A/HRC/42/59/Add.1 manifestations of racial discrimination, xenophobia, Afrophobia and related intolerance faced by people of African descent. 66. The root causes of present-day human rights violations lie in a lack of recognition of the true scope of the violence and injustice of colonization. As a result, public discourse does not reflect a nuanced understanding of how institutions may drive systemic exclusion from education, employment and opportunity. 67. The Working Group is of the view that, if this dark chapter in the country’s history is to be closed and reconciliation and healing are to be achieved, Belgians should finally confront and acknowledge the role of King Leopold II and of Belgium in colonization, and its long-term impact on Belgium and Africa. 68. The Working Group noted clear disparities in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights among people of African descent in Belgium. The research underlines the need for urgent action to be taken. Around 80 per cent of respondents to one study said that they had been victims of discrimination from a very young age and, although 60 per cent of Afro-Belgians are educated to degree level, they are four times more likely to be unemployed than the national average. 69. The most visible postcolonial discourse in a Belgian public institution is that taking place at the Royal Museum for Central Africa, which has sought to include critical postcolonial analysis – a marked shift for an institution originally tasked with promulgating colonial propaganda. The Working Group is of the view that the reorganization of the museum has not gone far enough. For the communities that engage in vibrant postcolonial discourse, the reorganization falls short of providing adequate context and critical analysis. The Working Group notes the importance of removing all colonial propaganda and accurately presenting the atrocities of the colonial past. 70. Belgium often refers to intercultural rather than multicultural goals, with the idea of preserving individual cultural heritage and practices while coexisting in peace and prosperity with respect and regard for the intersection and interaction of diverse cultures. This diversity includes citizens, migrants, people of first-, second- and thirdgeneration residency, highly educated people and groups that have contributed enormously to the modern Belgian State. Interculturality requires reciprocity, the rejection of harmful cultural stereotypes and the valuing of all cultures, including those of people of African descent. 71. The Working Group welcomes the recent analysis and studies on the human rights situation of people of African descent in Belgium conducted by the King Baudouin Foundation and by Unia through its diversity barometer. These illustrate the gravity of the situation and the need for specific measures to overcome the racial discrimination this group faces. 72. The Working Group is hopeful that the launch of the International Decade for People of African Descent in Belgium in June 2019 and the development of a national action plan against racism together with people of African descent will bring renewed commitment and additional resources to the country’s human rights work at the national level, in particular in addressing the concerns of people of African descent. 73. The complex political system of Belgium must not impede fulfilment of the country’s obligations to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The lack of an A status national human rights institution and of a national action plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, Afrophobia and related intolerance must be addressed. Belgium should engage actively in partnership with people of African descent, particularly those with expertise in navigating these complexities, in order to promote equality and tackle entrenched racial disparity. 15