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The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed with a series of events and activities worldwide on March 21 each year. The day aims to remind people of racial discrimination’s negative consequences. It also encourages people to remember their obligation and determination to combat 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 General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination (resolution 2142 (XXI)).


The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was established six years after an event, known as the Sharpeville tragedy or Sharpeville massacre, which captured worldwide attention. This event involved police opening fire and killing 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid “pass laws” in Sharpeville, South Africa, March 21, 1960.

The UN General Assembly called on the international community to increase its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination when it proclaimed the day as a UN Day of observance in 1966. It also called on all world states and organizations to participate in a program of action to combat racism and racial discrimination in 1983. It held the World Conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in 2001. The UN continues its work to fight against all forms of racial intolerance.


Symbols

The UN logo is often associated with marketing and promotional material for this event. It features a projection of a world map (less Antarctica) centered on the North Pole, inscribed in a wreath consisting of crossed conventionalized branches of the olive tree. The olive branches symbolize peace and the world map depicts the area of concern to the UN in achieving its main purpose, peace and security. The projection of the map extends to 60 degrees south latitude, and includes five concentric circles.

What do people do?

Various activities and events are arranged in many countries worldwide on this day. Previous activities included a webcast from the UN headquarters on March 21 featuring special appearances of UN leaders. Such events aim to help young people voice their opinions, find ways to fight racism, and promote tolerance in their communities and in their lives.

Young people also have the option of posting their opinions regarding discussions on human rights and racial discrimination at Voices of Youth, which is UNICEF’s online bulletin board for young people. Contributors to Voices of Youth come from different parts of the world including Jamaica, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines. Other activities include essays, photo projects, and published articles that promote the fight against racial discrimination.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:


"Too Many Individuals, Communities and Societies Suffer from the Injustice and Stigma that Racism Brings"

Message on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March 2009

VIENNA, 21 March (UN Information Service) - On this day in 1960, 69 peaceful protestors were gunned down by police in the South African township of Sharpeville as they demonstrated peacefully against the apartheid "pass laws". Many more - including women and children - were wounded. A wave of revulsion washed round the world. By proclaiming 21 March as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the General Assembly wished to honour the memory those who were massacred and to condemn racism.

Since then, the apartheid system in South Africa has been dismantled. Racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries, and we have built an international framework for fighting racism, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Convention is now nearing universal ratification, yet still, in all regions, too many individuals, communities and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings.


Next month, government and civil society representatives will meet in Geneva to review progress since the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, in Durban. In the years since, the world has witnessed a disturbing rise in reports of hatred and bigotry, linked in part to terrorism and increasing migration. The Review Conference is a timely opportunity for countries to share experiences, identify best practices and reaffirm their commitment to the battle against racism. Racism exists in all countries, and I urge all countries to work together in the struggle against it.

The first article of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights affirms that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reminds us of our collective responsibility for promoting and protecting this ideal. Together, we must strengthen our common endeavour to put an end to racial discrimination and xenophobia wherever it occurs.