A/HRC/54/71 sessions, the Working Group has published key thematic reports, including on the role of negative racial stereotypes and the stereotyping of people of African descent in perpetuating racially biased decision-making, racial disparities and racial injustice, 10 in 2019, and on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, systemic racism and global protests, 11 in 2020. In December 2020, responding to the apparent and alarming invisibility of people of African descent in initiatives relating to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Working Group adopted Operational guidelines on the inclusion of people of African descent in the 2030 Agenda.12 The Working Group also actively assisted the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in preparing a report on systemic racism, police impunity and human rights violations against Africans and people of African descent by law enforcement, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 43/1. The Working Group analysis contributed to the final report13 and conference room paper, which also built on the prior work of the Working Group. The Working Group was also the first body within the United Nations to advocate for and give visibility to the call for reparations for people of African descent. 12. The Working Group’s bilateral and multilateral advocacy has been robust. It has consistently advocated for the broader implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and participated in activities marking its twentieth anniversary. It also participated in the midterm review of the International Decade for People of African Descent and has consistently advocated for the implementation of the related programme of activities. The Working Group actively campaigned for the establishment of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, including through bilateral advocacy and participation in stakeholder consultations, welcomed its establishment in 2022 and participated in its sessions. A. Communications procedure, press releases and amicus curiae 13. From 1 January 2013 until 30 June 2023, the Working Group sent over 100 communications, often jointly with other special procedures of the Human Rights Council. Of those communications, 50.72 per cent were sent to States in the Latin American and Caribbean Group, 31.88 per cent to the Group of Western European and Other States, 6.52 per cent to the Group of African States and 3.2 per cent to the Group of Asia-Pacific States. The remaining 7.25 per cent were sent to other stakeholders, including private businesses. The communications, concerning approximately 901,206 alleged victims, are available to the public online. 14 Governments have replied to 63 per cent of the Working Group’s communications. The replies are also available online. 14. Through the communications procedure, the Working Group has examined individual claims of human rights abuses and violations outside of the context of its country visits and sessions. The communications draw attention to violations of the rights of people of African descent and request the authorities concerned to take action to prevent, investigate or curtail such violations, to promote accountability and to ensure that remedies are available to victims or their families. They have allowed the Working Group to identify emerging trends and practices, even in the absence of quantitative data. The Working Group has also issued many press releases to facilitate public understanding of serious concerns or to welcome positive developments. 15. Many communications involve claims of the unlawful, excessive or lethal use of force by law enforcement officials and discriminatory policies and practices against migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers. The Working Group has intervened in cases involving a lack of access to justice, forced removals of children, systemic racism and structural racial 10 11 12 13 14 4 A/74/274. A/HRC/45/44. See https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Racism/WGEAPD/Guidelines_inclusion_ 2030_Agenda.pdf. A/HRC/47/53. See https://spcommreports.ohchr.org. GE.23-15301