E/CN.4/2006/19 page 12 in political organizations and their representation was a prerequisite for a successful campaign for equal rights for all. 48. Racism and extreme right-wing activities existed and were gaining ground in Europe. Extreme right-wing parties had an effect on mainstream political parties and their policies. It was within the mainstream parliamentary parties that there was the need to focus on combating racism. Mr. Frans underlined the need for political parties to ensure the representation of people of African descent in various political decision-making processes, to encourage diversity, to express visions and carry out policies aimed at creating a society that was inclusive and that put the problems of discrimination and prejudice high on the political agenda. He stressed the need to engage in dialogue and to network with the diaspora of people of African descent globally to exchange experiences and ideas, to share strategies and to support each other. 49. Mr. Jabbour presented a paper entitled “People of African descent in politics”. He elaborated on the role that people of African descent were playing in politics. He made historical references to eminent black politicians in a variety of non-African countries. He then referred to the case of the United States of America and mentioned studies on Afro-descendants’ representation in the American legislative bodies, which should serve as a model for similar studies in other countries, especially in countries that had long-standing parliamentary traditions. Several issues warranted discussion regarding people of African descent in politics: one was how to identify people of African descent. He highlighted two methods, which had their own limitations and for which further enquiry was needed: self- identification and physical characteristics. 50. He discussed appointment and election to political positions. Political positions could be attained by appointment, but political appointment carried with it the suspicion that it was a “showcase,” or a case of affirmative action. While it could be a real natural outgrowth of raceblindness, suspicion might linger that it was a public relations stunt. Elections were a better criterion to examine race-consciousness in its proper context. When a voter elected a person to a position of political responsibility, there was an underlying assumption that he or she would in some way impact the voters’ affairs. One did not elect a person whom he or she discriminated against, but whom he or she discriminated for. Data needed to be collected on appointments to political position. But real research had to be undertaken on elections, especially to legislative bodies. 51. He submitted that further research was needed on the appraisal of a quota system for people of African descent and the factors that tended to improve their representation in a free and competitive election process. A point for further research could be compiling available pronouncements on the political situation of people of African descent delivered by presidents and presidential candidates in countries where there was a substantial Afro-descendant population. The Working Group needed to establish organic links with the centres of research for people of African descent in politics and contacts with the most prominent personalities of African descent in politics. 52. Dr. Obiora Chinedu Okafor, Associate Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, presented a paper entitled “Reflections on the role of political parties in the integration of people of African descent in the political life and decision- making processes of States”. He reflected on the efforts deployed by political parties and other actors in addressing