The Uruguayan government reaffirmed Tuesday its commitment to progress in the political and social recognition of the Afro-Uruguayan people, who represent about 10 percent of the national population, while the greatest concentration of this ethnic group is located in the capital Montevideo.
Uruguay is raising awareness with this measure and it is promoting transparent and inclusive mechanisms of justice, while also contributing to reducing inequality and improving development policies.
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The initiative is part of the International Decade for People of African Descent, declared by the United Nations. The program kicked off in January and will run until 2024. The initiative is aimed at providing the opportunity to recognize the significant contribution made by people of African descent to societies.
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Countries with populations of African descendants states should, according to the U.N. “take concrete and practical steps ... to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance faced by people of African descent...”
The presence of African descendants in Uruguay dates from the arrival of European settlers, who brought the first black slaves. Official data reveals that the Afro-Uruguayan population has higher levels of poverty than the general population, with many earning via unskilled labor.
In 2012, the government of former president Jose Mujica actively promoted positive discrimination, or affirmative action, which reserves 8 percent of of public scholarships to Afro-Uruguayans and changed the law so that companies that hire African descents receive higher rebates on social security contributions.