The document mentions the approval of 186 postponements but does not detail the criteria for what justifies a postponement, potentially lacking transparency.
• The language in terms such as 'postponements of disclosure' and 'determinations on the disclosure or postponement of records' might be unclear to those unfamiliar with the specific policies of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act.
• The notice does not provide specific reasons for the Department of Justice and FBI's numerous (471) postponement requests, which could be perceived as lacking transparency.
• The document mentions 'requested changes to 26 postponements' without detailing what those changes involve or why they are necessary.
• Contact information for further inquiries is provided, but there is no indication of whether there are any public consultations or appeals processes available for interested parties wishing to contest a determination.