A/HRC/39/69
80.
The draft declaration should call upon States to recognize the existence of their
populations of people of African descent and the cultural, economic, political and
scientific contributions they have made. It must stress the relationship between the
legacy of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and colonialism and the
persistence of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of
intolerance against people of African descent today. The draft declaration should also
address the marginalization, poverty and exclusion faced by people of African descent,
and their vulnerable condition owing to multiple and intersecting forms of
discrimination. The draft declaration should underline the importance of eradicating
all forms of discrimination faced by people of African descent, including through the
framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
81.
The draft declaration should emphasize that people of African descent, as a
collective and as individuals, have the right to the full enjoyment of all human rights
and fundamental freedoms as recognized in international human rights law. It should
require all States to ratify the relevant treaties and ensure that national legislation is
compatible with international human rights law.
82.
The draft declaration should include guarantees for civil and political rights,
and economic, social and cultural rights. It should also include reparations; protection
of land rights; protection from State violence, including racial profiling; protection
against hate crimes; protection for human rights defenders; and protection for
migrants, refugees and asylum seekers of African descent. States should also be called
upon to establish positive measures to ensure the participation of people of African
descent at all levels of society and in all areas of employment, including guaranteeing
a high level of political participation.
83.
The Working Group recommends that all Member States, regional and
international organizations, United Nations funds and programmes, specialized
agencies, civil society organizations and all other relevant stakeholders implement the
Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the programme of activities of
the International Decade for People of African Descent. The Working Group
reiterates its call and urges Member States to reach consensus as soon as possible, so
that the forum for people of African descent can be held at the earliest opportunity.
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