FACTS ON THE
Permanent Forum
As an outcome of the UN International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024, the UN General Assembly decided to establish a UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent to act as an advisory body to the UN on matters concerning people of African descent.
When will the Permanent Forum Launch?
The Permanent Forum is set to launch in 2022.
Why is a Permanent Forum and Declaration Important?
The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent will address issues related to anti-black racism as well as the human rights of people of African descent around the world by creating a clear way for civil society and grassroots organizations around the world to address – directly to the UN and the international community – the most pressing issues related to anti-black racism, inequality, climate crisis, health and other issues affecting people of African descent.
It helps the Global Black Diaspora connect, unite and strategize around issues that we face in our respective regions, and provides teeth to make sure that our recommendations are implemented.
Does anything similar to the Permanent Forum already exist?
Yes! The UN has already created a UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which convenes for 10 days each year, with hundreds of civil society representatives from across the world, to exchange and develop advice to the UN on indigenous issues. Since 2007, there also exists a UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. An Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which was established the same year, monitors the global implementation of this Declaration.
What are we proposing?
You can read more about the structure of the Permanent Forum here. In addition to the full political, economic and social inclusion of people of African descent in the societies in which they live as equal citizens enjoying substantive equality in terms of their rights, the Forum will address issues such as the right to development, climate justice, and addressing and rectifying consequences of past injustices: colonialism and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The Permanent Forum and Declaration is the ideal concrete outcome and final act for the Decade for People of African Descent.
What can be done to show our support for the Permanent Forum?
This is a time when civil society and grassroots organizations must raise awareness about the Forum and generate additional global support. We encourage you to share this fact page as broadly as possible and sign up to join the Permanent Forum Working Group. The working group will continue to engage and strategize on issues of importance (policy, communications, budget, etc) as we prepare for the launch of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in 2022.
You can read the UN resolution, share in your networks and continue to spread the word!
President Muhammadu Buhari violated Nigerian citizens’ right to protest and demands to immediately halt – and furthermore ban – the use of excessive force by law enforcement. Usage of threats, arrests, and killings of protesters, activists, and members of the media is a direct attack on their rights as global citizens and only continues and strengthens a system of corruption that benefits people with privilege and in power.