A/HRC/42/59 78. The Working Group further recognizes that economic success, even when exploitative and enslaving, was historically recognized as a qualifier, rather than a disqualifier; that countries, prominent historical figures, institutions, the church and universities gained wealth and status from the enslavement of people of African descent; and that the risk of that exploitative dynamic remains today. 79. The Working Group is continuing to gather all available data and analysis to conduct a mapping exercise and prepare a baseline report on the human rights situation of people of African descent. It extends its call for data and analysis on the human rights situation of people of African descent until 31 March 2020. Governments, non-governmental organizations, national institutions and all interested stakeholders that have not done so are invited to make submissions in accordance with the guidance note3 and the present report. States and interested stakeholders that previously made submissions are also welcome to resubmit updated information or to submit additional information they would like to be reflected in the report. B. Recommendations 80. Member States are urged to recognize people of African descent as a distinct group. That is essential to increasing their visibility and thus the full realization of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. People of African descent must be recognized among others in national constitutions and legislation, through education, awareness-raising measures and the respect of their cultural rights. Self-identification is also critical for people of African descent. 81. In accordance with paragraph 92 of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Working Group urges States to collect, compile, analyse, disseminate and publish reliable statistical data at the national and local levels and to take all other related measures which are necessary to assess regularly the situation of individuals and groups of individuals who are victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. 82. The Working Group calls on Member States to understand how institutional racism is situated within a particular historical context that links enslavement, colonialism and the modern global economy to the false beliefs and stereotypes used to justify the exploitation and abuse of people of African descent historically and which retain tremendous force even today. 83. The Working Group urges Member States to adopt a human rights-based approach to data, by providing for disaggregation, self-identification, transparency, privacy, participation and accountability in collecting and storing data. 84. The Working Group calls on Member States to mitigate algorithmic bias in commercial, military and government products and tools. Care must be exercised with respect to people in a situation of vulnerability who are frequently targeted, misidentified or ignored, when developing computer-based algorithms. Algorithmic bias particularly affects people of African descent intersectionally, including women, persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. 85. The need for reliable data on people of African descent should be considered a priority to achieve the aims of the International Decade for People of African Descent and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Working Group calls on States, development agencies and financial institutions to use the Working Group’s operational guidelines for the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. 86. Where official data does not exist, the Working Group recommends the collection of data through the analysis of the culture, history and heritage of people of African descent globally. 3 The guidance note is available from the Working Group’s web page and can be accessed directly at www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Racism/WGEAPD/GuidanceNoteRequest_for_Data_EN.pdf. 15