A/HRC/54/67 address the legal vacuum and ensure the responsibility of polluting countries for the damage caused to nature and the consequences faced by affected countries. 72. The representative of the World Council of Churches conveyed the Council’s support for reparations and the demand for justice for people of African descent. The representative emphasized that the exploitation of people of African descent had had a corporate and systemic impact, contributing to contemporary economic imbalances. 73. Mr. Masiga highlighted the commitment of the African Union to addressing reparations through a global Africa conference. He criticized the use of international law as an excuse to evade liability, questioning whether international law was being equated with European law and emphasizing the need to recognize international law in its universal character rather than dominated by a few States. 74. Ms. Enyia acknowledged the ongoing healing work between Africa and the diaspora and emphasized that the impact of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans should not diminish the significance of other forms of slavery throughout history. She also highlighted the global order and the dominance of capitalism, which was built on the foundations of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans. In conclusion, she emphasized the importance of considering all forms of slavery, while recognizing the unique impact of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans. 75. Ms. Alleyne referred to the legal battle that Jesus College, Cambridge, had waged to have a statue of a trader in enslaved Africans removed from college premises. Despite the college losing the case, Ms. Alleyne emphasized the importance of seizing moments for reparations and highlighted the need for change and action to address historical injustices. 76. Ms. Ojulari discussed the challenges of recognizing the legality of slavery and colonialism in the context of international law, emphasizing the need to decolonize the understanding of human rights and international law in order to address reparations effectively. She echoed the call to decolonize the principles of international law. 77. The thirty-second session of the Working Group also included a special event on the theme “Memoirs of Durban by the legends of Durban”, highlighting the significance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action of 2001. The event honoured the “legends of Durban”, who had propelled the holding of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which achieved the most comprehensive and visionary framework against racism and the contemporary anti-racism architecture. 78. The special event was chaired by the Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Mxolisi Nkosi. The keynote address was delivered by the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Addressing Racism in the Workplace, Mojankunyane Gumbi. Ms. Namakula introduced the event. 79. A message by Mary Robinson, former High Commissioner for Human Rights and Secretary-General of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, was shared from the Working Group’s archive. She explained how thoughtfully the text had been negotiated and stated how proud she was of the achievement of Member States in adopting the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in 2001, which was a historic step forward in tackling racism and xenophobia at the global level. 80. Mr. Nkosi noted that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action covered a wide range of measures to combat racism and discrimination, including their contemporary manifestations, that it recognized the unique and historical experiences of different groups that had been subjected to racism and discrimination and called for specific measures to address their needs. It also addressed thematic issues related to racism and discrimination, including education, culture, media and poverty. While the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action remained a significant achievement in the global struggle against racism and discrimination, more work needed to be done to achieve its goals, and it was the responsibility of all stakeholders to work together to ensure that its cause was realized. GE.23-12890 13