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The International Decade for People of African Descent is a much-needed acknowledgement that Africans were the victims of the greatest crime against humanity − the Transatlantic Trade in Captive Africans − and continue to suffer from discrimination, dispossession and disempowerment.
Former President David Granger, speaking on his weekly programme – The Public Interest – asserted that “People of African Descent often confront structural racism and discrimination.” He added that the ‘Decade’ recognises that People of African Descent have not yet overcome fully the legacy of colonial underdevelopment which continues to contribute to their current condition.
Mr. Granger explained that the declaration of the ‘Decade’ was preceded by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban in 2001 which acknowledged that slavery and the slave trade were “…among the major sources and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerances” and that People of African Descent continue to be among the victims of its consequences. The Conference asserted, also, that poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, social exclusion and economic disparities are associated with racism and racial discrimination.
The Decade’s objectives – to promote respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms; to promote a greater knowledge of, and respect for, the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of People of African Descent; and to promote national, regional and international legal frameworks according to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and to ensure their full and effective implementation – are a public good, according to Mr. Granger.
The former President recounted that UN Resolution 64/169 declared the year 2011 as ‘International Year for People of African Descent’; UN Resolution 68/237 proclaimed the ‘International Decade for People of African Descent – 1st. January 2015 to 31st December 2024’; and UN Resolution 69/16 adopted a programme of activities for the implementation of the Decade aimed mainly at promoting respect and protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of People of African Descent.
Observance of the ‘Decade’, therefore, was not a spurious local invention but was supported by international conventions, Mr. Granger explained. He pointed out that the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana (IPADA-G) is the appropriate and legitimate country coordinating mechanism to implement the UN Declaration for the ‘Decade’. The APNU+AFC administration, in order to assist the Assembly to realize the Decade’s objectives, started subventions to establish a secretariat and coordinate the efforts of the African-Guyanese community. The subvention was suspended suddenly by the PPPC administration.
Mr. Granger urged the State to implement UN-approved activities for the ‘Decade’ – including the provision of education, provision of employment and the promotion of equality and the elimination of discrimination. African-Guyanese need the fulfilment of the Decade’s objectives which have their origin in the era of enslavement. The Decade is a necessity for everyone to attain a good life.
