International Year for People of African Descent

People of African Descent A specific victim group suffering racial discrimination as the legacy of the slave trades and of slavery Recognised in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), 2001 Around 200 million in the Americas, many million more in other parts of the world

People of African Descent Facing challenges in various sectors of their everyday life, especially in; - Administration of justice, - Education, - Employment, - Health services, - Housing Need for effective implementation of the DDPA

The International Year and its objectives “This International Year offers a unique opportunity to redouble our efforts to fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance that affect people of African descent everywhere.” (Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights)

The International Year for People of African Descent Was proclaimed at the General Assembly 64th session Was launched on 10 December 2010 by the Secretary- General in New York Coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action Aims at raising awareness on the challenges faced by people of African descent Aims to advance the integration of people of African descent into all political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society, and to promote a greater knowledge of and respect for their diverse heritage and culture.

“Recognition, Justice and Development” Recognition - Important contribution of people of African descent to societies - Continuing discrimination against this group in various sectors - Necessity to have appropriate tools to assess challenges Justice - Fair and equal treatment in the administration of justice - Existence of structural and institutional racism - Women and children of African descent are particularly vulnerable Development - People of African descent are deprived of their right to development - Programmes to combat poverty should be developed with people of African descent - Racial discrimination impedes development of societies

Activities for the IYPAD “This is the year to recognise the role of people of African descent in global development and to discuss justice for current and past acts of discrimination that have lead to the situation today.” (Mirjana Najcevska, Chairperson, UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent)

Framework for Action: 4 objectives 1. To raise awareness concerning the challenges faced by people of African descent as well as their contribution to the societies in which they live; 2. To contribute to raising the capacity of people of African descent and those working on this human rights issue; 3. To use Multi-partner forums to discuss the challenges facing people of African descent and arrival at proposals for solutions; 4. To have a coherent and strategic programme that effectively addresses the issue of people of African descent during the International Year and beyond.

Activities to mark the International Year Several activities have already been carried out in Geneva  Panel on the enjoyment of the Human Rights of people of African descent during the 16th session of Human Rights Council;  Thematic Discussion on racial discrimination against people of African descent during the 78 th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD);  10th session of Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent;  Screening of a film "Defensa 1464" on the International Day against Racial Discrimination.

Activities to mark the International Year Also scheduled are: - Compilation of conclusions and recommendations of the WGPAD - Fellowship programme for people of African descent; - Art exhibition and Concert by Afro-descendant artists; - Panel discussion by Afro- descendant writers.

Many activities are also carried out by OHCHR Field Offices in collaboration with:  Member States,  Civil Society partners,  National HR Institutions  Academic institutions  Other UN agencies

Website with resources for awareness-raising OHCHR web page contains :  Relevant UN officials’ statements and speeches,  Featured stories,  The calendar of events by UN, NGOs, academic institutes,  Links to information on other relevant mechanisms.

See also  Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent  European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance  European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights  Organisation of American States, Department of International Law  Football Against Racism (FARE)  UNESCO Slave Route Project  Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination  International Coalition of Cities against Racism discrimination/coalition-of-cities/  Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights  UNDP, Afrodescendant Population in Latin America

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