Decade for the People of African Descent Act
A BILL
To support the International Decade for People of African Descent, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
For over 400 years, more than 15,000,000 men, women, and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history.
Pursuant to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/237 (2013), the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2015–2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent, citing the need to strengthen national, regional and international cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights by people of African descent, and their full and equal participation in all aspects of society.
As proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, the theme for the International Decade for People of African Descent is “People of African descent: Recognition, Justice and Development”.
A main objective for the International Decade for People of African Descent is to promote respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people of African descent, as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
A delineated objective for the International Decade for People of African Descent is to promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies.
A delineated objective for the International Decade for People of African Descent is the adoption and strengthening of national, regional and international legal frameworks according to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and to ensure their full and effective implementation.
Nation states are encouraged to create and implement National Action Plans that put into place offices and initiatives that drive implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent.
At the national level, nation states should take concrete and practical steps through the adoption and effective implementation of national and international legal action plans, initiatives, frameworks, policies and programs to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance faced by people of African descent, taking into account the particular situation of women, girls and young males through—
recognition;
justice;
development; and
addressing multiple or aggravated discrimination.
On the regional and international levels, entities are among others called to raise awareness, disseminate the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, assist states in the full and effective implementation of their commitments, collect statistical data, incorporate human rights into development programs, and honor and preserve historical memory of people of African descent.
Among others, some of the steps and measures being undertaken by the United Nations General Assembly include the appointment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to act as coordinator of the International Decade for People of African Descent, the establishment of a forum to serve as a consultation mechanism, convening of a final assessment of the International Decade for People of African Descent, and a permanent memorial at the United Nations headquarters to honor the memory of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is also required to report to the General Assembly at its sixty-third session on the establishment and implementation of the above delineated measures.
Upon the launch of the International Decade for People of African Descent in 2015, Members of the United States Congress introduced House Resolution 120 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 in support of the International Decade for People of African Descent, and H.R. 1039 to establish an Office of Global African Descent Affairs in the Department of State to monitor implementation of the commitments of the International Decade for People of African Descent around the world.
Sec. 3 Definitions
In this Act:
Ambassador at large— The term Ambassador at Large means the Ambassador at Large for the International Decade for People of African Descent appointed under section 101(b).
Annual report— The term Annual Report means the Annual Report on the International Decade for People of African Descent described in section 102.
Appropriate congressional committees— The term appropriate congressional committees means the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
Commission— The term Commission means the United States Commission on the International Decade for People of African Descent established in section 201(a).
Executive summary— The term Executive Summary means the Executive Summary to the Annual Report, as described in section 102(3).
Government or foreign government— The term government or foreign government includes any agency or instrumentality of the government.
Office— The term Office means the Office on the International Decade for People of African Descent established in section 101(a).
Special adviser— The term Special Adviser means the Special Adviser to the President on the International Decade for People of African Descent described in section 301 of this Act.