High Commissioner Türk: Racism damages us all

Today, we honour the resilience, achievements and enduring contributions of people of African descent.

In the scientific discoveries that expand our horizons.

In the books that spark our imagination.

In the businesses that create opportunities.

In the classrooms that lift our children.

We also recognise the leadership of people of African descent in advancing equality and justice.

Across regions, people of African descent are pushing for a greater voice in the decisions that shape their lives.

They are demanding fairer global economic systems.

Their advocacy is advancing conversations on climate justice and gender equality – all these areas are deeply intertwined.

Victims of racial discrimination and their families are fighting for justice. In some cases, they’re winning - paving the way for broader impact.

And thanks to the relentless efforts of people of African descent, some countries and others have started acknowledging the injustices of colonialism, of enslavement and the trade in enslaved Africans, and exploring ways to address their enduring harm.

These are important and welcome developments.

We need to build on this momentum, because progress is uneven and fragile. And because the damage done by discrimination and racism affects entire societies.

Every day, people of African descent face discrimination in the workplace, in schools, in hospitals, and beyond.

They endure higher rates of violence than other groups in their interactions with law enforcement and criminal justice.

Women and girls of African descent are disproportionately exposed to gender-based violence and sexual exploitation.

Racism's roots run deep.

Harmful stereotypes continue to fuel racially motivated violence and hate speech, including online.

Hard-won gains are deliberately being undermined – through cuts to programmes designed to address racial discrimination, reduced support to civil society organisations, and attempts to erase or distort history.

In some parts of the world, racist expressions against people of African descent are becoming more visible and even normalised.

In some professions, people of African descent are dismissed as underqualified and subjected to relentless scrutiny and shamed if they are perceived as falling short.

It is absolutely critical to resist this backlash.

On this International Day for People of African Descent, States need to recommit to dismantling systemic racism and confronting the toxic white supremacy that sustains it.

This means continuing the important work to transform our economies and societies.

States need to adopt and implement anti-racism laws and policies. They need to reform institutions to reflect and serve our societies.

Better disaggregated data is crucial to expose racial inequality and to inform policies that improve people’s lives.

We need better analysis of the role of the media in propagating racism against people of African descent.

None of this will succeed unless people of African descent are in positions of leadership and power and have a full voice in political and public life. Women of African descent are often virtually absent from the places where policy is made – this needs to change.

This means breaking down the barriers that hinder their participation – in schools, at work, and in society at large.

Racism damages us all.

It steals lives and opportunities and corrodes our social fabric.

It leaves us with a smaller version of what our communities, our countries and our world can be.

Let us refuse that smaller future and instead let us embrace the full richness of our shared humanity.