A/HRC/60/77 white superiority and noted the participation of her organization in efforts undertaken in Europe to advance reparatory justice. 66. In the ensuing discussions, Ms. Reynolds called for a move from rhetoric to action regarding the provision of reparations, urging a nuanced approach that addressed contemporary systemic racism. She discussed the complexities of defining reparations and who recipients should be, given the diverse experiences of people of African descent. She stressed the importance of unity despite regional differences. 67. Civil society representatives and other participants raised concerns about the inhumane conditions faced by migrants in Europe, the need for specific programmes for people of African descent with mental health issues, the lack of awareness about Black history, and global networking. 68. Representative of the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations, Jessica Beatriz Orduz Duran, noted that Colombia had set up an intersectoral commission for historic reparations, led by the Vice-President, and described the country’s international efforts to establish a global reparations programme, fund and campaign. 69. The seventh panel, on the theme “Regional perspectives: Europe and North America”, was chaired by Ms. Ekiudoko. 70. Representative of the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations, Michael Alexander Geisler, provided information about his country’s efforts to reconcile with its colonial past, combat racism and promote multilateralism. He indicated that those efforts were focused on key areas of action, which included the active promotion of independent scientific research, the honest and open appraisal of the past, including through naming and recognizing the atrocities committed and addressing the colonial period in south-western Africa between 1884 and 1919, including the atrocities committed by German colonial troops against the Ovaherero and Nama communities. He mentioned the return of cultural artefacts acquired during the colonial period as another action taken by Germany to address the past. 71. Assistant Professor of Black and African Diaspora Studies at Dalhousie University, Chevy Eugene, presented a 12-point reparations plan for Canada that focused on the demand for a formal apology; equity in education, healthcare, housing, employment and the justice system; land restoration; psychological trauma; and the provision of environmental justice and economic development for people of African descent. 72. Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice, Sideya Sherman, discussed the efforts undertaken by the City to define and implement reparatory justice, acknowledging enslavement’s foundational role in the history of the city. She outlined the Office’s focus on institutional reform, including through executive orders on equity assessments and the establishment of a task force on racial inclusion. She mentioned the legislation passed by the City to acknowledge and address the legacy and impact of enslavement and racial injustice, which required a comprehensive study to be undertaken on enslavement’s legacies in the city. 73. Chair of the Kaneza Foundation for Dialogue and Empowerment, Elisabeth Kaneza, provided a legal assessment of reparatory justice initiatives in Germany. She highlighted the historical discrimination against people of African descent since the 1680s, the genocide against the Ovaherero and Nama peoples in Namibia and discrimination in compensation laws adopted after the Second World War. She mentioned several barriers to the provision of reparations and made recommendations for Germany and the Working Group. 74. In the ensuing discussions, participants emphasized the distinction between development aid and reparations, the importance of transitioning from requesting to demanding reparations, and the need to prevent white rage when Black people succeeded. Concerns were raised about the lack of transparency in discussions regarding reparations and the need for more inclusive processes in the pursuit of reparatory justice. 75. The round table on the theme “Representation, alliances and perspectives” was chaired by Margaret McGuinness, Professor of Law at St. John’s University School of Law. 76. Member of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, Justin Hansford, emphasized the importance of grass-roots voices, noting that over 70 local reparations 11