A NUMBER of organisations representing the interest of people of African descent in Guyana will be launching their programme for the “International Decade of people of African Descent” to be observed between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2024.The local programme of activities will be launched on Saturday, January 24 at the Independence Park, Middle Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown.

A committee has been set up locally comprising a number of organisations and is meeting regularly to coordinate the activities.

The Decade of People of African Descent was launched by the United Nations (UN) on UN Human Rights Day, December 10, 2014 under the theme “People of African Descent: recognition, justice and development”.

ISSUES OF RACISM
The UN website quoted Sam Kutesa, President of the United Nations General Assembly as saying at the launch that “People all over the world are being encouraged over the next ten years to tackle issues of racism and racial discrimination faced by people of African descent.”

Kutesa said that human rights issues affecting people of African descent are present on every continent. “Over the next ten years people everywhere are encouraged to take part in global conversation on the realities faced by people of African descent. The decade will allow us to explore the challenge faced by people of African descent due to the pervasive racism and racial discrimination engrained in our societies. The theme provides an excellent platform for that global conversation to take place.”

The UN acknowledged that the international community is recognising that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected. It was noted that around 200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas and many millions more live in other parts of the world, outside of the African continent.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said that we must remember “that people of African descent are among those most affected by racism. Too often, they face denial of basic rights such as access to quality health services and education.”

(By Raymon Cummings)