E/CN.4/2003/21 page 3 Introduction 1. The Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent held its first (inaugural) session from 25 to 29 November 2002 and its second session from 3 to 7 February 2003, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. This is a consolidated report of the meetings of those two sessions. I. ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSIONS A. Attendance 2. The Working Group held six public meetings and two private meetings during its first session. During its second session, it held eight public meetings and two private meetings. 3. The first session was attended by the following members: Mr. Peter Lesa Kasanda (Chairperson-Rapporteur), Mr. Georges Nicolas Jabbour, and Ms. Irina Moroianu-Zlătescu. The three experts were joined by Mr. Roberto Borges Martins at the second session. 4. The first session of the Working Group was attended by observers for 53 States, 21 non-governmental organizations, one specialized agency, one intergovernmental organization, one United Nations office, and one national institution. The second session was attended by observers for 59 States, 18 non-governmental organizations, three specialized agencies, three United Nations offices, two intergovernmental organizations, and one national institution. The list of participants is contained in annexes III and IV. B. Documentation 5. The documents before the Working Group at its two sessions are listed in annex IV. All working papers submitted are available from the secretariat or can be found at http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/mafrican.htm. C. Organization of work 6. At the first meeting of the first session, on 25 November 2002, the Working Group, in accordance with its mandate, adopted its agenda (see annex I). 7. At the first meeting of the second session, on 3 February 2003, the Working Group, in accordance with its mandate, adopted its agenda (see annex II). II. SUMMARY OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE WORKING GROUP OF EXPERTS ON PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT, 25 TO 29 NOVEMBER 2002 8. The United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Bertrand Ramcharan, opened the first session on 25 November 2002, stating that in studying the problems of racial discrimination faced by people of African descent, the breadth of international law that protects the human rights of all must be borne in mind. He urged