This Decade, for which the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was designated as the lead agency, aims to strengthen actions and measures to ensure the full realization of the economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights of people of African descent, and their full and equal participation in society.

Under the theme “Recognition, Justice and Development”, the Decade provides an operational framework to encourage States to eradicate social injustices inherited from history and to fight against racism, prejudice and racial discrimination to which people of African descent are still subjected.

IN FOCUS

The Slave Route: breaking the wall of silence

In the context of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition (23 August), UNESCO celebrates this year the 25th anniversary of the “Slave Route Project: Resistance, Liberty, Heritage”.