In commemoration of the ‘International Day for People of African Descent’, a group of United Nations experts has called for political will to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

Development Diaries reports that 31 August is set aside to acknowledge and remember the historic and ongoing triumphs and struggles of people of African descent to realise their human rights.

According to the UN, around 200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in other parts of the world.

With frequent reports of deaths and injuries occurring during or following confrontations with law enforcement personnel, Africans and persons of African origin have continued to experience disproportionate and discriminatory consequences in many nations.

To this end, there is the need to recognise that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected.

Over time, calls have been intensified towards eliminating every manifestation of discrimination directed towards persons with African heritage.

Several reports have revealed racial profiling, excessive use of force, and other international human rights law abuses during and after confrontations with law enforcement personnel.

Due to institutional racism, Africans and persons of African origin still face discrimination, marginalisation, and exclusion.

A report by Council of Europe revealed that people of African descent continue to experience worse economic, social and health outcomes than other groups.

To eliminate discrimination, inequities within and among countries will need to be drastically decreased; and the legacies of colonialism, apartheid, enslavement, and genocide effectively resolved, says the UN experts.

Development Diaries calls on countries yet to sign the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) to do so as a step towards ending racial discrimination against people of African descent.

Photo source: United Nations