IDPADA-G in a statement said it is committed to intensifying its efforts to combat discrimination, marginalisation, and oppression of African descendants as the United Nations declares the Second Decade for People of African Descent, running from 2025 to 2034.
The UN resolution, passed in December 2024, sets the theme of the new decade as “People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice, and Development.” This theme recognises the enduring and entrenched challenges that African people continue to face globally.
The first Decade, which concluded in 2024, contributed to advancing the international agenda for African descendants, but much remains to be done to ensure full human rights and sustainable development for people of African descent worldwide (A/RES/79/193).
In Guyana, the UN declaration resonates deeply, as African Guyanese still face significant challenges regarding recognition, justice, and development. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, in announcing the Second Decade, stressed the need to confront the legacies of enslavement and colonialism, dismantle systemic racism, and deliver reparatory justice.
Bold action to deliver real change
Turk has called for bold action to deliver real change. However, in Guyana, the government advocates for reparations on the global stage but dismisses the need for recognition, justice, and development for African descendants at home. There is a lack of substantive plans to address these critical issues.
During the first Decade, IDPADA-G, serving as Guyana’s Country Coordinating Mechanism, worked with the government and other stakeholders to develop a strategic plan addressing the socio-economic legacies of slavery.
Despite this, the government cut IDPADA-G’s funding in 2022, stalling the organisation’s efforts. Opportunities for collaboration with state agencies were also rejected in favour of superficial approaches like occasional handouts and entertainment events, which fail to address the community’s pressing needs.
UN Resolution calls on member states to provide extra-budgetary resources
With the start of the Second Decade, the UN Resolution calls on member states and other donors to provide extra budgetary resources for effective and efficient implementation of activities aligned with the Decade’s goals.
In response, IDPADA-G urges the Government of Guyana to develop a comprehensive and sustainable plan for African-descended communities, prioritizing human development.
Instead of spending heavily on entertainment for youth, the government should invest in meaningful programs, especially in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields, which would empower future generations, the body noted.
According to the body, a national action plan aligned with the UN Decade’s objectives would demonstrate the sincerity of President Ali’s calls for reparative justice on the world stage.
IDPADA-G, as a key advocate in this new Decade, is dedicated to challenging and dismantling the enduring legacies of slavery and colonialism embedded in Guyana’s legal and institutional frameworks. These systems continue to perpetuate discrimination, marginalization, and oppression.
State institutions in Guyana often violate the human rights of African Guyanese, from the use of lethal force by police to the dispossession of land under the guise of development.
There is also discrimination in the allocation of state contracts and exclusion from economic opportunities. Moreover, African Guyanese face severe deficits in essential services such as education, healthcare, housing, and security.
Emphasis on protection of human rights
The Second Decade’s emphasis on the protection of human rights for people of African descent is particularly relevant in Guyana, where these rights are continuously undermined. African descendants in Guyana have fought for justice and equality since their arrival in 1627, resisting enslavement and advocating for their rights.
Despite these efforts, the government ignores the calls for justice and continues to distract the public with superficial initiatives. The UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees certain fundamental rights, yet the Government of Guyana regularly violates these, including freedom from discrimination, the right to life, the right to own property, and the right to education.
IDPADA-G is committed to exposing these injustices both locally and globally. The organization is grateful for the reports from UN experts and rapporteurs documenting the violations of African Guyanese rights since the 1990s. These reports serve as important benchmarks for assessing progress.
IDPADA-G says it is also encouraged by the Permanent Forum’s ongoing efforts towards the adoption of a UN Declaration on the rights of African descendants, which will address the frequent violations faced by African Guyanese.
IDPADA-G has actively contributed to the drafting of this declaration, which aims to ensure that these violations are recognised and addressed.
Looking ahead
Looking ahead, IDPADA-G plans to continue its work within the framework of the Second Decade. A new strategic plan, informed by the lessons of the first Decade, will guide the organisation’s future efforts. The plan will be developed with input from the community and will be presented for further review in the coming months.
It is crucial that the government fulfill its obligation to implement the UN’s plan for the Decade, including setting aside adequate resources.
IDPADA-G says it remains committed to fighting for the recognition, justice, and development of African descendants in Guyana, drawing support from both local and diaspora communities. The continued generosity of those who contribute expertise and resources is essential to achieving these goals, the organisation concluded.
