A/HRC/4/39
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9.
The Working Group elected Peter Lesa Kasanda as its Chairperson-Rapporteur.
10.
The Chairperson-Rapporteur thanked the High Commissioner for the support given to the
mandate of the Working Group. The provisional agenda and programme of work were adopted.
11.
In introducing item 5 of the agenda, the Chairperson-Rapporteur submitted that people of
African descent continue to be victims of racial discrimination and exclusion in many parts of
the world, in particular as regards access to health, livelihood, social security, education and
income-generating activities.
12.
The Chairperson-Rapporteur saluted the adoption of General Assembly resolution 61/149
in which it decided to convene by no later than in 2009 a review conference on the
implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. It also requests the
Human Rights Council to undertake preparations for this event, as well as to formulate a
concrete plan and provide updates and reports on an annual basis starting in 2007.
13.
He recalled that the Working Group had so far pursued the implementation of its mandate
by undertaking a substantial thematic analysis of issues of relevance for people of African
descent, including measures to overcome their social exclusion, as well as actions and policies
fostering their participation in the basic political, economic and social functioning of the society
in which they live.
14.
The Chairperson-Rapporteur stressed that the Working Group would be devoting its
attention during the sixth session to making concrete recommendations on the elimination of
racial profiling that affects people of African descent and Africans in all parts of the world.
15.
During the general debate, several government observers and NGOs shared information
on activities and measures undertaken at the national level to implement the Durban Declaration
and Programme of Action, and on the thematic issue to be discussed during the sixth session.
16.
The observer for Algeria, on behalf of the African Group, underlined the importance of
the work of the Working Group. He reiterated the support of the African Group for the Working
Group and encouraged it to increase the number of country visits, during which members would
have the chance to discuss important issues with relevant authorities such as representatives of
public services, schools, hospitals and law enforcement agencies, amongst others. He stressed
that people of African descent, despite various international efforts, continue to pay a high price
for past practices and there is a lack of real integration. He pointed out that the effective
implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is a long process and, to
this day, there are only a few effective efforts towards implementation. He stressed that the IMF
and World Bank should be involved in the process of devising effective measures in the fight
against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. He added that it is also
very important that Governments put in place national action plans and strategies to fight racism,
racial profiling, xenophobia and related intolerance. He added that special attention should be
devoted to women of African descent.
17.
An observer for an NGO emphasized that in the past years, in the Americas, the
frequency of the practice of racial profiling has increased. She underlined that it is important