PURPOSE: The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March, the day aims to foster a global culture of tolerance, equality and anti-discrimination and calls on each and every one of us to stand up against racial prejudice and intolerant attitudes. The UDHR states that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms, without distinction of any kind, such as race and colour, among others. However, racism and racial discrimination continue to affect people all over the world.
FORUM: "Reflecting on a journey towards equality." International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2024. Despite progress, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, still permeate societies around the world and deeply affect the lives and human rights of millions of people, including Africans and people of African descent, Asians and people of Asian descent, indigenous peoples, migrants, national, ethnic and linguistic minorities, and religious communities. We need everyone’s voice to stand in solidarity with the victims of racism and join their fight for racial justice and equality. Silence is indifference. It contributes to perpetuating racial discrimination and oppression. It muffles the voices of those who have the courage to stand up against racism. As the International Decade comes to an end, it is time to confront and rectify the pervasive obstacles and barriers hampering recognition, justice, and development for people of African descent. We call on States to respond to growing calls for reparatory justice and economic empowerment for people of African descent. We also call on States to leave no person of African descent behind in their efforts to realize the Sustainable Development Goals. Today we join our voices again to urge all States to push forward in the fight against racial discrimination. We also call on States to proclaim a second International Decade for People of African Descent, to ensure greater recognition, justice, and development for people of African descent, including by engaging meaningfully in reparatory justice processes for past injustices. Follow the conversation with the hashtags:#AfricanDescent, #21March, #FightRacism, #IDERD.
EVENTS: On March 21st; A Commemorative Event will be held from 11:00-12:30 pm EDT at the General Assembly Hall, New York to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Week of Solidarity with peoples struggling with Racism and Racial Discrimination 2024. Initiatives aimed at revitalizing multilateralism, including the Summit of the Future, provide an important opportunity to firmly establish the collective responsibility of States in ensuring concrete progress to address structural and systemic racial discrimination and its root causes.The panel discussion will be held to combat racial discrimination by committing to take specific and urgent actions. Register to participate!
The United Nations Human Rights Council held its fifty-fifth regular session from 26 February to 5 April 2024.
WEBINARS: The Unifor will be holding a special webinar on March 21st at 7pm E.T. to discuss the rise in Islamophobia and antisemitism in Canada – a rise that has intensified due to the ongoing war in Gaza in the Middle East and that has stoked deep global divisions. Special guest speakers, including Larry Haiven professor emeritus in labour relations at Saint Mary’s University and a member of the executive committee of Independent Jewish Voices Canada, Aasiyah Khan, Director of Education at the National Council of Canadian Muslim’s (NCCM), and Dr. Barbara Perry, the Director of the Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism, will discuss ways in which we can effectively identify and tackle these forms of discrimination in our workplaces and communities and work together to promote human rights, peace, and solidarity. Register now to attend the webinar!
STATEMENTS
Joint statement of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; The Experts of the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the context of Law Enforcement; The Chairperson, Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent; The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, The Chairperson-Designate of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent; And The Chairperson of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2024; March 21st.
Statement by Mr. Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2024. March 21st.
PODCASTS: Minorities, people of African descent, people of Asian descent, Indigenous Peoples, migrants, including asylum seekers and refugees, are particularly vulnerable as they often face discrimination in all aspects of their lives based on their racial, ethnic or national origin, skin colour or descent. In this regard, it is crucial that States must implement their international human rights obligations and commitments under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Let’s talk about the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; Listen the audio-Podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: "Reflecting on a journey towards equality." Through our work, we see clearly that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance continue to be a cause of conflict around the world. We are witnessing a dangerous regression in the fight against racism and racial discrimination in many spaces. Together, we are committed to making sure people of every race, ethnicity, color, gender, religion, creed and sexual orientation enjoy a sense of belonging and safety, and have an equal opportunity to contribute to the success of our United Nations. Get the communication materials!
Why we celebrate the Day?
Throughout the history, racism creates the conflicts and hatred in the minds of men and women, disrupting mutual understanding and trust to build peace in the world. Racism also impedes the United Nations’ efforts for the social dimension of sustainable development.
Only by raising our voices together can we break this silence. Let’s stand with to those who face racism and listen to their experiences and concerns. Let’s combat fake and harmful discriminatory narratives and ensure that everyone’s voice is taken into account. Our diversity is a source of strength, never a threat. Join us and add your voice to demand action against racism and racial discrimination. Read the Report on the fight against discrimination and racism in football - COLOUR? WHAT COLOUR?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
Provide the space to strategise for change Global call against RACISM
Advance equality and anti-discrimination.
Get involved in the development of more advanced racial awareness.
Mobilize actions against all forms and manifestations of racial discrimination and injustice.
Support individual and organisational conversations about the importance of keeping the focus of IDERD.
Engage in proactive, open discussions about racism.
Tackle racism when it occurs and prevent it in the future.
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PARTNERSHIPS
The IDERD is co-organized by the U.N. Member States, the UNESCO, the UNAOC, the United Nations High commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights of persons with albinism, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons and the United Nations Network on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.
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We recognize that eradicating racial discrimination requires sustained effort and collaboration across diverse sectors. By forging partnerships with community organizations, advocacy groups, and policymakers, we can effect meaningful change and build a more just and equitable society for all. We encourage members to participate in events in their communities and seek out opportunities to advance their understanding of racism and its impacts. Together, we stand in solidarity with all workers and communities in the pursuit of a world free from racial discrimination.