HRC57: Structural problems need structural solutions - A call for meaningful action in racial justice

The Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Independent Expert Mechanism to advance racial justice and equality in law enforcement (EMLER), held on 2 October 2024, highlighted critical issues surrounding systemic racism. This session served as a vital platform for addressing the deep-rooted challenges faced by marginalised communities, particularly Africans and people of African descent.

The session began with opening remarks from Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, who explained that ‘approaching systemic racism faced by Africans and people of African descent through an intersectional lens can be a game changer.’ The concept of intersectionality explains how overlapping identities, such as race and gender, create unique experiences of discrimination. He pointed out that young African men often report higher rates of police stops and identity checks, reflecting an alarming trend of racial profiling that requires immediate attention. 

Moreover, the High Commissioner for Human Rights underscored the pressing need to acknowledge racism’s historical roots, demanding a recognition of the underlying causes and legacies of colonialism and enslavement. 

Moving beyond symbolism

During the same session, Maria José Menezes, representative of Coalizão Negra por Direitos and member of UNARC, delivered a powerful coalition statement emphasising that mere symbolic actions are insufficient to address the pervasive issues of systemic racism, calling for substantial and lasting changes. Highlighting the ongoing rise in racist police violence and the culture of impunity, Maria José pointed out, echoing Akua Nyehia’s statement on EMLER’s visit to Brazil, the necessity of justice, accountability, and reparations. In her statement, the human rights defender called on Brazil to implement EMLER’s recommendations, especially those concerning mandatory reporting and independent reviews of threats or use of force by law enforcement, as the current practice of the State investigating itself only serves to increase impunity.

Maria José urged States to ‘move beyond symbolic actions’ and to engage in concrete measures to address systemic racism. She stressed the importance of supporting grassroots organisations and ensuring that the voices of Africans and people of African descent are included in discussions on policy and reform.  

Finally, Menezes made a call on all States to implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) as well as the Agenda for Transformative Change, and urged member States to proclaim a Second International Decade for People of African descent.

Watch the statement here: 

Read the full joint statement below: 

UNARC welcomes the renewal of EMLER’s mandate. 

Systemic racism perpetrated by law enforcement agencies is a systemic global problem that dates back to the Transatlantic Slave trade and colonialism. From the time of colonisation, structures and systems were built into our societies so that the people who were oppressed and marginalised then continue to be oppressed and marginalised today.  

Racist police violence is not decreasing; we see more cases and more impunity. Justice, accountability and reparations are not at the heart of State decisions, and we have seen this in the hundreds of statements of people directly impacted, that UNARC helped coordinate. 

Our coalition identified how crucial it was to have emotional support for those giving their testimonies and consequently, we hired psychologists. The allocation of resources for this, with the renewal of EMLER, is a great victory. 

We welcome OHCHR and EMLER’s reports, particularly, its report on Brazil where it found that the killings of and overuse of incarceration of people of African descent are a widespread systemic issue that is a consequence of systemic racism resulting in a social cleansing process which serves to exterminate sectors of society deemed undesirable, dangerous and criminal. We call on Brazil to implement EMLER’s recommendations in particular on the conduct of mandatory reporting and independent review for all use of force or threat of use of force by law enforcement because the State has been investigating itself and it increases impunity. 

We call on States to implement the DDPA and proclaim a Second International Decade for People of African Descent.