International Decade for People of African Descent: Questionnaire for the UN Secretary General's Report on Implementation

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 2015-2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent (resolution 68/237) citing the need to strengthen national, regional and international cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights by people of African descent, and their full and equal participation in all aspects of society. As proclaimed by the General Assembly, the theme for the International Decade is “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has been designated to act as coordinator of the Decade, the establishment of a forum to serve as a consultation mechanism, convening of a final assessment of the Decade, and ensuring the completion of the construction and the inauguration, before the mid-term review in 2020, of a permanent memorial at UN Headquarters to honour the memory of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.

The OHCHR has recently circulated a questionnaire seeking input on civil society implementation of the "International Decade." The Questionnaire follows along with some information about the project.

Questionnaire
Secretary-General's Annual Report
Implementation of the activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent

Deadline 31 May 2016


Using the questionnaire, you are invited to provide information on planned activities and measures undertaken on the implementation of the International Decade in the course of 2016.

Please sent with subject [Report Decade People of African Descent] by 31 May 2016 to: registry@ohchr.org

Question 1: Please inform about the activities undertaken during the past year in order to implement the Programme of Activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent, including awareness raising activities.

Question 2: How could you assess the contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance faced by people of African descent in your country/region?

Question 3: Please share good practices in the promotion of racial equality for people of African descent carried out by your organization.

Question 4: Does your organization collect, compile, disaggregate, analyse and publish data on the situation of people of African descent?

More about the International Decade: http://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade/

Background: General Assembly resolution A/RES/68/237 of 23 December 2013 proclaimed the International Decade for People of African Descent: recognition, justice and development (2015-2024). General Assembly resolution A/RES/69/16 adopted a Programme of activities for the implementation of the Decade and requested the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly an annual progress report on the implementation of the activities of the Decade, taking into account information and views provided, inter alia, by all relevant stakeholders.

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Objectives of the Decade

The main objectives of the International Decade are as follows:

-Promote respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people of African Descent, as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
-Promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies;
-Adopt and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks according to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and to ensure their full and effective implementation.

Programme of Activities Implementaiton.

The Programme of Activities for the Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent, which was endorsed by the General Assembly, is to be implemented at several levels.

At the national level, states should take concrete and practical steps through the adoption and effective implementation of national and international legal frameworks, policies and programmes to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance faced by people of African descent, taking into account the particular situation of women, girls and young males in the following areas:

-Recognition
-Justice
-Development
-Multiple or aggravated discrimination

At the regional and International levels, the international community and international and regional organizations are called, among other things, to raise awareness, disseminate the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, assist states in the full and effective implementation of their commitments under the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, collect statistical data, incorporate human rights into development programmes and honour and preserve historical memory of people of African descent. 

Three generations of Gangá Longobá. The Gangá Longobá where enslaved and forced to work the sugar cane plantations in the XIX century (Cuba). © Sergio Leyva Seiglie, They Are We Project

There are also a number of steps and measures to be taken by the United Nations General Assembly, including the appointment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to act as coordinator of the Decade, the establishment of a forum to serve as a consultation mechanism, convening of a final assessment of the Decade, and ensuring the completion of the construction and the inauguration, before the mid-term review in 2020, of a permanent memorial at UN Headquarters to honour the memory of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.

 See the full text of the Programme of Activities (PDF)