A/HRC/40/75 D. 1. Review of the progress achieved in the implementation of the programme of activities for the International Decade for People of African Descent Conclusions 90. The Working Group: (a) Reiterates that consistent with the opening paragraph of the programme of activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent, the Decade should not be celebrated by people of African descent alone, but requires the full engagement of the United Nations, Member States, civil society and all other relevant actors to join together in partnership with people of African descent and take effective measures for implementing the programme of activities in the spirit of recognition, justice and development; (b) Takes note of the hosting of the regional meeting of Europe, Central Asia and North America on the International Decade for People of African Descent and takes note of the outcome document of the meeting; (c) Welcomes the efforts undertaken by regional organizations with a view to implementing the programme of activities of the International Decade for People of African descent; (d) Recognizes that the respect for and protection of cultural diversity including, inter alia, language, religion, education and customs can significantly contribute to the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and therefore that people should not be deprived of access to, inter alia, education and the workplace on the grounds of cultural difference. 2. Recommendations 91. The Working Group: (a) Calls for a stronger and renewed manifestation of political will in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in relation to people of African descent, in accordance with the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Outcome Document of the Durban Review Conference, the political declaration adopted during the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the proclamation of the International Decade for People of African Descent; (b) Encourages Member States that have not already done so, to establish national legislative frameworks and develop national policies and mechanisms for people of African descent, in accordance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent. In that regard, the Working Group urges Member States, as appropriate, to revise their legislation and/or repeal discriminatory effects therein and to adopt public policies aimed at promoting and protecting all the human rights of people of African descent; (c) Encourages Member States to take positive measures to eliminate the conditions that cause or contribute to the perpetuation of racial discrimination against and exclusion of people of African descent in all spheres of public life, including, where appropriate, the adoption of policies on affirmative action in the Member States in which they live, and to pay particular attention to the situation of women and girls of African descent who face compounded forms of discrimination; (d) Encourages Member States to ensure that history is accurately portrayed in education, in order to avoid stereotypes and distortion or falsification of historical facts, which may lead to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; 17