A/HRC/35/45 programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent. 48. As regards achieving greater knowledge of the legacy and culture of people of African descent, she highlighted the creation of a national programme to conduct research on the cultural diversity and history of people of African descent. In addition, a network for interdisciplinary research on identity, racism and xenophobia had been launched, the mandate of which was focused on providing tools to formulate public policies to foster a culture of respect and diversity. The first site commemorating slavery within the context of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition was recently established. 49. During the discussion that followed the presentation of the progress report, the representative of non-governmental organizations welcomed all the efforts and progress made in Mexico as it has been one of the last countries in South America to give formal recognition to people of African descent. He added that further efforts were needed. 50. The representative of the European Union noted that there were countries in Europe that had not recognized collective rights based on ethnicity. 51. The representative of South Africa emphasized the idea of self-identification and noted that in her country the term “black” referred to a wide group of different communities, such as mixed South Africans, and those of Asian and even European descent. She said that it was important to allow people to identify themselves in a way that promoted social cohesion. 52. Following the discussion on that topic, Ms. Diallo delivered her presentation on police violence and the media’s representation of persons of African descent in France. She referred to Adama Traoré, who had died while in police custody. That case resembled a number of other cases that had occurred during the previous few years and had resulted in protests. She also talked about identity checks and their disproportionate focus on youth, in particular persons of African or Arab descent. A review of the identity checks had led to fewer complaints and more effective policing; however, the changes had been discontinued and there had been a return to old practices, she said. 53. The presentation also contained details of the portrayal of the non-white population in media, including the prevalence of negative stereotyping. A number of positive measures, such as quotas, were necessary to ensure increased representation in the media sector, including subsidies for the creation of diverse media outlets, public space for local associations established to combat racial discrimination and the use of appropriate phraseology, among other steps. 54. Ms. Cottias presented an overview of the linkages between slavery and colonialism, and racial discrimination, pointing out that the slavery introduced by colonial powers was racially biased. Slavery under colonialism built the racial categories currently known as “black” and “white”, emphasizing that those terms were not used before the spread of colonialism. In that regard, she questioned the use of such a categorization, highlighting the need to deconstruct the power relations it entailed, which had been built up during that historical period. 55. She recommended paying particular attention to education, including that on past tragedies, such as slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. She believed that the International Decade for People of African Descent gave an excellent opportunity to build and share knowledge of the past. 56. Mr. McEachrane noted that the most comprehensive study on minority discrimination in Europe had shown that persons of African descent were, together with Roma, the most discriminated against group in the region. There had been an alarming increase in discrimination, such as extreme racial segregation of people of African descent and rampant police violence against African Americans. The negative and unfair legacies of colonialism had led to pervasive racial discrimination. 57. He emphasized that the International Decade for People of African Descent was not merely important for those of African descent, but could serve to break down racial 7