Commitment title:

The San José Commitments to accelerate the fulfilment of the rights of People of African Descent in Latin America and the Caribbean

Commitment description:

9. Improve data and statistical collection on the realities of people of African descent in all public organisms, with the aim of designing evidence-based policies and programmes, as well as to monitor and evaluate such policies, plans and programmes, in order to prepare national and local reports that account for the progress and challenges in guaranteeing the human rights of this population.

10. Strengthen the different sub-regional and regional integration mechanisms for people of African descent.

11. Ensure the appropriate hierarchy and functioning of racial equity organizations, progressively guaranteeing financing and their institutionalisation for the design and implementation of public policies for people of African descent.

12. Promote cultural change so that the whole of society feels engaged in the struggle for the dignity of all people against discrimination and racism.

13. Safeguard the cultural identity and organizational forms of Afro-descendant communities and recognize the contribution of people of African descent in the defence and promotion of human rights for the benefit of communities and in the development and enrichment of science and civilization.

14. Build a permanent memorial in the Latin American and Caribbean region to honour the memory of the victims of slavery and their struggle for freedom and install reparation mechanisms.
We call upon the United Nations System and international and regional organizations and invite civil society, the private sector and any other stakeholders to fully commit and intensify their efforts in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

We thank and congratulate the Government of Costa Rica for the leadership and commitment to the inclusion and human rights agenda of people and communities of African descent.

Modes of engagement:

• Change or creation of legislation
  Legislation to promote equality of people of African descent
• Policy and guidance
  Policies to promote equality of people of African descent
• Programmatic action
  Programmes to promote equality of people of African descent