A/HRC/45/47 abuses and negative stereotyping, and leading to the exclusion and dehumanization of people of African descent.33 40. Since the start of the Decade, OHCHR has been engaging with the European Parliament Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup and European Union institutions such as the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance and the Agency for Fundamental Rights on issues of data collection, the role of national institutions, hate speech and hate crimes, and national action plans under the framework of the Decade. F. Supporting and engaging with intergovernmental bodies and human rights mechanisms 41. OHCHR plays an important secretariat function in supporting the various intergovernmental bodies and human rights mechanisms working to implementing the programme of activities for the Decade, in other words the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Ad Hoc Committee of the Human Rights Council on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 42. The Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent has been crucial for making proposals for the elimination of racial discrimination against people of African descent. Since 2005, over 19 fact-finding country visits have taken place, allowing the experts to see first-hand issues of racial discrimination affecting people of African descent and make tailored recommendations to improve the human rights of people of African descent.34 These country visits also allow for interaction with government officials, civil society and people of African descent and can lead to reflection and action, such as the apology made by the Government of Belgium for the abduction of mixed-race children in the former colonies of present-day Burundi, the Congo and Rwanda,35 and the ongoing initiatives to change street names in Germany.36 Country visits are beneficial to States, which is why other countries are encouraged to extend invitations to the Working Group to visit or follow up on visits in the future. 43. The High Commissioner made an opening statement at a special event held in Geneva on 9 December 2019 entitled “Ensuring recognition, justice and development”. The event was organized by the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, OHCHR, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and the Permanent Missions to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva of the Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. It raised awareness, allowed for an exchange of views and galvanized support among States, civil society organizations and the general public for the Decade and a United Nations declaration on the promotion of and full respect for the human rights of people of African descent. Panellists at the ambassadorial level advocated for political momentum by States and other stakeholders in implementing the programme of activities for the Decade. 44. The High Commissioner has since held several meetings with the Chairs of the mechanisms on follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and of the treaty bodies, as well as with special procedure mandate holders, to increase cooperation and speed up implementation of the Decade. 33 34 35 36 European Parliament resolution of 26 March 2019 on fundamental rights of people of African descent in Europe (2018/2899(RSP)), available from www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-20190212_EN.html. See www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Racism/WGAfricanDescent/Pages/CountryVisits.aspx. A/HRC/42/59/Add.1, para. 38. A/HRC/36/60/Add.2, para. 10. 9