Bina D’Costa
Professor of International Relations; Chair, UN Working Group on People of African Descent; ARC CEVAW Migration & Trafficking Lead; ARC Future Fellow – Children & Young People’s Displacement in Humanitarian Emergencies
Summary
At the 60th session of the Human Rights Council, Bina D’Costa presented the latest report of the UN Working Group on People of African Descent, addressing the multidimensional aspects—political, legal, sociocultural, economic, and gendered—of reparatory justice for Africans and people of African descent. The report underscores the continuing intergenerational effects of the transatlantic slave trade and other historical injustices, and outlines pathways to advance justice.
She also reported on the Working Group’s recent mission to Colombia, undertaken at the government’s invitation, and acknowledged the critical input of victims, survivor groups, civil society, and UN agencies. During the Council’s session, D’Costa met bilaterally with several member states, joined a side event hosted by Geledés, and participated in commemorations marking the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), while calling for renewed implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA).
The Council additionally adopted key resolutions on Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Notably, on October 6, 2025, Resolution A/HRC/60/L.9 established an independent mechanism to investigate human rights violations in Afghanistan, especially the systematic exclusion of women from public life under Taliban rule. Passed without a vote, the resolution marked a breakthrough for accountability efforts following sustained civil society advocacy. However, D’Costa cautioned that the mechanism’s effectiveness will depend on whether it can secure adequate funding amid the UN’s worsening financial crisis.
Links below to the reports and the resolutions.
2) Colombia Report
https://lnkd.in/gP6shtVB
3) Situation of human rights in Afghanistan
https://lnkd.in/g7E2DU-8
4) Promoting reconciliation, accountability & human rights in Sri Lanka- https://lnkd.in/gxDw7sns
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