Background

In the framework of the International Decade for People of African Descent, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will organize the Regional Meeting for the Middle East on the International Decade for People of African Descent in 2022.

In preparation to the Regional Meeting, the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) invites all interested stakeholders, including national human rights institutions, equality bodies and civil society representatives, particularly people of African descent from the region, as well as experts and academics to provide information on the human rights situation of Africans and people of African descent living in the Middle East.

Objectives of the regional meeting for the Middle East on the IDPAD

The International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 68/237 and to be observed from 2015 to 2024, provides a solid framework for the United Nations, Member States, civil society, in particular people of African descent, and all other relevant actors to join together, and take effective measures for the implementation of the programme of activities in the spirit of recognition, justice and development. The Decade also aims to celebrate the important contributions of people of African descent worldwide, advance social justice and inclusion policies, eradicate racism and intolerance, promote human rights, and assist in creating better, more prosperous communities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals spearheaded by the United Nations.

The meeting will aim at:

• Raising awareness about the programme of activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent in the Middle East region;
• Strengthening national, regional and international cooperation and facilitating the exchange of good practices;
• Promoting a greater knowledge of and respect for the historical and contemporary contributions of people of African descent in the Middle East region.

Key questions and types of input sought

The guidance and questionnaire to submit inputs can be downloaded in English and Arabic

Treatment of inputs received

Submissions will be published on the OHCHR webpage by default, if you do not wish your submission or your name to be public, please indicate you do not consent to this information being in the public domain.