Agenda Item 9: Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

General Debate

Statement by: International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ)

24 September 2019

Thank you Mr. President,

We welcome the report of the Working Group on People of African Descent and especially its activities to assist stakeholders in the implementation of the programme of activities for the International Decade for People of African Descent. However, much more needs to be done to eliminate the scourges of racism including acknowledging the various existing forms of Afrophobia and disaggregated data collection.

As in the Thematic Analysis of the report we re-emphasize the historical structural barriers flowing from colonialism in many regions of the world. Furthermore, it should be well noted that negative, inaccurate, and misinformation, especially in media including social medias, continue to shape false perceptions of people of African Descent.

With regard to the situation in Europe we agree with a comment by the Council of Europe (CoE) on human rights that historical roots, namely colonialism and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, are acknowledged as persisting factors towards modern prejudices and inequalities in Europe. The comment also noted that racism and racial discrimination against People of African Descent was experienced at all levels of society, including the governmental level, and in numerous countries adversely affecting social cohesion and inclusion. We are also concerned that the lack of diversity as a result of racial discrimination and Afrophobia serves as a deterrent to interested persons in such fields.

Finally, EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice would like to raise the important and overdue issue of reparations, whereby the historical and cultural aspect of People of African Descent must be taken into account. Additionally, it is a known fact that numerous regions, especially in Africa, are abundant in rich natural resources and minerals yet the local population suffer from poverty and lack of control or profit from their very own lands, which are instead exploited to fuel economic growth and luxuries in foreign countries.

In conclusion, we bring to attention the Multiyear outreach programme toward implementation of the DDPA and would appreciate comments by the eminent experts of the Working Group regarding starting the process for distribution of DDPA information.

I thank you.

Justice, Human rights, Geneva, geneva4justice, GICJ, Geneva International Centre For Justice