Now that we have completed the first “International Decade for People of African Descent” (IDPAD), which the PPP signed on to in 2013, a second IDPAD has been announced by the UN, to which the present PPP government has already signed on. The first IDPAD iteration had unfortunately become mired in controversy because of President David Granger’s unilateral decision to transfer all of the country’s activities to give life to the articulated goals of the Decade to a newly-formed “Country Coordinating Mechanism for the Decade” – which arrogated to itself the name IDPAD-Guyana. That IDPAD-G was headed by the PNC’s representative to GECOM gave the organization a partisan cast, and the annual $100 million subvention was eventually discontinued by the incoming PPP government, which decided to fund IDPAD’s activities directly by giving funds to African Guyanese organizations across the country.
The remarks excerpted below by Ilze Brands Kehris, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, should be a useful guide to the Government.
“The question is how to implement the goals. (Activities) must be inclusive, focused, and underpinned by strong leadership and political will. The current programme of activities provides a solid basis for the Second International Decade. Ten years on, however, additional elements are needed to tackle both long-standing issues and growing challenges.
First, and crucially, these elements must be developed by and with people of African descent and civil society representatives from all regions. It also needs to be informed by their lived experiences, knowledge and expertise, as well as address their expectations and needs.
Second, we must dismantle damaging power structures and institutional practices, and remove discriminatory rules that systematically exacerbate or perpetuate inequality. This involves effectively addressing racism in the criminal justice system, in health, education, employment, housing, and social security. The myriad causes and consequences of racism are interrelated, leading to deep-rooted and intersecting economic, social and educational inequalities. We must tackle them holistically – and that requires a multifaceted and comprehensive approach.
Third, we need to continue our constructive dialogue on reparations in various forms. Reparations are essential if we are to move from widespread discrimination and inequity towards dignity and equality for all. While there is no one-size-fits-all model of reparatory justice, it is clear that efforts must be guided by people of African descent, including women and youth – and founded on human rights.
And fourth, if racism permeates our societies, then eradicating it demands an all-of-society approach. Deeper cooperation and participation of governments, local authorities, victims’ groups, community organizations, national human rights institutions, and international and regional organizations is vital. Governments must take the lead – by advancing and implementing policies and laws to tackle systemic racism, and to ensure inclusion.
We also need the private sector, the media, academia, and civil society broadly to step up. They must consider their links to colonialism and the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, and examine possibilities for reparation, where appropriate. Companies should also root out bias in the workplace and in the algorithms that rule our digital lives. AI must promote equality, not prejudice. Without action, biased algorithms could hardwire systemic racism into our future.
Racism and racial discrimination divide, damage, and diminish our societies. People of African descent often suffer first and often suffer most – and have done so for hundreds of years. Racists: white supremacists, their enablers and their legacy, have caused centuries of harm to people of African descent, trampling on their rights and denying them their fundamental freedoms as individuals and communities.
The International Decade for People of African Descent was central to efforts to repair that damage. Looking forward, we must intensify our work by standing together, listening to those most affected, and take remedial action. We can heal our societies, and make them more equal and just, using human rights as our blueprint for action.
The proclamation of a Second International Decade is vital to this effort, as it would mark the beginning of a new decade of joined-up, target efforts we take with renewed resolve. This would represent an important step towards recognition, justice and development for all people of African descent everywhere.”
