The International Day of Afro-descendants, celebrated on Tuesday August 31 for the first time with Costa Rica as world headquarters, constitutes "
an urgent call to action so that everyone, everywhere, commits to eradicate the evil that is racism
" , said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
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"
The deep injustices and systematic discrimination suffered by Afro-descendants for centuries, and which continue to have been recognized for a very long time,
" added Antonio Guterres on Twitter.
“
As part of one and only human family, we recognize the urgency to eradicate the stigma and prejudice based on ideas of alleged racial superiority that continue to plague millions of people of African descent around the world.
», Added the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.
"That's enough"
“
On this day we say 'enough is enough' to racism and discrimination against our brothers and sisters.
People from Africa are forces for change,
”said UN Under-Secretary-General and President of the United Nations Development Group, Nigerian Amina Mohammed.
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The United Nations General Assembly decided on December 28, 2020 to institute a day of celebration for the populations of African origin, on the proposal of Costa Rica, which has been designated as the world headquarters for this first day. "
This date aims to reaffirm the commitment to recognition, justice and development in favor of the people of African origin
," proclaimed Costa Rican Vice-President Epsy Campbell, who is herself part of this community.