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.^[1]

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.

Such information, and any queries, should be sent electronically to the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at: ohchr-decadepadgeneva@un.org by 31 August 2022.

Questionnaire on the human rights situation of people of African descent in the Middle East:

Respondents are requested to limit their submissions to substantive analysis and recommendations of a maximum of 2500 words. Relevant reports, academic studies and other types of background materials can be attached as an annex. A short summary in English would be useful if the original submission is in another language.

A. Background information

• Name (of the individual or organization):
• Country:
• Email address:

B. Demographics of people of African descent

• Are there statistical data available to monitor the situation of Africans and people of African descent in your country? If yes, please provide recent statistical information available on the demographics of Africans and people of African descent living in your country, such as:
  • Number of Africans and people of African descent living in your country, including the number of women and children.
  • Main geographical locations where Africans and people of African descent live in your country (if relevant)
  • Indicators on the socio-economic situation of Africans and people of African descent living in your country
  • Indicators on nationality and residency status of Africans and people of African descent living in your country

C. Implementation of the programme of activities of the IDPAD at regional and national levels

• What steps have been taken to implement the programme of activities of the International Decade for people of African descent in the areas of Recognition, Justice and Development at regional and/or national level?

D. National legal framework, policies and programmes to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance faced by Africans and people of African descent

• What national laws are in place to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance faced by Africans and people of African descent in your country?
• Are there any national policies, programmes and projects to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance faced by Africans and people of African descent in your country?
• Are there independent national human rights mechanisms or institutions to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance faced by Africans and people of African descent in your country?
• Are there awareness raising measures, such as campaigns, educational measures and research, that aim at promoting knowledge and recognition for the culture, history and heritage of people of African descent in your country?

E. Human rights situation of Africans and people of African descent living in the Middle East

• What is the situation of Africans and people of African descent in terms of the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in your country? What are the main barriers they face?
• What is the situation of Africans and people of African descent in terms of the enjoyment of civil and political rights in your country? What are the main barriers they face?
• What are the most significant human rights violations that Africans and people of African descent experience in your country? Please provide examples of emblematic cases of racial discrimination faced by Africans and people of African descent living in your country.
• What are the key human rights concerns faced by Africans and people of African descent in the following areas:
  • Access to education, health, employment, housing and public services?
  • Participation in political and public life?
  • Racial equality and social cohesion?
  • Representation in the media, racist discourse, stigmatization and negative stereotyping, negative use of political platforms?Afrophobia, xenophobia, racially motivated acts of violence and hate crimes?
  • Situation and status of women and girls of African descent, youth and children of African descent, including multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination?
  • Immigration and refugee laws, migrant detention/probation centre, access to citizenship and residence status, and deportation of migrants?
  • Trafficking in persons of African descent?
  • Labour and employment relations?
  • The criminal justice system and interventions by law enforcement and immigration authorities?
  • Access to justice, protection of victims of racial discrimination, and access to legal aid?

1. Regional meetings on the International Decade for People of African Descent have taken place for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2015, for Europe, Central Asia and North America in 2017 and for Africa in 2019.