HRC54: People of African Descent Persist in Their Demand for Reparations and Justice
The 54th Session of the Human Rights Council
11 September – 13 October 2023
Agenda Item 9: Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent
06 October 2023
By Jamel Nampijja / GICJ
Executive Summary
The Chair of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, Ms. Barbara G. Reynolds, presented three reports during the Interactive Dialogue of the 38th meeting of the 54th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council on the 05th of October 2023.
The reports shed light on the critical issues of economic empowerment, racial discrimination, and human rights faced by people of African descent worldwide. It highlighted the urgent need for reparatory justice and the Working Group's commitment to address these issues and work towards a more equitable society.
The first report, A/HRC/54/67, "Economic Empowerment of People of African Descent", highlighted the economic disparities people of African descent face worldwide. The report highlighted how historical factors such as enslavement, colonisation, segregation, and apartheid have left lasting scars, hindering their economic progress. Ms. Reynolds stressed that systemic racism persists in various aspects of life, including banking, finance, insurance, taxation, and land rights.
However, the path to reparations is fraught with challenges, including the denial of responsibility, scepticism about the ability of people of African descent to manage assets and underestimation of their cause. Nevertheless, Ms. Reynolds called for a shift towards economic and reparative justice. Additionally, she called for global awareness and public education about the consequences of black indebtedness.
The second report, A/HRC/54/71, "Facilitating the Journey from Rhetoric to Reality", presented a comprehensive overview of the Working Group's two-decade journey since its establishment in 2000. It showcased the Group's pivotal role in addressing racial discrimination globally. Notably, the Group led the International Year for People of African Descent, raising awareness about their challenges and contributing to developing the International Decade for People of African Descent.
While stressing the importance of a collective effort in promoting and protecting the human rights of people of African descent, Ms Reynolds called for continued support from member states to enable the Group to fulfil its mandate effectively.
The third report, A/HRC/54/68, detailed the findings from the Working Group's official visits to Australia, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. In both countries, the Group met with governments, national institutions, civil society, and individuals of African descent. While acknowledging these countries' positive steps, Ms. Reynolds raised concerns about pervasive racial discrimination, disparities, and exclusion experienced by people of African descent.
In the UK, the report highlighted the challenges faced by the Windrush generation and their descendants and recommended clear and straightforward language in reparations and restoration processes.
One of the most pressing concerns addressed in this report was police brutality against people of African descent and their overrepresentation in the criminal justice system. The report called for a comprehensive acknowledgement of mass incarceration and police impunity as mechanisms to confront systemic racism and as part of reparatory justice. She also called for addressing systemic racism in institutions, particularly education, housing, and employment.
During the interactive dialogue, country representatives underlined the importance of the Working Group's mandate in protecting the rights of people of African descent. They stressed the need for reparations and addressing colonial legacies and called for meaningful participation and reparations for affected communities. They also advocated for reforms to address injustices faced by marginalised communities like the Windrush generation.
The representatives also expressed concern about structural racism and called for investigations into potential racism in state-related deaths. They stressed the need to divert resources from the criminal justice system to welfare, health, housing, education, and social care. They emphasised the challenges faced by African migrants and the lack of accountability for deadly measures used against them, calling for investigations and justice.
Several NGOs called for continued cooperation with the mandate and stressed the importance of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. Moreover, they urged the Human Rights Council to declare a second International Decade for People of African Descent, building upon the progress made during the first decade while addressing the ongoing challenges.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) is concerned with the challenges, including racism, discrimination, and injustice that persist against people of African descent. GICJ stresses the need for greater cohesiveness among various UN mechanisms dedicated to people of African descent. GICJ calls for coordinated advocacy and efforts to address the challenges faced by people of African descent and calls for unity and collaboration to work toward a more just world.
Background
To address the challenge of racial discrimination faced by people of African descent living in the African Diaspora to provide proposals for eliminating racial discrimination against people of African descent, the UN Commission of Human Rights (UN OHCHR) first established the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (WGEPAD) in accordance with the request contained in paragraph 7 of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) adopted by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in 2001.
On the 25th of April 2002, the WGEPAD was established as a Special Procedure (Resolution 2002/68). The WGEPAD comprises five independent experts elected for three years. The WGEPAD are appointed based on equitable geographic representation.
This Working Group (WG), created as a Special Procedure, is tasked with studying racial discrimination issues faced by people of African descent and proposing ways to eliminate such discrimination. They hold two annual sessions and, undertake country visits under the Communications Procedure and report to the United Nations Human Rights Council and the General Assembly on activities relating to the mandate.
Under the mandate, the WG is required to submit recommendations on implementing and enforcing effective measures to eliminate racial profiling of people of African descent, design projects in collaboration with people of African descent, support initiatives at the community level, and facilitate the exchange of information between these populations and experts in these areas. In 2008, the WG was authorised to propose measures to ensure complete and adequate access to the justice system (resolution 9/14).In May 2023, Barbara G Reynolds was elected as the Chairperson of the Working Group.
Report of the Working Group
The first report, A/HRC/54/67, "Economic Empowerment of People of African Descent."
Ms Reynolds stated that the long-standing historical exploitation of the land, labour, intellectual property, innovations, and reproductive rights of people of African descent has been consistent since the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism. She emphasised that the enduring expectation of the availability and disposability of “black bodies” represents a potent colonial legacy.
She further stated that throughout history, individuals of African descent have been treated as economic assets for exploitation rather than recognised as contributors to economic innovation. This economic exploitation has extended to the degradation of Black knowledge production, leadership, and innovation on a global scale. The report emphasised the urgent need to ensure equity and equality in economic access and empowerment while adhering to fundamental human rights principles.
Black debt, including systems and policies that have effectively promoted precarity and drained assets from individuals and communities of African descent through financial instruments, remains a burden at national, community and individual levels. Indebtedness is rooted in enslavement, which deprives Africans of their liberty, family and kinfolk, identity, languages, traditional livelihoods, property, well-being and, in all too many instances, life, and which degrades African culture, denies the history of Africa and undervalues and undermines African knowledge and education systems.
Black indebtedness mushroomed under colonisation, segregation and apartheid and was repackaged and gifted to Africans and people of African descent on independence. Apart from disenfranchisement and disenchantment, what remained with Africans and people of African descent was hope, resilience, innate capacities and abilities, determination, ingenuity, unity and sufficient allies here and there to forge a new life.
While highlighting Africa's pursuit of reparatory justice and its recent endeavours to forge a united front for justice and reparations in collaboration with African-Caribbean initiatives, Ms Reynolds commended the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights for its resolution on Africa's reparations agenda. She emphasised the importance of civil society involvement in conceptualising a reparatory justice agenda.
She stated that economic inequality experienced by individuals of African descent is rooted in colonial dispossession and racial exploitation, primarily along racial lines. She called for a shift towards economic and reparative justice to address these disparities.
Additionally, she asserted that economic justice and reparations go hand in hand, ultimately benefiting humanity. Moreover, she emphasised that barriers to accessing reparations, which include denial of responsibility based on unilateral or colonial international law, disproportionate scepticism and questions about the ability of people of African descent to manage assets, overrepresentation of the (former) perpetrator(s) and the interests in reparation processes; and dismissing or underestimating the cause of people of African descent, must be addressed.
Furthermore, Ms Reynolds stated that women of African descent are disproportionately concentrated in informal and precarious employment, facing wage disparities and carrying a heavier burden of unpaid household and care work. Moreover, She stressed that the digital divide is a factor that acutely affects young people of African descent, limiting their economic opportunities.
Additionally, the management of extractive industries has had devastating consequences for people of African descent, particularly in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the lack of adequate living standards and job opportunities is high. Also, access to quality education is a significant barrier for individuals of African descent.
The report urged States to focus on the potential of credit unions, cooperatives, and cultural competence to foster economic empowerment among people of African descent. It emphasised the increasing global momentum for reparatory justice and a shift from rhetoric to concrete actions, with numerous initiatives underway in Africa, Latin America, and other regions.
The second report, A/HRC/54/71, "Facilitating the Journey from Rhetoric to Reality."
The report detailed the Working Group's achievements over the years, including its role in raising awareness of global challenges faced by people of African descent, its contributions to the International Decade for People of African Descent, and its advocacy for reparations. It also mentions its bilateral and multilateral efforts to promote the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
Despite significant efforts and achievements over the last two decades, the report highlighted the pressing and ongoing need for their work. The global culture of denial regarding systemic racial discrimination, disparity, and injustice remains a formidable challenge. Many anti-racism initiatives often lack the necessary depth and expertise, and the discourse on systemic racism represents one of the most enduring achievements under the Working Group's mandate.
The Working Group played a crucial role in expanding the anti-racial discrimination architecture within the United Nations. It has established mechanisms with complementary mandates that offer the potential for a more comprehensive understanding of systemic racism. However, better coordination among these mechanisms, including collaboration and network-building, is needed to achieve synergy and complementarity.
Furthermore, the Working Group provided a platform for civil society, grassroots organisations, and academics to discuss justice, recognition, and reparations across various disciplines, regions, and generations. This engagement has enriched the Working Group's analysis, emphasising the importance of local relevance and lived experiences. The call is for support and opportunities to strengthen these platforms and initiatives.
The Working Group's follow-up activities, including country visits, have uncovered evidence of persistent human rights abuses and violations related to systemic racial discrimination. Some States have misrepresented existing initiatives as new, while others have failed to meaningfully include or support people of African descent, undermining the credibility and legitimacy of anti-racism efforts. The Working Group urges all stakeholders and Member States to turn commitments to racial equality and equity into concrete actions and offers technical assistance and engagement as needed.
The report noted reduced racial equality and justice for people of African descent in some countries. While country visits have raised awareness and led to policy changes, complacency limits the mandate's impact. Critical human rights initiatives' visibility, prioritisation, and funding rely on data-driven, evidence-based norms. The Working Group emphasised the importance of qualitative data, including narratives and anecdotal data, alongside quantitative data. Data disaggregated by race is vital for understanding the issues facing people of African descent.
The Working Group urged Member States to confront the role of racial bias and systemic racism in disproportionate surveillance, stop-and-search, and harassment of people of African descent, as well as the overrepresentation of people of African descent in various forms of social control, including incarceration.
Still, the Working Group called for increased recognition of the racialised nature of human rights abuses and violations in various contexts, including children's rights, human rights defenders, and migrants. It called for international, regional, and national organisations to embed analysis of systemic racism and the legacies of the trade and trafficking of enslaved Africans in their work.
The Working Group called for a second International Decade for People of African Descent with enhanced civil society and widespread multilateral support. They recommended that States and other duty-bearers implement international conventions and programs of action addressing the root causes and current manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related Intolerance.
The third report, A/HRC/54/68, the Working Group's Country Visits
Australia
The report covered the Working Group's visit to Australia from the 12th to the 20th of December 2022. The report provided an overview of the current legal, institutional and policy framework and measures taken to prevent racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance faced by people of African descent in Australia, underscoring positive developments and gaps in implementation.
The Working Group visited Canberra, Melbourne, Lisbon and Sydney and held meetings with State authorities, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Home Affairs as well as with civil society representatives from various Australian cities and individuals detained at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. The Group received written contributions from stakeholders, including African Australians, human rights defenders, lawyers, academics, and impacted families.
The Working Group commended Australia for taking several positive steps to ensure the human rights of people of African descent. These include the establishment of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights in 2012, the promulgation of the Human Rights Act in 2004 by the Australian Capital Territory, various government initiatives to support the mental health of culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and state-level initiatives such as the Victorian African Communities Action Plan and Victoria's anti-racism strategy. The Gender Equality Branch's intended shift towards an intersectional approach, the qualification equivalence framework in Victoria, and the support provided to organisations and communities of African descent are also acknowledged. The Australian Human Rights Commission's work, especially the development of the National Anti-Racism Framework, is recognised as a positive step in protecting the human rights of people of African descent and other communities facing racial discrimination.
However, the report highlighted that severe and pervasive racial discrimination, harassment, and exclusion persist for people of African descent across various demographic, social, and economic categories in public and private spaces, including migrants, Australian-born individuals, refugees, second or third-generation Australians, youth, women, LGBTQI persons, skilled workers, highly educated people, and students at all levels of education. The Working Group asserted that this pervasive discrimination is deeply rooted in Australia's settler-colonial past, the historical White Australia policy, and its treatment of First Nations peoples. People of African descent in Australia experience a culture of denial of this racialised reality, leading to a sense of "othering" in public spaces and systemic disadvantages; this mainly affects adolescents and youth, contributing to identity crises and increased suicidality among South Sudanese adolescent children of refugees.
The report also emphasised that the mainstream narrative often misrepresents the connections between people of African descent and First Nations peoples, obscuring the historical role of race and Blackness in Australia's history and public imagination. The culture of denial regarding systemic racism is further perpetuated through the multicultural narrative, which fails to address racialised experiences. Racialised barriers in employment, education, and other areas continue to affect the lives of people of African descent.
Furthermore, the report highlighted concerns regarding Australia's indefinite detention regime, which violates the human rights of those subjected to it. Moreover, the report noted that the statutory basis for visa cancellation and refusal on character grounds exceeds the basis for excluding refugees from protection under the 1951 Convention. In addition, the indefinite detention regime violates Article 9 of the ICCPR.
Section 501 of the Migration Act also systematically violates basic due process, with cursory character reviews and a lack of consideration for individual mitigation factors. People of African descent are disproportionately represented in immigration detention, and issues related to indefinite detention violate international standards.
The Working Group expressed willingness to assist the Australian government in combating all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. The Group suggested several recommendations to Australia, such as ensuring the inclusion of people of African descent in all decisions that affect their lives—publicly apologising for harms caused during the lockdown in Flemington and North Melbourne public housing estates and implementing reparative measures and implementing reviews to address racial disparities in education, particularly among children of African descent.
The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
The report covered the Working Group’s visit to the UK, undertaken from the 18th to the 27th of January 2023, in follow-up to its visit to the UK in 2012. The report provided an overview of the current legal, institutional and policy framework and measures taken to prevent racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance faced by people of African descent in the UK, underscoring positive developments and gaps in implementation.
Throughout their visit to London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, and other regions, the Working Group engaged with senior UK government officials, Devolved Administrations, city councils, and various organisations and individuals. They also held meetings with civil society representatives and expressed gratitude for their support in organising meetings and sharing invaluable insights.
The report highlighted several positive initiatives to address racial discrimination, including strengthening legal protections through the Equality Act 2010, various strategies and action plans, reviewing of reports, and leadership from authorities and civil society organisations.
Notable progress was made by local authorities, which included initiatives like the Birmingham and Lewisham African and Caribbean Health Inequalities Review (BLACHIR), endeavours for Atonement and Reparation concerning Bristol's involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, along with gender and race pay audits in Bristol. Additionally, efforts such as the Identifying Disproportionality report in the Avon and Somerset Criminal Justice System and the Project TRUTH report have contributed significantly to this cause.
Relevant research, including Racial Bias and the Bench (2022), CPS charging decisions - examining demographic disparities in the outcomes of our decision-making (2023), and Race and Racism in English Secondary Schools (2020) and audits and reviews exposed long-term cultures of institutional racism and denial.
However, the Working Group expressed deep concern that racial discrimination continues to threaten the human rights of people of African descent in the UK despite numerous inquiries and actions taken. The report stressed that the UK's focus on "equality of opportunity" rather than "equality of outcomes" ignores the persistence of racialised opportunity erosion due to factors like racial hierarchy, precarity, inequities, and systemic barriers.
The report emphasised how this discrimination affects multiple aspects of life, from education to the criminal justice system and the criminalisation of Black people, leading to an expansion of policing, surveillance, and control. The report also highlights issues related to joint enterprise laws, overbroad detentions, and improper treatment of asylum-seekers.
One of the most significant concerns raised by the Working Group is the presence of unsustainable inequalities underpinned by systemic racism, bias, racially disparate policing, and surveillance of people of African descent in the UK. Notably, the report pointed out the evolving situation regarding the Windrush generation and their descendants, which has been devastating. Despite their contributions to the UK's development, these individuals have faced gaslighting, confusing requirements, and heightened burdens of proof to establish their legal status or citizenship. The consequences have been the loss of jobs, pensions, homes, and a sense of safety. Furthermore, British passport holders of Windrush descendants have been racially profiled, denied renewals, or even threatened with deportation, leaving many hidden and unable to enjoy pensions or retirement.
The Working Group suggested a series of recommendations to address these problems, including implementing recommendations from various organisations, establishing oversight mechanisms, addressing the issue of cultural institutions cataloguing contested items, recognising the importance of reparations, confronting racial bias in the justice system, reviewing and eliminating certain prosecutorial practices, and addressing the devaluation of family bonds. It also called for the removal of police from schools, a moratorium on strip searches, and the elimination of the Gang Matrix.
Moreover, the Working Group called for more significant support for community-based organisations, changes in immigration policy, and improvements in relationships and sex education. It stressed the need for a public conversation about race, legacy, repair, and reform within British institutions. The Working Group expressed its willingness to assist in combating racial discrimination and supporting the rights of people of African descent in the UK.
Countries Concerned
The representative of Australia emphasised Australia's unwavering commitment to eliminating racial discrimination in all its forms, regardless of its occurrence. He stated that Australia's commitment extends to engaging positively and constructively with the UN human rights system. Notably, they maintain an open invitation for all UN Special Rapporteurs and Special Procedure mandate holders to visit the country, reflecting their readiness to cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms and their dedication to independent scrutiny of their human rights record.
Moreover, he acknowledged that racism, particularly against people of African descent, continues to be challenging despite Australia's robust commitment to multiculturalism. The delegate stated that the country views racism and discrimination as formidable barriers to achieving an inclusive and equitable multicultural society. To address this, the delegate emphasised that Australia supports anti-discrimination laws and policies that safeguard individuals from unfair treatment based on their race, colour, descent, or national and ethnic origin in all aspects of public and private life.
He stressed that in line with the Working Group's recommendations, the Australian Government allocated $7.5 million over four years to the Australian Human Rights Commission to develop a national anti-racism strategy. This strategy aims to coordinate efforts to combat racism and promote racial equality, focusing on community-led consultations, cultural safety, and accessibility.
Furthermore, he stressed that Australia announced a Multicultural Framework Review designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the government's policies and institutional arrangements in supporting the country's multicultural society and enabling all Australians to reach their full potential. This comprehensive review will identify and address systematic barriers arising from racism and discrimination. He stated that Australia remained committed to consulting with people of African descent in Australia through community consultations and outreach as part of the Multicultural Framework Review's public consultation process.
The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland emphasised the UK's status as a prosperous, multinational, multi-ethnic, and multifaith state where every citizen, regardless of their background, enjoys rights, opportunities, and the expectation of being treated with kindness and respect. The representative recognised the significant contributions made by people of African descent to British society, including at the highest levels of government. He underscored its deep commitment to addressing racism and racial disparities. He stated that the UK was pleased that the Working Group acknowledged the UK's robust legal framework, which includes measures such as the Online Safety Bill, aimed at combating online racist abuse.
However, he expressed regret that the report did not adequately consider the complex and nuanced drivers of racial disparities in the country, including differences in outcomes among various ethnic minority groups. The report seemed to reach an unfounded conclusion that racism was the sole driver of poor outcomes. Additionally, he asserted that the report should have mentioned the UK's Inclusive Britain Action Plan, which comprises 74 actions designed to address disparities in health, education, employment, crime, and policing to promote unity and create a fairer Britain for all citizens.
He also mentioned challenges related to the late reception of the report, which hindered their ability to provide a comprehensive written response. They requested more time in the future to consider reports from special procedures visits.
Interactive Dialogue
The representative of the European Union (EU) stated that the EU aspires to create a Europe that effectively combats unemployment, poverty, and discrimination by ensuring fair and well-functioning labour markets and modernised welfare systems which are in tune with the demands of the 21st century.
The representative highlighted two pivotal instruments in pursuing these objectives: the Employment Equality Directive and, particularly, the Racial Equality Directive. Moreover, she stated that these directives demand equal treatment of individuals across all sectors of activity, encompassing access to employment, working conditions including promotion, pay, and dismissals, as well as access to vocational training, participation in worker or employer organisations, involvement in professional organisations, access to social protection, healthcare, education, social benefits, and access to goods and services like housing, regardless of individuals' racial or ethnic backgrounds. The representative posed a question about the report's discussion of the global digital divide's impact on economic opportunities for people of African descent.
The representative of South Africa affirmed their support for the recommendations presented by the Forum, which called for the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action, specifically concerning people of African descent.
He acknowledged the historical legacies and consequences of slavery, colonialism, and other forms of racist domination. He stressed that an accelerated pace should accompany the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action in effectively integrating the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
He further emphasised that the deeply rooted contemporary manifestations of racism against African people and people of African descent are attributed to the historical legacies of conquest and control.
He reiterated the Forum's call for State support in convening the United Nations Global Summit on Reparatory Justice and establishing a specialised international tribunal within the UN system to address reparations related to enslavement, apartheid, genocide, and colonialism in coordination with the United Nations.
The representative of Egypt expressed concern regarding the report's content, particularly the section that focused on the economic empowerment of individuals of African descent. The representative acknowledged the report's recommendations for establishing effective legislative frameworks to mitigate coercive debt, reorganise financial structures, systems, and policies, and alleviate the burden of debt and its consequences on Africans and individuals of African descent. She reiterated the report's emphasis on providing appropriate resources to implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
Moreover, she called on the Council to initiate a second decade of the International Decade for People of African Descent and their commitment to finalising the Declaration of the Rights of People of African Descent.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) representative expressed alignment with the Working Group's apprehensions about disproportionately low rates of access to high-quality education and healthcare and the overrepresentation of children of African descent within the juvenile justice system.
These disparities, both in access to education and healthcare, were acknowledged to have adverse effects on the physical and mental health of affected children, posing long-term obstacles to their overall progress and empowerment and perpetuating intergenerational deprivation and poverty. The representative urged states to enable children's participation in the fight against racial discrimination, including their rights to peaceful assembly.
She emphasised the need to counteract persistent surveillance, control, harsh sentencing, and the prevalence of racial bias, which often led to the denial of systemic protections typically afforded to children. Moreover, she called on States to take immediate action to prevent and address racial discrimination and inequality faced by children of African descent across multiple domains, such as the administration of justice, law enforcement, education, and healthcare, to ensure every child can live and grow free from discrimination.
The representative of China expressed concerns about economic inequality and discrimination that had resulted in growing poverty among people of African descent, leading to further human rights violations. He stressed that historical colonial practices by the United States and certain Western countries had extorted ill-gotten gains, which they had acquired through brutal colonial rule. Moreover, he affirmed that such colonial ideas and practices continued through the manipulation of international financial institutions, assistance tied to unfair conditions, unfair credit ratings, and more, pushing African countries into heavier debt with higher borrowing costs.
Furthermore, the representative urged the United States of America and other Western countries to take a critical look at their historical actions and current practices to fulfil their duty of reparation, address racism within their borders, and improve the living and economic conditions of individuals of African descent, ensuring their fundamental human rights.
The representative of Zimbabwe expressed concerns about the continued perception of people of African descent as objects for exploitation, disposable sources of labour, and intellectual property rather than as drivers of innovation and leaders in economic development.
The representative stressed the report's findings that shed light on how the existing global economic and financial system had adverse repercussions on the development of African nations. This system favours the policy interests of donor countries at the expense of addressing recipient countries' actual needs and untapped potential. Consequently, this approach perpetuates historical patterns of exploitation, colonialism, and an economic structure that focuses on extracting resources rather than promoting equitable growth.
She stated that Zimbabwe fully supports the recommendation that states should promote the universal application of human rights to people of African descent, including the right to development, and to dismantle and restructure systems and institutions that entrenched economic inequality and discrimination. She further called for reparations and the return of stolen artefacts, emphasising that reparations extended beyond financial compensation, embodying a moral, ethical, and political imperative to repair historical injustices and promote equality in dignity, human rights, and development.
The representative of Peru agreed with the concerns raised by the Working Group regarding racial and intersectional discrimination, which contributed to poverty, economic discrimination, and the violation of human rights worldwide. She stressed the importance of enhancing educational systems to make them more accessible as practical tools for achieving equality and economic empowerment, which would help to dismantle racial prejudices still present in societies.
Moreover, she called on UN member states to develop policies that address the historical impacts directly involving Afro-descendant communities. Additionally, asked the Working Group about recommendations and best practices for combating racism and racial discrimination, particularly in employment, hiring, and contracts, and their specific effects on women and girls.
The representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela asserted that racial inequality and discrimination continue to take on various structural forms, leading to economic inequality, poverty, and the violation of the human rights of people of African descent worldwide.
He noted that modern-day economic constraints and current financial systems, often governed by predatory, neoliberal, and capitalist principles, continue to impact the economic empowerment of people of African descent. Moreover, historical barriers have hindered their full realisation of economic rights, including the right to development.
He also stressed that it was crucial to address reparatory justice for the damage inflicted on people of African descent over centuries of transatlantic trade, slavery, and colonialism. He stressed the importance of establishing precise mechanisms for recognising the harm caused and suggested that these mechanisms include forms of reparation, compensation, and guarantees of non-repetition.
The representative of Lesotho called on states to intensify their efforts in the fight against racial discrimination. She emphasised the need to reassess their commitments to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action principles. The representative expressed support for a call for a second decade for people of African descent, stressing the indispensable need for finalising the Declaration on the Rights of People of African Descent. She further urged UN member States to adhere to international norms and conventions that condemn discrimination based on race and colour.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) representative highlighted the significant challenges faced by people of African descent, including structural racism and discrimination, which hinder the enjoyment of their human rights. These challenges manifest as severe inequities in health, education, the labour market, and political participation. The representative stated that the OIC attributes this injustice to historical factors, specifically colonialism and slavery, and their enduring legacy of discrimination, social exclusion, and economic disparities.
Furthermore, she stated that the OIC agreed with the Working Group's report on the need to recognise the linkage between enslavement and colonialism, which has led to underdevelopment in affected communities. The delegate emphasises that the OIC remains at the forefront of the fight against racism, and its Member States played an active role in adopting the comprehensive Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
Moreover, the representative called for the full recognition of the contributions of people of African descent worldwide and emphasised the necessity of taking proactive measures to foster economic empowerment, including investments in quality education and training for people of African descent, as well as the deconstruction of negative racial stereotypes associated with them.
The representative of the United States of America (USA) reaffirmed the country’s commitment to addressing these challenges and acknowledged the importance of removing systemic barriers, promoting health and well-being, and advancing equal opportunities for all, including economic empowerment. She highlighted recent legislative efforts, such as the infrastructure law, which provides long-overdue investments in communities of colour, rural communities, and areas facing persistent poverty after decades of disinvestment.
Furthermore, she emphasised the country’s commitment to partnership and investments of nearly $100 million in grants to support minority and underserved entrepreneurs to help them grow and scale their businesses. The ultimate goal is to address and reduce the racial wealth gap.
The representative further highlighted President Biden's creation of the Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States, intended to advance equity and opportunity for the African diaspora and strengthen cultural, social, political, and economic ties between African communities and the Global African Diaspora. The representative asked the Working Group what more States could do to tackle racial discrimination and dismantle structural and institutional racism in the United States.
Concluding Remarks
In her closing statement, Ms. Reynolds highlighted the impact of digitalisation as part of the fifth industrial revolution, noting that it builds upon both the positive advancements and negative consequences of the previous four industrial revolutions. The earlier revolutions have collectively disadvantaged people of African descent economically and socially. She highlighted the significant multiplier effect of digitalisation, which, if left unattended, these disparities, compounded by the economic and technological hegemony within and between countries, will exacerbate the exclusion of people of African descent.
To address these concerns, she called for heightened scrutiny of all aspects of digitalisation. Moreover, she stressed the importance of increasing the visibility and meaningful participation of people of African descent in various spheres, including political, civil, economic, social, and cultural life, which should be achieved through investments in policies, positive programs, system repairs, and the creation of an enabling environment that safeguards the rights of activists and advocates working on behalf of people of African descent.
She also expressed the need for discourse on reparatory justice, particularly involving the enslaved and those who engaged in slavery. She reaffirmed the Working Group's commitment to contribute to the Declaration, focusing on addressing the digital divide. Furthermore, she reiterated the Group's dedication to supporting the full implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
Position of Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ)
The Geneva International Centre for Justice aligns entirely with the vital recommendation made by the Working Group on People of African Descent urging the United Nations to pursue digital equity for people of African descent through, for example, a declaration of the digital rights of people of African descent that outlines standard protection for people of African descent by States and private companies. Moreover, GICJ emphasises that States and tech companies must view technological equity through an intersectional lens. GICJ urges UN member States to support the pursuit of digital equity for people of African descent; States must consider and potentially adopt a declaration of the digital rights of people of African descent. This Declaration should establish a set of standardised protections to be enforced by both States and private companies. Such protections are essential to ensuring that individuals of African descent have equal access to and benefit from the digital world.
Viewing technological equity through an intersectional lens is crucial, recognising that other forms of discrimination often compound the challenges and barriers people of African descent face. By addressing these intersecting factors, Member States can ensure that digital equity truly reaches those who need it most.
Furthermore, GICJ urges UN Member States to take resolute action by supporting reparations for people of African descent. Reparations must be firmly rooted in the principles of justice, ensuring that justice is not just an aspiration but a central pillar of this initiative. By putting justice at the centre, prioritising the interests and perspectives of the victims, addressing systemic issues, and holding those responsible accountable, Member States can take a significant step towards rectifying historical wrongs and promoting equality and human rights for all.
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