In December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly declared International Decade for People of African Descent to address issues of recognition, justice and development.
The decade, which began in 2015, aims to promote the rights of people of African descent, raise awareness of their cultural contributions and strengthen the legal framework to combat racism.
In 2021, August 31 is recognized as international day.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on member states to declare a second international decade “to help accelerate global efforts towards real change”.
Addressing racism
Mr. Guterres noted that people of African descent have contributed to society through leadership and activism.
“However,” he said, “the unacceptable legacy of slavery and colonialism remains.”
“Systemic racism is pervasive and continues to morph into new forms. – including in new technologies where algorithms can amplify discrimination,” he continued. The secretary-general said the UN is prioritizing the eradication of “racism and racial discrimination” and has established a new Office for Combating Racism that will 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,” said Mr. Guterres.
He also said there was a need for reparative justice to address the crimes of slavery.
The United Nations Secretary-General calls for a global effort to build a world of equality, opportunity and justice for all.
Systems and structures
United Nations Human Rights Council– designated expert also called for an end to racism ahead of the International Day while acknowledging that “millions of people of African descent around the world continue to be victims of systemic and structural racism and discrimination”.
Like the Secretary-General, the experts called for a Second International Decade for People of African Descent from 2025 to 2034 because “we are far from ensuring respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent, including the elimination of all forms of discrimination against them”.
The coming decade needs to focus more on recognition, justice and development while addressing challenges that directly affect people of African descent.
Member states should develop and implement human rights tools, strategies and monitoring systems to address systemic racism and ensure full protection and respect for the rights of people of African descent in the coming decade, experts said.
With the United Nations coming up Summit of the Future in September and the 16th Conference of the Parties on Biological Diversity in October, experts are calling on member states to use these important meetings as opportunities to address issues of concern to people of African descent.
“It’s time for decisive action.“Let us seize these opportunities to create meaningful change for people of African descent and all of humanity.”
