International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws. Proclaiming the day in 1966, the United Nations General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.[1]

Human Rights Day in South Africa

In South Africa, Human Rights Day is a public holiday celebrated on 21 March each year. This day commemorates the lives that have been lost to fight for democracy and equal human rights in South Africa during the Apartheid regime (a regime which embraced racial discrimination). The Sharpeville Massacre during Apartheid on 21 March 1960 is the particular reference day for this public holiday.

Themes

Every year the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is under one specific theme:

  • 2010: Disqualify Racism[2]
  • 2014: The Role of Leaders in Combatting Racism and Racial Discrimination[3]
  • 2015: Learning from tragedies to combat racial discrimination today[4]
  • 2017: Racial profiling and incitement to hatred, including in the context of migration[5]
  • 2018: Promoting tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity in the context of combating racial discrimination[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ see UN Resolution 2142 (XXI) of 26 October 1966; "International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination". United Nations. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  2. ↑ Ms. Navanethem Pillay at United States Mission Geneva
  3. ↑ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on un.org
  4. ↑ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on un.org
  5. ↑ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on un.org
  6. ↑ International Day for the Emilination of Racial Discrimination on un.org
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