A/HRC/51/54 95. All strategies to “build back better” from the COVID-19 pandemic should specifically examine and address the status of children of African descent, who are often among the furthest left behind. 96. Reparations should be underscored by procedural guarantees, in particular the participation of people of African descent. Member States should consider the 10-point plan for reparatory justice adopted by CARICOM and, in particular, recognize and apologize for historical and contemporary wrongs against children and people of African descent, make material restitution, return assets and artifacts and reform laws, policies, programmes and procedures as a baseline for securing reparatory justice. Reparations should be designed in a manner determined by people of African descent. 97. States should prioritize comprehensive, integrated and holistic economic development initiatives that: (a) centre marginalized peoples in their leadership structure and project design; (b) invest in the development of cooperatives among communities of African descent; (c) facilitate information and resource exchanges that make cooperatives for people of African descent more resilient and better able to generate wealth for their members and communities; and (d) build solidarity between people of African descent and other minority communities. These efforts should also ensure corporate responsibility. 98. International organizations and States should establish initiatives, including scholarships and fellowship programmes, to build the capacity of children and youth of African descent that are supported through formal and informal channels. Special efforts should be made to ensure that such initiatives do not perpetuate systemic racism by failing to confront and mitigate the biases tolerated by their own organizational cultures. 99. States should recognize the importance and ensure the protection and promotion of the human rights of children of African descent, including in the draft United Nations declaration on the promotion and full respect of the human rights of people of African descent. 18

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