FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2023
New York - The Black Canadians Civil Society Coalition has released policy recommendations aimed at achieving the full human rights for people of African descent in Canada.
The recommendations are laid out in a report outlining Canada’s progress on its obligations under the UN Decade for People of African Descent, which Canada adopted in January 2018. They will be presented at the second session of the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent (UNPFPAD) which will take place at UN Headquarters in New York City from May 30 to June 2, 2023.
Entitled “The Urgency of Now - Towards The Full Realization of Black Communities’ Human Rights” the key recommendations in the Progress Report include recognizing Black Canadians as a distinct group under Canadian law, establishing a National Department of African Canadian affairs, and appointing a federal Black Equity Commissioner.
“It is urgent that the Government of Canada take immediate action to overcome structural and systemic anti-Black racism and to guarantee substantive equality and dignity for people of African descent in Canada,” said Hodan Ahmed, Senior UN Fellow for UNDPAD.
The Black Canadians Civil Society Coalition will present the full report during the UNPFPAD, to be held on Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 at 6:00 pm. The live event will be held at the Church Center of the United Nations - 11th floor - Hardin Room, 777 United Nations Plaza, New York. Members of the public can watch the proceedings by registering in advance at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsdO2opzMvHNTxcVuLkbXm7jf8Vn8pYlUt
The Black Canadians Civil Society Coalition was formed to promote and protect the critical objectives of the International Decade for People of African Descent. The coalition exercises this function by calling on the Canadian government to live up to its promises and declared commitment when it recognized the UNDPAD; addressing the condition of Black people in Canada; and providing policy recommendations that directly remedy these human rights concerns. The Permanent Forum of People of African Descent is a consultative mechanism for people of African descent and other relevant stakeholders. The theme for the second session is “Realizing the Dream: A UN Declaration on the promotion, protection and full respect of the human rights of people of African descent”.
Contacts: contact@bccsc.ca
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