Geneva - Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
A number of human rights experts have called on the United Nations General Assembly to proclaim a second international decade for people of African descent, stressing that the world is in urgent need now and more than ever before for human unity and cooperation in a spirit of equality and non-discrimination. According to what was stated in the United Nations news bulletin, of which we received a copy this morning, Thursday
In a press release, the experts said that the International Day of People of African Descent - corresponding to the 30th of August - is a day to recognize and remember the historic and enduring victories and struggles of people of African descent to realize their human rights.
The independent UN experts emphasized that this requires political will to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination, inequality and class division at the local and international levels.
To achieve this goal, the experts stressed the need to reduce inequalities within and between countries, and to effectively end the legacy of colonialism, apartheid, enslavement and genocide.
The United Nations General Assembly declared the ten years between 2015 and 2024 the International Decade for People of African Descent.
In their statement, the experts noted that this, along with the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, contributed significantly to combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
However, they stressed the need to do more and the importance of maintaining the momentum gained. In this context, the experts urged the General Assembly to consider declaring a second International Decade for People of African Descent between 2025 and 2034, to take further action to address systemic discrimination and legacies of the past to ensure justice and development for people of African descent around the world.
The experts are: Chairperson of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Independent International Expert Mechanism for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Equality in the Context of Law Enforcement, Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent , Chair of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, Chair of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, and Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
It is noteworthy that the special rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Human Rights Council in Geneva, which is an intergovernmental body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. Rapporteurs and experts are charged with studying human rights situations and submitting reports on them to the Human Rights Council. It should be noted that this position is ceremonial, and these experts are not considered employees of the United Nations and do not receive remuneration for their work.