People of African descent have recently found a new foundation for recognition, justice, and development with the United Nations’ General Assembly’s approval of a resolution to establish a Permanent Forum of People of African Descent.
The Purpose and Structure of The Forum
Primarily, the forum is designed to provide expert advice on tackling pervasive issues like racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance. Acting as a platform, it aims to improve both the safety and quality of life for people of African descent, promoting their full inclusion in the societies they inhabit.
Furthermore, the forum has been granted multiple mandates. These include ensuring complete political, economic, and social inclusion of people of African descent and providing strategies to combat racism to the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly’s main committees, and other UN agencies.
The structure of the forum comprises 10 members: half are elected by the General Assembly from all regions, while the remaining half are appointed by the Human Rights Council after consultation with regional groups and organizations representing people of African descent. With the resolution approved, the forum’s inaugural meeting is set for 2022.
Population and Challenges of People of African Descent
Approximately 200 million individuals in the Americas identify as being of African descent, with many millions more residing worldwide, outside the African continent. Whether they are descendants of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade or recent migrants, these populations often find themselves marginalized and impoverished.
Their access to essential resources such as quality education, health services, housing, and social security remains limited. They frequently encounter obstacles in securing justice and are disproportionately subjected to police violence and racial profiling. Their political participation also tends to be lower than average, both in voting frequencies and holding political positions.
Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (2001) and Other Related Initiatives
The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (2001), an influential initiative, acknowledged the victimization of people of African descent due to slavery, the slave trade, and colonialism, recognizing that they continue to suffer the effects. This initiative increased the visibility of people of African descent and led to significant advancements in the promotion and protection of their rights.
In 2014, the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015 – 2024) was officially launched by the General Assembly.
The Realities and Impact of Racism
Racism, or racialism, is the belief that humans can be segregated into distinct biological entities known as “races,” attributing personal, intellectual, moral, cultural, and behavioral traits to physical features, and asserting the superiority of some races over others. It is also attributed to political, economic, or legal institutions that perpetuate discrimination based on race, reinforcing racial inequalities in wealth and income, education, healthcare, civil rights, and other areas.
Distinction Between Racism and Xenophobia
While racism is mainly linked to discrimination based on physical characteristics, xenophobia pertains to discrimination stemmed from perceived foreignness. The term “Xenophobia” has its roots in the Greek word ‘Xeno,’ meaning foreign or strange.
Initiatives Against Racism
Several initiatives work towards combating racism, including the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (2001), adopted by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance. March 21st is observed as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination every year.
Organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have initiated programs against racism through education, science, culture, and communication. The Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination held in 2021 at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, partnered with the Republic of Korea. In January 2021, the World Economic Forum launched a coalition of organizations committed to improving racial and ethnic justice in the workplaces.
Provisions Against Racial Discrimination in India
India, a country where racial discrimination does exist, has enacted several provisions to combat it. These include Article 15, Article 16, and Article 29 of the Indian Constitution prohibiting discrimination based on “race.” Additionally, Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) refers to “race.”
The Way Forward
Combatting racism will require new approaches to intercultural dialogue and learning, promoting equality, promoting tolerance, and eradicating harmful stereotypes. Young people and communities need to be equipped with the right skills to achieve this. The use of new technologies and artificial intelligence can contribute to ‘techno-racism’ and therefore must be used responsibly. Success in overcoming racism lies in establishing a global culture of tolerance, equality, and anti-discrimination.
