The International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) aims to celebrate the significant contributions of people of African descent around the world. It also aims to advance policies of social justice and inclusion, eradicate racism and intolerance, promote human rights and help create better and more prosperous communities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

It was June 19, 2020 that the Human Rights Council adopted the resolution on the “Promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Africans and people of African descent against the excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officials ». In addition, for the first time the United Nations celebrated the International Day for People of African Descent on August 31, 2021. Through such efforts, the UN aims to promote the extraordinary contributions of the African Diaspora in the world and eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent.

For the UN, some progress has been made at the legislative, policy and institutional levels, yet people of African descent continue to experience intersectional and compounded forms of racial discrimination, marginalization and exclusion. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgency of addressing long-standing structural inequalities and systemic racism in the domain of health. Lack of recognition remains one of the main obstacles to the full and effective enjoyment of human rights by people of African descent.” (UN)

The International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) aims to celebrate the significant contributions of people of African descent around the world. It also aims to advance policies of social justice and inclusion, eradicate racism and intolerance, promote human rights and help create better and more prosperous communities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. In proclaiming this Decade, the international community singles out people of African descent as a group whose human rights must be promoted and protected.

Considering that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, having the capacity to participate constructively in the development and well-being of their societies, the promotion and protection of the human rights of people of African descent are a key concern of the United Nations.

About 200 million people who consider themselves of African descent live in America. Millions more live in various parts of the world, outside of the African continent. The Durban Declaration and Program of Action recognizes that people of African descent have been victims of slavery, the slave trade, and colonization and continue to be victims of their consequences.

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