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People of African Descent and Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 10[1]

By

Ricardo A. Sunga III[2]

Colleagues, Representatives of States, and Friends from Civil Society,

It is an honor to address you today. My intervention is a reflection on sustainable development goals 5 and 10. Respect, protection and fulfillment of the rights of people of African descent are essential to achieve sustainable development. To a greater extent, their human rights must be reflected in the interpretation and implementation of the sustainable development goals. Much still needs to be done so that people of African descent are not left behind.

SDGs 5 and 10 assume particular relevance for the rights of people of African descent.

SDG 5 is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

SDG 10 is to reduce inequality within and among countries.

People of African descent including women and girls of African descent live at the margins of the global society. In our last four country visits to Italy, USA, Canada and Germany, it was the inescapable conclusion that people of African descent lagged behind disproportionately more than the rest of society in terms of the enjoyment of their civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights. Later this year, we are scheduled to visit Guyana where regrettably we may come face to face with the reality that countries with a large population of African descent are left disproportionately farther behind other countries of the world.

In their contribution to the 2016 meeting of the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the United Nations human rights treaty bodies had occasion to underscore the importance of the following–

‘Combatting stereotypes and stigmatisation– while better laws and institutions can do much to ensure that no one is left behind, entrenched discriminatory opinions, bias, stereotypes and invisible barriers are among the greatest obstacles to achieving equality and can perpetuate inequality.’

People of African descent, including women and children of African descent, are especially stereotyped and stigmatized. Generation after generation, society still fails to appreciate how damaging negative stereotypes of people pf African descent are. These negative stereotypes perpetuate the inequalities experienced by people of African descent. The underlying dangerous attitudes must be surfaced, and measures must be taken to stop negative stereotyping of people of African descent.’

In relation to collecting disaggregated data, treaty bodies have called for ‘data that is disaggregated by categories such as sex, race, national origin and disabilities, or other relevant ground, as a means of having a fuller understanding of equality and developing appropriate and targeted policies and development programs. In this regard, treaty bodies have emphasized the importance of self-identification when collecting data related to minorities.’ In this regard, let me emphasize that the availability of data disaggregated along ethnic lines is absolutely essential to measure the extent of inequalities experienced by people of African descent including women and children of African descent. The Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent has made a similar proposal of collection of data based on voluntary self-identification. Furthermore, returning to a suggestion of the treaty bodies, there is the OHCHR Guidance Note ‘A human rights-based approach to data: leaving no one behind in the 2030 Development Agenda’ which serves as a useful reference.

Furthermore, according to treaty bodies, ‘speech that advocates national, racial or religious hatred in public discourse and the media can incite discrimination, hostility or violence, which is prohibited under international human rights law, entrenching stereotypes and thus distancing those left behind even further from reaching the goal of equality. Treaty bodies have reminded of the need to protect individuals from discriminatory discourse and incitement to hatred, condemn discriminatory discourse in the strongest terms, call upon politicians and others in positions of power, to ensure that statements do not incite hatred or discrimination, investigate claims of discriminatory discourse, and increase public awareness to counter discriminatory speech and hate crimes, including through the training of public officials.’ Building on the treaty bodies’ ideas, for people of African descent, hate crimes remain a daily reality. These crimes which range from hate speech to murder are reprehensible. The absence of effective remedies including independent accountability mechanisms fosters impunity. Truth and justice which remain elusive must be assured people of African descent.

In the very process of the SDGs, people of African descent must be able to participate. As the treaty bodies assert, ‘promoting consultation and participation … in the development, implementation and monitoring of laws, policies and programs is important to ensure both the suitability as well as the sustainability of measures ensuring that no one is left behind. The role of parliaments is key in this regard although participation and consultation should also go beyond formal mechanisms of participation. Similarly, treaty bodies have encouraged participation of children, people living in poverty, as well as persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in decisions that affect them. Persons with disabilities should enjoy legal capacity on an equal basis with others, including in the exercise of their right to vote.’

On the matter of indicators for the SDGs, their development is welcome. They help. But to be more meaningful, these indicators must be expressed with greater specificity in terms that capture and promote the rights of people of African descent.

If I may, I would like to offer the following points for reflection as possible indicators for SDGs 5 and 10 in the specific context of the rights of people of African descent:

- Forms of reparatory justice for past historical injustices against people of African descent including the history of enslavement and genocide

- Convictions for hate crimes including various forms of hate speech and violence against people of African descent

- Ending racial profiling such as carding and stop and frisk practices against people of African descent

- Ending solitary confinement

- Number of people of African descent who are members of the judiciary and prosecution service

- Number of police responses to mental health calls which include a psychiatrist or psychologist as part of the responding team

- Good educational outcomes up to the university level for people of African descent

- Number of families of African descent who own their own homes

- Number of women of African descent who are able to retain custody over their children and who are not otherwise deprived of custody for supposed mental health issues or other similar concerns

- Culturally appropriate health care for women and children of people of African descent

Sadly, the philosophy and language of the SDGs fail to consider people of African descent as a specific victim group. The SDGs have missed out on the history of enslavement and genocide and the growing narratives of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, Afrophobia and related intolerance against people of African descent.

Indeed, while the SDGs are important steps forward, challenges remain great so that people of African descent will not be left behind.

Thank you.

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[1] Paper presented on 4 April 2017 at the 20th session of the United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent in Geneva.

[2] Member, United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent.

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