People of African Descent
Human Rights
NOT Racism
UN Action
Conferences - a platform for voicing concerns and generating movements
The impact of the 2001 World Conference against Racism on people of African descent, particularly in the Latin American and Caribbean region, was substantial.
The World Conference created a momentum that helped people of African descent voice their concerns and rally support.
Furthermore, it generated a movement advocating for the promotion and protection of their human rights that has helped strengthen grassroots campaigns around the world.
Spotlight: 1st Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
In August 2021, the General Assembly adopted resolution 75/314, which operationalized the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent as “a consultative mechanism for people of African descent and other relevant stakeholders” and “as a platform for improving the safety and quality of life and livelihoods of people of African descent.” The first session took place in December 2022
Intergovernmental cooperation
On an inter-governmental level, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, the Independent Expert on minority issues and the Committee on the Elimination of racial discrimination have consistently taken up Afro-descendant issues.
Resolutions
The International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 68/237 and to be observed from 2015 to 2024, provides a solid framework for the United Nations, Member States, civil society and all other relevant actors to join together with people of African descent and take effective measures for the implementation of the programme of activities in the spirit of recognition, justice and development.
Spotlight: Master Class Series
UNESCO - Master Class Series against Racism and Discriminations
A global "training for trainers" initiative seeking to empower students to become youth champions in their own schools and communities and spread awareness on how to deconstruct the mechanisms underlying racism and discriminations.
Using a human rights-based approach, the classes serve as dialogue spaces and peer learning forums among young participants, experts, resource persons, and invited personalities to openly discuss taboos that corrode the social and moral fiber in societies.
©UNESCO
National empowerment policies
At the national level, many countries have amended their constitutions to include clearer references to their multicultural characters. Some States have created national institutions to promote racial equality. In some countries, legislation has been adopted, which includes affirmative action policies for education, targeted health programmes and other initiatives of interest to people of African descent.
Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all UN Member States.
Where are we?
Although these processes have resulted in more visibility for people of African descent and to some extent have increased their empowerment, there are still problems in ensuring they are not excluded from fully exercising their human rights.
Governments, law and practice
Concrete action is needed to end racial discrimination. The commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights gives States an impetus to take prompt and robust steps, in law and in practice, to advance equality and combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. UN Human Rights Chief open letter
Racial #discrimination poisons minds, plagues institutions, destroys lives & tears countries apart.
— Volker Türk (@volker_turk) March 6, 2023
We cannot keep waiting for more tragedies to occur to take action.
It's time for govts to #FightRacism in all its forms & protect everyone's equal rights & freedoms in the #UDHR. https://t.co/DmidpNmxqx
COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed glaring inequalities in society, by disproportionately affecting those whose rights have been denied by systemic racial discrimination and the legacy of racism [UN News article: No ‘fix’ to police violence, without tackling scourge in society, says rights chief].
Black Lives Matter
The worldwide protests led by the US-based Black Lives Matter movement prompted the UN Human Rights Council to adopt resolution 43/1, mandating Member States to look at systemic racism and human rights violations by law enforcement agencies against Africans and people of African descent – and to contribute to accountability and redress for victims.
We need transformative change to dismantle systemic racism and police brutality against Africans and people of African descent. Victims have a right to accountability and redress. #FightRacism pic.twitter.com/l27WbvizTK
— Michelle Bachelet (@mbachelet) March 19, 2021
Links
Human Rights
- Human rights
- UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Human Rights Council
Racism and discrimination
- Anti-discrimination helps to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
- Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
- Committee on the Elimination of racial discrimination
- Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent
- Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
- Outreach Programme on the transatlantic slave trade and slavery
- Fellowship programme for People of African Descent
- OHCHR links on Racism
- Anti-discrimination database
- Master Class Series against Racism and Discriminations (by UNESCO)
- No ‘fix’ to police violence, without tackling scourge in society — UN rights chief, Michelle Bachelet
Documents
- Durban Declaration: the UN’s global action plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
- A/CONF.189/12 - Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
- Outcome Document of the Durban Review Conference
- A/66/L.2 - Political Declaration adopted at the 10-year anniversary of the Durban Conference
- A/HRC/RES/43/1 - Promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Africans and of people of African descent against excessive use of forceand other human rightsviolations by law enforcement officers
- International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)
- Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice
- A/74/274 - Report of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (2019)
- A/HRC/47/53 - Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2021)
Resolutions proclaiming observances
- A/RES/75/170 - International Day for People of African Descent
- A/RES/68/237 - Proclamation of the International Decade for People of African Descent
- A/RES/2142%20(XXI) - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- A/RES/34/24 - Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination
Related conferences
- UN Conferences on Racism
- 10th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (2011)
- Durban Review Conference (2009)
- World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (2001, Durban)
- Second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1983)
- World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1978)
Related observances
- International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
- Recognition, Justice, Development: Decade-long program for people of African Descent (2015-2024)
- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
- Human Rights Day
- Other observances