By Aaron E. Butler, Esq.
Marcus Garvey’s unyielding commitment to justice echoed through the halls of the United Nations during the Third Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) in Geneva from April 16-19, 2024. This pivotal session, convening over 1,000 representatives from 85 countries, tackled historical injustices stemming from the legacies of colonialism and slavery, reinforcing a global imperative for substantive racial equality and human rights.
In his opening video address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres commended the “invaluable achievements” of people of African descent across myriad fields while firmly underscoring the persistent scourge of racial discrimination they continue to face. Convening the PFPAD in Geneva lent symbolic weight, echoing Garvey’s pioneering advocacy at the League of Nations a century ago and highlighting the global urgency to address the concerns and demands of this community.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk emphatically endorsed a second International Decade for People of African Descent, emphasizing the pressing need for comprehensive reparations and proactive measures concerning the crisis in Haiti. This resolute tone of urgency and commitment permeated the forum’s proceedings.
Special Rapporteur Michael McEachrane outlined bold, structural proposals to transform the UN’s engagement with Black communities worldwide. Among these were eliminating the veto power of the Security Council’s permanent members, adding an African permanent member, and establishing an international tribunal dedicated to adjudicating reparations claims. Moreover, he advocated for sweeping, systemic reforms to confront anti-Black racism across sectors like debt, education, banking, transportation, and migration – echoing Garvey’s clarion calls for transformative change and genuine self-determination.
The dynamic forum created an essential space for participants to delve deeper into the complex issues facing the global African diaspora through various side events. One of the significant gatherings, co-organized by UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector, brought together diverse stakeholders to establish a shared understanding of restorative justice from slavery and advocate for its comprehensive implementation. This event was a precursor to a dedicated series of discussions scheduled to launch later this year, marking the 30th anniversary of UNESCO’s landmark Routes of Enslaved Peoples program.
Climate activism was a central theme at the forum, highlighted by the ICSWG Strategy Session: Climate and Environmental Justice. The Edfu Foundation Inc. and ICSWG-PFPAD convened experts and African diaspora delegates to address the nexus of climate change and environmental injustice, aiming for actionable outcomes to support the PFPAD’s mandate and broader civil society goals. The session emphasized the critical link between racial justice and the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by communities of African descent globally.
The forum also tackled other pressing issues. A critical discussion highlighted the compounded violence and discrimination faced by Afro-descendant women across Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants advocated for expanding the UN Declaration on the Rights of People of African Descent to address LGBTQ+ discrimination. Additionally, a roundtable examined the global crisis of mass incarceration, tracing its roots to slavery and colonialism and spotlighting ongoing activist struggles and the reparations movement.
Influential voices at the session echoed powerful messages of justice grounded in Christian spirituality and morals. Gaynel Curry highlighted the long struggle for liberation and human rights, emphasizing the role of women of African descent. Pastor Elías Murillo Martínez offered insights into negotiations for a UN declaration enshrining the human rights of people of African descent. This long-overdue instrument addresses critical issues demanding global attention. Barbara G. Reynolds, Chair of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (WGPAD), encapsulated the forum’s spirit in her declaration: “Africans and people of African descent will not be bought, silenced, or made invisible.”
The ICSWG-PFPAD Youth Subcommittee presented the first-ever Youth Declaration at the forum. Cameron Clarke, representing the subcommittee, made a powerful statement emphasizing the importance of uplifting people of African descent and creating a more prosperous and ethical world. The declaration highlighted the vital role of youth voices and activism in shaping the discourse and charting a fair way forward.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) highlighted the case of CJ Jones, a Black student from Alabama, to illustrate the persistent realities of structural racism within the U.S. education system. Jones’ expulsion for a misattributed marijuana offense underscored the urgent need for policy reform to ensure equal access to quality education. This aligns with the forum’s broader focus on decolonizing curricula worldwide. The SPLC’s discussion revealed how experiences like CJ’s are commonplace for many Black students, who are disproportionately pushed out of classrooms and into punitive environments. This systemic injustice deeply affects African-descent communities in the U.S. and globally.
Moreover, discussions expanded beyond addressing historical injustices to encompass holistic pathways to sustainable development and economic empowerment for communities of African descent worldwide. Notably, one panel explored comprehensive strategies and policies to bridge persisting digital divides and ensure equitable access to technology and digital literacy—fundamental cornerstones of fostering economic mobility, meaningful social inclusion, and shared prosperity in the 21st-century global economy.
In a powerful closing address, Nicholas Marcus Thompson of the Black Class Action Secretariat issued a clarion call to action. “We are here to disrupt the status quo,” he declared, “to dismantle the oppressive systems that have held us back for generations. The future cannot mirror the injustices of the past.”
Echoing this sentiment, Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the need for a new era of reparations, framing it as “what justice looks like in the 21st century.” These pronouncements aim to reshape global approaches to reparations and systemic reform.
Significantly, Liliane Umubyeyi, co-director and founder of African Future Labs proposed rotating future PFPAD sessions between Geneva and locations across Africa. This proposal underscores the critical need for worldwide ongoing representation, inclusivity, and equity.
The forum concluded with a resounding commitment to sustained action. Participants vowed to dismantle racial injustices through effective policies and address the ongoing struggles of Afro-descendants globally. They aim to create a future that respects the dignity and rights of all, honoring Marcus Garvey’s legacy.
