UN rights chief warns AI bias, police discrimination are deepening systemic racism against Africans

Nairobi, Kenya - United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk has cautioned that racial discrimination continues to impact the lives of Africans and those of African descent in multiple areas such as employment, healthcare, housing, and justice. Türk emphasized the need for reparatory justice to address the lingering impacts of slavery and colonialism, warning that these historical injustices continue to influence power dynamics and opportunities.

He highlighted that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies could exacerbate systemic racism if biased algorithms are not carefully managed.

Türk also expressed concerns over police practices, noting that in various regions, officers are significantly more likely to use force against people of African descent, and these individuals are disproportionately incarcerated in many countries. The UN official argued that the disproportionate representation of people in prisons reflects the exclusion of certain groups from society.

He pointed out that the consequences of historical wrongs like slavery and colonialism are not confined to the past; they affect economic opportunities, political representation, and access to crucial services. Türk cited poverty, discrimination in employment and housing, unequal healthcare treatment, and educational disparities as common forms of racism experienced in daily life.

He also linked current global economic inequalities to historical exploitation, pointing out that many developing countries, including former colonies, bear unsustainable debts that hinder investments in domestic needs.

Reparatory justice, according to Türk, involves more than just financial compensation; it includes acknowledging past wrongs, addressing their ongoing effects, and preventing future discrimination. This can take various forms such as formal apologies, truth-seeking processes, memorialization, the restitution of cultural artifacts, and financial, educational, and medical support for affected communities.

Türk mentioned examples of countries taking steps to address their histories, including apologies and memorial projects, but stressed that these efforts are not enough as no state has fully addressed historical harms or current systemic racism.

The UN official highlighted the need for stronger legal protections against racism, noting that only a limited number of countries have comprehensive anti-discrimination laws. Türk called for the robust implementation of existing anti-racism laws and targeted investments to improve access to healthcare, housing, education, justice, and employment.

He also called attention to the importance of including Africans and people of African descent in discussions about reparatory justice to ensure that solutions are tailored to their specific needs.

Türk urged governments to lead by example by taking actions such as issuing public apologies, engaging in truth-telling initiatives, and integrating inclusive history education in schools and universities. He further advocated for increased African representation in international decision-making bodies and stronger actions against climate injustices, highlighting that Africans and people of African descent are among the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

Türk stressed that the prospects of the younger generation should not be burdened by centuries of racial discrimination and historical cruelties, emphasizing that repairing past harms is essential to dismantling systemic racism.