The United Nations Human Rights Council has urged global action including reparations to “make amends” for racism against people of African descent.
Its new report also urges educational reform and apologies to address discrimination.
The findings cite concerns in about 60 countries including the UK, Belgium, France, Canada, Brazil and Colombia.
The study began after the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in US police custody in 2020.
The findings say protests over the Minnesota man’s death and the conviction of a white policeman were a “seminal point in the fight against racism”.
In a statement, UN high commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet calls on all states to stop denying – and start dismantling – racism and to listen to the voices of people of African descent.
It found that police use of racial profiling and excessive force was systemic in much of North America, Europe and Latin America.
The report said racism was the biggest problem in countries associated with the former trade of many millions of Africans for slavery.
It praises Black Lives Matter and says the group should “receive funding, public recognition and support”.
Ms Bachelet, a former president of Chile, said reparations must not only be financial in nature, but include other “guarantees” to prevent future injustices.
Ms Bachelet welcomed a “promising initiative” by US President Joe Biden to address racial inequity, which involves attempting to level the playing field by treating racial groups differently based on perceived need.
