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Agenda towards transformative change for racial justice and equality
OHCHR and racism
OHCHR and racism
Advancing implementation of the Agenda towards transformative change for racial justice and equality
In September 2024, the High Commissioner released a new report on racial justice and equality for Africans and people of African descent. This follows a ground-breaking report on racial justice and equality in 2021 and follow-up reports in 2022 and 2023, as well as a guidance note bringing visibility to the specific challenges faced by people of African descent regarding participation in non-electoral contexts.
The latest report – presented pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 47/21 – unpacks key elements of intersectionality as an essential framework to combat systemic racism and confront legacies of enslavement and colonialism.
The High Commissioner draws on data and lived experiences exposing systemic racism and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination faced by Africans and people of African descent in different regions, while showing how groups – and individuals within those groups – experience discrimination in qualitatively different ways, considering their diverse identities.
Furthermore, the High Commissioner provides an overview of broader developments and actions taken by States and others aimed at integrating an intersectionality analysis, lens or perspective and other actions to advance racial justice and equality.
Forty-one contributions received from States and other stakeholders informed the report, alongside in-person and virtual consultations with over 160 individuals, mostly people of African descent, in 22 countries in different regions.
Agenda towards transformative change for racial justice and equality
The High Commissioner’s 2021 report introduced a four-point agenda containing 20 actionable recommendations to end systemic racism and human rights violations by law enforcement against Africans and people of African descent. The High Commissioner calls upon States to:
- STEP UP: Reverse cultures of denial, dismantle systemic racism and accelerate the pace of action
- PURSUE JUSTICE: End impunity for human rights violations by law enforcement violations and close trust deficits
- LISTEN UP: Ensuring that the voices of people of African descent and those who stand up against racism are heard and that their concerns are acted upon
- REDRESS: Confront legacies, including through accountability and redress
Additional information on the Agenda towards transformative change for racial justice and equality: English | Français | Español
Background
The murder of George Floyd on 25 May 2020 and the ensuing mass protests worldwide marked a watershed in the fight against racism. Responding to this situation, the Human Rights Council held an urgent debate in June 2020 on “current racially inspired human rights violations, systemic racism, police brutality and violence against peaceful protests”. The Council adopted resolution 43/1, requesting the High Commissioner to present a comprehensive report on systemic racism, violations of international human rights law against Africans and people of African descent by law enforcement agencies, to contribute to accountability and redress for victims; and to examine government responses to anti-racism peaceful protests.
The High Commissioner’s 2021 report and accompanying conference room paper were presented to the Council, following which the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 47/21 to further the work on racial justice and equality. The Council also established an international independent expert mechanism to advance racial justice and equality in law enforcement.
For more information on the 2021 report, inputs received from States and stakeholders, and related audio-visual material, go to the High Commissioner’s report: Agenda towards transformative change for racial justice and equality (A/HRC/47/53)
The 2022 report highlights developments and initiatives undertaken by States and others to address manifestations of systemic racism against Africans and people of African descent, including in the area of law enforcement, and to advance accountability and redress for victims, including for legacies of enslavement, the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and colonialism. The High Commissioner reiterates the call for States to step up the implementation of the 20 actions contained in the Agenda towards transformative change for racial justice and equality, noting that greater political will is needed to accelerate action that delivers prompt and consequential results for Africans and people of African descent in every sphere of life.
The 2023 report places a spotlight on the right to participate in public affairs for people of African descent, recognizing that its effective implementation is key to ensuring that decision-making is informed by their lived experiences and expertise, and a prerequisite to transformative change for racial justice and equality. In a guidance note annexed to the report, the High Commissioner brings visibility to the specific challenges faced by people of African descent with regard to participation in non-electoral contexts and gives impetus for State action to develop tailored responses to guarantee their right to participate, integrating an intersectional approach.
Reports
Videos
OHCHR - LISTEN UP: Meaningful, Inclusive, and Safe Participation of People of African Descent | UN Web TV (6 October 2023)
Enhanced ID: OHCHR and Expert Mechanism on Law Enforcement - 54th Regular Session of Human Rights Council (5 October 2023)
International Women’s Day - Miriam Miranda - YouTube
International Women’s Day - Mya Pol - YouTube
OHCHR Side Event: Count Us In - Breaking the Cycle of Invisibility in Data, 15 Feb 2022
21 July 2021
LaTosha Brown – Dismantle structural racism
16 July 2021
Verene Sheperd- Reparations for past wrongs
14 July 2021
Bryan Stevenson- Enslavement did not end, it evolved
12 July 2021
Bachelet calls for "much stronger political will to accelerate action for racial justice and equality
Collette Flanagan - Supports mothers seeking justice
8 July 2021
Assa Traoré – Seeking truth and justice
7 July 2021
Roseli Barbosa dos Reis – Seeking justice
2 July 2021
Philonise Floyd - Equal justice for all
1 July 2021
Michael McEchrane - The brutal impacts of systemic racism
29 June 2021
Dominique Day- disrupting racism starts with accountability
28 June 2021
Dismantling racism needs transformative change
28 June 2021
Teaser - UN Human Rights report on systemic racism
28 June 2021
UN Human Rights Chief urges immediate, transformative action to uproot systemic racism
Also available are a selection of soundbites from interviews conducted by the UN Human Rights Office, with people consulted for the report, including family members of victims.
Feature stories
30 October 2023
Participation is key to ending systemic racism
Following the death in police custody of her brother Sean 15 years ago, Marcia Rigg worked and campaigned with other families of victims of police brutality in the United Kingdom and managed to change policy. Participation of people of African descent is key to achieve positive change and, ultimately, to put an end to systemic racism.
12 May 2023
State and community action needed to achieve racial justice
The activism led by people of African descent following police-related fatalities in several countries brought greater worldwide attention to systemic racism in all areas of life and to initiatives to achieve racial justice. However, more concrete actions and accountability is needed from States.
6 April 2023
“It is my obligation to stand against injustice.”
Noman Al Hothaifi quit his job working for the Yemen government’s public works section to focus on defending the rights of Black Yemenis. “I wanted to defend the rights of my people, to fight for them,” he said.
25 October 2022
Lived experiences key to achieve racial justice and equality
“My experience of a life impacted by racism and racial discrimination and inequality, and the indignity that goes with it, was sufficient motivation for me to take the opportunity to be part of efforts towards eliminating racism in the context of law enforcement”, said Yvonne Mokgoro, Chair of the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the context of Law Enforcement. Mokgoro was part of a dialogue with member States on racism and racial injustice during a meeting of the Human Rights Council – which featured for the first time people directly affected by such injustice addressing the Council.
19 September 2022
Becoming a Black woman in Switzerland
For filmmaker Rachel M’Bon, her skin colour has made it difficult for her to be perceived as part of Switzerland where she was born and raised. But through her film “Becoming a Black Woman”, she stands up against racism and discrimination and for inclusion and identity.
31 August 2022
Audio shows highlight heritage of people of African Descent and challenges they face
UN Human Rights has teamed up with radio stations and podcasts from around the world to commemorate the International Day for People of African Descent, engaging in conversations about their contributions and heritage as well as ongoing challenges.
25 May 2022
HC: "We cannot sit by and continue to watch history repeat itself"
"I urge States to reimagine and reform their policing and criminal justice systems, placing human rights at the centre of these efforts," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. She made her comments at a panel discussion on racial discrimination in the criminal justice system.
19 July 2021
Anti-racism activists should be supported and protected- racial justice report
The groundswell of support across the world after the death of George Floyd in May 2020, and the continued activism of people of African descent, their communities, and others in standing up against racism across the world should be supported, says UN Human Rights Chief, Michelle Bachelet, adding that their voices must be heard and protected.
16 July 2021
High Commissioner: Acknowledging and confronting historical legacies crucial for racial justice
UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet calls on States to acknowledge the legacies of enslavement, the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and colonialism and to engage in a concrete path towards racial equality and justice for Africans and people of African descent.
2 July 2021
"Your skin colour should never be seen as a weapon"
After hearing the testimonies of the families of those who died during or after an encounter with law enforcement, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet calls on States to"reimagine policing, and reform the criminal justice system, which have consistently produced discriminatory outcomes for people of African descent."
29 June 2021
Seminal UN report offers an agenda to dismantle systemic racism
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Bachelet’s newly released Agenda towards transformative change for racial justice and equality highlights a way forward towards reversing cultures of denial, dismantling systemic racism and accelerating the pace for action.
17 June 2020
Speakers urge definitive action to combat systemic racism
"I am asking you to help us – Black people in America," said Philonise Floyd to the Human Rights Council. The death of his brother George in the USA in May led to global protests against racism and police brutality. It also led to an urgent debate on systemic racism during the Council’s 43rd session.
Related documentation, statements and press releases
5 September 2023
Lack of meaningful participation of people of African descent in public affairs impedes progress on racial justice and equality
11 July 2023
Campaigning to end racism
29 March 2023
Racism: High Commissioner urges pushback against intolerance, hatred, bigotry and violence
21 March 2023
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: statement by the High Commissioner
30 September 2022
UN report records piecemeal progress in combating systemic racism against people of African descent, insists on urgent need for transformative change
18 May 2022
“Addressing and Responding to Racial Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System”
Human Rights Council Resolution 43/1
28 June 2021
UN Human Rights Chief urges immediate, transformative action to uproot systemic racism
21 April 2021
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on guilty verdict in George Floyd case