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UN Forum Calls for Reparatory Justice and Tackles AI Bias Impacting People of African Descent
Organized by the United Nations Human Rights Office, a week-long session titled “Africa and People of African Descent: United for Reparatory Justice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” is underway, highlighting global demands for reparations in response to the historical injustices of slavery and colonialism.
In his opening remarks, Philemon Yang, President of the UN General Assembly, urged the global community to reaffirm its commitment to eradicating racism in all its forms, defending the dignity and equality of every human being.
Reparatory Justice for Historical Injustices
Africa and its diaspora continue to grapple with the legacies of colonialism, slavery, apartheid, and genocide—issues that have hindered progress and human rights fulfillment. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, via a message delivered by his Chef de Cabinet, Courtenay Rattray, emphasized the urgent need for “reparatory justice frameworks grounded in international human rights law.”
The forum’s first panel, scheduled for Tuesday, will spotlight the continuing impact of historical injustices on African nations and descendants worldwide, urging global cooperation to address these enduring challenges.
Protecting the Rights of Women and Girls of African Descent
The intersection of racism and sexism leads to unique and compounded discrimination against women and girls of African descent. The second panel of the session, also taking place Tuesday, will delve into how systemic racial and political violence affects this vulnerable group.
“Women and adolescent girls of African descent are at significantly higher risk for maternal mortality and adolescent pregnancy,” said Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). She noted that UNFPA is working to reduce such disparities in reproductive health outcomes.
Policy Reform and the Fight Against Systemic Racism
On Wednesday, the third panel will explore policy strategies for promoting equality and non-discrimination, especially amid rising global inequality. Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General, Mr. Rattray stressed the importance of dismantling racism wherever it is entrenched—whether in laws, institutions, or public policies.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Shaping Racial Justice
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a powerful tool influencing multiple areas of modern life. However, AI systems often reflect and reinforce racial biases by using datasets that either underrepresent or misrepresent people of African descent.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addressed these concerns in a video message, warning against “algorithmic bias.” He emphasized that solutions to global challenges lie in “greater unity and enhanced respect for human rights.”
The forum’s fourth panel, scheduled for Wednesday, will examine AI’s double-edged nature—its potential to advance digital equality versus its risk of exacerbating systemic oppression through biased technologies.
Haiti’s “Independence Debt”: A Lasting Legacy
The session will conclude on Thursday with a commemoration marking the 200th anniversary of Haiti’s so-called “independence debt.” Haiti, the first Black republic established in 1804 following a successful slave revolt against French colonial rule, was later forced to pay France 150 million gold francs as compensation for its independence.
These reparation payments entrenched Haiti in economic hardship and debt, perpetuating a cycle of poverty that persists today. The closing event will also serve as a transitional moment, ending the First International Decade for People of African Descent and setting the stage for Haiti’s integration into the upcoming Second Decade.
By addressing these historical and contemporary injustices, the UN aims to galvanize international action and forge a path toward justice, equality, and human dignity for people of African descent around the world.
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