African Descent Affairs Act of 2019

African Descent Affairs Act of 2019

This bill directs the Department of State to establish an Office of Global African Descent Affairs, to be headed by the Director and Special Advisor to the Secretary on Global African Descent Affairs.

Office functions shall include

• directing policies, programs, and funding relating to the human rights and advancement of people of African descent internationally;
• developing and managing the Fund for African Descent Affairs to invest in solutions to combat racial discrimination and create opportunities for people of African descent internationally;
• directing U.S. government resources to support the protection, integration, resettlement, and empowerment of people of African descent; and
• compiling an annual report on U.S. government activities relating to people of African descent.

The bill requires that a description of the status of the people of African descent in each country be included in a specified annual human rights report.

The U.S. Agency for International Development shall appoint a Senior Advisor to the Administrator on Global African Descent Affairs who shall (1) direct policies, programs, and funding relating to the human rights and advancement of people of African descent internationally; and (2) develop a uniform set of indicators and standards for monitoring and evaluating foreign assistance for people of African descent.

The Office of Global African Descent Affairs shall develop or update annually (for 10 years after the initial report) a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against people of African descent.