4th Annual Session of the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Ad

In examining how systemic racism affects Africans and people of African descent in the criminal justice system, speakers and participants are invited to discuss obstacles, challenges, lessons learnt and promising initiatives at different stages of the criminal justice proceedings, including before, during and after a trial. They will also explore how race and other intersecting factors contribute to discrimination against, and disproportionate outcomes for, Africans and people of African descent in the criminal justice system as well as the correlation between racial discrimination and the overrepresentation of Africans and people of African descent in detention.

In the second consultation (during trial), participants are invited to discuss:

- Access to justice
- Judicial guarantees (to be informed of the charge, legal assistance, interpreter, etc)
- Fair trial guarantees (including selection of jurors)
- Sentencing, including sentences beyond life expectancy and death penalty

Guiding questions include:

1. What barriers do Africans and people of African descent face in accessing justice, and how can these be addressed to ensure equal access? (e.g. access to free legal counsel)?

2. What are the main infringements to the right to fair trial faced by Africans and people of African descent?

3. What measures can be implemented to ensure that jury selection processes are free from racial bias and discrimination against Africans and people of African descent?

4. What data is available regarding racial disparities in the sentencing of people of African descent? Is this consistent with your observations in this area? Is there a disproportionate impact of sentencing practices, such as life without parole or death sentences, on people of African descent?