Colonialism still persists in the forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance, which highlights the urgent need for nations to deconstruct the structures of racism and promote human rights and sustainable development, said a United Nations report.
LEGACY OF COLONIALISM
The report from the United Nations Human Rights office of the High Commissioner emphasizes that the weight of colonialism still burdens the world today, particularly in the Global South, where political independence and decolonization have not translated into sustainable development and the full realization of human rights. This includes the right to development and socioeconomic rights.
INEXTRICABLE LINK BETWEEN COLONIALISM AND RACISM
A profound connection exists between colonialism and contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance. These challenges are faced by Africans, people of African descent, people of Asian descent, and indigenous peoples. The report is a summary of a panel discussion held in September 2022 and was presented during the 54th session of the Human Rights Council.
ADDRESSING THE ONGOING CONSEQUENCES
UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, emphasized that strong political leadership, open dialogue, and comprehensive responses are essential to address the persistent impact of colonialism and its links to modern racism and racial discrimination. Al-Nashif pointed out that no state has fully accounted for the ongoing consequences of systemic racism, which includes the socioeconomic and political marginalization affecting people of African descent in some countries.
Addressing the legacies of colonialism has the potential to reduce inequalities within and among states and address the sustainable development challenges of the twenty-first century.
ECONOMIC DECOLONIZATION
Verene Shepherd, Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, highlighted that political independence and decolonization have not always been accompanied by economic decolonization, especially in the Global South. The expected development did not materialize for many former colonial countries. The consequences include environmental degradation, economic underdevelopment, racial profiling, systemic racism, and disparities in healthcare, education, and social justice.
CALL FOR REPARATORY JUSTICE
Shepherd cited the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action as a significant milestone in acknowledging the historical and present harms of colonialism. She called upon former colonial powers to take responsibility for the wrongs of the past and engage in a conversation on reparatory justice with former colonies.
RACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
E. Tendayi Achiume, the former Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, emphasized that systemic racism is deeply rooted in the legacies of slavery and colonialism. She stressed that race and ethnicity continue to determine access to fundamental human rights for many people.
ROLE OF THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT
Mihir Kanade, Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, highlighted the importance of the right to development, which emerged from the global South. Kanade pointed out that a legally-binding instrument would be crucial in operationalizing this right and addressing the negative consequences of colonial legacies.
QUEST FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND REPARATION
Fabian Salvioli, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence, stressed that the quest for truth, justice, and reparation for colonial injustices cannot be postponed. The colonial transfer of wealth and racial oppression has created a legacy of exclusion in various aspects of life, and transitional justice mechanisms are essential to address the deep-rooted causes of colonial violence.