A/HRC/18/45 discrimination faced by people of African descent, since analogous terms are used to address the stigmatization and prejudice against ethnic, religious and other vulnerable groups. 120. The Working Group calls on States to recognize the continuing consequences of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery on people of African descent and the historic disadvantage and marginalization of this group, and to develop comprehensive affirmative action programmes, as appropriate, to reduce the high rate of poverty, unemployment, underemployment and underrepresentation among African descendants. 121. The Working Group calls upon the United Nations to establish a special mechanism that would reopen the discussion on reparations for slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, and study the adequate forms of such reparations. 122. The Working Group calls on States to engage in comprehensive reform of their education systems, including human rights education and training, with a view to addressing stereotypes and prejudices against people of African descent. The Working Group recommends that the themes of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery be adequately covered in history text books. 123. The Working Group urges States to recognize the unique situation of Africandescendant youth and to implement targeted opportunities and specific measures that promote and advance the development of leadership and active participation in all sectors of society. 124. The Working Group recommends that OHCHR strengthen its coordination with the relevant structures of regional organizations dealing with people of African descent. 125. The Working Group calls upon States Members of the United Nations to investigate information regarding the treatment and deportation disproportionately affecting migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees of African descent, and to reconsider their respective policies, as appropriate. 126. The Working Group strongly recommends that the international community declare an international decade for people of African descent to make the challenges they face more visible, to identify solutions and to engage in a sustained campaign to eradicate structural discrimination against people of African descent. The theme proposed by the Working Group for the International Year, and which was widely accepted in the international community, should be adopted as the theme of the decade, namely “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development”. 19

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