They burdened that greater than ever, the world urgently wants humanity to unite and collaborate in a spirit of equality and non-discrimination.
“This calls for political will to eradicate all types of racial discrimination, inequality and stratification at each the home and worldwide ranges,” they mentioned in a assertion.
Attaining this objective implies that inequalities inside and amongst nations will must be drastically decreased, and the legacies of colonialism, apartheid, enslavement and genocide successfully resolved, they added.
‘A trigger for humanity’
The Common Meeting proclaimed 2015 to 2024 as the Worldwide Decade for Folks of African Descent, with actions on the nationwide, regional and world ranges.
Aims embody selling respect, safety and fulfilment of all human rights and basic freedoms by folks of African Descent, and larger information of their numerous heritage, tradition and contributions to society.
“The reason for folks of African descent for recognition, justice and growth is a trigger for humanity,” the specialists said.
Maintain the momentum
They mentioned the UN Decade, along with the Worldwide Conference on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Motion, have contributed considerably to combatting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and associated intolerance.
“Nevertheless, there may be way more work to be achieved and the momentum gained should be sustained,” they mentioned.
They urged the Common Meeting to contemplate proclaiming a second Worldwide Decade for Folks of African Descent from 2025 to 2034, “with a view to taking additional motion to handle systemic discrimination and legacies of the previous to deliver concerning the full recognition, justice, and growth for folks of African descent worldwide.”
‘Pervasive discrimination’ persists
The 13 specialists have been appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and will not be UN workers, nor are they paid for his or her work.
They issued their enchantment on the eve of the Worldwide Day for Folks of African Descent.
In his message for the Day, UN Secretary-Common António Guterres highlighted “the big impression” that each the African continent and other people of African descent have had on the event, variety and richness of world civilizations and cultures, which represent the frequent heritage of humankind.
“On the identical time, we acknowledge the pervasive discrimination confronted by folks of African descent all over the world, and the various obstacles they face to realising their full human rights,” he mentioned.
Promote equality, fight racism
He famous that current years have seen renewed momentum for change, based mostly on the worldwide anti-racism motion of 2020. Thousands and thousands of individuals took to the streets of main cities worldwide following the police killing of George Floyd, an African American man, that Could.
Mr. Guterres pointed to UN initiatives, such because the institution of the Professional Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality within the context of Legislation Enforcement, and the Everlasting Discussion board on Folks of African Descent, as a testomony to the collective aspirations of the African diaspora for justice and equality worldwide.
The Secretary-Common has additionally made anti-racism a administration precedence on the UN, the place he has appointed a Particular Adviser and workforce charged with overseeing implementation of a Strategic Motion Plan on Addressing Racism and Selling Dignity for All.
Name to motion
“Right now, as we mark the Worldwide Day for Folks of African Descent, I reiterate the decision of the UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights to make use of the commemoration of the seventy fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Common Declaration of Human Rights to announce and take immediate and strong steps to advance equality and fight racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia,” he mentioned.
The UN chief urged nations to take concrete steps, with the complete participation of individuals of African descent and their communities, to deal with previous and new types of racial discrimination; and to dismantle entrenched structural and institutional racism.
“Right now and every single day, we should proceed to talk out in opposition to all concepts of racial superiority, and work tirelessly to free all societies from the blight of racism,” he mentioned.
