At a United Nations forum, experts voiced concerns about persistent racial discrimination against people of African descent, calling for reparations as a measure of redress and justice. Chaired by Epsy Campbell Barr, the forum highlighted the lingering effects of colonialism, slavery, and racism, which manifest in disparate treatment by law enforcement and inequities in health outcomes among communities of African heritage.

The findings, which draw from two sessions of the forum, call for comprehensive education on the legacy of colonialism and its ongoing impact. The report recommends the establishment of a U.N. declaration dedicated to the human rights of individuals of African descent, aiming to strengthen legal frameworks to prevent discrimination and violence.

Looking forward, the forum is organizing a conference in Ghana to further discuss these issues and is advocating for the extension of the International Decade for People of African Descent. These steps are part of a broader effort to achieve reparatory justice and to enhance the recognition and representation of black communities on a global stage.