A/HRC/18/45 Group recognizes that reparation for the transatlantic slave trade and slavery is a human rights issue that must be addressed adequately. 109. Mindful of the factual circumstances and standard of living of many people of African descent, the Working Group emphasizes the need for positive and affirmative action in order to contribute to the achievement of equal enjoyment of their rights. 110. The Working Group underscores the importance of collecting disaggregated data to enable recognition of people of African descent as a minority and/or vulnerable group within societies, as appropriate. The Working Group also underlines the importance of recognizing the fact that people of African descent, where they consider themselves a minority group, should be covered by international instruments on minorities. 111. The Working Group recognizes the fact that respect for diversity and multiculturalism is a means to intensify the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. In this regard, the Working Group underlines the importance of education in fighting stereotypes and prejudices against people of African descent, and encourages the promotion of greater knowledge of and respect for diverse heritages and cultures. 112. The Working Group notes the absence from its tenth session of many Western and a significant number of Caribbean countries. The Working Group believes that their presence would enhance and enrich the discussion on the improvement of the conditions of people of African descent. 113. The Working Group underlines the need for the criminalization of racism and racial discrimination, in accordance with article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Working Group concludes that the deleterious effects of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery can still be found in racist attitudes towards, and the conditions of existence of, people of African descent. 114. The Working Group notes that insufficient attention has been paid to the contributions of people of African descent to world development. 115. The Working Group is concerned by information received during its tenth session regarding treatment and deportation disproportionately affecting migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees of African descent. 116. The Working Group recognizes the efforts that have been made by regional and international organizations with regard to people of African descent in the context of the Durban process, and stresses the importance of collaborating, when appropriate, and continuing to strengthen its relations with these organizations. B. Recommendations 117. The Working Group urges States and specialized agencies of the United Nations, as appropriate, to implement, as a priority, the provisions pertaining to people of African descent in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the Outcome Document of the Durban Review Conference, as well as the present and previous recommendations of the Working Group. 118. The Working Group recommends that OHCHR include, in the database on practices to combat racial discrimination that it is currently developing, a section devoted to the situation of people of African descent. 119. The Working Group reiterates its call to the United Nations to introduce the use of the term “Afrophobia” in its work in order to highlight the special and unique 18