Global Efforts Intensify to Address Racism and Promote Justice for People of African Descent
The murder of George Floyd in May 2020 served as a stark wake-up call, galvanizing global protests against racism and racial discrimination and sparking crucial conversations about racial justice. This pivotal moment coincided with the midpoint of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024), a period dedicated to “recognition, justice, and development,” as proclaimed by a UN General Assembly resolution in 2013.
A Decade of Action and Renewed Focus
The Decade, launched in 2015, aims to address systemic inequalities and promote the full and equal enjoyment of human rights for people of African descent worldwide. The year 2020 saw significant progress, including the Human Rights Council’s adoption of a resolution focused on protecting the rights and freedoms of Africans and people of African descent against excessive force and human rights violations. Following this, the High Commissioner for Human Rights presented an agenda for transformative change, highlighting the urgency of addressing long-standing structural inequalities and systemic racism, particularly within the health sector.
Despite advancements at legislative, policy, and institutional levels, people of African descent continue to face intersectional discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion. The International Day for People of African Descent, observed annually on August 31st (first commemorated in 2021), underscores the United Nations’ commitment to celebrating the contributions of the African diaspora and eliminating all forms of discrimination.
Key Objectives and Global Initiatives
The International Decade is driven by a commitment to:
- Strengthen Cooperation: Enhance national, regional, and international efforts to ensure the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights for people of African descent.
- Promote Understanding: Foster greater knowledge and respect for the diverse heritage, culture, and contributions of people of African descent to societal development.
- Uphold Legal Frameworks: Adopt and strengthen legal frameworks aligned with the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, ensuring their effective implementation.
The UN recognizes that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights require dedicated protection and promotion. With an estimated 200 million people identifying as such in the Americas and millions more globally, the need for action is undeniable.
Condemning Violence and Acknowledging Historical Injustices
The United Nations strongly condemns the ongoing use of excessive force by law enforcement against Africans and people of African descent, as well as structural racism within criminal justice systems worldwide. Furthermore, the organization acknowledges the Transatlantic Slave Trade as a dark chapter in human history and reaffirms its commitment to upholding human dignity and equality for its victims, particularly within the African diaspora.
Reparations and Justice in the Caribbean
In Brazil, descendants of enslaved people, like those in the Danda community (a quilombo), continue to fight for their ancestral land rights. The Bahamas, a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has actively pursued reparatory justice. In 2013, CARICOM established the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) to build a case for reparations from former colonial European powers. The CRC’s Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice has inspired global efforts toward reconciliation and justice.
The Bahamas Reparations Committee (BRC) was established in 2014 to develop a national approach to achieving reparations, aiming to educate citizens about the lasting impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and champion the cause for future generations. The Bahamas also supports the UN Special Rapporteur’s work combating racism and the newly established Permanent Forum of People of African Descent.
Addressing Systemic Inequalities and Climate Justice
The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes the persistence of colonial-era inequalities and the systemic barriers preventing people of African descent from fully enjoying their human rights. It highlights the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, despite their minimal carbon footprints.
Prime Minister Philip Davis, in his address to the IX Summit of the Americas, called for greater collaboration to tackle global issues, emphasizing the need for inclusive solutions that involve those most affected.
The United Nations remains committed to fostering a world where people of African descent can thrive, free from discrimination and with full access to opportunities and justice.
