UN proclaims 2011 the International Year for People of African Descent

The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action described slavery and the transatlantic slave trade as crimes against humanity and recognized their continuing consequences. The declaration emerged from...

Law 10.639 made the teaching of African and Afro-Brazilian history and culture compulsory in official school curricula. It followed decades of Black movement advocacy and challenged curricula that had...

The General Assembly adopted resolution 62/122, designating 25 March as the annual International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, beginning in 2008....

Law 11.645 amended the education law to require Indigenous as well as Afro-Brazilian history and culture in school curricula. It broadened the public account of colonial violence and resistance...

The United Nations first observed the annual International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The date created a recurring platform for memorialization and...

The statute established a national legal framework to promote racial equality and combat discrimination, including in education, culture, health, and employment. It translated Black movement demands...

The UN year opened a global program focused on recognition, justice, and development. It provided an international platform for states and civil society to address the history of enslavement and...

Law 12.711 reserved places at federal universities and institutes for public-school graduates, with provisions reflecting racial and Indigenous demographics. It emerged from long campaigns over...

At their 2013 meeting, Caribbean leaders agreed to establish national reparations committees and a regional commission to prepare the case for reparatory justice concerning Indigenous genocide,...

The conference brought governments, scholars, community organizers, and diaspora representatives together to develop a regional reparations agenda. Participants elected Hilary Beckles as chair of...