A/69/318
recognition of people of African descent as a distinct group, which is essential to
increasing their visibility and requires greater collection of data to assess their
situation as well as respect for their culture, identity, history and heritage. “Justice”
recognizes that people of African descent have historically been and continue to be
victims of violations of their fundamental rights and requires the full and effecti ve
implementation of relevant human rights instruments, combating widespread
impunity for racism and racial discrimination and ensuring equal access to justice
and equal protection under the law at all stages of law enforcement. Justice also
relates to reparations for enslavement and the transatlantic slave trade, which should
be in line with the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. “Development” is
considered in two ways: first, in terms of the role that people of African descent
have played historically and contemporarily in global development; and second, in
terms of the need for a human rights-based approach to all development activities.
The draft programme of action states that specific attention must be paid to people
of African descent in initiatives to realize the Millennium Development Goals and
post-2015 international and national development objectives.
37. The draft programme of action identifies priority areas and specific
recommendations, including in the areas of education and awareness -raising around
the history and experiences of people of African descent and their contributions to
global development; the participation and inclusion of people of African descent in
all areas of society; discrimination in the administration of justice; t he adoption of
special measures; the promotion of the right to development and measures against
poverty; access to quality education, employment, housing and health care; and
addressing the intersectionality of multiple forms of discrimination.
38. Owing to the special and unique nature of discrimination often faced by people
of African descent, in particular in relation to the legacies of colonialism,
enslavement and the transatlantic slave trade, the Working Group deems it
appropriate to make a careful distinction between their situation and that of other
groups who also face racial and other forms of discrimination. It also sees the need
to construct and delineate specific juridical categories that make it possible to
address their needs adequately and overcome the obstacles they face. Therefore, in
line with a recommendation by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination, the Working Group recommended the elaboration of a draft United
Nations declaration on the promotion of and full respect for the human rights of
people of African descent for approval by the Human Rights Council and the
establishment of a permanent forum for people of African descent.
39. The Working Group called upon international human rights treaty monitoring
bodies and thematic and country-specific special procedures of the Human Rights
Council, where relevant, to systematically monitor the human rights situations of
people of African descent and requested disaggregated information on this group
during reporting, periodic sessions and country visits.
40. The Working Group encouraged OHCHR to continue its fellowship
programme for people of African descent during the Decade as well as its work on
the development of a database containing good practices that have a positive impact
on addressing racial discrimination faced by people of African descent. It also
invited States to share experiences, learning and practices to improve and
systematize policies and programmes.
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