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European Parliament recognizes discrimination and past injustices through adoption of inaugural resolution on the Fundamental Rights of People of African Descent

The European Parliament today adopted for the first time a resolution on the Fundamental Rights of People of African Descent.

In the resolution, the European Parliament recognises that“Afrophobia”, “Afri-phobia” and “anti-black racism” is a specific form of racism, including any act of violence or discrimination, fueled by historical abuses and negative stereotyping, and leading to the exclusion and dehumanizationof People of African Descent.

The Parliament states that the phenomenon of “Afrophobia”, “Afri-phobia” and “anti-black racism” correlates to historically repressive structures of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade, as recognised by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. Furthermore, the European Parliament said the issues of enslavement, forced labour, racial apartheid, massacre, and genocides in the context of European colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade remain largely unrecognized and unaccounted at an institutional level in EU Member States.

Cecile Kyenge MEP, Co-President of ARDI: “I welcome the adoption of the resolution on the Fundamental Rights of People of African Descent. I have been fighting since the beginning of the mandate to have this resolution passed and it sends a very strong message ahead of the European elections that we will not accept racism and discrimination against People of African Descent.”

Malin Bork MEP, Member of ARDI: “I am pleased that the Parliament has adopted this resolution and also the call that we must address past injustices. We must always remember the role People of African Descent have played in building European society throughout history. It is our duty now to ensure that we put in place strong and specific policies to address structural racism including in employment, education, health, criminal justice, political participation and in migration policies and practices.”

Amel Yacef, Chair of the European Network Against Racism: “This vote is a historic watershed moment for the recognition of people of African descent in Europe. The European Parliament is leading the way and sending a signal to EU Member States to tackle structural racism that prevents Black people from being included in European society. The ball is now in their court: we need concrete action plans and specific measures now.”

Resolution: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2019-0212_EN.html

More information: alfiaz.vaiya@europarl.europa.eu