Voices of The Decade : APN-PAD Side Event in Geneva

APN-PAD co-founders and UN Fellows presented a side event at the Regional Meeting for Asia Pacific on the International Decade For People of African Descent in Geneva Switzerland. This event was moderated APN-PAD co-founder and chairperson Christian Lambang Fonye. The presentation focused on the challenges and successes of the International Decade for PAD within the Asia Pacific Region and the the need for the United Nations to proclaim a Second International Decade for People of African.
APN-PAD Also used this event to officially proclaimed the formal establishment of the Asia Pacific Network for People of African Descent. The official proclamation was read by Dr. Justina Ajala UN fellow, co-founder from China and co-chairperson of APN-PAD.
Touching on issues of diversity, inclusion, equality, and the fight against discrimination, racism and racial profiling against People of African descent, the fellows urged governments in the Asia Pacific region to do more to confront the transnational challenges of racial profiling, racism, housing discrimination, and structural discrimination against People of African Descent in the region.
The co-founders acknowledged progress in anti-racism, racial profiling and discrimination campaigns and program made by governments in the region such as Australia, China, Japan, Philippines, Thailand and urged other member states and civil societies to engage with People of African Descent (PAD) community leaders, civil society organisations to address persistent violations of the human rights of PAD especially with regards to their human rights, and the obligation of member states who are signatories to ICERD (International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination). The side event also encouraged member states in the region to be proactive in recognising the presence and contributions of PAD in the region as well as foster multiculturalism and diversity.
People of African Descent and communities of African Descent in Asia Pacific were encouraged to make use of the presence of human rights institutions and mechanisms within each state such as National Human Rights Commissions, Human Rights Bureau, and also to utilized the United Nations Human Right's Council Universal Periodic Review of member states to hold their governments to account on the international stage. APN-PAD will work with People of African Descent civil societies and community leaders across Asia Pacific to empower and build their capacity to assert their rights, use local, and international mechanisms to protect their rights within the region.
Recognising the challenges of People of African Descent in the region Alando Chia the Director of Diversity and Transnational Engagements highlighted the fact that the organisation of this very important conference mandated by the General Assembly under the program of activities of the Decade in Geneva rather than in Asia Pacific region, is a glaring example of the nonchalant approach to issues of People of African Descent and the International Decade for People of African Descent in the region. Except for China and Australia that have been proactive with respect to the program of activities. Elizabeth Lang, the Director of APN-PAD's engagements with Civil Societies in the Asia Pacific, called on governments in the region to prioritized diversity and anti racism campaigns, recognized intersectionality, and institute policies and grants to confront the rising scourge of racism and racial profiling in the region against PAD and other minorities.
Finally, APN-PAD co-founders and UN fellows asked member states in the region to follow the example of Australia and invite the United Nations Working Group of Expert on People of African Descent (WGEPAD) to pay country visits in the region to assess the human rights situation of People of African Descent.