International Day for People of African Descent 2022; August 31st.

 FORUM: "States should take measures to improve access to quality health services to people of African descent."  International Day for People of African Descent 2022.

31 August marks the International Day for People of African Descent, on which the UN calls for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against persons who fit this description. African diaspora populations include but are not limited to: African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latin Americans, Black Canadians – descendants of enslaved West Africans brought to the United States, the Caribbean, and South America during the Atlantic slave trade.

INTERVIEW:  Break the bonds of shane.

Ahead of the Day, UN News spoke to Dominique Day, and Verene Shepherd, two experts on the subject, who want to raise awareness about the links between the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the global economy.

A Decade Dedicated to People of African Descent.

In proclaiming this Decade, the international community is recognizing that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected. Around 200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas. Many millions more live in other parts of the world, outside of the African continent.

• The right to equality and non-discrimination.
• Access to justice
• Right to development and measures against poverty

The Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent provides the participants with an intensive learning opportunity to deepen their understanding of the United Nations human rights system, instruments and mechanisms, with a focus on issues of particular relevance to people of African descent. The Fellowship Programme will allow the participants to better contribute to the protection and promotion of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of people of African descent in their respective countries.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2022, March 21st.

FORUM: “Voices for action against racism.” International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2022.

The 2022 edition draw the inspiration of the High Commissioner’s report on racial justice on the Agenda Towards Transformative Change for Racial Justice and Equality: “LISTEN UP: Ensure that people of African descent and those who stand up against racism are protected and heard, and their concerns are acted on”.

Statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ar the commemorative meeting on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2022.

Distinguished President,
Excellencies,

I am honoured to join you today to celebrate the voices of the people who stand up against racism – millions of people around the world who have decided to stand up for our fundamental, and universal, equality and rights.

Despite considerable efforts – and some progress – millions of Africans and people of African descent; Asians and people of Asian descent; indigenous peoples; national, ethnic and linguistic minorities; religious communities; and migrants continue to be confronted by racism, racial discrimination, inequality and exclusion. Racism still permeates social structures and institutions in every region of the world.

The impact of racism on people’s human rights is far-reaching. From people seeking refuge from conflict – as we saw recently on the borders of Ukraine – to children attending school; people in need of health-care; job-seekers and many others – my Office has observed multiple manifestations of racism in every aspect of people’s lives.

Digital tools often enhance these profoundly negative phenomena. For instance, algorithms embedded in internet searches often reinforce negative racial stereotypes and biases. Facial recognition – which is often used for surveillance purposes – can be a source of discrimination, and may reinforce discriminatory practices against minority communities especially by law enforcement.
The banning of certain books, especially books about racial identity, from school curricula and school libraries also constitutes an assault against the right to education and efforts to recognise and combat past legacies of harm.

The Four-point Agenda Towards Transformative Change for Racial Justice and Equality that I presented to the Human Rights Council in July 2021 points out that systemic racism requires a systemic response, and can only be dismantled through vigorous and comprehensive reforms.

At the international level, this effort should be guided by the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and several other important instruments, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Ensuring the meaningful and effective participation and representation of all communities at all levels of State institutions and decision-making processes is also fundamental. In this context, I welcome this year’s thematic focus of “Voices for action against racism”. Acknowledging the people who face and stand up against racism – and actively responding to their concerns – is essential to achieving progress.

We must protect the civic space and safety of those who face and stand up against racism. Their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in particular must be safeguarded as they often constitute the only way they can impart change.

I also want to emphasise that all politicians and authorities bear a special responsibility to refrain from, prevent and confront incitement to hatred and discrimination.

Serious discussions on the legacies of enslavement and colonialism must continue and lead to reparatory justice. Only when we fully acknowledge the burdens created by past harms will we be able to move forward and achieve real and sustainable change.

Racism is an assault on human dignity, and on everything the United Nations stands for. Today – and every day – I stand in solidarity with all victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. I ask all of you to act with me, to end this deep injustice.

Thank you.

Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Other Statements

Statement from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March 2022.

EVENTS

Debate in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2022

Monday, 28 March 2022.
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CET.
Palais des Nations, UN Geneva

The panel discussion will gather speakers who are known for their active role in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and who are from diverse backgrounds. They will share their experiences and will advocate in favour of listening to those who face racial discrimination.

CAMPAIGN

We need everyone’s voice for action against racism. Join us to spread the word for racial justice and equality. Show support for #FightRacism by sharing your picture w/ our “I Stand Up To Racism” filter on social media using: #FightRacism, #StandUp4HumanRights