Recognition, justice and development for people of African descent – the way forward

A high-level panel of experts will begin Monday to tackle some of the key issues relating to people of African descent, including the current challenges and opportunities and possibilities for positive action to advance protection of their rights. The panel will also seek to highlight the contribution of Afro-descendants to global development and to address the lack of knowledge about their history, culture and traditions.

Following the thematic discussion, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent will submit its conclusions and recommendations to the Human Rights Council for consideration and action.

The session is open to the media, and the Working Group Chair, Mirjana Najcevska, will be available for questions and interviews.

High-level Participants and the topics they will address:
· Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (Opening Speech)
· Sir Hilary Beckles, Principal of the University of the West Indies, member of the International Task Force for the UNESCO Slave Route Project (Keynote)
· Special Rapporteur on Racism, Gitu Muigai (overview of the situation faced by people of African descent)
· Pastor Murillo, Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (positive action for people of African descent)
· Marcelo Paixao, Professor of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Lack of knowledge of the culture, history and traditions of people of African descent)
· Alma Jenkins, UNICEF, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, (video link) (Contribution to global development)
· Diego Moreno, Department of International Law, Organisation of American States (Durban+10)
· Roger Wareham, NGO - 12 December Movement (Durban+10)

Date/Time: Monday, 28 March to Friday, 1 April, 10h–13h and 15h–18h
Place: Room XXI, Palais des Nations, Geneva

As part of the celebrations marking the International Year, Licia Chery, a Swiss-Haitian Jazz singer, will also be performing at the Bar Serpentine on 28 March at 18h00.

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For more information on the International Year for People of African Descent, go to: http://www.ohchr.org/africandescent2011

For more information and media requests, please contact OHCHR press officers:
Ravina Shamdasani: + 41 22 917 9310 /rshamdasani@ohchr.org
Xabier Celaya: + 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org