A/HRC/7/36 page 10 and to mainstream gender and ethnic discrimination as social determinants in health. She also mentioned the intensive work being undertaken by several Latin American communities to ensure that health facilities were available to peoples of African descent. 54. Several members of the floor acknowledged Ms. Torres’ presentation on racism and urged PAHO to include and implement relevant paragraphs of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in its work and to address the issue of the death of young black youths not merely as homicide but as a serious issue of public health. 55. Ms. Torres responded to all issues concerning her presentation on racism and health and reiterated the fact that combating racism was a legal obligation of the State. However, she stressed the limited human and financial resources of organizations, such as the one for which she worked. Item 5 (a) (vi): Racism and housing 56. Mr. Kasanda, Chairperson-Rapporteur, introduced the topic by saying that, during its fourth session, the Working Group had discussed the theme of racism and housing. That theme negatively characterized the situation of people of African descent. The condition of poverty was usually associated with inadequate housing. The enjoyment of many other rights was often eloquently indicated by the enjoyment of adequate housing. It was important that States keep reliable and disaggregated data to monitor living conditions. There was a need to ensure descent housing and to establish independent bodies that had the authority to hear and redress complaints of victims, and which could regulate fair rating prices and housing markets. 57. There was further commentary from the floor on the issue of housing; a few participants spoke of the lack of Government measures to protect the right to adequate housing of people of African descent. One commentator highlighted the situation of several underprivileged black and Latin American communities and the large-scale displacement of black people as a result of Hurricane Katrina in the United States. 58. Mr. Frans provided a general comment regarding mistreatment of illegal immigrants who endured conditions of modern-day slavery. He also commented on segregation in housing and economic disparity. Item 5 (a) (vii): Participation of people of African descent in political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society and in the advancement and economic development of their countries (a) General 59. Mr. Kasanda, Chairperson of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, presented a paper on the participation of people of African descent in political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society and in the advancement and economic development of their countries. The Chairperson stressed that the participation by people of African descent in all aspects of public life was a matter of human rights. He stressed that allowing people of African descent to participate in politics and social and cultural activities was not to be viewed as a favour or a gesture of magnanimity by the Government or governing elite. He explained further