United Nations WGEPAD UK VISIT
United Nations country visit of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
COUNTRY VISIT
18-27 January 2023
United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (WGEPAD)
The UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (WGEPAD) is undertaking a fact-finding visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 18-27 January 2023. The Working Group’s visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is at the invitation of the Government. The visit includes meetings with Government officials, national institutions and civil society in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol.
LONDON
DATES
18TH JAN 2023
20TH JAN 2023
21ST JAN 2023
BIRMINGHAM
DATES
23RD JAN 2023
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MANCHESTER
DATES
24TH JAN 2023
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BRISTOL
DATES
25TH JAN 2023
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What is the WGEPAD?
The WGEPAD is a UN body of independent experts dedicated to improving the human rights situation of people of African descent. One of their mandates is to visit different countries to examine critically the situation of people of African descent in the country, identify problems, and make recommendations for resolution of the problems. To fulfil its mandate, the WGEPAD undertakes country visits; holds two annual sessions; responds to information and allegations received concerning its mandate under the Communications procedure; and reports to the United Nations Human Rights Council and the General Assembly on activities relating to the mandate.
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The purpose of country visits
These visits provide an opportunity to examine in detail the situation of people of African descent in the country, to identify any problems and to make recommendations for how these could be resolved. By the nature of the mandate, the Working Group is required to look critically at the situation in a country and identify good practices that could be replicated in other countries. The visits are intended to provide an independent and impartial assessment, which will then be of use to all actors.
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What happens during a country visit?
The Working Group meets with relevant Government ministers, representatives of independent human rights institutions, UN agencies, civil society, academia, the media, human rights defenders, and people of African descent, among others. The Working Group will usually begin a visit in the capital city and then continue with visits to other cities or towns of particular relevance to the role and situation of people of African descent.
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What sort of information is gathered during a visit?
The Working Group will gather the following types of information: any forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, Afrophobia and related intolerance faced by people of African descent; measures taken to prevent racial discrimination and protect victims of racism and hate crimes; mechanisms for the protection, integration and inclusion of migrants and refugees; responses to multiple forms of discrimination that specific groups of African descent may face and the efforts undertaken by the authorities to protect people of African descent from violations.
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The Working Group is interested in all forms of racial discrimination faced by people of African descent in the UK including in the following areas:
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LABOUR MARKET & ACCESS & EMPLOYMENT
HOUSING
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
LAW ENFORCEMENT
REPARATIONS & REPARATORY JUSTICE
MULTIPLE & INTERSECTING FORM OF DISCRIMINATION
EDUCATION
CLIMATE CHANGE & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
HEALTH & WELLBEING​
MEDIA & CIVIL
& POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
CULTURAL RIGHTS
LAW, GOVERNANCE & JUSTICE
Information could be provided on:
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Concerns
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Statistics
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Cases/affected individuals
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Previous recommendations
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Lack of implementation
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Good Examples of Positive Actions
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Recommendations
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What happens after the visit?
At the end of the visit, the Working Group holds a media conference and issues a press release with its preliminary findings and recommendations. The Working Group releases a mission report indicating, among other things, the main concerns and recommendations for action. The report on the visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be presented by the Working Group to the United Nations Human Rights Council in September 2023.
Members of the Working Group
There are five members of the Working Group. The following members of the Working Group will participate in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland visit: Ms. Catherine S. Namakula, Chairperson of the Working Group; Ms. Barbara G. Reynolds, Vice-Chairperson of the Working Group; and Ms. Dominique Day, Member of the Working Group.
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Civil Society Participation
Civil society organizations and individuals are invited to provide information on the human rights situation of people of African descent in UK and to participate in meetings to be held in the cities to be visited by the Working Group (please see below). Written submissions can also be sent to the Working Group through the following email address: OHCHR-africandescent@un.org (Email subject line: Input for WGEPAD visit to UK). Submissions are welcome on the human rights situation of people of African descent; including key concerns and recommendations. For more information on the WGEPAD and its activities, please visit:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Racism/WGAfricanDescent/Pages/WGEPADIndex.aspx
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CALL FOR INPUT
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Call for input to gather information in advance of the WGEPAD country visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 18-27 January 2023 deadline is 17th January 2023. You can send your submissions to OHCHR-africandescent@un.org and for more information click here.
STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION 2012
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The WGEPAD will also be following up on the status of implementation of its previous recommendations following its country visit in 2012 contained in report A/HRC/24/52/Add.1
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MEETING THE WGEPAD & ATTENDING FACT FINDING SESSIONS
How can I register or participate in a fact finding session?
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The WGEPAD is keen to meet and speak with civil society across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Some sessions will be held in private and by invitation only to create a safe space. Other sessions however, will be held in public and all are welcome. If you want to register your attendance or/and confirm that you would like to speak during a session, please click here where you will be taken to our events page.
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VOLUNTEER DURING THE COUNTRY VISIT
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If you would like to help us as a volunteer to mobilise civil society in your city or/and assist during fact finding sessions taking place across the UK, then please fill in the form below:
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