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.

As part of its programme for the Third Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003), the General Assembly calls for the observance by all States of a Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination, beginning on 21 March.

The celebration for the year 2001 will take place within the framework of the International Year of Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, proclaimed by the United Nation with the objective of contributing to the preparation of the United Nations World Conference against Racism, to be held in South Africa in September 2001.

More over, UNITED, voluntary cooperation of more than 500 organisations from 49 European countries working together - united in the biggest anti-racism network, coordinates the European-wide Action Week Against Racism, to be held form March 17 to 25, 2001, with the slogan "Equal Rights - Access for All".

Related News:
- Tolerance and Diversity: A Vision for the 21st Century (8/2/2001)

Date of publication: 18/03/2001

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