A/HRC/40/75 47. Ms. Kaneza stated that the declaration would not establish new standards but would help to emphasize existing norms. Everywhere, people of African descent were targeted and needed protection. She noted that the declaration had the potential to provide a blueprint for future action after 2024. Ms. Kaneza also encouraged strong representation of people of African descent, as well as representatives of civil society and communities, in the drafting process. 48. Mr. Jallow said a declaration would show the commitment of the international community to legal frameworks regarding people of African descent. Member States should not only commit to, but also be involved in the process of drawing up, the declaration. In addition, the declaration should clearly manifest the ambition to make real changes to the everyday lives of people of African descent. 49. Mr. McEachrane noted that a declaration, together with a forum, could institutionalize the dignity and rights of people of African descent in a similar way to the way indigenous rights had been institutionalized. He further noted that a declaration would serve to strengthen the integrity of the human rights of people of African descent, reaffirm principles of equality and recognize special rights including the rights to special measures for people of African descent. 50. The representative of Colombia expressed his country’s continued commitment to implementing measures to promote the protection of human rights for people of African descent, including the drafting of a declaration. He noted that Colombia would continue to adopt measures to strengthen minorities, especially people of African descent. 51. The representative of Angola expressed his country’s interest in supporting a declaration and further expressed his hope that the discussion of a declaration did not become mere rhetoric but would be action-oriented. 52. The representative of the European Union stated that it remained committed to the fight against racism and fully agreed to devote specific attention to the issues of people of African descent. However, she stated that the European Union was not yet convinced that an additional instrument, such as a declaration, was the best way forward in combating racial discrimination in all its manifestations. She argued that the universal ratification and effective implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, including specific attention paid to people of African descent, was the most effective way to combat racial discrimination. 53. The representative of Nigeria noted that a declaration was important in the fight against racism. He called upon stakeholders to proceed with the declaration and to have it finalized by 2024, when the International Decade ends. 54. The representative of Azerbaijan acknowledged that despite the efforts made, people of African descent still suffered from multiple aggravated or intersecting forms of discrimination, which must be tackled. He stated that Azerbaijan supported the elaboration of a declaration and that it should be an inclusive and open concept that engaged all relevant stakeholders and civil society organizations from Africa and elsewhere. 55. The representative of China stated that China fully supported the drafting of a declaration. She urged all Member States to adopt an attitude of zero tolerance of all forms of racism and to implement effective measures to fight racism and xenophobia. She also called upon States to root out the cause of racism and to promote harmonious relationships between religions. 56. Ms. Ojulari commented that many groups that had been historically discriminated against sought more protection through specific instruments related to their specific experiences. In the case of people of African descent, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent and general recommendation No. 34 of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination could provide a framework. A declaration should confront ongoing paradigms of colonialism, which, since the colonial period, had functioned to dehumanize Africans and their descendants. For example, people of African descent throughout Latin America had contributed to expanding notions of collective rights. A declaration had the potential to create important protective mechanisms and to expand the scope of collective 8