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INTERNATIONAL

justice and reconciliation require that we attain repara- tity by articulating advocacy for legal and policy change in
tory justice. Issues like a formal apology, the right to food, different fields. More research and documentation needs
healthcare, education, adequate housing and cultural de- to be carried out to improve their visibility and to pro-
velopment are being denied. This is the legacy of the slave mote their rights at the local, national, regional and inter-
trade to the Americas, where some 12 million African national levels. Racial discrimination is everywhere—it
ancestors were dragged in chains. Survivors have a right remains widespread in a multitude of countries.
to "reparatory justice": The enduring elements of coloni-
alism constitute the greatest threat to people of African Civil society has played a networking role, together with
descent facing the historic heritage, social stigma and groups who have been advocating for their rights and the
marginalization. local movement initiatives that support change through
action. These groups have been helping people of African
Q: Where do people of African descent descent to achieve the legal change to strengthen anti-
live? discrimination visibility and bringing it into line with the
People of African descent exist all over the world. There rest of the world.
are around 200 million of them living in the Americas,
and many millions more living in other parts of the plan- Q: What are the main weaknesses and
et. To give you a few examples: they can be found in East- what can be done to make people of Af-
ern Europe; in the South and West of India known locally rican descent more visible?
as "the Siddi community of tribes": many of them coming In many countries there are no data on this problem.
over as migrants or slaves from south-east Africa. They States have to make this group more visible using data to
are considered as being one of the most disadvantaged support their public policy and in this way they can pro-
communities. In Egypt, the Nubians; in Basra, Iraq, the mote affirmative action through a differentiated service
Black Communities are called as'abd (slaves) and are de- to combat discrimination as the first step allowing states
scendants of East African migrants; in Yemen, a network to help civil society monitor and quantify the problem.
of people of African descent works at the local level for
the elimination of caste discrimination (Muhamshen). The consequences of slavery on the transatlantic slave
The Gnawas are the descendants of ancient Black African trade, which is reflected in the link between poverty and
slaves deported to the Maghreb by the Arabs. They are racism, was recognized by countries in Santiago de Chile
the guardians of a spiritual and cultural heritage. in 2000 and Durban, South Africa, in 2001. This should
remind us that global problems require global solutions.
In line with Recommendation 34 (paras. 7 & 20) of the In-
ternational Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Many resolutions that have not been implemented reflect
of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), these groups need the formal commitment of the member states to satisfy
special measures of affirmative action to build their iden- the aspirations of collective well-being for individuals,
communities and peoples of African descent.
These resolutions are clearly being contradicted
through the indifference of some states. No al-
Business lunch & dinner
location of financial and technical resources is
in the best location ever associated with these formal intentions so as to
permit people to enjoy the principles of those
resolutions.

Q: What are the expected out-
comes from the United Nations?
The General Assembly has appointed the High
Commissioner on Human Rights as coordina-
tor for the "International Decade of People of
African Descent": He is well aware—and hope-
fully regrets as much as we do—the very lim-
ited presence and participation of civil society
in its sessions. Despite expressions of good in-
tentions, most member states remain indiffer-
ent to their responsibilities and have difficulty
Rue des Alpes 24- 1201 Geneva - Tel: 022 716 8284 in allocating financial and technical resources
www.teseo.ch
in order to make this dream come true. There

20 DIVA - INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAT