Interactive Dialogue with Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent
48th Session of the Human Rights Council
As Delivered by Senior Advisor Ms. Desirée Cormier Smith
The United States recognizes the extraordinary contributions of Africans and the African diaspora around the world, including in our own nation. We commemorate the International Decade for People of African Descent and continue to work towards the shared goals of recognition, justice, and development.
We strongly support the creation of the UN Permanent Forum for People of African Descent. We look forward to engaging with this historic and necessary body to not only acknowledge the unique and dynamic challenges that people of African descent face globally, but to find meaningful and sustainable ways of addressing these challenges. By creating a new and necessary space for people of African descent – in all their diversity – to focus on the systemic issues that continue to plague our societies, this Forum represents a monumental step towards a more just and equitable world for us all.
QUESTION: How will this Working Group amplify the efforts of the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent and the panel of experts to investigate systemic racism in policing against people of African descent?