A/HRC/46/44 united artists from different backgrounds and regions of the world. It was principally supported by the network of former OHCHR minority fellows, and encouraged artists from different communities to celebrate solidarity and human connection through art during this time of uncertainty.34 The 2020 OHCHR Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent took place online from 23 November to 11 December, with 32 fellows from Latin America, the Caribbean region, North America, Western Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. It was aimed at building capacity on international human rights law and mechanisms and on the international framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and also examined intersecting issues affecting people of African descent. At the virtual consultation held in May for a global pledge for action by religious actors and faith-based organizations to address the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with the United Nations, the High Commissioner stressed the powerful role of religious leaders in guiding responses to the pandemic. By speaking out firmly against intolerance and hate speech, religious leaders could help to shape minds, and restore respect for diversity.35 The pledge includes a declaration by religious leaders and faith-based actors that contains commitments made in response to COVID-19 and also outlines possible areas of collaboration with the United Nations. In May, the OHCHR Regional Office for Europe organized a four-module online programme entitled “Fulfilling the human rights of girls and women of African descent in the European Union”. The meeting was held in the framework of the International Decade for People of African Descent and in cooperation with the European Network of People of African Descent. Its main objectives were to provide a digital space for female activists of African descent to meet and build coalitions, to enhance participants’ understanding of the international human rights mechanisms, and to increase participants’ leadership and advocacy skills. In 2020, the OHCHR office in Tunisia updated its 2017 study on ongoing discrimination against women in Tunisian legislation, and raised the issue of inequality in inheritance. This inequality is based on religious precepts and leads to several forms of discrimination against women. In the Republic of Moldova, OHCHR conducted a two-day seminar in February for authorities, civil society and representatives of minority communities on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, where the draft State party report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was discussed. The OHCHR Regional Office for Central Asia, in collaboration with the State Personnel Service in Kyrgyzstan, implemented an internship programme for 24 participants, 10 of whom were from ethnic minority backgrounds, aimed at increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in State and municipal bodies. The Regional Office supported a public hearing for the Osh city budget for 2020, including by translating the draft budget into languages accessible by ethnic minorities. The OHCHR Regional Office for South-East Asia continued to monitor the situation of ethnic minorities, especially those affected by large-scale development projects, including dams, mining, monocrop plantations and logging. The Regional Office, together with the United Nations country team, is working to ensure meaningful participation by local communities in socioeconomic and development programmes and projects, as a core principle of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In 2020, the human rights service of UNAMA continued to engage with civil society actors at the central and local levels on issues related to the COVID-19 response, peace and human rights, civic space, and protection of human rights defenders. In several dialogues, civil society actors underlined the importance of representation of minority groups to sustain 34 35 As part of the campaign, artists submitted videos of their performances (song, dance, poetry etc.), which were later shared on social media, under the hashtags #StandUp4HumanRights and #WhenTheWorldPausesMusicAndDanceContinue. See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25909&LangID=E. 11