A/HRC/40/75 rights towards internationally accepted norms. Finally, people of African descent should not only be rights holders but also active participants and protagonists. 57. Ms. McHarris emphasized the need for a declaration. She further noted that significant numbers of frameworks existed, such as the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. However, instead of better implementation of those mechanisms and frameworks, a declaration could create a blueprint as to how the mechanisms and frameworks must be applied in relation to communities in the diaspora of people of African descent. 58. Mr. Tacita noted that culture and cultural visibility should be considered when drafting a declaration and a monitoring mechanism should be established to oversee the effective implementation of the declaration. 59. The representative of US Human Rights Network recommended the elaboration of a declaration to interpret and articulate international human rights laws as they applied to the specific situation of people of African descent. He also recommended allocating adequate funding for the full and effective participation of grass-roots leaders. In addition, a United Nations voluntary fund for people of African descent should be established, modelled on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples. Finally, he called upon the stakeholders to have an open and transparent drafting process before the end of the International Decade for People of African Descent. B. Discussion of the scope of a declaration 60. The representative of South Africa underscored the importance of the Durban Declaration as an instructive outcome document of a United Nations gathering. He stated that in order to achieve the outcome of a declaration, a broad and all-inclusive national and international consultation would be required including people of African descent in the process. 61. The representative of Brazil encouraged States to engage in regional and national consultations. A declaration was necessary and urgent and would be a key outcome of the International Decade. Regarding the scope of the declaration, the connection between the legacies of slavery, colonialism and racism, racial discrimination and the poverty of people of African descent today should be stipulated. Affirmative action should also be included. The representative of Brazil referred to the Declaration of Santiago and the accompanying Plan of Action and the expert workshop on people of African Descent, which was the first workshop on people of African descent in the Americas, held at the offices of the Organization of American States in 2010. 62. Ms. Shepherd expressed the willingness of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to contribute to the drafting process of a declaration. The Committee was committed to the declaration, which also aligned with its general recommendation No. 34. Ms. Shepherd agreed that the declaration should also address historical wrongs that continued to affect people of African descent negatively, such as a right to reparations. As for the eradication of poverty, the declaration could establish measures to eradicate poverty among people of African descent that aligned with Goal 1 of the Sustainable Development Goals. She suggested that the right to quality education be featured prominently in the draft declaration. 63. Mr. Balcerzak pointed out that legal norms were already in place. The declaration must have added value, such as emphasizing reparations for people of African descent who were victims. Furthermore, he noted that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of 1993 should not be forgotten and the proposed declaration should emphasize the indivisibility of human rights for people of African descent. 64. Ms. Bassett mentioned that for people of African descent, territorial rights were linked with cultural, traditional and ancestral knowledge. Community members and leaders, therefore, should be active participants in drafting the declaration. 9