The United Nations (UN) has recognised the enormous contributions the African diaspora has made in every field of human endeavour as it marked the first-ever International Day for People of African Descent on 31 August.
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, said it was a long‑overdue recognition of the injustices and systemic discrimination that Africans have endured for centuries, and continue to confront today.
‘Twenty years after the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and more than halfway into the International Decade for People of African Descent, we are experiencing unprecedented momentum towards ending the global scourge of racism. We must not squander this opportunity’, Guterres said in a statement on the UN website.
In December 2014, the UN General Assembly, in its Resolution 68/237, proclaimed the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024).
It provides an operational framework to encourage states to eradicate social injustices inherited from history and to fight against racism, prejudice and racial discrimination in all forms.
‘Acknowledging the entrenched legacy of enslavement, redressing the wrongs of history and shattering the evil lie of supremacy demand persistence and action every day, at every level, in every society’, the statement added.
‘Together, let us commit to do our part and advance the promise of equality, justice and dignity for all’.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, also released a statement paying tribute to heroes of resistance to slavery and violations.
‘Today (31 August), as part of a single human family, we recognise the urgency of eradicating once and for all the stigmas and prejudices based on unfounded ideas of racial superiority that continue to cause suffering to millions of people of African descent around the world’, the statement read.
‘Today, and every day of our lives, we must promote equality and solidarity among all human beings without distinction.
‘We must transform cultures of privilege and denial into cultures of human rights, democracy, peace and equality. We must stand against racism’.
Governments, civil society, the public and private sectors are encouraged to reflect on values that unite humanity and to take concrete actions to advance them.
The UN General Assembly has also established the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and a new independent mechanism to advance racial justice and equality in law enforcement.
Source: UN
Photo source: UN