A/HRC/40/75 and comparative law at the University of Paris-Sud and the University of the West Indies, Patrice Tacita; member of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Verene A. Shepherd; Michael Balcerzak; expert on reparations, food sovereignty, African and indigenous popular education and land rights, Priscilla Pambana Gutto Bassett; Professor of international human rights and head of the Department of International and European Law at the University of Amsterdam, Yvonne M. Donders; Tunisian human rights activist and President of the “M’nemti” association against racism, Saadia Mosbah; educator for grassroots Afro-descendant communities of Colombia on Law 70 of 1993, Charo Mina Rojas; and co-founder and co-coordinator of the project ÍRÈTÍ – training in black culture for educators, Amanda Carneiro Santos. 8. Under item 10, presentations were made by Professor of political science at the Faculty of Law of the University of Liège, Jérôme Jamin, and Chair of the Expert Board of the European International Tolerance Centre in Riga, expert and analyst in comparative and motivational analysis of xenophobia and radicalism in Europe and expert on radical right extremism, Valery Engel. B. Opening of the session and election of the Chair-Rapporteur 9. The Permanent Representative of Lesotho to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Refiloe Litjobo, was elected Chair-Rapporteur. C. Statements 10. The representative of Cuba reaffirmed her country’s commitments to the Durban Declaration Programme of Action and its support to its effective implementation and expressed the willingness of Cuba to cooperate with the human rights mechanisms that were established to follow up on the World Conference against Racism. She also urged all Member States to combat racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. 11. The representative of Brazil reaffirmed her country’s commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration Programme of Action. She further expressed serious concern at the rise of hate speech worldwide and emphasized that Brazil was deeply committed at both the national and regional level to the fight against racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. 12. With regard to the consideration of the elaboration of a draft United Nations declaration on the promotion of and full respect for the human rights of people of African descent, the representative of the European Union questioned the added value of having a new instrument. However, she stated that the European Union would pay close attention to presentations on the topic. 13. The representative of Togo expressed the commitment of the African Group to the anti-racist agenda and hoped that the conclusions of the session would be an expression of the political will and commitment of all States and civil society to addressing the plight of many vulnerable communities and people. 14. The representative of Pakistan condemned all acts of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and urged all Member States to unify their efforts. 15. The representative of Belgium expressed the view that Member States needed to redouble their efforts to implement the Durban Declaration Programme of Action effectively. 16. The representative of South Africa, with regard to the discussion on the consideration of the elaboration of a draft United Nations declaration on the promotion of and full respect for the human rights of people of African descent, argued for a legally binding document. 3