CARICOM deeply committed to Decade for People of African Descent

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is “deeply committed to the programme of activities” associated with the observance of the International Decade for People of African Descent, Her Excellency Rhonda King, Permanent Representative of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations. Speaking on behalf of the Region at the launch of the Decade International Decade for People of African Descent at the Trusteeship Council Chambers of the United Nations on Wednesday, she said that the observance would contribute to raising awareness in combating racism, prejudice and intolerance.

 The historical basis for the contemporary reality that gave rise to this International Decade for People of African Descent should not be forgotten. Accordingly, CARICOM believes that it is important that we remain mindful of the fact that the vast majority of people of African descent are descendants of slaves who arrived in the New World in shackles; that the form of chattel slavery which our ancestors endured represents the most horrific form of enslavement and forced labour ever seen in the history of mankind; that our ancestors endured centuries of inhuman conditions while building the empires of their enslavers. While these may be inconvenient truths they are, nonetheless, historical facts which significantly influence our contemporary reality such that today, African descendants remain largely dependent on assistance from former enslavers within a dynamic, lacking due recognition and justice and woefully inadequate to meet our developmental needs. Any and all engagement with people of African descent is underpinned by these truths.

CARICOM is, therefore, deeply committed to the Programme of Activities for the Implementation of the International Decade, which will contribute to the full implementation of the Durban Declaration and to its Programme of Action, and raise awareness in combating racism, prejudice and intolerance.”

Her Excellency Rhonda King, Permanent Representative of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations.

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