In December 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted the International Decade for People of African Descent to address issues of recognition, justice and development.
The decade that began in 2015 focused on advancing the rights of people of African descent, raising awareness of their cultural contributions and strengthening legal frameworks to combat racial discrimination.
In 2021, August 31 was recognized as the International Day.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on member states to declare a second international decade “to accelerate global efforts for real change.”
Tackling racism
Mr Guterres noted how people of African descent contribute to society through leadership and activism.
“Yet,” he said, “the unbearable legacies of slavery and colonialism persist.”
“Systemic racism is widespread and continues to mutate into new forms – including in new technologies, where algorithms can reinforce discrimination,” he continued. The Secretary-General said the UN is prioritizing eradicating the “scourge of racism and racial discrimination” and has established a new Anti-Racism Office to address racism in the workplace
“We also need governments to take the lead – by promoting and implementing policies and laws to address systemic racism and ensure inclusion,” Mr Guterres said.
He also said there is a need for restorative justice to address crimes related to slavery.
The UN chief calls for global efforts to create a world of equality, opportunity and justice for all.
Systemic and structural
UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts also called for an end to racism on the occasion of the International Day, while recognizing that “millions of people of African descent around the world continue to be victims of systemic and structural racism and racial discrimination.”
Like the Secretary-General, the experts call for a second International Decade for People of African Descent from 2025 to 2034, because “we are far from achieving our goal of respecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent, including the elimination of all forms of discrimination against them.”
In the coming decade, there must be a greater emphasis on recognition, equity and development, while addressing the challenges that directly affect people of African descent.
The experts said Member States must create and enforce human rights instruments, strategies and monitoring systems to address systemic racism and ensure the full protection and respect of the rights of people of African descent in the coming decade.
With the upcoming UN Top of the future in September and the 16th Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity in October, experts urge Member States to use these important meetings as opportunities to address issues facing people of African descent.
“Now is the time for decisive action“, they said. “Let us seize these opportunities that can lead to meaningful change for people of African descent and humanity as a whole.”
